Wu Tang's Killah Priest set to perform in Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE—Renowned hiphop artist Killah Priest of the legendary Wu Tang Clan is scheduled to be the featured performer for a very special concert at 8 p.m., Oct. 29 at Club Cancun, 110 W. Columbia St.

The concert also is scheduled to feature C Rayz Wayz from MTV Made, Fort Wayne’s own Unseen Handz and a special guest to be announced.

The concert is being promoted by Joseph Pinckney Jr. and Unseen Handz.

As long-time affiliate of Wu Tang Clan—one of the pioneering groups of modern hip-hop— Killah Priest is known for the highly spiritual and Afrocentric nature of his work. In addition to appearing on Wu Tang recordings, he has released a number of solo albums including 1998’s “Heavy Mental,” 2001’s “Priesthood” and this year’s “Elizabeth” to name only a few. The single “The 7 Crowns of Gods” from his latest album currently is making its way up the Billboard charts.

Killah Priest recently sat down for an online Q&A with Fort Wayne’s own Terrence Holiday. Here’s what he had to say:

TH: What made you wanna do Hip hop?

KP: Friends and hearing on radio highly influenced me.

TH: What artist are you listening to right now?

KP: Besides myself, lol? Michael Jackson, not gonna name drop anyone else. Just good music.

TH: Wu’s brand of hip-hop has always been laden with complex metaphors and scholarly level vocabulary, what kind of study or research goes into a Killah Priest verse?

KP: Basically life in general and not taking things at face value, and finding out for yourself the truth.

TH: I remember the “Grave Diggaz” group was that the first Wu-calab you did?

KP: Technically, I did a verse for Cuban Linx 1 with Raekwon, but it didn’t make the album cuz they said it was too positive—lol?

TH: How did you get in cahoots with the Wu Tang Clan?

KP: GZA is my cousin, childhood friend.

TH: Hip hop is seen as kinda anti government, establishment, etc. Are you paying homage to monarchy with this album? What is the concept of the new album “Elizabeth”?

KP: Certain things are better left unsaid. Definitely not paying homage to anyone.

TH:Wu fans seem obsessed with the hierarchy and inner workings of the Clan. For the record, what is your relationship, standing, contribution within the group?

KP: Perfect, no complaints—we all good, and you will see some more collabos with myself and Wu in the future. I was just recently on U-God’s new album.

TH: I felt like the song you did with Nas was a classic! How did the record, “The Saint’s”with Nasir Jones conceptually come about?

KP: Me and Nas had always talked about making a track together and it finally happened. The same verse though to a different beat is on The Offering’s “Gun for Gun.”

TH: I once heard on Rap City, that your freestyle skill is immaculate. I also heard you’ve been in some major freestyle battles “off the record.” Who was your best opponent and why?

KP: Canibus and 60 Second Assassin.

TH: Ever reference Michael Jackson is a lyric? If so, what is it?

KP: Yep, it’s on “Elizabeth.” But, I wrote that song BEFORE Michael passed. Go find it!

TH: Speaking of passing artists, (R.I.P. O.D.B.) Any cool stories about ODB?

KP: Craziest dude in the world. Too much to speak on, but one time he came into to studio while me and him were recording “Don’t You Know,” and he ran in screaming he was being chased by a UFO—and he really believed it!

TH: So many of the songs you’ve created borrow biblical themes and characters, why?

KP: Cuz, I was heavy into studying the Bible as a youth, I found King David and others incredible and I consider many of us today to be the new breed of prophets to challenge the system.

TH: What is your hope for today’s youth that might not have an ear for your brand of hip-hop?

KP: To broaden their mind, hope they accept all types of music, not just mine. But, at least check all areas of music so you can decide what you actually like. How can you truly know what you like if you’ve only been exposed to one brand of hip-hop.

TH: What are your future plans? Where do you plan to be by, say, 2012?

KP: Where the Mayans are, even deeper. i touch on all of that on the next album the “Psychic World of Walter Reed” and, coming after that is, “Castle Hop.”

TH: Any last shout outs, thoughts or comments?

KP: DJ Notion and MusicNmind, big up to the Clan, Sunz of Man and the Macabeez, and Daddy Rose for Coming Home!

For more information, check out killahpriest.com.

For more information on Killah Priest’s Oct. 29 concert at Club Cancun, call (260) 422-3723 or visit www.myspace.com/unseenhandz or e-mail unseenhandz@yahoo.com.

This is part of the October 28, 2009 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

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