Remember the name: Mazzi, remember the movement: S.O.U.L. Purpose.
The Real is back!
Mazzi maybe fresh to all of you. Many of you have heard ‘Lesson A’, which seemed to take shots at Jay Electronica and The Cool Kids. Since then Mazzi has said it wasnt anything personal.
But dont get it twisted, Mazzi isnt a MC who wants to beef, in fact he’s the opposite. With his group S.O.U.L. Purpose, they are bringing that real hip-hop back. Hailing from New Jersey, they have worked with big names like Immortal Technique & Three 6 Mafia and they also give back to their community through charity work.
He also co-created ‘Peace In The Middle East, which saw artists from Middle Eastern descent, coming together to raise money. Mos Def, Miri Bin Ari, Freeway & Q-Tip were just some who were involved.
The Hip Hop Chronicle exclusively caught up with Mazzi. He talks to us about his musical influences, his definition of Hip Hop and his community work.
For those who dont know you, who is Mazzi?
I am the lead MC of S.O.U.L. Purpose…
Could you tell us how you got the name S. O. U. L Purpose and what does it stand for?
S.O.U.L. (Sense Of Understanding Life’s) Purpose… On the 1st album “Breaking Records” (2003-2004) it was just me & 2 producers (Tariq AKA Koncepts & Hoody Allen)… We came up w/ the name in 2002 because their production was so soulful & we wanted a name that had the word “soul” in it…so I blurted Soul Purpose & it stuck! Later when the 2 producers left the group (no beef…they are still my brothers & I chill w/ them all the time), I found out there was a Modern Jazz Band who had that name before us so I changed it to “S.O.U.L.” & it worked!
How would you define Hip Hop?
Total freedom of artistic expression… Modern soul music… It’s an artform/culture that turned nothing into something… The heartbeat of the streets… I mean I can keep going! LOL!
S.O.U.L. Purpose - Universal Condition ft Murs
What are your views on the state of hip hop, recently you spoke about what is known as ‘hipster rap’, do you think thats Hip Hop or a fad?
Well, as in any culture you take the good w/ the bad… I have no problem w/ “hipster rap” or “hipsters” w/ their throw back styles but just know what you’re doing… Know what it’s about… Go back & learn… Research… It’s important to be a student of this culture at all times… Respect it… Other genres love their icons but we forget’em… Kool Herc walked into a big NYC club a while back & me & my boy were the only ones who recognized him… There was at least 1000 people there! But people like John Lennon, Elvis, & Frank Sinatra were revered ’til the day they died! What part of the game is that?! We gotta maintain our direction! I don’t claim to know it all…but I’m always researching & paying dues! You never stop paying dues!
Tell us about your musical influences?
That’s easy… First & foremost, James Brown… Brand Nubian, PE, BDP, Big Daddy Kane, Big Pun, Pharoah Monche, OC, Tribe Called Quest…just to name a few…
Could you touch on the ‘Peace in the Middle East’ project and why its so important?
This project is my baby! I really pray that it goes over well! I tried to pull it off in 2000 but I didn’t have the right approach… Last year, I linked w/ a good friend of mine Waleed Coyote (big radio personality in North Carolina & head of Othaz Records) who I’ve known for a few years… We were building on the Middle East & it turned out we both had dreams of doing the same thing…A musical project addressing & benefitting the Middle East… (continues below)
Othaz Records and S.O.U.L. Purpose Presents: Peace In The Middle East - Part 1
…So we decided to reach out to Muslim & Jewish artists in hopes to bring peace & awareness through Hip Hop music (the universal language)… We then brought up the idea to MC Serch who we both knew & he was really with it! Shortly after we reached out to Q-Tip, Freeway, Mos Def, Ill Bill, Mari Ben Ari… Other up & coming artists such as Sneakas, Noose, & Hassan Salam jumped on board aswell… We also reached out to overseas artists & so far so good! Thank God everybody has been cooperative… Even producers like Evil Dee, Fred Wreck, Scram Jones, Easy Mo Bee, & Crucial Keys(just to name a few) are pitching in! We haven’t really even went hard on promoting it but sites like All Hip Hop & Serch Lite Music have been huge supporters… All the proceeds/profits will go to charities on both Jewish & Muslim sides in the Middle East… The best has yet to come God willing…
Othaz Records and S.O.U.L. Purpose Presents: Peace In The Middle East - Part 2
Mazzi, tell us about S. O. U. L. Purpose and ‘Payback A. S. A. P. ?
As a promoter & artist, I always did benefit/charity shows & events… From asthma foundations to homeless organizations to 9/11 relief… I feel I must give back on m,y road as an artist…not wait & cross my fingers ’til I get rich to give back… I grew up broke as shit…but was never broken…so I just wanna uplift my people any way I can…
Mazzi, tell us, what qualities make an MC?
Flow, delivery, lyrical content, style, wordplay, character, & the ability to paint that mental picture…
You have an album out called ‘The Construction’, what can we expect from it?
I’m constructing a new beginning… This has been collective work from the years I hadn’t put out shit… Some tracks are brand new though… The next is “The Building” & then “The House That James Built”… God willing…
S.O.U.L. Purpose - Concrete Jungle
What’s your favourite track from the record?
Damn! I like’em all!
Tell us the concept behind the track with Immortal Technique ‘The Other White Meat’?
Well me & Tech hate the police! I am personally allergic to them… I stay as far away from them as possible! They suck! Fuck all of them! That song was actually on “Breaking Records” (That’s why it was marked as a bonus cut) but it didn’t get the shine it deserved so I had to re-issue it… Sad how in recent events (ie. Sean Bell), it’s still relevant!
S.O.U.L. Purpose - The Other White Meat ft Immortal Technique
The track is very politally charged and in the current climate (given the Sean Bell case), would you encourage more artists to be more ‘conscious’?
We should always be conscious! That’s Hip Hop! Our community is first! Unity is our ONLY remedy! I mean I like to party, dance, get w/ females, etc. but be aware of the injustices or it will consume you…
Would you like to add anything else?
1/2 the profits of all S.O.U.L. Purpose albums will go to charity… With this album, it’s The Boys & Girls Club of America…
Go buy this album on Itunes, Rhapsody & eMusic TODAY!!!
Its that real hip hop!
Bonus: Operation F.L.I.P. (Finding Lessons In Practice) = Lesson A & B
Lesson A
Lesson B
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