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ou may have never heard of this guy before in your life, but he has been in the rap game since the late 80s. A Bay Area rapper, born and raised in Oakland, he can tell you all about being in jail. He’s practically lived in jail his whole career, only releasing albums about 4 years apart. His most acclaimed song was released while he was locked up (“Ward of the State” on Righteous Records). Most of his incarcerations were due to parole violations, and between the late 1980s and 2007, he’s spent more time in jail than out (he was released after his last stint this past January). But during his time of incarceration, Askari X has become a rapper with strong political fervor and spiritual awareness. Why have you been in jail so much? Really they were just parole violations, but I want to say all this to explain my disappearances in between albums: Each time I got out, I would have numerous raps on the dome, so people would be impressed. My latest album came out in 2000 and now I’m about to re-release an album called Ward of the State which is due out September 25th. It’s big for me too because there is a huge movie coming out called Black August in January that will feature the song on the score. What is Askari X all about? The music still as always. The music is the message for the other movements that I do. Building a Master J Temple of Islam, PCC (Prisoners Consciousness Committee) and other ways of getting the message of the new black woman and man to the people. I just want to the get a few words to the people; it doesn’t take a lot. With “Ay Bay Bay” and “Crank Dat (Supaman)” being the most popular fads in Hip Hop, where are we going as a people? All music reflects the mentality of the people and their surroundings, and what is coming out of these kids are the knowledge of what they know right now. Some of us with our talents are chosen, and it’s our own job to educate our own culture about other things going on in the black community besides “Ay Bay Bay.” I can’t hate on it though, even though I am dissatisfied, because I can’t hate without participating in the solution. If it’s time to change, then it will be time. So when it’s time for the Public Enemys and the Scarfaces to bring change, it will come. We have to have the emcee skills too. Where were you and what were you doin’ during the surge of the hyphy movement? I was down during this period of time. But I do know that as [hyphy] manifested, the devil, or the so-called enemy wanted to get control over it, and now everyone wants to be all goofy. But at the same time, I can’t hate on [hyphy] either because everyone needs a little laughter. What should be West Coast Hip Hop’s main priority right now? Well, you know we are trendsetters out here on the West Coast. And you know the scripture says, the sun will rise in the West and the light will shine all the way to the East Coast. It’s timing, but really, all the other regions are waitin’ for us to come up with our messages and ideas. 50 Cent or Kanye? That’s a tough one, but since they are promoting it like they are, I predict a tie. I don’t think that there will be a clear winner unless they go for round two or three! Do you think Obama is gonna win it for us? I think Hillary is goin’ to take it because America is a dragon. And there was a woman sittin’ on top of this dragon called The Mother of Babylon the great. But it is ladies night, on the positive tip. What are your 2007-2008 NFL Predictions? Any Bay teams. The Raiders or the 49ers. We gotta keep it in the Bay! Have you seen Celebrity Rap Superstar on MTV? No, I don’t watch too much TV. Wait, I did see the preview. But I didn’t watch it though. Speaking of reality shows, I think Flava Flav is doin’ his thing, I’m diggin’ him and how he’s shockin’ em. He’s black as ever, but he’s universal. He’s attracting a lot of love for the black man from a lot of the other peoples. Do you have an iPhone yet? A what? No. What’s that? I’m a Black Quaker so, I’m just tryin’ to come up. // For more on Askari X: www.myspace.com/ansar_askari_x Ahuru Entertainment Group (Management) Photo by Clifton Photography 12 // OZONE WEST 12 // OZONE WEST
Askari X The West is Back…Side:
The Bay Area’s DJ BackSide links up with the Best of the West to see what’s really goin’ on in their heads!