Q. How would you describe your style of Hip Hop?
Abstract I guess, because I approach things from a slightly different angle to a lot of artists out there. I am not trying to get a million views or a record deal with some parasitic label. I am trying to bring something to the table to make people think and get a bit of education through the music, so it is not just for entertainment. My music serves a specific purpose to raise the vibration of the people and remind them of things which were swept under the carpet for a very specific reason.
Q. How powerful do you think Hip Hop is within the context of fighting against the powers that oppress us?
Extremely powerful and, in my opinion, still the only genre which has held onto its
raw political edge. The powers that oppress us are very scared of Hip Hop and that is why they have made a very big effort to attempt to infiltrate and corrupt the message of Hip Hop and see it watered down into some plastic rubbish as we see in the likes of Young Money, Rick Ross and the rest of these actors
Q. Throughout your music you make quite a lot of references to spirituality. What does spirituality mean to you and how big of a part does it play in your life?
Well I do not really know what spirituality is but I just follow my heart and the signs. Everyone has their own signs and they are laid out in front of you to assist you in your path and learning. It takes an observant mind to notice them but they are there and that is what I follow. I do not really practice spirituality, I mean I meditate and do a lot of mental and inner work, but that is just natural. You know, you clean your room, you clean your face, you clean your dog, so why would you not clean you mind? Yeah, to sum it up, I just followed the signs and it got me here, so it would be ignorant if I did not give credit to the universe in my work. Give thanks and praise!
Q. You also do a lot of art work. What is the connection between your music and your art work?
I am just a vehicle for the vibration that comes over the airwaves. I then record it with art, poetry or music. Before this I used to spray my message on walls and any other surfaces and if I was not doing art or music, then it would be coming in some other form. They are just tools for recording the message and my message, as I am sure anyone that knows me understands, is quite simple- that we are all one and part of a collective consciousness, regardless of political, religious or any other division and that we have been lied to about everything from day one. On top of that, before day one, there was a whole time before this that they failed to tell us about and nobody seems to want to talk about. That is my message there.
Q. You have set up a project called Free Your Mind. For the people reading this that do not know what this is about, could you please explain what this is and what your aims are?
‘Free Your Mind’ is a project started by a group of like-minded artists, musicians and activists. The name ‘Free Your Mind’ applies to extracting the mind of an individual out of the prison created by society and other tools which actively seek to keep the mind closed and shut off from certain areas of thinking. The aim is very simple, to encourage self-belief and to spread conscious energy, be it in the form of art, music, poetry, public speaking or any other means to bring about an increase in the awareness of those around you. We are building a website now and will be holding events as soon as things are running.
Q. What are you currently working on?
Wow, I am working on a lot! I do not do things by halves, trust me on that. I am building websites for Kapwonartist and Free Your Mind, recording Akashic records part 2, teaching graffiti workshops in the community, hosting the Guerrilla Republik UK event this month in March and the Street Cypher afterwards. I run a t‑shirt printing business and do a lot of private commissions of sacred geometry and political artwork so that helps to keep me busy as well. So I am working on quite a lot. Oh, and some other stuff, but I cannot tell you about that yet. Just watch this space! I have built myself a nice foundation now and this year I plan to build on that and keep it moving!!! Peace.
If you want to know more about Kapwon make sure you check out www.kapwonartist.co.uk

Arash Sharifi

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