Not from around here, but from a planet called Illatron, 9th Scientist started his earthly rap career in 1991. After several independent releases, he got himself a deal with Domination Recodings, leading to the release of ‘Illatron Magnetic’, a soulful rap album that features long-time friend Lil Sci and Infinito2017, the man who practically discovered him. What follows is a conversation from human to…well euh…the Illatron Magnetic MC…

What’s Illatron like?

Well it’s a medium city first off! Filled with your average working class, plus rich people who dictate just how ill things can get. It’s both positive and negative also a land mine of untapped talent as far as music goes. Land of some of the illest emcees and producers who haven’t made it as of yet to the majors but as 9th says the majors and rap are watered down like regular gas unleaded.

Are there any other inhabitants besides you?

Indeed. iLL Chemist, Dirtbag ( Bob Noggins ) Angilas, Thanos, DJ Swift, DJ Prophet, DJ G-force, Unit-A, Quantic, 607, Poisoned Fetus, Iron Monk, Trek 19, Osyrus tha God, Cipher, Testament, King Ish, and Madd Trucker to name a few.

Can you briefly explain us your history as a recording artist?

I started in 1991 as Divine Universal making tapes at big books crib. Even before that I was rhyming in 88, 89, honing skills na’mean, my first underground classic was ‘The Real’ in 1994 followed by ‘Time is Running Out’! By 1995, I was brought into an underground collective called The Lost Foundation to which we recorded a lot of classic boom-bap demo material but we was young and not organized getting way too high and it became just that; a lost foundation. In 1996, I teamed up with my old homie from a former crew member King Ish of N.I.O. Nubian intelligence organization we recorded an EP which never came out. King Ish and I were kicked out due to arguments over creative control so in 1999, after recording new material, King Ish and I formed a label called Merkabah Entertainment to which we recorded my first solo record to be released in 2001, we released 4 other projects on this imprint before I myself cut ties due to creative differences within the company, The catalogue is still available at merkabahsoundz.com

Then how did you get with Domination Records?

From an EP That I put out myself after I left Merkabah called ‘Illatron Bootlegs’. My man Ill Chemist was at a show in Memphis and gave a copy of the CD to Infinito2017, he sent it to DJ Fisher and the rest is history.

‘Illatron Magnetic’ is your second album right? When was the first one released and could you tell more about it?

I released my first record under the name Akasha called ‘Kadallic Story’ which was released summer 2001 on Merkabah entertainment. The CD was produced by King Ish aka Father Frequency and was comprised of street tales mixed with higher knowledge over down-South beats which went over quite well but to my earlier fans they always remembered Divine Universal so I switched names as I grew spiritually and re-invented myself as 9th scientist which was the return of Divine Universal.

How does this album differ from the first one?

Big time difference. This one is true school hip-hop, boombap with complex word play. The other one was soulful down-South beats with average word play! But you haven’t seen anything yet. I have yet to reveal the true form of 9thscientist. Right now I am giving people what they want, so you will want what I really came to give.

How did you connect with Lil Sci aka John Robinson?

From our association with the Ancient Egyptian order, The Ancient Mystic Order of Melchizedek, Sufi Order Sons of the Greenlight, H.t.m. The Nuwaubian Nation formally known as the AnsaaruAllah Community. I have known him for years, we met and would see each other form time to time, we eventually hooked up on the music tip. Sci is my spiritual brother from the other mother.

Have you done guest featurings on any Scienz Of Life releases?

Naw not as of yet but Scienz Of Life is producing the greater part of my new album entitled ‘The Scienz Experiment’.

Any more collabos coming up with John or for SW?

No doubt! Definitely in the near future.

Why isn’t MF Doom on the album?

Lets just say this Doom is about them greenbacks! When 9th gets Doom Green you will see a Doom feature.

Could you name three songs of the album that you like very much?

‘Forzenics’, ‘Do you Love Me?’ and ‘Supreme Grand’ feat. Lil’ Sci (John Robinson).

Your music is influenced by a lot of 70s soul, I guess that’s your favourite era and genre of music, what other non-hip-hop music do you dig?

Sun Ra, Bob James, Fela Kuti, Hamza El Din, Donald Byrd, any Bluenote recordings.

So how do you pick your beats? You strictly run through beat CD’s or do you sit down with the producers and give em tips and directions?

I do both. I mean sometimes I might be in the lab and we both do the beat, like how Kid Stress and I did. He may loop this part on the record that I found and then he would program the drums or something but when it comes to beat CD’s, I choose only the illest beats so I listen to whatever strikes me and choose from there.

You produced a track for Infinito2017, would you like to produce more music for yourself in the future?

Well right now I am over-worked with beat CD’s from producers so I won’t be producing for myself but more for other cats but you can guarantee I’mma hit em with some ol’ 9th Scientist illah just like a beat I would rhyme over.

What’s your equipment?

Hmmm…a true scientist never reveals what’s in his lab.

Sometimes your lyrics are cryptic and hard to get, so it’s not always important to bring the message clearly for an MC? Bouncing between manifesto lyricism and gibberish, like balancing between Chuck D and Kool Keith…

Well I slip stuff in messages in code for those who know the science and for those who don’t know it adds some mystery to make you go study and see for yourself, just what the ole 9th scientist is saying.

Who are your early influences in music?

Soul music that my parents listened to when I was a child in the 70’s Africa Bambaata and the Soul Sonic Force, The Juice Crew, Sugar Hill Gang, Rakim, KRS-one, Divine Styler, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, KMD, Black Sheep, to name a few.

One of your influences is Divine Styler, in what way? Did you have all their stuff?

Yeah, no doubt Divine Styler, I would listen to ‘Word Power’ every morning before school.

What rap artists are you listening to today?

None. I hate rap music like my parents hated hip-hop, it’s noise nothingness, baboon music.

Anything from Arkansas you might like?

607, ILLchemist and Bru, Madd trucker, Rockstar, The Carpenter, Quantic, Unit-A to name a few.

How has growing up in Arkansas influenced your music?

A lot. It taught me how to take nothing and make it out of something.

What were some of the first rap records you bought?

Fat Boys, Kool Moe Dee, Run DMC.

What producers do you wanna work with in the future?

Madlib, MF Doom, 9th Wonder.

Are people mixin you up with 9th Wonder?

Naw…never. He is a Wonder and I am a Scientist.

Why do you call yourself a ‘scientist’?

Because I believe nothing without investigation. A scientist deals with research, study, evidence called the facts based off 1. experience 2. evidence, 3. reasoning soundright reasoning called logic or in layman terms good old common sense.

What can we expect from you in the future?

A few new records I am working on right now 9th scientist as C-Cole- ‘Cazale’, 9th scientist ‘The Scienz Experiment’, Uncle Remus ‘Black Spookz Theory’, guest appearances on ‘Snake v.s Crane’, and ‘Sword Art’ plus an instrumental CD coming soon!

Shout-outs?

One Plus Plural, Moms, Pops, Rev Dr. Malachi Z. York Free him! Laquisha, DJ Swift, DJ Prohet, DJ G-force, iLL Chemist, Infinito 2017, Madd Trucker, King Ish, Quantic, Lil Sci, DJ Fisher, Kidstress, Trek 19, Sunjata salaam, Ryan smith, anyone who has helped me along the way not hindered me peace and divine love 9,000.

Thanks.

Useful links:

myspace.com/ccolecazale

©pf July 2007.