Illuminati 2G

Jehuniko: Everyone knows that hip hop is big world wide, but I think it is ill to hear about this movement in places that I personally, am not as familiar with. Today we get a report from Shaman, a Texan in Taiwan, who does his thing and connects with MC's from all over the world. Shaman is a key component in this Information Revolution so remember the name and explore life from his perspective.

J: Tell us about your background.

S: Born in Tennessee, raised in Texas, but my mom used to tell me that she swore aliens must have taken her real son and put me in his place (4real). My blood is mixed, half American, half Chinese.


J: How long have you been actively recording and performing music?

S: I wrote my first song in 2003 when I lived for a year in uptown Washington, DC, off U Street, close to Ben's Chili Bowl. I was there working shitty odd jobs and selling paintings on the street (before I did music, I did art). Living in DC, I became friends with this OG MC... Just hanging out with him in his circles, I picked up the gift to gab, but that was just for fun at the time. Then, I moved back to Houston that year, and at various parties and gatherings I'd kick a few verses and get a lot of encouragement from people.

I started recording in 2005 when I met this dude Skeez at a party. He liked my freestyling, and told me to holler at him about doing some music. My man hooked me up solid. He taught me how to use his equipment, then sold it all to me for cheap. I've been perfecting my craft ever since.


J: Now you been in Taiwan for a while but you're originally from Houston, TX?

S: Yeah. Grew up mostly in Houston, went to college in Austin at the University of Texas. I studied advertising there, which really taught me a lot about art. After that, I lived in Phoenix for a year, came back to Austin for a year, then also lived in Virginia and DC for a year each. The whole time, I worked on a comic book and sold paintings and worked shitty odd jobs. After DC, came back to Houston for two years, and now I've been in Taiwan for just over 2 years.


J: I see you doing shows out there in Taiwan and recording, how is it out there?

S: Hip Hop is the big thing out here, a lot of mainstream acts come through here... Onyx, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jin, Missy, 50, Linkin Park, DJ Premier, DJ Krush, Jay Z. Basically, you'll hear almost the exact same music in clubs here that you will in the States. Youth culture is big here. Lots of opportunity and freedom for musicians.


J: Name some other cats in Taiwan putting it down.

S: I got a real international mix of people I'm working with. People from the States, Canada, Taiwan, New Zealand, Nepal. MCs I'm working with are BabbleOn, Insatiable, Incognito, Ah Chen (Qin Qin), Gstarr, Rodney, Souljah Intent... producers Vast, Deal 1, and Long Louie. From back home, I'm doing stuff with my homies Supreme(Kwame), Mr. Nice Guy, and Willdo... as well as Lady Binx and Jehuniko of Almas Intocables.


J: Tell us about your upcoming album.

S: I am working on a solo Shaman album, as well as albums for The M.A.G.I. (Musically Accessing the Godlike I) and Foreign Affairs. I got producers that I'm working with, and I'm also producing several tracks. A lot of people describe our stuff as trip hop. As far as subject matter, it's all about enlightenment, healing, and truth through music. That's why I'm the Shaman.


J: Any future travels, projects?

S: The World.

Peace.