Muja Messiah is back with a vengeance, with a new album Angel Blood Soup and another album Southside Samurai following soon after. Not that he has gone anywhere, if he isn’t releasing an album he is either playing live or putting new songs out there.
With multiple albums, side projects and endless amounts of energy. Muja Messiah is rising to the top of the local Hip-Hop and Rap scene.
He answered some questions for Rift about the new album and the process of creating it.
RIFT: You worked with Mike The Martyr on your last album and now on Angel Blood Soup, what is that writing process like?
MUJA MESSIAH: Mike plays a beat and sometimes I get excited and write on the spot.. Some songs we finished in an hour or less… other songs take a week or two to construct because I take time to create the concept and how I wanna say it.
RIFT: When you feature other artists on your recordings, do you give them guidance or give them a certain part and just say go.
MUJA MESSIAH: If I reach out for a feature its because I already have a concept and artist in mind. I don’t like to work with people just because. There’s gotta be a reason, a concept, or some kind of connection. And most of all I gotta be a fan of your work.
RIFT: Do you handle all the business things for your music by yourself, or do you have someone helping out? Is there a difficult part handling the art side verses the business side?
MUJA MESSIAH: I’ve been fortunate as of late to have a team of soldiers on my side. There’s definitely a strength and power that comes along with unification and family. We’ve always been hands on and behind the scenes but with our last few projects we’ve taken 100% control with the help of my people’s cloudchasin, JonJon, Jordan and alex, Dillon at stop house, martyr and my lady…she’s extremely supportive and helpful and I appreciate all the help I can get. When people have faith in you and dedicate time, money , and energy to your cause it provides a sense of self worth and motivation u can’t achieve on your own.
RIFT: What is the best part about the local Hip-Hop and rap community?
MUJA MESSIAH: The comradery, the (friendly) competition, and the fact that on any given night there’s multiple shows going on. Mpls is a special place as far as music goes and the talent pool runs as deep as any other place. I embrace everything the city has to offer from the love to the hate it’s all a blessing.
RIFT: If you had one sentence to describe “Angel Blood Soup” what would that be?
MUJA MESSIAH: I tried..I cant..I’d need at least a paragraph.
RIFT: You tend to get right to the point, and don’t back down in your lyrics. Was there ever a time you wrote a lyric and though you might have gone too far?
MUJA MESSIAH: Yes..all the time..for example.. “I kill mics like Darren wilson”..I consult with my closest brothers n sisters first tho and make sure I don’t go to far. Cuz lord knows I don’t give a fuk. But if I look over and everybody in the studio is looking distraught and offended I know I either did my job or I might need to tone it down. But I take great pride in offending those easily offended.
RIFT: Is there anything that would surprise people to know about you?
MUJA MESSIAH: I love mayonnaise!!!
RIFT: If you could give any advice about anything life, love, being creative, etc. What would it be?
MUJA MESSIAH: My advice would be to admit when your wrong..don’t hold grudges..don’t let one day go by without working toward your ultimate goal..don’t sleep the day away..and as a bonus my guy TEK recently gave me the best advice I heard in a loooong time..” Don’t ask..FIND OUT FOR YA SELF”
CD Release Show 7/25 at The Cabooze – http://riftmagazine.com/event/muja-messiah-angel-blood-soup-release-party/
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