The Universal Language Of Mathematics - DJ Mathematics Interview
Mathematics is the universal language. It is the study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. It can cross barriers of language, color, religion, ethnicity, race, and more. Mathematics (also known as Allah Mathematics) is also one of the most talented and up and coming DJ/producers in the Wu-Tang camp. He first began doing production work for some of the Wu-Tang solo albums.
“Wu Banga 101” from Ghostface Killah’s “Supreme Clientele” was an instant classic. Mathematics helped bring back the Wu sound. On “Iron Flag” by Wu-Tang Clan, he produced the incredible “Rules” that literally rocked the whole album. Many people do not know that Mathematics has been in the hip-hop game for a long time. Since the 80’s, he has been DJ-ing block parties. He hooked up with his cousin Gza and eventually with Rza.
Even though Rza taught him a great deal about production, Mathematics soon began to create his own signature sound. High Times Records and his own label, Quewisha Records, just released his debut album “Love, Hell Or Right (Da Come Up)”.
Some critics hail the LP as the best recent Wu-tang related album in a long time. Others say that he is bringing the Wu-tang sound back. Both statements are true. Not only is he a major force in Wu-Tang but he is in charge of all the music on the TV show “Wanda At Large”. Mathematics is just getting started.
With a humble attitude mixed in with a hunger, Mathematics continues to create amazing music. On a rainy evening in October, I had an in-depth conversation with Mathematics about Wu-Tang Clan, the record industry, family, and much more. As a science, mathematics is the language of numbers. It is a universal language that can cross language barriers, racial barriers, geographical barriers, and more. As a DJ and producer, Mathematics is using the universal language of music to communicate.
MVRemix: What goes on?
Mathematics: What’s up, Todd? Just working, man. I’m working on a new project and trying to promote the one out right now. Today is my daughter’s birthday. It’s her first birthday. This year is one.
MVRemix: Your new album is called ‘Love, Hell, Or Right (Da Come Up)’. Tell us about it?
Mathematics: The meaning behind the title is this. If you see the cover, you see me sitting in front of the projects. That’s my old building. I come from Southside Queens. I was sitting right there and the two kids are looking at me. The whole thing has a science behind it all. No matter what you do, if you want to be a role model or not, people are always looking at you or up to you regardless and it doesn’t matter what you are doing. There are so many people who are caught up. In all reality, where we live at now is hell. There are many people who are caught up in this hell and they love the hell that they go through. Instead of coming out right, they would rather do wrong because it is easier to do wrong than to do right. The album is basically that to sum it up. That is what it is: love, hell or right. You have different aspects on it. You have jewels where people try to drop knowledge here and there. Music is also entertainment so, I kept it at that note too. I introduce a lot of cats from around my way, Southside Queens, into the picture. I have my Wu brothers helping me out too.
MVRemix: Do you have a favorite song on ‘Love, Hell, Or Right’?
Mathematics: Nah, not really. To me, it is important to put an album together from beginning to end. The whole thing has to have a certain type of theme or a certain type of feel. I didn’t try to make a joint for radio or anything. I tried to make a great album.
MVRemix: How and why did you get involved with High Times Records?
Mathematics: That was Devon Horowitz. Dev is cool people. He was doing his thing at the same time I was doing my thing. We just came together. High Times Records and Quewisha Records too, which is my label. We did it through Caroline.
MVRemix: Was there marijuana everywhere? Is everyone at the label stoned all the time?
Mathematics: Yeah, I love to smoke! You know what I mean?
MVRemix: What is your favorite way to smoke? Bongs? Blunts? Joints? If blunts, what kind of cigar paper?
Mathematics: I smoke it in an onion leaf. It’s all natural. It burns slower than a Dutch too and it tastes pretty good too. I go to the store and just buy an onion. Just buy an onion. It’s a little trick to rolling it that you have to really learn. It’s not easy. Once you start rolling them, it becomes easy. Now, I roll them like a Dutch Master.
MVRemix: How is High Times Records different from other labels?
Mathematics: Basically, it’s my label too, Quewisha Recordings. So, I have control. That’s the whole key. I own my music and what I’m doing. That’s an important factor. A lot of people ain’t gonna give you your own. They ain’t gonna let you have creative control and do what you want to do. To me, I got to do what I wanted to do. If I had control creating it, I have to own it. I can’t sell myself short. Nobody else is willing to let you be you.
MVRemix: As an producer, who were some of your major influences?
Mathematics: Main influences would be old timers like Issac Hayes, David Porter, Norman Whitfield and cats like that. Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder. Those are my main influences right there. As far as hip-hop goes, of course you have Marley Marl, Pete Rock, Dr. Dre, Rza, Erick Sermon. Anybody who makes good music, I am a fan of them.
MVRemix: How did you get the name Mathematics? What does it mean?
Mathematics: Everything is on a mathematical plane of existence. It is the universal language. Math is something that everybody understands. Wherever you go in the world, 1 plus 2 always equals 3. That’s just me. It’s simple and basic but a lot of people make it complicated. Math is a necessity and I am a necessity to this music.
MVRemix: When doing a song, do you give the emcee the beat first and they write from there or do they have the theme and lyrics first and you build the beat or choose a beat according to them?
Mathematics: I make beats all the time. I have my own studio. I bring my beats in. Being in the Wu-Tang, I know certain cats. Everybody doesn’t sound good on a certain beat so I match voices with my beats. With the individuals I deal with, I know that a certain emcee would sound good on the specific track so let me give him that one. I’ll come up with a beat and say to them ‘I want this one to be like this’.
MVRemix: Do you have a favorite sampler or drum machine?
Mathematics: Yeah, the ASR-10. That’s my baby. It’s hip-hop. the sound of it is hip-hop. It’s not as clean. I have other equipment of course. I use the Triton. I use the MP. I don’t need to use it for the same reason or the same sound that everybody else uses it for. I basically think the ASR-10 is my baby because you can function with it while you are making a beat. It has many good advantages. It has good envelopes and the chopping is real good.
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