Zambian Hip-Hop King C.R.I.$.I.$., is Coming to America

October 19th, 2007

Zambian Hip-Hop King C.R.I.$.I.$., is Coming to America

“Zambian Hip-Hop King C.R.I.$.I.$., is Coming to America”
16/10/2007 Hip Hop Roll
Jyle Dupuis

We can no longer claim Hip-Hop an American music genre. Hip Hop is quickly becoming integrated into different cultures all over the world. Places like France, the United Kingdom, Africa, Vietnam, etc… are all experiencing a new Hip Hop craze. But don’t think they all rap about flashy cars and gangsta violence. Hip-Hop is developing into an international phenomenon, and at the reigns of its evolution is Hip Hop artist C.R.I.$.I.$.

Descended from The Great Chief, Mwata Kazembe of the Zambian Lunda people he could claim royalty. But he earns his props by working hard and producing music that contain clever and meaningful lyrics. Through his Zambian heritage, he brings a unique flavour to his style, and it’s quickly taking hold of the U.K. and American Hip-Hop industry.

In January, 2005 his first album, “Officer in Charge,” made history by becoming the first Hip-Hop album to be recorded and produced in Zambia by a Zambian artist. Through adversity, C.R.I.$.I.$. went on to produce music with Yung Thugg. Their co-operative track “Bring It Back Rewind,” found its way into the album “UK-US Takeover Volume 15,” which also has Lovely and Lil Wayne’s song “Miss L.O.V.”

Regardless of his success, C.R.I.$.I.$. isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. After already claiming the title of “Zambia’s biggest and most successful Hip-Hop artist,” he’s setting his sights on something bigger. With the American Hip-Hop/Rap market looking for something different, C.R.I.$.I.$. might just have that fresh look and unique Hip-Hop sound people are looking for.

With his upcoming album release of “Designer,” C.R.I.$.I.$. and I had the chance to chat. Here’s what we talked about;

HIP HOP ROLL:
Where did the inspiration for the name C.R.I.$.I.$. come from?

C.R.I.$.I.$.
I wanted a name that would be abbreviated and make a strong statement. I’ve had the alias C.R.I.$.I.$. since I was about 16 years old. It came down to “Chisenga Rapping InSome Intellectual Skills.” I try not to be preacher like in my music but tell da facts as they stand. E.g. The album cut “I’ve Been Waiting.” Or King Author (The King of Rap). People thought I dissed Mobb Deep but what I said was also triggered by my religious beliefs.

HIP HOP ROLL:
You listen to American artists talking about getting out of the inner-city neighbourhoods and ghettos, how has your journey been different?

C.R.I.$.I.$.
Where I come from, it’s like the whole country is a ghetto. Some people even become quite envious when you get out of there and start living in a country with a much better economy than home.

My journey has been quite hard in the sense that, I’ve had to force feed people in my country to listen to Hip-Hop. Being the first Zambian artist to release a Hip-Hop album in that country wasn’t easy. I was dealing with pessimists almost everyday. People said I wouldn’t make it. The negative talk made me more ambitious. I was more determined to be the best that I could, knowing that I don’t want to go back to the place where I couldn’t get any sleep because somebody was always plotting to do something crazy.

HIP HOP ROLL:
We often hear the complaint that people have a hard time relating to hip-hop music. What kind of audience do you think will connect with your music?

C.R.I.$.I.$.
Despite all the verbals about explicit content being removed from Hip-Hop, with Rev. Al Sharpton heading that campaign, I am not really paying attention to those headlines. I am an 80’s baby so, being lyrical is quite important to me. I don’t need the explicit content to get my proposition across.

HIP HOP ROLL:
A lot of rap artists claim a mentor or someone they look up to. For example, Kanye refers to Jay-z as his “big brother.” Is there anyone you look up to in the industry?

C.R.I.$.I.$.
I engineer my own music, write, produce and occasionally scout for outstanding talent and I am usually described as a person with a good ear and crazy sonic soundscapes in my music so, I’d say that I am more like Dr. Dre. I am a perfectionist like he is and just like him, I know when to stop and usually won’t release a record unless I am convinced about its potential to blow!!!

HIP HOP ROLL:
Since your background and your message is so unique for this musical genre, do you feel you have been influenced by anyone? For example, is there any traditional Zambian flavour to your music?

C.R.I.$.I.$.
Oh Yeah. Definitely!!! I’d be half witted if that element was missing because I think It’s a natural chemistry that just happens with your roots. If you listen to a song called “Can’t Let You Go” on my album, you’ll find that the Tom, Tom’s on that song, when played on their own are following a traditional drum pattern from back home in Zambia. The pattern is typical of what people from the Luapula or Chipata tribes would play.

Also, Dj Green Lantern once wrote to me and said; “Damn homie, I am feeling “Bring it Back” it sounds like some Trip-Hop, Garage mixed with Hip-Hop. Did you make that beat?” This was a song of mine that he picked for his mixtape, Myspace Monster Mash. That was another song that contained a drum pattern from back home but it also sounded like a Trip-Hop breakbeat. I don’t know how I made that beat. I often wonder myself. Lol

HIP HOP ROLL:
If there was one message you wanted people who listened to your music to get, what would it be?

C.R.I.$.I.$.
I mean what I say and say what I mean. Stop being studio gangsta’s and you’ll do a bunch of us a big favour, and Hip-Hop never died, she moved to Africa but people shouldn’t worry. She loves to travel worldwide. I am her driver, pilot and sailor so, expect to see us in a town near you very soon. Lol

C.R.I.$.I.$. Biography
Listen to C.R.I.$.I.$ music on Myspace

Tags: article, c.r.i.$.i.$., c.r.i.s.i.s., cri$i$, crisis, hip-hop-music, international-hip-hop, interview, news, zambia-hip-hop, zambia-rap