|
Interview
|
 |
Just last year a super group of talented
emcees emerged as Black Market Militia, the group was born out
of the urgency of what's been lost in hip-hop, you can call it
the essence of the music that is no longer heard in
today's microwave brand of hip-hop. The groups aim was simple,
to present enjoyable music with
understandable
messages, covering issues of universal relevance like politics,
conspiracy theories, religion, spirituality, economics, and
revolution.
Black Market Militia is the brainchild of two
different legendary emcees, with different affiliations, from
two different boroughs with a common goal, Killah Priest
(Wu-Tang Clan/Sunz Of Man) and Tragedy Khadafi (Almighty Juice
Crew) teamed up in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom and to
spread these beliefs through the medium of hip-hop. To
make the group complete, 3 other talents were brought to add
weight to the group, already established Timbo King (Wu-Tang
Killa Beez/Royal Fam), Hell Razah (Wu-Tang Clan/Sunz Of Man) and
last but not least William Cooper. Their street savoir-faire
lyrics and no holds barred delivery enabled the group to deliver
a masterpiece album that is still unmatched in today's hip-hop,
don't believe me, proof is in the pudding, read he review and
buy the album "The
Black Market Militia". . |
|
Everyone loves an under dog, don't they? Even well with the
presence of already established emcees on the BMM project, few
people couldn't help but wonder who the new cat was, He was nice
with his and while most Wu-Tang & Hip -hop fans in general were
fully aware of the 4 established emcees history, very little was
known of William Cooper aka Booth. Based on his efficient and
much needed contribution on the Black Market album, it is not
gruelling to realize his skills and talent, definitely no rookie
on the mic. While most might not be aware of this sharp
craftsman's history, William Cooper has been in the game for
over 10 years, as a producer, A&R, and emcee, it will surprise
most to know that he produced and served as the a&r for Tragedy
Khadafi's "Still Reporting".
Cooper has named himself after the late radio host, author and
political activist most also known as William Cooper, who was
mainly known for his best selling underground book entitled
"Behold A Place Horse" where the author airs out so many
controversial topics. The book covers 2 types of
two types of people in the world:
those who want to know who exactly is controlling whom, and
those who are more comfortable taking things at face value.
Cooper's account of what the government is capable of in times
of heightened alert is extremely relevant now. what's most
interesting is that the book was published before the 911 attack
on the World Trade Centre which was predicted on this book.
If he is not using that name, he is assuming his producer's
alter ego as Booth, adopted from John Wilkes Booth, one of the
most popular assassins the world has ever seen responsible for
the death of President Lincoln, but nothing to worry about here,
all Booth's assassinating here is hot beats and tracks.
The
emcee William Cooper aka Booth is currently putting finishing
touch to a solo album "Beware Of A Pale Horse" set to drop end
of the year and album following the tradition of the author, the
album will be covering everything under the sun, from politics,
social events to spirituality and more, this will feature
contributions from his Militia brothers, Killah Priest, Timbo
King, Tragedy, and Hell Razah and collaboration with the likes
of Trife Da God (Theodore Unit / TMF), Blue Raspberry (Wu-Tang
Clan Songstress) and a surprisingly with the incarcerated
9th Prince from Killarmy. Look out for another Black Market
Militia Part II project, this will be followed by another group
project that involves Killah Priest as a member of The Eloheem
Team and The Gemstar Regime project, it is quite evident William
Cooper is a man that is on a mission, a mission to elevate
hip-hop and the game to a whole new level, Read more as
Wu-International politicks with this lyricist about his upcoming
projects, his humble beginning, Black Market Militia, Wu-Tang,
Killah Priest, 911, and more.. Enjoy!! |
I like to say thanks first and foremost for
taking the time to answer these questions, highly
appreciated, and will also point out that nothing will be
altered, edited or changed when this is published online.
Wu-International: Peace Cooper, what’s good?
William Cooper: Peace everything is everything...just
putting the finishing touches on my debut solo record
"Beware of the pale horse"...
Wu-International: A lot of our fans know you due to the
Black Market Militia (BMM) project, please give us a brief
history of the formation of Black Market, how you met the
members and how you personally got involved?
William Cooper: Well prior to the BMM album; most people
knew me for producing and a&r'ing Tragedy Khadafi's "Still
reporting" album... which is a classic record... if you
ain't heard it you need to cop it... anyway, me and Tragedy
were rolling together pretty heavy for a couple years...just
grindin this music game... one night we was at a source
magazine party and we linked up with Killah Priest... and to
make a long story short, the Black Market Militia was
formed... originally, the Black Market was just me, Killah
Priest, and Tragedy...during the recording sessions, Hell
Razah and Timbo King would be there and they jumped on some
songs... their contributions to the album were real
dope...and instead of always saying "featuring Hell Razah
and Timbo" we decided to just be one group...and at that
moment in time we were one group; we spent almost everyday
together like a true family...that’s why I feel that album
feels and sounds so pure...
Wu-International: Thanks, who came up with the name
and concept of the BMM and what is your own interpretation
of it as the name alone carries a lot of connotations?
William Cooper: The name Black Market came from Killah
Priest; he had that title before we even formed the
group...everybody liked it, so we ran wit it...its real
because the black market is where you can get anything under
the sun, that you cant even buy in stores...BMM is a
movement; not a revolution but a rebel-ution...and in
today’s evil world this record was needed...
Wu-International: Tragedy is a legend in his own right,
Priest, Razah and Timbo King are all high calibre emcees,
very little was known about you before the project but I
have to admit you held your ground and did your thing on the
bum project, was there any pressure to perform being in a
group with already established emcees?
William Cooper: Well I'm not new to rapping; been
doing that since I was twelve...but I was new to worldwide
exposure...to me there was no pressure because I love a
challenge...and I wanted the world to know that I get busy
on the mic too...I wanted to let people know I do more than
just make beats....and I feel that mission was
accomplished...
Wu-International: So what was it like working with Bo
King, Razah, Priest and Trag?
William Cooper: It was a pleasure to work with
everyone of them...there is so much talent and gold records
between all of them...it was a very memorable experience...
Wu-International: When heads with so much skills and
talents come together, there is bound to be one or two cases
of disagreements or arguments, where there any of that
between you and other members of the group and do you care
to share that experience with us?
William Cooper: Well me and Priest fight over things
all the time; me and him almost took it to throwing punches
a couple of times; because we are both very passionate about
our music...but when its said and done, we get the best out
of one another...and when we argue; we not fighting each
other; we fighting to make the best possible music we
can...me and priest have great chemistry in the studio...and
neither one of us are yes men, so we both always get our
input in...Priest is a real good brother...
Question: Some of the songs on the BMM album
covered subjects on Islamic beliefs, Hebraic
teachings, and five-percenters ideologies, do you
following any of these teachings or other spiritual
beliefs?
|
|
William Cooper: Well I'm not the most religious
person...I was raised Catholic...but I feel religion
divides more than anything...but I am very spiritual
person...and I dabble in many of the worlds
religions and also follow many of there teachings
and beliefs... but I don’t put a title on it,
I am just a spiritualist....there’s alot of truth
out in the universe, you just have to find it...you
know, eat the meat and spit out the bones....
Wu-International: how well was the bum project
received by the public?
William Cooper: Even until this day, every
single review I have read or heard has been
positive...not even one negative review, and that’s
rare to see these days....I just wish we did some
videos so we could have reached more people...these
days you need a video to grab the attention of the
public...
Wu-International: So will there be a follow up
to the BMM project, and if so how soon do you think
the fans have to wait?
William Cooper: There will be a "BMM part 2"
when the time is right...when we can get everyone
together and make something classic once again...we
have all been talking about chapter 2... and it will
happen when the time is right...
Wu-International: I've heard a number of lost
tracks or songs that never made it to the BMM album
on mixtapes or exclusives, why did some of the songs
not end up on the album and do you or the group have
any future plans of releasing those songs some time
in the future?
William Cooper: We probably have a whole
another album worth of material...we would just do
songs...and the ones that fit the album the best
would make the album....some of those songs may or
may not be released in the future...it all depends
on the final overall record...whatever we have to do
to make it a classic....
Wu-International: Ok, I think anyone that heard
you on bum album would have bowed down and giving
you your respect dues, not trying to flatter or gas
you up but honestly speaking your skills on the mic
is way-way above average for a new or even compared
to most emcees out right now, how long have you been
in the game?
William Cooper: Thank you for the love...been
rapping since 12 years old...I am just now getting
worldwide exposure... it feels great and long
overdue...
Wu-International: Ok, well, let’s talk a little
bit more about your self, what where you doing prior
to the BMM project, and where you always in a group
or been a solo artist from the beginning?
William Cooper: Through the years I have been
apart of local groups here and there... but I have
always been a solo artist at heart...being a solo
artist you can get more personal and creative...
Wu-International: The question above was based
on the fact that you not only rep BMM, but also the
Eloheem Team, Gem Starr regime and the Ghost and the
Darkness, can you please tell us more about these
affiliations?
William Cooper: Well after my solo album
drops...I'm doing a group album with my
homey/brother "Bloodsport" called "The ghost and the
darkness"...you may have heard bloodsport on the
song "Stand Still" with Killah Priest and Immortal
Technique... we also have the Eloheem Team coming
which is myself, Starrblazz, and Killah Priest, you
will hear from Timbo and Razah on that record too...
that will be another classic... and the Gemstarr
regime is my company and group (I'ma keep the group
a secret for now) that will also be out in the next
year or so....I been very busy working on all these
projects and I cant wait for the world to here
them....
Wu-International: Interesting, another joint
with Priest will be ill, do you have any projects
(EPs, albums, mixtapes, singles) out before the BMM
album, if so how can the fans get their hands on it?
William Cooper: Like I said earlier, I
produced and a&r'ed on tragedy khadafi's "still
reporting" album and I a&r'ed on the Starrblazz "the
way of the bullet" album...but the solo is coming
sooner than you think...its almost done...
Wu-International: OK then, lets talk about the
name William cooper, this is not your real name is
it? If it’s not, please tell us reason you have
chosen to be called William cooper?
William Cooper: I named myself after Milton
William Cooper.... he was the author of "Behold A
Pale Horse"...this is a must read.... this book
exposed the government in so many ways... and he was
later killed for doing so... if you don’t know who
Milton William Cooper is...please take the time to
do a google search and get your read on or purchase
his book "Behold A Pale Horse"...or download some of
his lectures...he is a true American hero...
Wu-International: Yes, I have read that book,
thanks, I know you also go by the aliases Booth’s,
why Booth, and any other names you go by that we
should know of?
William Cooper: I go by Booth "John Wilkes
Booth", one of the worlds most famous assassins...he
assassinated President Lincoln...I use this name
when I produce cause the way I be killin the tracks
and William Cooper when I rap...
Wu-International: Thanks, on other personal
note, where are you original from and where are you
currently located?
William Cooper: Bloomfield; New Jersey...
currently I live everywhere...you have to move
around and spread yourself out in order to make it
in the music industry....
Wu-International: Hope you don’t mind me asking
this but some of the fans wanted to know what your
ethnic background was?
William Cooper: I'm 50% Lithuanian, 25%
Sicilian, and 25% German...
Wu-International: Interesting mix, has there
ever been an issue of you being white or fair skin
in an all black star line up from peers, or fans
alike?
William Cooper: There are still many ignorant
people in the world...so for some it will always be
an issue... but I try to let my music speak for
itself... I make music; and music is not one
colour...music is so many colours...
Wu-International: True indeed, what was it
like growing up in New Jersey? What is one of your
earliest memories?
William Cooper: You know times is hard on
everybody’s bvld...luckily I have a great group of
family and friends that continue to help me along
the way...new jersey is a great home with a lot of
talent...
Wu-International: Every artist in the game has
been influenced by someone or group, who would you
say are your influences both lyrically and style
wise as an emcee? |
 |
William Cooper: I have had many
influences....too many to name them all... Run DMC.;
The beastie Boys "Licence To Ill l"; Kool G Rap;
Wu-Tang Clan; Nas; and the list goes on...I admire
alot of artist, but I always do my own thing when
its my turn to speak...
Wu-International: what would you say you were
trying to achieve with your music?
William Cooper: I want to tear the blindfold
off the eyes of the public...make good music,
and make a decent living making music... |
Wu-International: So, what makes William cooper
different from other emcees in the game?
William Cooper: There is substance in my
music... its not just words that rhyme on a beat put
together for the sake of making a song...its a part
of me...
Wu-International: Your resume says you also
produce as well as a&r, please tell us more about
these roles and experiences if any?
William Cooper: I love to a&r and to sculpt an
album into a classic piece of art...I also love to
produce when I have time...I just did a banger for "Trife
Da God" of the Theodore Unit...I also did a banger
for "9th Prince" of Killarmy...I plan on doing even
more production in the future...and I’m always
lookin for another a&r job....
Wu-International: You said earlier you are
putting finishing touches on an album “Beware of the
pale horse”, interesting title, can you tell us why
you have given it that name?
William Cooper: Well its a spin off of Milton
William Cooper's "Behold a pale horse"...I’m
carrying the torch for those who have ears to hear
and eyes to see....I deal with alot of political
issues on this record... and the title just fits for
my debut...
Wu-International: More on the album, what
names can we expect on the guest list of emcees,
singers or producers?
William Cooper: Killah Priest, Rev. Al Sharpton,
Blue Raspberry (Wu-tang songstress ), Timbo King,
Hell Razah, Trife the God, Starrblazz and more... I
didn’t make the final track listing yet, so
I’m still not sure...
Wu-International: Thanks, how many songs have
you completed for this album and what is the
timeline for the release?
William Cooper: I have recorded about 25 and
will pick 12 to 14 for the final track list... God
willing it will be released later this year...
Wu-International: will it be a street album or
do you have a label behind it at this moment?
William Cooper: It's still up in the
air...I’m taking meetings and if the numbers are
right then ill sign...but with the all of the
upgrades in technology, I don’t want to sign
another small-time deal... if there is no serious
money involved I may distribute this record myself
through the internet, mom and pops stores, some
major chain stores, and the streets... but as we
speak it is all still up in the air...
Wu-International: Apart from the political
contents, what else as in types of concepts, issues,
topics and so on will you be covering on this album?
William Cooper: I touch on a little bit of
everything...everything that goes on in this
world...the good the bad and the ugly...you know...
Wu-International: Do you have any favourite song
off the album at this moment you would like to tell
us about, or perhaps the first single?
William Cooper: I’m having a hard time
picking a single... there’s alot of good music
recorded for this album...I really put my heart into
this record...its my debut solo record...and once
you put something out into the universe you cant
take it back...so I been taking my time...
Wu-International: So how hard do you work on a
verse? Does the verse go through many changes before
you decide on the final version?
William Cooper: It depends some take 5
minutes some take 5 days...it all depends...when its
done its done...you know...
Wu-International: An underlying theme that ran
throughout your lyrics on the BMM album was a
mixture of streets, spirituality and life in
general, what role do you feel consciousness plays
in hip-hop music today, and what do you add to that?
William Cooper: There’s not too much
conscious music out there these days...I wish there
was more, but you gotta always do your best to have
balance in your music or anything else you do in
life....the yin and yang, right from wrong, good
from evil, cops will kill you... you know things
like that...
Wu-International: Working with already
established artists that have been in the game for a
long time, what are some things you’ve learned from
those experiences that you’ve applied to this
project?
William Cooper: I learn something new
everyday...and I learned that you have to have your
business side of your game sharp...because you got
vampires wit fangs that want to have there cake and
eat it too; and then they wanna eat your cake...my
black market brothers have been there to help me
with the business side of things....
Wu-International: Last week marked the 5th
anniversary of the 9/11 attack on us, what are your
views on the attack, and the politics behind it all
in general?
William Cooper: 911 was the greatest lie ever
sold...R.I.P. to all the lives lost and all the
families that were affected....
Wu-International: Being a member of the BMM has
gained you the same fans from the ever growing
Wu-Tang Clan and affiliates (Wu Killa Beez) fan
base, what are your feelings on this?
William Cooper: The wu-tang clan is my favourite
group of all time...so in that sense it feels
great...I just don’t wanna get stuck under that
umbrella that many Wu-affiliates get stuck under...
I have a lot to offer this game...it’s only the
beginning...much respect to Wu-Tang....all praises
due....
Wu-International: If you were to work with
one member from the Wu-tang clan, who would that be
and why?
William Cooper: Ghostface because I feel the
passion in his music... that man is real wit it...
or GZA/Genius because he’s so prolific....actually I
would like to do a song wit all of them.....and
that’s real...
Wu-International: There were rumours on some
forums some time back that you left The Black Market
Milita, are there any truth to these rumours?
William Cooper: Not at all; just during the
release of the record I had alot of legal issues
that needed to be handled and I was going through
alot of personal issues that needed to be
handled....I wasn’t around for a while because these
issues came first on my list of priorities...
Wu-International: Apart from music, what
other hobbies / interests do you dabble into?
William Cooper: I would love to direct movies
and even act in them eventually...but music is my
first passion ....I also want to write a book in the
near future....
Wu-International: I am personally looking
forward to your album, so after "Beware Of The Pale
Horse" drops, what’s next on the menu?
William Cooper: The Ghost and the Darkness, The
Eloheem team, The Gemstarr regime.... and BMM part 2
somewhere in there....
Wu-International: Do you plan on releasing any
mixtapes before or after the album drops?
William Cooper: As of now no.... but I will be
feeding many mixtapes DJs with some songs to help
promote the record though.... |
Wu-International: You have a myspace account but
do you have an official site that the fans can keep
up to date on with you on?
William Cooper: I am in the process of
constructing an official website as we speak...
Wu-International: What groups or solo act out
there in hip-hop are you currently feeling? or
rather, what are you listening to right now?
William Cooper: That Bronze Nazareth album is
pretty tough... other than that I’m still listening
to Supreme Clientele, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx,
Liquid Swords...and alot of old school R&B...and the
War Report...
Wu-International: Ok, quick word association,
I am going to say a group/name and you would say the
first word that pops in your head, for examples if I
say “dead prez”, you may say “revolution”, etc, here
we go…
Word: President Bush?
William Cooper: Crime boss
Word: AIDS?
William Cooper: Government-made
Word: Hip hop?
William Cooper: What flows through my veins
Word: Wu-tang
William Cooper: forever
Word: Religion?
William Cooper: Division |
 |
Wu-International: Thanks man, you are a great
sport, to round up, any words of wisdom to up and
coming emcees?
William Cooper: If your going to choose this
lifestyle, and it is a lifestyle...you cant half
step...you gotta give 100%... making music is the
easy part, there is so much more of a grind once you
have product.... once you have product you have to
hustle and hustle....and don’t get comfortable...
because comfort is the enemy of progress...keep
grindin; you get out what you put in....
Wu-International:
thanks for your time Booth, last question, do you
have any thing else to add that we might have missed
out? shout outs or last words for the fans and to be
fans?
William Cooper: Peace to all the supporters
of my music, Wu-International.com, and all of my
loved ones... it feels good to know the worlds
listening..."Beware of the pale horse" is just about
completed and I’m looking forward to sharing it with
the world...peace and blessings.
Catch up with william Cooper
at
http://www.myspace.com/williamcooperbmm |
Read Latest Interview
Behold The
Pale Horse Interview
<Read Other Interviews> |
