Recently I hooked up with the Mad Krew who come from that North West city Seattle. They had produced a fat video called “Enter The Madness” which showcased inner city graffiti, bboying, deejaying and emceeing. Immediatley I was interested in what these cats were up to. They also released a few albums and even got their own TV show. Peep it!

Can you tell us how Cypheralliance, Mad Krew, how are they connected, where you at, where you from and what you all about?

Mad Krew originated in Seattle, Washington, U.S. during 1995 and consists of Angel 179, Apple, Bler One, Dirty Dev, El Guanaco, Khazma 247, Nomad Nossirom, DJ Scene, Silent Knight, and Rufio. MADK is a family united by the culture of hip hop and strives to uplift the local scene and community as well as worldwide. Cyphalliance is a emcee group from the MADK record label. 

Can you tell us about the 911 Amerika project. Are all those artists from Seattle? What was the reaction to the album and what statements were you trying to make with that album?

911 Amerika is a CD/vinyl compilation produced by Khazma 247 and Gabriel Teodros with over 40 artists featured discussing the repercussions of the September 11th tragedy and the United States propaganda with its surrounding issues. Most of the artists involved are from Seattle however some of the artists reside in different states now. 911 was a unique project in that the executive producers didnt dictate any direction or influence the artists to say certain things. We combined forces of many people who had never worked together before opening up communication amongst each other. It was interesting to see that people with opposing views can come together to make a song that’s still relevant. This project is very confrontational to some- people had either loved it or hated it, but above all it made people think.

You guys released some hip hop videos. I got lucky when you sent me a copy to check out. What was it like putting that together and what were some of the best memories from making that?

Enter the Madness was a lot of fun to work on. At the time, there was no other Seattle video like it. I kinda took the initiative to go out and start video taping everything I could find that was hip hop related. Then Me and Khaz went into the lab and chopped it all up. The best part was being out on the streets with the graff writers. To me thats what it was all about. Graff seems to be the least glamorous element of hip hop and I wanted to shed some light.

You also got a hip hop show on TV that you told me about. Can you give us some background to that show, which people have you met through the show that impressed you, and depressed you.

Dirty Dev, MADK member and program originator started Hip Hop 101 TV in 1999. In 2001 the show became a live weekly broadcast. Since then we have featured hundreds of people within the hip hop community including b-boys/girls, emcees, deejays, beatboxers, graff heads, and guest audiences. The staff currently consists of Big Theo, Mateo, James Owen, Georgio Brown, Silent Knight, Khazma 247, Samuel Chesneau, and DJ Scene on the wheels and Dirty Dev as the host. Hip Hop 101 reaches up to 100,000 viewers within the Puget Sound and will soon broadcast in other major cities. 

What was it like for you growing up?

I’ve lived all my life in Seattle, I love Seattle. I remember being in junior school and getting into to breakdancing, which happened every Monday and Friday nights at a community center next to my middle school. I also started writing graffiti, but at the time I did not know of it’s connection to Hip Hop, to me it was all gang related. It was not till I got into high school and started hanging out with my current crew members did I realize graffiti was part of a bigger entity, far beyond local street gang life. I feel growing into maturity with MADK and the people I call family now has made me a better individual, I probably would not be where I am today without graffiti’s influence on my art and Hip Hop in my life.

So if people wanted to know what kind of person you are how would you define yourself?

They would definitely notice that I try to be a humble soul. And of course they would see the hip hop flowing in my veins. And of course they would see the God in me. Praise God. 

In your area, how would you define the hip hop scene?

Hip hop in the Northwest has been thriving since the early eighties. We are so distanced and isolated from the other major cities that hip hop is much more grassroots and has developed its own feel and style, although cliché rappers exist too. To me it seems that many of the old schoolers won’t pass the baton of knowledge and resources to the new jacks who are coming up by leaps and bounds because they want to shine first. Unfortunately, the only way Seattle will come up is if we all work together. We are the final frontier in the U.S., meaning that the Northwest is a virtually untapped goldmine for the industry to utilize. I am trying to educate and learn from each other so that when the movement takes shape, the artists hear don’t get taken advantage of. I see Seattle blowing up on a worldwide level within the next five years.

I love the Seattle Hip Hop scene. I think shit has really blown up over the past few years. There is always something going on. Alot of Hip Hop shows. We have some of the best bboys in the world here. Not alot of Graff though. Too clean in my opinion

How did you get involved with hip hop. What artists influenced you back in the day?

I think we all were influenced by hip hop at an early age, but with me, I was always into doin art and letterforms. I started buying tapes like Run-DMC, LL Cool J, and Fat Boys and instantly knew there was something special about it. From there it was on!

What is the best thing you experienced in this business?

The best experiences to me are meeting people that have been deeply touched by what we do and have become inspired to start their own thing, whether it be throwing shows, doing grafitti, rhyming, or just becoming aware and learn about the movement. 

And the worst?

It sucks to see people using hip hop to make money but not understanding where it comes from and falsely misguiding people to a lifestyle of glitz and glamour.

And what are your best memories of hip hop?

My best memories of HipHop are of when I first performed at the age of fourteen. And also when I first saw breaking at my aunt’s living room in El Salvador in 85 –it was my cousin Rene from the Salvador City Breakers.. doing amazing headspins. I knew that it was me..hiphop that is…and I was five years old. 

So what producers are you feeling right now?

I’m feelin a lot of producers right now but if I had to name the ones I look for it would be Stoupe from Jedi Mind Tricks, Alchemist, DJ Premier, the Molemen, Just Blaze, Kanye West and of course Jake One and Vitamin D from my hometown (Seattle, WA). 

In terms of production, I hear from your albums that you are more on a purist type vibe, i.e. lots of breaks, samples, scratching, are you guys crate diggers? What type of productions attract you?

I’m a crate digger for sure, I go everywhere to look for those rare breaks or samples. We use a lot of scratching and samples in our production cuz to me that’s real hip hop. All that Neptunes type production is alright but me personally I make beats for emcees to jus kill it, and for the rides not some shit for people to dance to. The type of production that attracts me is stuff that’s more sampled based. Keyboard stuff is cool but I like to hear beats that have been chopped up. When I hear something tight I be like damn I wish I found that shit! 

Can you tell us how big bboying and graf is in your area?

I think Seattle’s Hip Hop scene is very young, we are still trying to define ourselves and find our identity, which so far I feel is strong. I feel that Seattle graffiti has that same struggle, not knowing a style. But I do believe Seattle is a good place for fusion. With Vancouver BC so close and the wildstyles of California, we get interesting mixes of letter forms and color schemes. But still there is an unusual amount of beef in our streets. Seattle spends roughly 3 millions dollars on the buff a year. As soon as a spot is hit, it is very likely to burn for only a few days, weeks if your lucky. This either leads to writers hitting ridiculous areas like sides of huge bridges, or moving away to easier, more crushable cities. 

Are you working on other projects at the moment?

There are many things in the works, the new Cyphalliance album, Silent Knight- Rising Sun, Scene is finishing the new Boom Bap Project LP that should be out in the next few months, plus couple others that are under wraps.

What is the ultimate goal for you, like what would have to happen for you to say “I finally made it?”.

The ultimate goal is to travel the world and meet tons of people.

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when I say South Africa? 

When I think of South Africa I think of a beautiful land rich with culture and history. Then I think about the many struggles of poverty and oppression the people face. I would like to travel there and personally learn from the people about how it really is.

Have you ever listened to South African hip hop?

I have seen the South African All Stars bboy crew, and they are dope!! They always rep hard at the Battles of the Year.

What are your 5 all time favourite hip hop albums?

Black Sheep – Choice Is Yours 

Low Profile – Pay Ya Dues 

MC Breed – Ain’t No Future In Yo Frontin 

Showbiz & AG – Fat Pockets 

DJ Magic Mike – Back To Haunt You 

Beat mining appears to be all over the place now with almost every producer and his mother trying to find those really unknown records for finding samples and breaks, where would you like to dig for stuff like that, have you ever considered going to some country like Albania or Sarajevo to dig for vinyl?

I will go to any place, country, wherever to look for records. I break into people’s houses to get shit man, nah jus playin. I’m always looking for that one spot that nobody knows so I can get all the good shit for myself. If I had the funds to go to places like Albania, or Sarejevo I will definitely go.

Are you planning on coming to South Africa?

There are no immediate plans to come to South Africa. Hopefully we can get distributed out there. Once people get familiar with us, we could start booking tours! 

If people wanna hook up what would they need to do?

send us an email- madkrew@hotmail.com

Where can people buy your product, especially for us folks out here in Africa?

You can order Cyphalliance “Industreets”, 911 Amerika CD and vinyl, and DJ Scene “Death Wish Breaks” on www.hiphopinfinity.com and the Brainstorm 2 DVD info is on www.brainstormbattle.com Check up in a few of months for the new site- www.madkrew.com

What are your feelings towards your president?

He’s a bitch, and part of a secret society callled the illuminati.

What foods do you eat?

Pupusas—all kinds.. cheese.. chicharon. Pupusas are a Salvadoran quizine. And I love all kinds of food..I try to avoid Mcdonalds cause they aint right.

Thanks for speaking to us, I need one of your shirts man, I’m freezing down here, last words or shout outs?

Respects to everyone down with the movement, those that make it happen, and the supporters who make it all possible. Anyone can make a difference, because it starts with one person. Anyone interested in recieving the MADK Newsletters, send us an e-mail. Peace.

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