9th Scientist is an emcee of lyrical prowess, he first received his start in 1991 with the now defunct HipHop group, Nubian Intelligence Organization. During his formative years, 9th Scientist recorded demos from 1991-1995 rocking underground shows with the punk rockers in Little Rock, at Little Rock’s own Belvedere and the Punk House on Rice street.
9th Scientist signed to indie imprint Merkabah Entertainment in 1999 releasing a record under the auspice of Akasha called, Kadillac Story in 2001 produced by THX & Swift 720. In 2002-2003, 9th Scientist dropped the “Akasha” moniker while forming, Illatron Entertainment; and recorded a 7 song Ep called, “Cientific” He was also able to shoot his first video called, “The 9th Episode” which was released during the summer of 2003. At this time he started to pick up buzz from multiple local shows and regional touring. He’s also toured cities such as Dallas, Memphis, Louisana, and Atlanta promoting his music.
9th has shared the stage with the likes of such groups and astonishing individual artist as Scienz of Life, Percee P, Bavu Blakes, Truth Universal, Buddy Miles, Infinito 2017, Rodney Block, and even David Banner.. From 2004-2006, 9th Scientist started recording for the project entitled, “Illatron Magnetic”, which was released in 2007 on Domination Recordings; earning 4 STARS in Urb Magazine. This record gained critical acclaim; which caught the attention of MF Grimm, who made him an honorary member of Monster Island Czars. In 2010-2011, 9th Scientist followed up Illatron Magnetic with the release of Tru Kingz of Boom produced by the combined efforts of King Boom, DJ Prophet (BantuNauts RayDio), and Mannie-Gee (MGP). In 2012, 9th Scientist released his follow up record aptly named, “Illatron Archives”. His latest Ep release dropped in 2014 named, Neb King Cold ; produced by Mannie Gee of Mannie-Gee Productions.
1.You got a pretty interesting name for your music endeavors. How did you come up with 9th Scientist?
9th Scientist comes from my Involvement with Malachi Z. York El and the Nuwaupians. York Made Nuwaupu famous to the world, however a man named Afroo Onoo from Brooklyn, New York had small group of people he taught one being Sunra as well 3 other students who helped him write the 9 ball, Moonset Sunrise in the Nature of Nature, Introduction to the Nature of Nature, Nature of Nature book 1 & 2 which talks about the Science of Noopooh being 9 ether and Zoopooh being 6 ether.
2. When listening to you we would think you were from Brooklyn or somewhere but in fact you are from Arkansas. No one has put that state on the map yet in the Hip Hop world. For starts what is the Hiphop scene like out there?
We have one famous Rapper from here her name is Kari Faux, she rose out of the Littlerock underground scene put on by Childish Gambino. The Scene today is mostly trap music with a few stand out acts like 607, Ephiphany, Errol West Brook, Osyrus Bolly, Sa Solo Act, Dirt Bag, Mad Trucker, iLL Chemist, YK, Vile Pack to name a few. Littlerock, Arkansas has a small scene with lots of talent. The Boom Bap sound is only pushed by myself in Littlerock.
3. You started early in the 90’s ripping shows and starting to form your craft. What was it like performing at Punk shows in Arkansas? I mean … the crowd couldn’t have been that supportive, right…?
I gew up skateboarding with the punk rockers. I knew them well and many of them listen to Hiphop music they excepted me with open arms. I would usually open for them or play last. We had well known punk house on rice street I played there and at the belvedere at river front park.
4. Your song “Auto Intelligence” had a real old school vibe to it with the instrumentation was classic golden era. A lot of your music we have heard has that type of feel. What makes you stick to those boom bap jazz infused sounds we used to hear in the early 90’s and do want that type of sound to resurge?
I came up listening to the Golden era of Hiphop also many of the Producers from Swift 720, DJ Prophet, Mannie Gee, Dionte Boom, Jewelz Polaar all make those type of beats. Another Golden era of Hiphop would be dope!
5. After listening to you we can tell that substance is a main factor in what you do. With that said how do you feel about the current state of Hip Hop? Who were your favorite rappers coming up?
The current state of Hiphop is wack! Everyone is following what others do and there seems to be a lack of creativity, substance and music with a good message to uplift the youth in these crazy times that we live in.
6. You have a lot of catalog to date. Which project would you say is your best and why? (a
My peers will say illatron Magnetic, but I think it is Tru Kingz Of Boom. Right now those records are out of print physically and the digital verisons will be released on my label Greenlightdayglodist thru itunes later this year. Link with me here —
7. What’s next for you? Mixtapes, Albums or videos? All the above? Let us know homie..
My Next Mixtape appearence is gonna be on Digital Dynasty number # 38. In 2016 9th Scientist Jvillatron will drop followed by some tour dates in the states as well Europe. Look for 9th Scientist Revolution Mindset Mentality late 2016 and a collaboration with Los Angeles indie imprint Defiant Oracle recordings.
8. Out of all the songs you ever did, which were your favorites and why?
“Do You Love Me”, because we sampled a loop that Premo used on Jfk to Lax along with another chop he didnt use, it took the track to a whole different level.
Also Bi Polar opposite planes because of the beat production by Mannie Gee and the story line is ill!
9. With 2015 half way over what else is left on your agenda as an artist to accomplish?
I have few more shows coming up in New York, Las Vegas, Memphis, Baton Rogue and Littlerock. I’m about to shoot a new video for the track Dilla’isc off the Neb King Cold ep that will hit youtube and from there 2015 is a wrap.
10. Do a lot of the Hip Hop consumers in the South support your music being it has that gritty east coast feel sprinkled with a lot of knowledge of self in the mix?
Not alot of support in the south, many are still ignorant to knowledge of self. I usually tour to festivals and events in relation to the conscious community for this is where a great deal of support comes for my music.
11. We caught you on DD37 (Hosted by Slaine). Your song was so dope. It kind of had a Killah Priest/ Jay Electronica feel to it. You were going in and one line you said that stood out was when you said “we Willy Lynched in the mind”. How do you feel the Hip Hop listeners have changed, and the public as a whole, when it comes to critical thinking and an almost brain washing made by the media outlets out there?
People do not think anymore we are just slaves to the elites system. Hiphop listeners of today just like feel good music which promotes much of the negative mentality we see in the world because rappers promote foolishness and baffoon music for profit.
12. It was cool chopping it up with you bro, in closing let our readers know where to check you out and whatever else you want to let them know. Also thanks for keeping real hip hop alive with the lyrics!
Much love! follow me on
twitter.com/9thscientist or visit 9thscientist9.bandcamp.com