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INTRO

The Wu Tang Clan is hands down, one of the most important hip-hop groups of all time --hmmm… it’s deeper than that -- let me rephrase that statement.  The Wu Tang Clan is one of the most important groups in history, period.  I’ve been blessed to be personally associated with some Clan members.  I want to introduce you to Cilvaringz - one of the most intelligent men I know.  He is an extraordinary artist, producer, businessman – and just an all-around righteous individual.  I warn you, he may seem controversial, but that is only because we as Americans have a hard time understanding other countries and outside cultures.  I’ll let Cilvaringz explain… 

INTERVIEW

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  What is the origin of the name “Cilvaringz?”

Cilvaringz: It actually comes from a kung fu movie, I forgot which one, but it featured the original cast of the ‘Five Deadly Venoms’. I took that name because Ghostface and Masta Killa took their name from a [kung-fu] flick, so I did so as well. RZA later gave my name a different spin. He said the silver in my name represents the 2nd generation of Wu-Tang and the rings would represent a never-ending style to my story, which is a cool twist.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE: Besides being a recording artist and member of the Wu-Tang Clan, you’re also an intercontinental entrepreneur.  As the founder of the prestigious Ringz & Partners Entertainment - - Please share with us some knowledge, insight and vision on your highly successful worldwide company  (www.rpeg-ltd.com).

Cilvaringz: We started out as a booking company because I wanted to get my name out there. So I asked RZA to book a tour for him and he was with it. I placed myself as the opening act everywhere. I had no knowledge, no experience, nothing basically and I ended up doing the biggest world tour in Hip Hop history. RZA and I performed in 118 cities spread over 41 countries in 5 continents over a span of two years. After that, the company grew and did tours for Sean Paul, Redman, Method Man, KRS One and many others. At the same time we were managing a host of potential artists and producers. For instance, we manage Salam Edin, who is considered to be the number one Arabic Hip Hop artist, as well as the most controversial Dutch Hip Hop artist. He made world news headlines just recently because of his picture being misplaced in an Anti-Qur’an movie [‘Fitna’] that was being talked about everywhere. His Dutch album ‘Nederland’sGrootsteNachtmerrie (Holland’s Worst Nightmare)’ won a Best Hip Hop Album award this year and it was entirely produced by Aftermath Producer Focus… whom we also manage internationally. Then there is rapper Eslam Jawaad who is dropping his record this year. We just shot two videos in the Dominican Republic for his record. He got this very unique sound, something you can’t really place and I think that’s going to define his character in the music industry. His record features De La Soul, Damon Albarn (Gorillaz) and two tracks by Focus... He’s been touring a lot with Damon Albarn, so he is being around the best. Then there’s [artist named] Palestine from Gothenburg, Sweden. This dude is crazy in both English and Arabic. We’re getting ready to release his Arabic single ‘YaLeili’ in the Middle East that will be a definite number one. His second English album is coming in 2009, which is already sounding crazy. As for Focus… he just released his record ‘Dedicated’ for free on the internet and it sounds crazy. Focus… is definitely one of the most underrated producers out there. His list ranges from 50 Cent to Usher, Pink, N-Sync, The Game, Beyonce, J-Lo and more. This dude is a monster on the boards, that’s why Dr.Dre signed him 7 years ago. In addition, the company also manages www.wutangcorp.com which is still one of the most frequently visited Hip Hop sites on the net with over 47,000 forum members. There’s basically nothing we don’t do.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  Through Ringz & Partners Entertainment, you’ve personally spearheaded some lucrative business dealings for RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan.  How do you know which business deals are right for the Wu-Tang Clan and which are not?

Cilvaringz: You just learn over time. There are a lot of sh*t talkers in the game. Eventually you’ll figure out how to filter out all that sh*t.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  I know that you’ve also been involved with some major motion pictures.  Did you assist RZA during the time he was working on the movie American Gangster? 

Cilvaringz: Nah - - I wasn’t there [during filming] at that time. I was with him around the time of Kill Bill and Derailed, but I didn’t really assist him. I was too busy running the company at that time. We were chilling though in Hong Kong, London, Sydney, basically everywhere.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  You literally do everything that has to do with the music business - and to add to your already decorated resume - you are also an acknowledged record producer.  What is the influence behind your production method and style?

Cilvaringz: That’s RZA all the way. I’m a combination of RZA, 4th Disciple and True Master. They’re my favorite Wu-Tang producers. So when I couldn’t get the vintage Wu-Tang beats from them, I tried making them myself. I was watching them work and learning from them and that’s how I ended up making beats. My first production check came from Def Jam for producing Ghostface’s first single called, ‘Guerilla Hood’. After that Inspectah Deck took this beat of mine for one of his LP’s and f**ked my credits all up, put my name under the wrong song - - But for those that want to know, I produced ‘A Lil Story’ for Deck.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  If you could produce any emcee, other than a member of Wu Tang Clan or a Ringz and Partners associate, who would you choose?

Cilvaringz: That’s a tough question. Probably Nas, Jay-Z, Eminem or Alicia Keys.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:   Let’s talk about your music… “The Weeping Tiger,” featuring Ghostface, Raekwon and RZA, was the first official single released from your critically acclaimed album, “I”. Were you satisfied with the results from the single?

Cilvaringz: Yes very much so. I had a lot of listens, I averaged a 4.5 on the main Hip Hop sites, people loved it and Raekwon came off Cuban Linx style. RZA actually wanted to jack that song off me for the Wu Tang Clan album (laughing) because he couldn’t get Rae to sound like that. That song was murderous. RZA laced the beat nicely too. It was a good song to set the album off with.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:   I noticed you used President Bush’s voice on one of your songs, and you mention his name in a negative light on several songs throughout your album. How do the people who you run with outside of America view George Bush?

Cilvaringz: Let’s say he’ll be missed because he was good for entertainment. I actually started liking the guy after checking these little Bushism videos they had of him on YouTube. He’s a good laugh, that’s about it. Above all, he remains a mass murderer.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  From the outside looking in, who do you feel is best-suited for the Oval Office: Hilary Clinton or Obama Barack?

Cilvaringz: They’re still both conservative so I’m not choosing between them. But America has a choice between a black man, a woman and a white man. I think Obama would be interesting as president. But Hillary will win the race against him to everybody’s surprise and eventually lose against John McCain who will become the next president. If I know the Americans a little, then this is what will happen.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  Do you believe in the Global GEO Political Structure, better known as the Illuminati - - or that any other secret society group is actually controlling the world?

Cilvaringz: I surely think there are very powerful people pulling some sort of strings whenever it’s beneficial to them, but to actually hold the globe by the strings like a puppet master is bit too much for me to believe. There’s too much sh*t happening worldwide for someone to keep track of everything, especially someone really powerful. They probably are enjoying their money somewhere.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  You seem to be against the whole diamond, wealth, greed and money-driven topics in your songs.  Can you comment on this perception? 

Cilvaringz: It’s just stupid to be rocking that sh*t around your neck when you know your brothers and sisters are going through hell in the mines in Africa. Just so you can look fly? Spending all that money on that sh*t is nuts. Nobody is hot forever, so it’s better to invest in foreign real estate and business to keep money coming in for the rest of your life. What the f**k is a chain going to do for you?

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  You are featured on the cover of your album “I” with a sword.  Are swords and the Martial Arts an important aspect of your life?

Cilvaringz: No, that’s just some Wu-Tang sh*t. I wanted to come back with that sword sh*t, that’s what the fans been missing. So I put the W and the sword on my cover, so you can tell what kind of music to expect just by checking the cover, because people judge books by their cover, simple.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  You currently live in Morocco.  What is the hip-hop culture and community like in Morocco? 

Cilvaringz: It’s going good. It’s very present, best out of all 22 Arabic states really. They’re still trying to find their own styles though, still biting too much, trying to look like Americans, but I’m sure they’ll get it together. Salah Edin is going to set all that sh*t straight.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  What is the most common struggle for Palestinians?

Cilvaringz: Must be human rights and a right to their own state. Israel didn’t even exist before 1948!!!! Do people know that? Palestine was Palestine, and all of the sudden the UK drops these poor victims of the holocaust in this country who end up taking the whole thing over and calling it Israel. That’s similar to a bunch of Saudis coming to America and taking the whole thing over claiming it’s theirs because God said so. Give me a break. Nobody would allow that, but because it’s happening far from home - - nobody gives a f**k, not even these Arab leaders. Add to it -- the media who is totally manipulating the facts. I’m with every form of resistance out there, God bless it. This has nothing to do with religion; this is about human right, right of State, right of equality and right of return for the refugees. This is f**king apartheid and the whole world is tight lipped. F**k that - keep fighting brothers and sisters!

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  Do any of the other Wu Tang members live outside of America?

Cilvaringz: Nah, they all in the States. I’m the only one.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  Will you ever tour the USA? 

Cilvaringz: I was going to tour with RZA, but I ended up doing another tour and so only my DJ Sueside ended up going with RZA. I did LA and NY before. But I’m more exited about Asia, Australia, Africa and South America. I love performing in those places. I just did a coast to coast tour in Canada with Method Man.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  Die-hard fans wonder this question all the time: will there be another Wu-Tang Killa Beez album?

Cilvaringz: You need to ask RZA that. But with the next album I will focus more on production. So maybe that will end up being a third Killa Beez record. That’s if I ever get to do another record.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  Did you have a personal relationship with Ol’ Dirty Bastard? How has his tragic passing affected you? 

Cilvaringz: I knew Dirty. In the beginning I would see Dirty the most, he was a cool brother. He was eccentric - - but real. His death was unfortunate, but not really unexpected. I still have an unreleased classic with him called ‘Winter Winds’, some real Wu-Tang sh*t, vintage.  Personal memories I’mma keep for me.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  Comic books have been very important to the Wu-Tang Clan.  What is your personal favorite comic book? 

Cilvaringz: Suske&Wiske ‘Fata Morgana’. Off the heezie, figure that one out.

JONATHAN HAY/UVC MAGAZINE:  Thanks for your time man…  Anything else you want to add to this interesting interview?

Cilvaringz: Get the album ‘I’. If you like vintage Wu-Tang shit, this is the record for you. It has a 62 minute DVD with loads of footage you’ll like. There’s a whole DVD Rom section. You won’t be disappointed.

By Jonathan Hay
www.myspace.com/jonathanhay