New Moongod Allah interview
Thanks to wu-international:
Did the Wu fall off after "Wu-Tang Forever"? Most fans still argue about the direction Wu took after “Wu Tang Forever” nailed artistic and commercial triumph. Ego’s / visions collided and a series of disappointing, mediocre albums followed. All things go in cycles, and regardless of the fall from mainstream, Wu has managed to maintain its cult following as diehard fans have stuck with them through out the public fall out, disappointing or shelved albums. Optimism began creeping in with the release of Masta Killa's "No said date", hailed as a classic and the return of Wu, this indie album must have been the spark of it all as it served as an indication that sooner or later the Wu would get things back together, sharpen their swords and show the hip-hop world who really held the crown. Masta Killa kept it simple, used the same ingredient that the Wu have been using with a modern twist to it, Family affairs or rather "Fam members only", NSD boasted mostly and solely in house production and featured members.
Last two years fans and artists alike started using the term “Wu Renaissance” especially with a solid release from GZA/Genius (Protools) the highly anticipated “Only built for Cuban linx “ by Reakwon and a list of others from Ghostface, Inspectah Deck, Wu-Massacre and surprisingly U-God astonished most sceptic fans with Dopium.
One component that‘s been mostly lacking in this exultant return to form is the legendary Wu Elements. For the non Wu fans or Wu comers (New comers) who have never heard this term before, The Wu-Elements were the constant production team responsible for the bulk if not all of all the Wu releases since they started out in the game. The elements were the backbone of the Wu movement, Fronted by The RZA, the elements had 4th Disciple, True Master, Allah Mathematics, Inspectah Deck (Yes he makes beats too, or used to), and the latest and last additions Cilvaringz, Moongod Allah and Bronze Nazareth.
The RZA has been scoring movies, self producing and still contributing to countless Wu-tang Clan and Killa Beez projects.
Off course DJ and producer of the Wu, Mathematics has also been active with his compilations as well as dishing out darts for his Wu brethren’s projects.
Probably the busiest of them all next to RZA is Bronze Nazareth, last 2 years has seen this beat specialist contributing to some of the greatest records and albums made within the Clan and outside…. but where are the rest?
4th Disciple has inspired a host of new breed of producers and has contributed maybe 10 songs since his duo album with Hell Razah, few of his releases have been from his archives as far as new materials have been concerned...
True Master, who had a very solid but rather small input throughout the Wu catalogue, provided even less material last decade, (some songs for Masta Killa and one for GZA) with rumours of him doing a full collabo album with the legendary KRS-One as well a solo album that has been completed but not released to date...
What ever happened to Moongod Allah, the producer from Cilvaringz camp or was it Ringz that was from Moonlight camp? Either way this once disciple of GZA and The RZA made waves with internet releases and sharp beats that gained him a lot of fans quick and just like that vanished off the face of the earth apparently.. . Fans all over the world been wondering where he is…
The Rebel INS has not produced to our knowledge for almost 6-8 years now, but seems to have gotten back to it with the release of his latest album “Manifesto”,
Last but not least, Cilvaringz, who dropped a stellar debut album, getting critical acclaim amongst Wu fans but that has already been 3 years now and no sign of a follow-up, with rumours of him retiring on the mic and maybe focusing on just productions?
For a team of producers that should be in the lime light along side the likes of Kanye West, Just Blaze and co, these elements have been pretty passive apart from the few mentioned above, Wu-international decided to get a Wu elements interview series going and search and find (those possible) on what they have been up to, current work and the whole nine yard. Who else better to set this series off with other than the harder to find and highly sort after legendary Dutch producer “Moongod”. Last known of his whereabouts was that he has quite the rap game and no amount of money would bring him back and he was settled in a country side or so. Lots of fans loved his refreshing production style on albums from Cilvaringz “I” to Most High Brothers, Lin Brotherz, the Henchmen and his own 2 cult “Tiger” classics . Was “The return of the ten tigers” indeed his last album in 2002 ? Has he stopped making music ? Where is he now and why is he so silent?? Why don’t we find that out from the horse’s mouth? Yes, Wu-International dug deep and caught up with the actual Dutch master and he has not only answered all the fan’s questions, he has been kind enough to leak an exclusive unreleased song from the Iron Empire project to Wu-International featuring Tekitha, Cilvaringz, Ganz and Magpie from the Moonlight days. Enjoy the read … and be on the lookout for the next instalment of our Wu Elements interview Series!!
I like to say thanks first and foremost for taking the time to answer these questions, highly appreciated, and will also point out that nothing will be altered, edited or changed when this is published online.
Wu-International: Peace Moon, how are you?
Moongod: I’m doing great! Thanks for asking.
Wu-International: It’s going to be a long interview as the fans have been reaching out for you for almost 7 - 10 years now, wondering where you were . So where are you currently located?
Moongod: I reside @ Breda (Noord Brabant, Netherlands).
Wu-International: Word is that you quit the music game to work at the rock School at Tilburg. Ringz has said in an interview that even if anyone paid you a huge amount of money you will still not come back to music, how true is this and why?
Moongod: {Laughs} I saw Ringz recently @ the Method Man concerts, and I’ve asked him about his statement. He never said anything like this he told me. But to answer your question, I will never stop making music. And I do work at the Rock academy. I’ve been given the chance to develop the 1st Bachelor Degree for an mc. As a RZA disciple this was a golden opportunity. We’ve always discussed several forms of spreading the knowledge of the Wu-tang, but we never dreamed it would be possible to actually do it in an official form like this! As you can imagine this took a lot of time, that’s why you haven’t heard a lot of production from me lately.
Wu-International: What do you enjoy most in working with those students at that Rock school ? What is that school about ?
Moongod: I enjoy working with new talent for 2 reasons. The 1st reason is that Rza took us in as students although he didn’t have to do this. He gave us a chance, and I owe him everything I do. I would like to return this favour by spreading his knowledge upon this new talent. Second reason is that I keep learning as well. It keeps me up to date, and it reminds me of the time when I was teaching the Moonlight camp.
Wu-International: Moongod Allah to just Dr Moon, why the change?
Moongod: First of all, my name was just Moongod. But being around Wu-Tang and most of them being 5 Percenters, that Allah thing just got stuck behind my name. People just called me that way. On the Rza tour I’ve got the chance to meet Masta Killa. I was tour manager and because I fixed a lot of things for him, he started to call me Dr. Moon. So there it is. Wu-International: Allah is a name mostly used by 5%ers within Hip-hop, were you or are you part of the Nations of Gods and Earths?
Moongod: No, not at all. What I can tell you is that at first we tried to blend in by kicking mathematics and trying to understand the whole knowledge of the 5% Nation. It wasn’t until we starting being true to ourselves and be ourselves that Rza accepted us, and really took us in. And that was a real eye opener for me.
Wu-International: The world came to know about you through your friendship and work with Cilvaringz, how did you 2 meet?
Moongod: We met on the basketball court. I was already into HipHop, making beats and doing some rhyming. The Lawyer ( an MC from Tilburg, the city we’re from) introduced us. Cilvaringz was a real HipHop fanatic and he always had a bag on him with brand new records. He asked me if I wanted to work with him. In the beginning I thought he was a nerd, and I invited him for one reason: jacking his bag of records. But once we were making beats and recording, the vibe was right and the music sounded great. I decided to give him a chance. From that day on the “Moonlight Foundation” was born.
Wu-International: Can you please break down the groups and projects you have done with Ringz, from Henshmen, Lin brothers, Fishermen to Iron Empire etc?
Moongod: : Pfff where do I start… To break down all the groups and projects would take me forever so I will just post a list of finished albums.......
Moongod: There are still so many unreleased albums from different groups or mc’s that I hope this list will do for you guys.
Wu-International: You both had your own camp, can you please tell us who was under Moonlight records?
Moongod: In order of signing on to the Moonlight camp:
The Lawyer, Dj Sueside, Moongod, Cilvaringz, Big P, Barrakjudah, Yce, Koztone, Outsidaz (dutch), Red Moon Squad, Psiklops, Henchmen, Ganz, Magpie, Fraze (Formed Most High Brothers), Iron Eagle, Young Gunz, Normz, Ea-bass, Georgina, Miss Feathers, Roze Peddle. G.I.
There are a few others, but these are the people that actually have full length albums done by me.
Wu-International: Are you still in touch with the artists from your camp? What are they doing now ?
Moongod: I still see a lot of them, but unfortunately not as often as I ‘d like to. I do try to see the core as much as I can: Cilvaringz, Barrakjudah , Sueside, Yce, Psiklops, Ganz, Magpie. The rest I see a few times a year. Except for Normz, I work with him on a weekly basis.
Wu-International: How does it feel to be among the first European Killa Beez?
Moongod: That means nothing to me, to be honest.
Wu-International: Does it surprise you to know that even after 10 years and you not being in the game the fans are still searching for you and your music? Do you realize what influence you had on Wu fans globally ?
Moongod: Well, that really surprises me. I never left the game though…. What I do know is that it does feel great to hear that people are searching for my music. That’s what matters to me. I am just doing my thing, and off course I met a lot of people during our world tours with Rza that knew my music. But to say I actually have influence on Wu fans globally…. If that’s true I never knew. Please do reach out to me. You can reach me at [email protected]
Wu-International: Your internet releases are among the heaviest bootlegged albums online and within the Wu, how does that make you feel?
Moongod: I like the sound of it! Again prove this to me, I never knew….
Wu-International: What Moonlight crew album are you most satisfied with and why that one? Moongod: I like each and every album but if I had to choose it’s going to be “Stones of dankness” by Barrakjudah. It was a lot of fun and I really had a blast making this album with Barrakjudah.
Wu-International: You must have a vault of rare and unreleased products. Cilvaringz recently posted a few pictures of unreleased albums online , claiming there was still much more than those shown there. Can you give us any idea what albums are still unreleased . Will they ever see the day of the light? Fans been hoping for this since a long time.
Moongod: You’ve seen the list I posted. I think we are at 46 full length albums. 20 Unfinished albums. And maybe 2000 songs and unreleased beats on my behalf.
Wu-International: There is a little bit of confusion to the ‘Trilogy of the swordsmanship’ project: was “Ten tigers of Kwantung” part of this? If not can you please tell us the 3 albums that were meant to be part of this collection?
Moongod: “2 Champions of Shaolin” and the 2 “Tiger” albums formed this trilogy.
Wu-International: At one time, Bronze Nazareth was also working closely with you, what ever happened to the collabo album you both had planned?
Moongod: Bronze Nazareth is a great producer. I remember learning him some tricks back in the day. At the time we did the “2 champs”, Bronze came trough with his part of the album. I have to be honest, at the time we were doing this album I wasn’t really focused. I did finish the album, but I never took the time to get it out there to the people. And the company we had running stopped during that same time. So to all the people that ordered this album and lost money on it, I am to blame. Bronze had nothing to do with that. I hope you can forgive me on this one…
Wu-International: What did you think of Bronze’s “Great Migration” album (if you have heard it) ?
Moongod: Off course I heard it. It’s a classic although I think if he had me on the beats I would beat it.
Wu-International: Before the rumour that you quit, word was that The RZA added you onto the Wu – Elements, was this true and how did that come about ? Lots of stories flood around the net, could you tell us how it really happened ? Moongod: I’ve been a Wu-element ever since Rza and Gza took me in as their disciple. There’s nothing more to it really.
Wu-International: We assume you worked with RZA on some projects, for instance on M-80’s “Wu Tang slang” track from the “Snakes in the Garden of Eighty” album. Can you tell us a bit more about those collaborations ? Moongod: I don’t know this album whoahahaha. Is that bad? I’ve been with Rza in the studio many time, playing some piano loops for him. Live drums etc. It’s never for a specific project. Where the music ends up is a decision he makes later on.
Wu-International: What did you learn from him in the studio?
Moongod: ”It’s a secret, never teach the Wu-tang”
Wu-International: Are you still in touch with the RZA or other Generals ?
Moongod: I’m good friends with Rza, Gza and Masta Killa. We call and see each other once in a while.
Wu-International: Have you produced for any of the generals or rather are there any songs that you have produced for Wu-Tang members that have not been released to date?
Moongod: Probably for all of them, never released or never got credits for it .
Wu-International: Can you give us any examples?
Moongod: That takes too long but I played piano on “Appolo kids” to name one example .
Wu-International: Do you wish to work with them again in the future?
Moongod: Why not?
Wu-International: Let’s say you can choose anyone from the Wu camp to do an entire album with. Who would you pick and why ?
Moongod: Gza, I think I’m able to get another “Liquid Swords” done with him.
Wu-International: The fans feel you are a great producer based off the internet releases you have done, what do you prefer, rhyming or producing?
Moongod: Always producing!
Wu-International: What instruments do you play, did you get a classical music education or have you learned everything yourself ?
Moongod: Classical music education. Piano, Bass guitar, guitar, MPC.
Wu-International: Who would you say inspires you when making beats?
Moongod: Shoalin Kung Fu movies, Rza, the vibe at that moment. It could be anything.
Wu-International: Have you done any music since stepping back that we are not aware of?
Moongod: Yes I’ve been producing e.g. I produced for Shabazz and did a couple of dutch things as well e.g. two tracks for Dutch rapper Extince.
Wu-International: Is there any philosophy, religion that you follow?
Moongod: Not really, Rza learned me a lot of life changing lessons, so maybe his philosophy combined with common sense.
Wu-International: What are you views on the game right now and do you still follow or listen to Hip-hop music?
Moongod: In my car I have a couple of cd’s, and that’s what I listen mostly I think it will answer your question. They are: Illmatic, Ready to die, OB4QL, Liquid Swords, Tussen licht en lucht – by Typhoon ( I need all you guys to check this cd. It’s dutch but please give it a try. You’re not going to be disappointed. Mail me your reactions!)
Wu-International: Any message for the fans who have been waiting for you all these years?
Moongod: [email protected] Holler at me! Wu-International: Any last words, something we might have missed etc?
Moongod: On my world tour I’ve never visited Japan. So hook a brother up and get us out there!
Wu-International: Last questions, fans want to know what the chances are for a new Lin Brotherz project, or a Moongod collabo with either Ringz or Bronze Nazareth ?
Moongod: There’s a 100% chance that it’s going to happen with Ringz. Haven’t talked to Bronze in a while so can’t really say, but I’m down.
Thanks for your time and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
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Originally Posted by Jammin
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