Artist Spotlight: Truth Universal

Truth Universal has been a fixture in the New Orleans underground scene. Inspired by the golden age emcees, the New Orleans based emcee has been following in their footsteps with each of his releases. With his latest project the Guerrilla Business EP set to drop next week, I got the chance to speak with TU on a variety a topics such as his upcoming EP, the Saints winning the Super Bowl and his rocky label situation with Paris’ Guerrilla Funk  Records. Hit the jump to get to know the man known as Truth Universal.

Introduce Yourself

Truth Universal, New Orleans based, Trinidad born, Civilian Guerrilla crowd rocker.

Why the name Truth Universal?

Truth Universal is my Divine attribute.  It speaks me seeking, and striving to speak and live Universal Truth.

Who are some of your musical inspirations?

Poor Righteous Teachers, Andre Tanker, Brother Resistance (Network Riddum Band), Mantronix, Just-Ice, DMX, Dana Dane, Clark Kent, Slick Rick, Vance Wright, Doug Fresh, KRS One, Public Enemy, Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and Run DMC.

Past projects readers should know about:

Vinyl 12″: “Dashiki Dialogue,” “Four Track Mind,” “New Orleans’ Finest,” “Mind Frame.” EP: “Plantation Graffiti,” “N.O. Finest” Maxi, Decolonization Mixtape, Grassroots! Campaign Mixtape and the album Self Determination.

Current projects readers should be looking out for:

Guerrilla Business EP–release date: 03.16.10. There are a couple videos in the final stages of production also – “Serve & Protect” by Nickel Dime Studios, and “The GRASSROOTS! Campaign” by Onpoint Media.

Who is involved in the Guerrilla Business EP?

Guests on this project are pretty much fam that are close by: Evelyn Champagne, Skipp Coon and Lyrikill.  DJs include DJ Chief One, DJ Maxmillion, and DJ Himuki. On production we have Dan Freeman, N.O. Bricks, Prospek, DJ Himuki, DJ Maxmillion, Mr. Nick, Gensu Dean, and Snuff Sugar.

Sounds like a good lineup. How long is the EP? Is this self released or through a label?

Word, those are some VERY talented folks. It’s short…10 track IDs…8 original tracks, 1 remix, 1 interlude. It’s a self release; most of my work is.  “Self-Determination” was a partnership between Truth Universal Music & Dragon’s Breath Records. The worldwide digital release will be handled by http://root70lounge.com .

What’s up with the Guerilla Funk label?

Signed there since 2006, and basically is STILL bullshitting with my album, Decolonization.

Are you trying to get out of the contract?

Yeah…I have no desire to release anything there, I see no point in that. Dude talks this great game, but ends up wasting most of the cats’ time.

Are they sort of holding you hostage though? Do you have the rights to the album to release it somewhere else or on your own?

There is no “they,” it’s only Paris. While I am grateful for the exposure on the Hard Truth Soldiers compilations, I don’t have time waste waiting around for who knows what.

For anybody familiar w/ Self Determination, they know you worked w/ legends like Wise Intelligent (Poor Righteous Teachers) & Cee Know the Doodlebug (Digable Planets). What was that working with them? How did you link up with them?

It was an honor. I met Doodlebug at a Digable Planets reunion tour show in N.O.  I gave him that “Decolonization Mixtape” to check out.  We built over the phone about working on something.  We solidified things when I opened for them in Austin some months later.

The song was actually inspired by writings by Wise Intelligent and Bakari Kitwana.  I started building with Wise’s manager (Born Free) the same time the song was in production.  It was on something totally different, but I let him hear the joint, he got it to Wise, and we went from there.

Now you’re one of the most prominent artists in the New Orleans underground scene. What are your thoughts on the scene right now?

It’s wonderful at this point in time.  There’s a renaissance of sorts happening. There’s a good deal of positive creative energy, initiative and determination. The artists are no longer waiting on the local industry only to provide performance opportunities.  We do our own events:  “GRASSROOTS!” Soundclash, Uniquity, New Orleans Hip Hop, Streetwear joints, and more.

As I’ve made sure our readers know, the Saints recently won the Super Bowl lol. But the effects on the city, state & community have been huge. The hip hop scene is no different. What’s it been like seeing guys like K Gates & Dee-1 get exposure nationwide because of their Saints anthems?

Those brothers are exceptional talents, but yeah the anthem content was in line with the hype and journey. I hope going forward some of the light stays shining on the city. It’s still, and always will be, a bittersweet event/time for me. It seems that folks have forgotten about the millions put into Superdome repair while a large number Katrina affected folks were still displaced and/or practically homeless. I know of folks who still can’t afford to come home. Of course I went to Saints games growing up, etc., so there is a “Wow!” factor involved. However, it’s temporary distraction from the incessant violence, homelessness and messed up public school system though.

If you had to pick one song that defines your career up to this point, what would it be?

“The Grassroots Campaign” produced by N.O. Bricks. It’s just speaking on the underground MC struggle.  “Eloquent as, Gibran’s pen when the mic get blessed/ Seventeen year overnight success!” I list influences in terms of upbringing, emcees, and study.  I have to say that one.  It’s a classic crowd rocker, call and response track.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one album to listen to, what would it be?

Damn. Right now I’ll say Digable Planets’ Blowout Comb. That’ll stay in my top 5 forever! The Hip Hop aesthetics it embodies, the progressive content…It’s very near perfect to me and I I never tire of listening to it.

Any shout outs or last words?

First and foremost, I implore folks to monetarily support the good music you enjoy. Guerrilla Business arrives in the universe on 03.16.2010.

The Grassroots Campaign

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The More Things Change

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