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Interview: Wu Tang – Lessons Learned!

(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)

Listen up y’all. Wu Tang Clan have released a new album “The Saga Continues”, and we’re here chatting with DJ Mathematics  discussing their latest release.

Executive produced by RZA with creative production in the hands of Wu-Tang’s longtime DJ Mathematics, the studio album includes 10 songs, plus skits, and features vocal performances by RZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killa, Inspektah Deck, Masta Killa, ODB, Redman, Sean Price and more

Here’s what Math had to say.

Q: How are you going man?
A: I’m good! 


Q: How’s everything going since the launch of the new album “The Saga Continues”?

A: Everything is going good!


Q: Do you guys have any plans to come over here and tour anytime soon?

A: We’re working on that. So nothings locked in yet… but hopefully soon.


Q: Maybe the new year coming or a bit longer?

A: Yeah look, Sometime in the new year I’m not exactly sure when but definitely sometime in the new year.


Q: What first inspired you to get into the industry and become a DJ?

A: Originally as far as getting into the industry; working with GZA on Coachella records, I mean I DJed with others apart from that, I DJed with a guy named Mr X who actually was from Southside Queens and I was from Southside Queens too. We made a parody record where I would act as Mr Z in a live show that would feature Mr X and Mr Z. That was my first production and introduction in to the industry. I’ve been involved with projects on my own since 1987 when I was 15 years old. But my real introduction would be with Genius (GZA) on Coachella working in 1990, 1991 or something like that.


Q: On the new album “The Saga Continues” is there a song that particularly means something to you?

A: “Lesson Learned” it is a little special to me.


Q: What about the rest of the clan is there a particular song that really means a lot to the guys perhaps in terms of lyrics or speaking out about something?

A: I’m pretty sure everybody has something that means something to them. That’s definitely a question you would have to ask each one of them. Everyone has that track to which they feel a little more attached to. But umm for me I would say It’s this whole project that I’m personally attached too but maybe that’s because I consider this one of my biggest accomplishments. But for me personally if I had to decide a single track for me it would be “Lesson Learned.”


Q: What would you say to up and coming rappers out there trying to make it?

A: I say to be original, do what you do from the heart and be original. When you do that no one can tell you anything. A lot out there are a dime a dozen and there’s nothing that makes them special that’s why when someone comes along like Kendrick Lamar or J Cole comes out they stand out because they’re not doing what everybody else does and they sound original.


Q: What about for producers trying to make it in the ever-growing competitive industry?

A: I’d say the same thing. To be original, to do what you do. Because you’re not going to get recognized for doing someone elses sound. You know, I’ll give you an example, you have to find your own “spot” in this industry and then you have to believe, not just believe, you gotta know like… It’s like you know THIS is it, this right HERE is what the people have been waiting for. Like Pharell, Pharell got his own sound, you know it when you hear it. Dre got his own sound. It’s all originality.


Q: When Wu Tang tour next year, you’ll be up there DJing? 

A: Of course, of course. I’m looking forward to it too.


Q: After working with Wu Tang for so long what sort of changes have you seen to the evolution of the sound over the years? 

A: Umm a lot of changes but a lot of it is more like, digital, it’s cleaner, but for me as a producer (and as a DJ) you know that the people want 808 heavy beat drums, but if you want to make it original with different samples you have to spend heaps of time to find a balance in sound because a lot of machines now days interact in different ways with different frequencies between analogue and digital I think, so it all takes a lot of work. For example certain frequencies I can use only on the bridge. Every producer has to find his own way. Analogue still works, but it’s a matter of where. The biggest thing is the technology. Not to knock nobody, but you got all these sound packs people are using but we’re supposed to be actually making music ourselves. 


Q: What would you say really sets the new album “The Saga Continues” apart from the rest of the Wu Tang clan releases?

A: The production quality. Coming of age of the group and all involved, the way it’s a little different, the skill. The foundation, the backbone to it, you know.


Q: What plans are going to be next for Wu Tang
A: There’s
  a lot in the works with the upcoming 25 year anniversary of the group. Solo albums… There’s some things coming. I won’t say a month of any release dates in case it doesn’t happen you know, but it’s coming. I wouldn’t want to say January or February and then you be like damn what happened man.

Q: Is there going to be another album coming out on par or you’re aiming for a bigger and better release?

A: There’s other projects in the works 
 as we speak. I don’t want to speak too much on that right now. But always aiming for bigger and better. 

Q: Are you working with other rappers outside of the Wu Tang clan group?

A: Well… You’ll see. I hope that answers your question… You’ll see.


Q: So you designed the Wu Tang clan logo? What inspired it?

A: Basically just like you know, time and us being together, as far as Wisdom, GZA, the crew and I being together, coming together trying to make things stand out. That all played a part and basically it just evolved.


Q: Did you have lots of different logo designs made up before you decided on that one?

A: The original design was a sticker idea that just said “WU TANG”. Other earlier concepts were just a big “W” and another early concept was a hand coming out and holding a head (with the head cut off) but that was a little too gory, delivering the message of “protect your neck type thing”



Q: Is there anything you’d like to say to the people here down under?

A: What up Adelaide. You go get that Wu Tang new CD. You need that in your life. That’s the real Hip hop right there.
Interview by Jonathan Matthews

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