A-Butta, born Anthony Cruz in West Harlem, is one of the main reasons that I fell in love with underground hip-hop back in the 90s. A Butta's creative wordplay and skill as a freestyler was only matched by other members in his crew, "Natural Elements." The group consisted of L Swift, Charlemagne, and Mr. Voodoo - together they destroyed mics on all the major college radio stations and freestyle cyphas. They had an energy together as a group that I feel is really unmatched, even all these years later. I know I had my tape on record/pause, just waiting for them to bless the mic with a freestyle exclusive lol. If you aren't yet familiar with A-Butta or the crew, Natural Elements, lets get into an early freestyle, so we can move on to their official releases, more background info on A-Butta and then the interview that A Butta and I knocked out for y'all...
Natural Elements - NY Freestyle
Natural Elements were originally on Fortress Enterainment, which hosted a grip of dope vinyl and was founded by the group's own "Charlemagne." In 1993, on Fortress Entertainment, Natural Elements had their first official release, which was a breakthrough vinyl EP, filled with bangers. They followed that up with a few solo joints, "Bust Mine," which was put out on Dolo Records, and then they decided to go major with Tommy Boy Black Label. It was with Tommy Boy that the group was to put out a full-length LP, but lack of creative control and other issues, led to the shelving of that album and what was leaked to the internet was a half-finished project and surely not the best material they had to offer. A-Butta has said in the past that he never wrote down his lyrics, so imagine artists like that losing creative control - its like destroying the whole chemistry of how they rhyme. A few years before that, in 1996, L Swift (Swigga) & A-Butta put out a 12" called "NYC bw Hey Hey" under the 2-man group, "2 Face." The track is dope and is the next track I'd like for you guys to check out while you continue reading ...
2Face - NYC
Some months back, DJ Eclipse had Natural Elements come through for the Halftime Show's 10 year anniversary and I started to get my hopes up that the group was back together lol. Couple that with the 90s mixtape that I was working on, and I had to reach out to A-Butta and get this interview going, so I could get some questions answered. If you are a fan of A Butta, Natural Elements, hip-hop, etc - you are gonna wanna read this interview and see whats new and whats really good with A-Butta, and music in the (near) future! Big shouts to A-Butta for knocking this out with me - he's still that dude and YES, that picture is all his idea lol.
Natural Elements - Shine
1. Most people got put on to your music through the college radio freestyles, but behind the scenes, what was it like to get put on there in the first place and how do you feel that impacted/pushed your career forward? Radio isn't quite like it used to be, is it? lol
It was actually really simple. I just called the open freestyle hotline and Mayhem and Sunset felt my flow so they put me on hold and invited me to the station. From there I freestyled with SuperNat, Half A Mil, and then linked up with Swigga (FKA L-Swift). Mayhem introduced me to NE and from there things took off.
I mean, one phonecall impacted my career, so it taught me to seize every opportunity and not take anything for granted. Here's a cliche for ya ..."one phonecall changed my life..." haha.
Yes and No - radio is pretty much the same in the fact that they still have rotation playlists and top 100 hits, etc. College radio still plays music the masses won't get a chance to hear - the only difference is there are so many more outlets to listen to music nowadays. I was raised on the radio and now I find I don't even own a functioning radio.
2. You and the rest of the old crew, Natural Elements, had a reputation for tearing down mics and being some of the best freestylers - ever! So, how do you feel the word "Freestyle" has evolved over the years and what do you think it means to the average listener or artist today?
Well, the first thing that Freestyle means to me is 80s dance music from the Bronx lol. I used to bump Safire, Noel, Cover Girls and all that shit -- that was what the word Freestyle Music meant to me lol. In terms of hip-hop, sure its a slang word for free association while rhyming, but then it sorta metamorphisized into rhyming about anything whether it was written or free associated on the spot. I guess when I was coming up it was mostly freestyle where you would make up the rhymes on the spot, but I still recall even in '95-'96, when dudes would be spittin written verses and callin it freestyle, so nothing has really changed. Some people respect on the spot freestylin more but personally, a lot of that shit comes out as gibberish. I rather hear a thought out rhyme that's killing it, as opposed to some silly ass freestyle. I think freestylin on the spot is useful as a practice tool to keep your skills sharp, but thats about it.
3. Can you explain the label politics and behind the scenes stuff, which ultimately led to the shelving of the Natural Elements album? Did that album ever get officially completed?
Well, we were looked at as underground artists and there were a lot of complications with Tommy Boy at the time. The main priority was Everlast's solo project and CNN. We felt we weren't getting enough respect or attention at the label so things started to fall apart from there. Some bad decisions were made on both our parts, as well as the labels, so the result was an unfinished and incomplete album. It wasn't our best work due to the chaos that was going on while we were trying to create. The album is leaked all over the net, but unfortunately, that isn't our best work and we def. owe the fans a REAL NE album. It'll pop off eventually!
4. Were there ever discussions of a 2 Face album back in the day? NYC was/is the joint! lol
Nah, 2 Face was just a little side project me & L did cuz heads were feeling our flow together, but now we actually have a 2Face album in the works. We are in the process of finishing up the album. The single "Champagne N Chandeliers" should be hittin' the frequencies very soon!
5. For a while, people were saying that you were done with hip-hop and that music had taken you in a different direction - is that true? Either way, do you feel that the time away from the industry has benefited you musically?
I've always stayed in the studio recording hip-hop. I have tons of solo material. During the past 10 years or so, I've also experimented with other types of music 'cuz that's just who I am as an artist. I have a rockabilly/punk/hip-hop band called "Bulletprood Junkies" - its on some Puerto Rico meets Japan type shit. It allows me to channel my creative energy in another direction. I have no inhibitions as far as what I see myself doing creatively. So, if you have an openmind as far as music and life is concerned, then maybe you'll dig it. But I always have spit-mode in me, so I don't ever see myself not recording hip-hop music.
6. How does it feel to have people still bumpin' your freestyles and tracks - and to know there is still a market for that dope real hip-hop music?
It feels bugged out, but I def appreciate that people take the time to even listen to that stuff. I don't dwell too much on it, cuz I just concentrate on moving forward and seeing where my music takes me.
7. Is it true that L-Swift (Swigga) nearly lost his life while a part of the crew?
Yeah, he tried to commit suicide after we got dropped from Tommy Boy. Those were dark times for everyone but its NE now, a new era.
8. Word is that there is a solo album and as you said, a new 2Face album in the works - what can we expect out of those projects? Will they be all new material?
All new material! The 2Face album should set up the NE reunion - me, Voo, and Swigga still familia. So its elementary we drop something b4 we old and grey lol.
9. While doing research for this interview, I realized that your government name is actually the same as fellow rapper, AZ - Anthony Cruz. Have there ever been funny stories behind that?
Haha - yeah, I like AZ - he's dope. I mention that we have the same name in some of my rhymes. I think one time BMI publishing called me to ask about some royalties but it was actually for AZ - so yeah, it can get mixed up like that.
"Realisin the realism of life in actuality - thats another Anthony Cruz quote - peace to homie - my soul's designed to love all humanity - I should study philanthropy - cuz I'm a good Samaritan - I give back to the hood - we call it hood charity - waz good family ..."
10. I really appreciate you buildin with me on this and answering my questions, but this last one is your chance for any last words to the readers, so ... any last words? lol
PAZ,
A
Natural Elements - NY Freestyle
Natural Elements were originally on Fortress Enterainment, which hosted a grip of dope vinyl and was founded by the group's own "Charlemagne." In 1993, on Fortress Entertainment, Natural Elements had their first official release, which was a breakthrough vinyl EP, filled with bangers. They followed that up with a few solo joints, "Bust Mine," which was put out on Dolo Records, and then they decided to go major with Tommy Boy Black Label. It was with Tommy Boy that the group was to put out a full-length LP, but lack of creative control and other issues, led to the shelving of that album and what was leaked to the internet was a half-finished project and surely not the best material they had to offer. A-Butta has said in the past that he never wrote down his lyrics, so imagine artists like that losing creative control - its like destroying the whole chemistry of how they rhyme. A few years before that, in 1996, L Swift (Swigga) & A-Butta put out a 12" called "NYC bw Hey Hey" under the 2-man group, "2 Face." The track is dope and is the next track I'd like for you guys to check out while you continue reading ...
2Face - NYC
Some months back, DJ Eclipse had Natural Elements come through for the Halftime Show's 10 year anniversary and I started to get my hopes up that the group was back together lol. Couple that with the 90s mixtape that I was working on, and I had to reach out to A-Butta and get this interview going, so I could get some questions answered. If you are a fan of A Butta, Natural Elements, hip-hop, etc - you are gonna wanna read this interview and see whats new and whats really good with A-Butta, and music in the (near) future! Big shouts to A-Butta for knocking this out with me - he's still that dude and YES, that picture is all his idea lol.
Natural Elements - Shine
1. Most people got put on to your music through the college radio freestyles, but behind the scenes, what was it like to get put on there in the first place and how do you feel that impacted/pushed your career forward? Radio isn't quite like it used to be, is it? lol
It was actually really simple. I just called the open freestyle hotline and Mayhem and Sunset felt my flow so they put me on hold and invited me to the station. From there I freestyled with SuperNat, Half A Mil, and then linked up with Swigga (FKA L-Swift). Mayhem introduced me to NE and from there things took off.
I mean, one phonecall impacted my career, so it taught me to seize every opportunity and not take anything for granted. Here's a cliche for ya ..."one phonecall changed my life..." haha.
Yes and No - radio is pretty much the same in the fact that they still have rotation playlists and top 100 hits, etc. College radio still plays music the masses won't get a chance to hear - the only difference is there are so many more outlets to listen to music nowadays. I was raised on the radio and now I find I don't even own a functioning radio.
2. You and the rest of the old crew, Natural Elements, had a reputation for tearing down mics and being some of the best freestylers - ever! So, how do you feel the word "Freestyle" has evolved over the years and what do you think it means to the average listener or artist today?
Well, the first thing that Freestyle means to me is 80s dance music from the Bronx lol. I used to bump Safire, Noel, Cover Girls and all that shit -- that was what the word Freestyle Music meant to me lol. In terms of hip-hop, sure its a slang word for free association while rhyming, but then it sorta metamorphisized into rhyming about anything whether it was written or free associated on the spot. I guess when I was coming up it was mostly freestyle where you would make up the rhymes on the spot, but I still recall even in '95-'96, when dudes would be spittin written verses and callin it freestyle, so nothing has really changed. Some people respect on the spot freestylin more but personally, a lot of that shit comes out as gibberish. I rather hear a thought out rhyme that's killing it, as opposed to some silly ass freestyle. I think freestylin on the spot is useful as a practice tool to keep your skills sharp, but thats about it.
3. Can you explain the label politics and behind the scenes stuff, which ultimately led to the shelving of the Natural Elements album? Did that album ever get officially completed?
Well, we were looked at as underground artists and there were a lot of complications with Tommy Boy at the time. The main priority was Everlast's solo project and CNN. We felt we weren't getting enough respect or attention at the label so things started to fall apart from there. Some bad decisions were made on both our parts, as well as the labels, so the result was an unfinished and incomplete album. It wasn't our best work due to the chaos that was going on while we were trying to create. The album is leaked all over the net, but unfortunately, that isn't our best work and we def. owe the fans a REAL NE album. It'll pop off eventually!
4. Were there ever discussions of a 2 Face album back in the day? NYC was/is the joint! lol
Nah, 2 Face was just a little side project me & L did cuz heads were feeling our flow together, but now we actually have a 2Face album in the works. We are in the process of finishing up the album. The single "Champagne N Chandeliers" should be hittin' the frequencies very soon!
5. For a while, people were saying that you were done with hip-hop and that music had taken you in a different direction - is that true? Either way, do you feel that the time away from the industry has benefited you musically?
I've always stayed in the studio recording hip-hop. I have tons of solo material. During the past 10 years or so, I've also experimented with other types of music 'cuz that's just who I am as an artist. I have a rockabilly/punk/hip-hop band called "Bulletprood Junkies" - its on some Puerto Rico meets Japan type shit. It allows me to channel my creative energy in another direction. I have no inhibitions as far as what I see myself doing creatively. So, if you have an openmind as far as music and life is concerned, then maybe you'll dig it. But I always have spit-mode in me, so I don't ever see myself not recording hip-hop music.
6. How does it feel to have people still bumpin' your freestyles and tracks - and to know there is still a market for that dope real hip-hop music?
It feels bugged out, but I def appreciate that people take the time to even listen to that stuff. I don't dwell too much on it, cuz I just concentrate on moving forward and seeing where my music takes me.
7. Is it true that L-Swift (Swigga) nearly lost his life while a part of the crew?
Yeah, he tried to commit suicide after we got dropped from Tommy Boy. Those were dark times for everyone but its NE now, a new era.
8. Word is that there is a solo album and as you said, a new 2Face album in the works - what can we expect out of those projects? Will they be all new material?
All new material! The 2Face album should set up the NE reunion - me, Voo, and Swigga still familia. So its elementary we drop something b4 we old and grey lol.
9. While doing research for this interview, I realized that your government name is actually the same as fellow rapper, AZ - Anthony Cruz. Have there ever been funny stories behind that?
Haha - yeah, I like AZ - he's dope. I mention that we have the same name in some of my rhymes. I think one time BMI publishing called me to ask about some royalties but it was actually for AZ - so yeah, it can get mixed up like that.
"Realisin the realism of life in actuality - thats another Anthony Cruz quote - peace to homie - my soul's designed to love all humanity - I should study philanthropy - cuz I'm a good Samaritan - I give back to the hood - we call it hood charity - waz good family ..."
10. I really appreciate you buildin with me on this and answering my questions, but this last one is your chance for any last words to the readers, so ... any last words? lol
We are all one stream of consciousness...
Throw your hands in the sky
As if your reaching for the stars that is ...
Keep writing - thanks for the interview fam!
Throw your hands in the sky
As if your reaching for the stars that is ...
Keep writing - thanks for the interview fam!
PAZ,
A
17 comments:
NE was the greatest thing on the radio, glad to have them back. Make sure they bless you with new music for us to hear soon.
100
Natural Elements are and still are one of the influencing factors that helped me excel as an emcee. Glad that A-Butta is still doing it...
This is fantastic! I loved them and am so happy they are making new music.
DOPE SHIT!!!
thats cool you got to talk to a butta, hehe.. good interview & im anxious to hear his new stuff
i love their music, they are what u call underground, their stuff that they made in the 90's is phenominal, im glad they're still doin it, peace.
Amazing. Great interview with one of the most overlooked mc's. I've been on some A-butta music for the past weeks and look forward to the new music as discussed. On the reals--check A-butta's myspace and get your head wrapped around the BulletProofJunkies group he was talkin bout! Depeche & Smiths samples...whaaaaaaat. Peace A-butta. Respect everytime. Bo!
just what i wanted to hear! this is a great interview and great news for hip-hop.
i saw analects post first, then this, wow, great job. good music. i spread word. writing is great
Awesome cannot wait.
Your questions are complete and transitional, I like it very much. A Butta is real, I will look for his new music on your frontpage, thanks.
yo please post some old releases on the page i will pay for it if i have to i want some of that written shit they produced back in 95
that new shit is ridiculous they are doing the same shit that every one else is doing they should have a least kept there respective name that they had back in the day fuck the new shit man whatever it takes to get that old shit let me know how much you want if anyone got it
sila, hit up the "Rare 90s Section" -- i've got about 40 records from natural elements and their individual ventures. u can also hit the tag at the bottom for "natural elements" or do a search at the top right of the page lol. mad options, i've got a lot of their material posted throughout the site. thanks 4 the support. mr voodoo, a butta, 2face, natural elements, l swift, raidermen, big kwam, charlemagne, etc
sav one, i dont see no 40 records from natural elements mayb i missed it anyway you can send me a link with all there releases on it?
alexsans19@yahoo.com
much appreicated if possible
lol ... here ya go. the first 2 posts have mad records. enjoy feasting.
http://www.theundergroundcomeup.com/2008/04/natural-elements-butta-l-swift-mr.html
http://www.theundergroundcomeup.com/2009/01/natural-elements-part-ii.html
http://www.theundergroundcomeup.com/2009/03/natural-elements-bw-truck-turner-white.html
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