***Vince Douglas interview with RiishiiG7***
[July 23, 2012]
*******
What’s going on Riishii?
Before we get started, I’d first like to thank you on behalf of myself and the fans, for taking the time out for this interview. As a fan, I’d
also like to truly thank you for your music… so with no further ado, let’s get started.
1) For the fans who don’t know, start off by telling us a little bit about yourself. How and when did you get started in the Hip-Hop/Rap game?
What/who were your biggest influences?
Thanks for that intro, thanks for sitting down with me…
I'm from the 80's-90's era mentally, that’s a good rough carbon-dating of how I came into the environment of this art-form.
I can find what is crucial these days also, but those days were important based on the infancy of hip-hop, things were in a different evolution and vibration consciously. It won’t happen again and I’m just glad I was a part of it, I try to hold that with me as much as I can out of respect for the times.
Also, it has been an interesting experience growing with a culture from its infancy, so to speak. And I realize some people would take hip-hop to the early 70’s and such, maybe even to James Brown etc…but I’m just speaking on the modern and more widely understood timeline of the art-form.
I was writing many, many years ago and definitely grabbing a mic or two…back in Chicago, ancient times, the old days… the learning days… sharpening the weapons around some great MC’s & DJ’s.
Influences? Too many to list and they cover all genres of art, music and literature, the great writers and performers of any great band or film really…but hip-hop lyrically?... you can’t go wrong studying Rakim, KRS, Slick Rick, Kane, Kool G Rap, Wu-Tang, BIG, Nas…and others…
2) Why did you choose the name Riishii G7?
As the saying goes, the name chose me… in the old days, some of my brothers found out that I had been into spiritual/mystical & Sanskrit studies and I spoke on the great RSI’s/sages of ancient times, they liked RSI/Riishii, (it means one who shines, illuminates etc.), they thought it suited me well… the G7 was my addition as a form of homage to the earth, geometry – geo
representing earth, and seven is identifiable with divinity, so geometry seven it was…
3) You have a very distinct style with how you deliver your lyrics, and the beats you use. Some would say you have more of a darker tone to your
music. Could you elaborate on why/how you came to this style and why it fits you as an artist/person?
If dark means intense, then I can see the reference, but I'm weary of dark negative connotations. We all have darkness within, but the darkness is intensity really, the unknown or unloved, the misunderstood as it were…So I guess I try to touch upon the misunderstood.
I consider myself a narrator above all, and my lyrics are intense for people to digest because they require a good look in the mirror, and that is the hardest thing to do as a human. We are all struggling to find some form of peace in this unbalanced material sphere, so the last thing anyone wants is someone saying, “Have you really pulled the veil back enough from illusion?”
I get that it’s tough to simply exist here, if you don’t understand that, just go out and spend some time with someone who has no comfortable place to go tonight, no real sense of comfort at all. I try to keep things as reality based as possible, even if people cannot admit it to themselves.
As far as beats are concerned, I can vibe with any number of styles, but what has been released is usually intense underground raw energy--heavy instrumentals.
4) The knowledge you drop on your tracks is unprecedented. Where do you get your knowledge from? What books would you recommend to someone trying to understand your message?
Thank You.
First off, follow your heart. Spiritual life is austere and at times maddening, but it should be fun and peaceful at heart. If you don’t laugh a lot, something needs adjustment.
With that being said, I contemplate everything around me at any given moment. I try to learn from all things, and I mean all things. If the good Lord allowed something to be present in this world, then believe it has a purpose…so even if you don’t
vibe with it, try to learn something, it creates a happy and appreciative soul.
As far as reading materials, any Vedic literature-the Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam etc., any revealed scripture, the Bible, Buddha Sutras etc., even if people tell you that some prophet or sacred text is not genuine, be humble when you peer into the text and hear the words of those who have walked before us, you may just learn something. There are countless things one can read to expand their vision.
5) Your last album“Mind Planes Drifter” was amazing. Personally, I was left speechless after listening to it. As an artist, and as a person, what did Mind Planes Drifter mean for you? What did you want to achieve or project in this album?
Thank you. Thank you for listening.
That LP was a culmination of sorts, spanning over many, many years of hard times, learning, contemplating. It was a form of exhalation I guess? I don’t know what it was really…But a lot of creative thought went into it for a lot of years. I worked on that album proper for about 4 to 5 years before release, so I guess it felt pretty good to let it go.
I wanted more people to wake-up from their false sense of self.
6) You have a few more albums expected to drop soon, like “Chronicles Of The Emperor”, “Sastravidya”, and “The Lost Armory” with Blunted
Sultan. Could you tell us what to expect on these albums?
“Chronicles of the Emperor” is composed of beats I made and vocals I wrote, it is entirely an effort from my own lab. It is an album I have wanted to do for a long time. While I did most of the mixing, arrangements, samples and such on “Mind Planes Drifter,” this one will be entirely my effort, 100%.
“Sastravidya” is the balance to “Mind Planes Drifter” in the sense that it has several MC guests and several producer guests, which I am excited about, whereas “Mind Planes Drifter” was purposely very self-contained.
“The Lost Armory”will be files that fell between the cracks of time and space. A few new ones sprinkled in with a few old ones. It is going to be like a suit of armor from 1000 years ago that has kevlar interwoven through its parts, if you can dig it.
7) The highly anticipated collaboration album, “Vimanas Project”, produced by Anahata Sacred Sound Current; will also be releasing soon. How was
it working with some of the most brilliant and talented MC’s like Kalki, Atma, Son Of Saturn, Jahnaga Baba, and Surya Devi?
They are great artists & souls, it is great that this has come to fruition, and I am looking forward to that release. I hope the listeners enjoy the work we all put into it over the last year or so. I want people to feel the energy and vibrations we projected.
8)Are there any artists/producers that you haven't worked with but would like to?
Too many to name!
9) Finally, is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
Thank you for listening and supporting, it is truly felt.
Please keep going within the vastness of your consciousness and ‘self.’ Please do not give up on the inner quest no matter how much resistance you encounter…keep your head up high!
Stay as calm as you can, chant some Sanskrit mantras if you can, “hari om” is nice and easy to remember…Onward and upward is the key. Please be blessed and know that I send every bit of strength I have to everyone, I deeply care about every atom of
this universe. Enjoy the music coming soon!! Sat-Nam. Thank You.
What’s going on Riishii?
Before we get started, I’d first like to thank you on behalf of myself and the fans, for taking the time out for this interview. As a fan, I’d
also like to truly thank you for your music… so with no further ado, let’s get started.
1) For the fans who don’t know, start off by telling us a little bit about yourself. How and when did you get started in the Hip-Hop/Rap game?
What/who were your biggest influences?
Thanks for that intro, thanks for sitting down with me…
I'm from the 80's-90's era mentally, that’s a good rough carbon-dating of how I came into the environment of this art-form.
I can find what is crucial these days also, but those days were important based on the infancy of hip-hop, things were in a different evolution and vibration consciously. It won’t happen again and I’m just glad I was a part of it, I try to hold that with me as much as I can out of respect for the times.
Also, it has been an interesting experience growing with a culture from its infancy, so to speak. And I realize some people would take hip-hop to the early 70’s and such, maybe even to James Brown etc…but I’m just speaking on the modern and more widely understood timeline of the art-form.
I was writing many, many years ago and definitely grabbing a mic or two…back in Chicago, ancient times, the old days… the learning days… sharpening the weapons around some great MC’s & DJ’s.
Influences? Too many to list and they cover all genres of art, music and literature, the great writers and performers of any great band or film really…but hip-hop lyrically?... you can’t go wrong studying Rakim, KRS, Slick Rick, Kane, Kool G Rap, Wu-Tang, BIG, Nas…and others…
2) Why did you choose the name Riishii G7?
As the saying goes, the name chose me… in the old days, some of my brothers found out that I had been into spiritual/mystical & Sanskrit studies and I spoke on the great RSI’s/sages of ancient times, they liked RSI/Riishii, (it means one who shines, illuminates etc.), they thought it suited me well… the G7 was my addition as a form of homage to the earth, geometry – geo
representing earth, and seven is identifiable with divinity, so geometry seven it was…
3) You have a very distinct style with how you deliver your lyrics, and the beats you use. Some would say you have more of a darker tone to your
music. Could you elaborate on why/how you came to this style and why it fits you as an artist/person?
If dark means intense, then I can see the reference, but I'm weary of dark negative connotations. We all have darkness within, but the darkness is intensity really, the unknown or unloved, the misunderstood as it were…So I guess I try to touch upon the misunderstood.
I consider myself a narrator above all, and my lyrics are intense for people to digest because they require a good look in the mirror, and that is the hardest thing to do as a human. We are all struggling to find some form of peace in this unbalanced material sphere, so the last thing anyone wants is someone saying, “Have you really pulled the veil back enough from illusion?”
I get that it’s tough to simply exist here, if you don’t understand that, just go out and spend some time with someone who has no comfortable place to go tonight, no real sense of comfort at all. I try to keep things as reality based as possible, even if people cannot admit it to themselves.
As far as beats are concerned, I can vibe with any number of styles, but what has been released is usually intense underground raw energy--heavy instrumentals.
4) The knowledge you drop on your tracks is unprecedented. Where do you get your knowledge from? What books would you recommend to someone trying to understand your message?
Thank You.
First off, follow your heart. Spiritual life is austere and at times maddening, but it should be fun and peaceful at heart. If you don’t laugh a lot, something needs adjustment.
With that being said, I contemplate everything around me at any given moment. I try to learn from all things, and I mean all things. If the good Lord allowed something to be present in this world, then believe it has a purpose…so even if you don’t
vibe with it, try to learn something, it creates a happy and appreciative soul.
As far as reading materials, any Vedic literature-the Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam etc., any revealed scripture, the Bible, Buddha Sutras etc., even if people tell you that some prophet or sacred text is not genuine, be humble when you peer into the text and hear the words of those who have walked before us, you may just learn something. There are countless things one can read to expand their vision.
5) Your last album“Mind Planes Drifter” was amazing. Personally, I was left speechless after listening to it. As an artist, and as a person, what did Mind Planes Drifter mean for you? What did you want to achieve or project in this album?
Thank you. Thank you for listening.
That LP was a culmination of sorts, spanning over many, many years of hard times, learning, contemplating. It was a form of exhalation I guess? I don’t know what it was really…But a lot of creative thought went into it for a lot of years. I worked on that album proper for about 4 to 5 years before release, so I guess it felt pretty good to let it go.
I wanted more people to wake-up from their false sense of self.
6) You have a few more albums expected to drop soon, like “Chronicles Of The Emperor”, “Sastravidya”, and “The Lost Armory” with Blunted
Sultan. Could you tell us what to expect on these albums?
“Chronicles of the Emperor” is composed of beats I made and vocals I wrote, it is entirely an effort from my own lab. It is an album I have wanted to do for a long time. While I did most of the mixing, arrangements, samples and such on “Mind Planes Drifter,” this one will be entirely my effort, 100%.
“Sastravidya” is the balance to “Mind Planes Drifter” in the sense that it has several MC guests and several producer guests, which I am excited about, whereas “Mind Planes Drifter” was purposely very self-contained.
“The Lost Armory”will be files that fell between the cracks of time and space. A few new ones sprinkled in with a few old ones. It is going to be like a suit of armor from 1000 years ago that has kevlar interwoven through its parts, if you can dig it.
7) The highly anticipated collaboration album, “Vimanas Project”, produced by Anahata Sacred Sound Current; will also be releasing soon. How was
it working with some of the most brilliant and talented MC’s like Kalki, Atma, Son Of Saturn, Jahnaga Baba, and Surya Devi?
They are great artists & souls, it is great that this has come to fruition, and I am looking forward to that release. I hope the listeners enjoy the work we all put into it over the last year or so. I want people to feel the energy and vibrations we projected.
8)Are there any artists/producers that you haven't worked with but would like to?
Too many to name!
9) Finally, is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
Thank you for listening and supporting, it is truly felt.
Please keep going within the vastness of your consciousness and ‘self.’ Please do not give up on the inner quest no matter how much resistance you encounter…keep your head up high!
Stay as calm as you can, chant some Sanskrit mantras if you can, “hari om” is nice and easy to remember…Onward and upward is the key. Please be blessed and know that I send every bit of strength I have to everyone, I deeply care about every atom of
this universe. Enjoy the music coming soon!! Sat-Nam. Thank You.