 Wise Intelligent is the front man for the critically acclaimed and Legendary Hiphop trio known to the world as the “Poor Righteous Teachers”. PRT hail from and represent to the fullest Trenton New Jersey (New Jerusalem). They released five incredible albums throughout their illustrious career. This month we speak to the man himself...
What’s up, how you doing these days?
I’m good
I used to be a big follower of PRT back in the day. I’m not sure if you realise, but during 1993/4/5 PRT had a huge following in South Africa. It was one of those groups that became the soundtrack to the changes that were happening in South Africa at that time (amongst the South African hip hop movement). The messages were relevant and we could identify with PRT. Have you had any encounters with South Africa or South Africans? And as for being a major sound in the South African hip hop community, how do you feel about that?
It feels great to know that people as far away as South Africa have heard of and appreciate the work of a simple ghetto youth from a small slum in North America. It teaches me how we are all connected and sharing the same universal God conscious space because we can feel each others pains, joys, and struggles, we are one. It’s beautiful! Unfortunately I have never had the opportunity to travel to any parts of Africa, neither have I had much dialogue with anyone from South Africa until now. I plan to visit soon.
PRT was one of those groups that could be considered legendary (in my opinion). It had a unique sound and strong messages. Is Wise Intelligent going to be offering the same “feeling/atmosphere” with the latest offering?
Yes, “Wise Intelligent Iz…The Talented Timothy Taylor” is packed with messages social, political, and economic. I like to consider this album a “chemical wedding” of sorts; something old, something new, something borrowed, and all my blues. It represents the coming together of the best parts of PRT and a personalized view of Wise Intelligent, a view rarely seen. So this album will reveal to PRT fans and new fans as well “The Me Nobody Knows.”
Your new album, “The Talented Timothy Taylor” is coming out in Summer 2005. Which label is that coming out on?
This album will be released through INTELLIGENT MUZIK.
Will it have some international distribution?
Yes
Who is doing production on it?
Production on the album was done by “ThaHavknotz” pronounced “the have nots.” They represent the next big thing in hip hop production. I also used production from Oh No, and Traxzilla. The idea was to use who was hot, not popular.
Tell us about Timothy Taylor...
Timothy Taylor is who I was before I became Wise Intelligent. Timothy Taylor was who I was before the albums, videos, fans, hustle and headache. This album is a throw back to me, it’s an “interview” in a lyrical format. As a member of PRT I never really gave the world a chance to get to know me personally, whereas with this album I’m opening up and revealing some of the human qualities of Wise Intelligent. That’s who Timothy Taylor is the mortal side of Wise Intelligent “the immortal!”
Any guest artists?
At the moment there are no guest appearances. I did not want to follow the format of most hip hop and/or rap albums being released today, they are all for the most part overdone compilation records. This album is a re-introduction of Wise Intelligent “The Talented Timothy Taylor” not ten other MC’s. In the event that I do a last minute guest appearance and it makes the album it will be some one from INTELLIGENT MUZIK/RIOT RECORDS.
Can you tell us how you got involved with hip hop, what was it that influenced you?
It was urban youth culture. It was what I am. When I heard Sugar Hill Gang being played on radio I gravitated to it powerlessly. It had a magnetic attraction that was overwhelming. Hip Hop had managed to embody all of my urban emotions, my poverty blues, and my struggle in a musical way, a way that I could relate to. It was not just the music that pulled me it was the culture in itself; break dancing/popping, graffiti, DJing, and rapping, you know just being a B-Boy.
When was PRT formed and how did the group come about?
PRT was formed around 1987. Culture Freedom and I grew up together; we were very close as children. As pre-teens we were both members of our own respective rap groups. Eventually those dissolved and we became a group adding Father Shaheed, thus the Poor Righteous Teachers.
PRT has had success in the past, I mean one should just look at the classic albums you released. What was it like in those times?
It was great; it was the beginning of hip hops take over of the world. It was an era when MC’s were laying the ground work for the eventual arrival of the rappers. We had a lot of fun. We learned a lot, we paid some bills and saw a lot of the world. Being a poor black youth from a ghetto these times were a much needed expansion of consciousness. The touring, meeting new people of different cultures and just seeing that there is life just beyond that red bricked project wall, just beyond the glare of that police squad cars lights, taught us first hand that there is more to life than what most black youth in Americas ghettos experience daily.
Is there anything you regret doing?
Yes, not starting the youth program that I’m starting some ten years later.
As for the hip hop scene today, what do you think of it? Do you feel that the best times are now over? I mean look at the late 80’s, early 90’s, very few stuff coming out today can compare. Do you feel the same way?
It’s sad, but true. We have been unable to make better records than the generation that preceded us. But its not just rap music, the R&B of today is nothing in comparison to the Marvin Gaye’s, the Aretha Franklins, and Anita Bakers of the world. I believe that this is due in part to our lack of respect and/or acknowledgement of those that came before us. Even yesterday’s revolutionaries were more revolutionary than those who profess to be revolutionaries today. Whether by intention or lack of knowledge we “as a people” give off the impression that “we hate our past” and in that lies our inability to learn anything from it.
How old are you?
I’m that which always was and always will be, I am forever living giving my understanding power through truth and refinement. I guess you’ve just stumbled upon one of the grey areas in my socially flawed character. (Laughs!)
Tell us something that nobody knows about you?
I am a collector of beautiful women. I’m not a “player” or “pimp” neither am I a womanizer, I am a collector!
What’s the biggest problem facing American youth today?
Lack of knowledge and an intentional dumbing of the youth by their “leaders.” America is Disney World and politically the masses are on vacation. The youth have yet to fathom how what takes place in Africa or India effects them here in the US. They do not understand that if they allow human rights to be violated 8-9000 miles away today, it is inevitable that your human rights will be violated tomorrow.
What hip hop artists are you feeling now?
All of them. They all have made me think! They all have contributed to the expansion of my consciousness in some way, whether they spit something negative or positive it was all spit for my expansion. I love hip hop and I take its positives with its negatives. Let’s just say “I’ve married a whore.”
Which part of the US are you living at now?
New Jersey
What do you plan to achieve with this album?
Well 100% of the proceeds to this album will go to my cause with the youth. I’m looking to mobilize enough manpower, wealth, and resources to make a social impact in my community and poor communities throughout the world immediately thereafter. If this album can put one small dent or crack in the wall of poverty and ignorance that has become black youth in America and the world, well then, it has served its purpose.
What’s your favourite food and drinks?
I love rice, peas, fish (red snapper, king fish, anything with scales & fins, no shells), fried banana, calaloo and pumpkin. See, now I’m hungry!
What plans do you have for the next 2 years?
I’ll be releasing the third of a seven box solo set entitled “Back to School” The Talented Timothy Taylor is the first of this set. This is “1st Period.” At that time I hope to be able to take the youth of my program to South Africa for lunch.
Thanks for talking to us up here in South Africa, any last words or shout outs?
Big Shout to all South African youth, our freedom is just around the bend, Love, Life, Literacy. Stay connected with us at WWW.INTELLIGENTMUZIK.COM until the earth is back in the hands of her rightful rulers PEACE equals Proper, Education, Always, Counters, Exploitation! POOR RIGHTEOUS TEACHER/ WISE INTELLIGENT DISCOGRAPHY
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"Pure Poverty"
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"The New World Order"
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SOLO RECORDINGS
Killin' U for Fun
Release Date: 03/12/1996
Buy this CD Wise Intelligent is The Talented Timothy Taylor
Release Date: Summer 2005
(No Track Listing Available)
For more information about Wise Intelligent go to www.intelligentmuzik.com |
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