Planet Ill: A lot of your music centers around human reform, politics and mental struggle of society, but that type of rap doesn’t get the love it deserves in the States as opposed to overseas, where they really admire that type of content. Does that tick you off that other countries might admire you more than your own?
Hasan Salaam: At times it does and at times it doesn’t, but at the same time, I understand it. In the long-run it will be appreciated. As time goes on, you’re not going to hear a lot of this pop music, because it pops in the club and radio then it’s gone. The music that resonates with the people is from the heart and soul and something they can feel and touch. It doesn’t have to be wild political music, it could be, but it doesn’t have to be. If I pop in “They Reminisce Over You” by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth right now, it’ll put a smile on everyone’s face. It’s like in Hip-Hop, people always listen to escape. They go to a club and have fun, but when they get home they return to reality and deal with life, but at the end of the day, the music we put forward won’t only help them escape and help fix their problem and provide a solution, ultimately they going to feel it.
Plane Ill: There are many people that say music is Haram or prohibited in Islam and even Freeway said what he is doing is Haram, but he does it anyway. As a Muslim how do you feel about music being Haram despite not being state explicitly in the Quran?
Hasan Salaam: If it’s not explicitly stated, then I don’t follow that. In the time of Prophet Muhammad, he was illest poet/emcee out there. At that time and in that part of the world, poetry is what was really respected. Islamic tribes in Africa would travel and preach the word of God and were one of the most respected people at the time and as for music, you have to remember the Angel Gabriel blowing the trumpet. There have always been references to music in the Torah, the Bible, and the Quran, so I look at it as anything I do as bad, I’m going to pay for it. There are worse things in my life that I’ve done than make music. So Inshallah, the good I have done outweighs the bad and I’m judged accordingly.
Plane Ill-What’s new with 5th Column:
Hasan Salaam: We have a clothing drive coming up soon and it’s been going seven years strong. Rugged is working on his music, Impaq is doing his thing and as a family we just banging out this music.
Plane Ill: Is there a standout track on the record that really sticks out from the pack?
Hasan Salaam: For me I would say “Musical Chairs.” My first performance was performing in the living room for my mother when she was sick, just to put a smile on her face and she put me on to so much music. So I wanted to make a song where people can share that vibe I felt. Fan-wise, people loved that joint “The Letter” with Eternity, and everyone wants me to shoot the video to that one.
Plane Ill: There is a huge influx of youngsters bypassing the underground and heading right into radio rotation, is there anyone in particular you’re feeling?
Hasan Salaam- I listen to everyone and everything. The only thing I don’t really listen to is Bluegrass and Techno and shit (Laughs) but I listen to everything. As far as the new dudes, I would say Kendrick Lamar and Curren$y are really dope. They’re really the primary ones I mess with.
Plane Ill: Finally, I have to ask, what do you think about Lowes pulling their ads during the TLC show All-American Muslim?
Hasan Salaam: (Laughs) That show is so stupid. I was die-laughing the other day when The Daily Show with Jon Stewart when Aasif Mandvi went in on that shit. It’s funny to me, because people are ridiculous right now. It’s completely crazy how that whole right-wing tries to paint Islam and people are so scared. Yo, Muslims have been in this country before this country was even a fucking country. Like 40 percent of African salves that were brought over here were Muslim. The Nation of Islam, The Morris Science Temple have been here for years. There have always been people of Moroccan descent, Iranians and Iraqis. Don’t get it twisted, 9/11 was a terrible tragedy, but they can’t categorize or type-cast people a certain way. Like you don’t hear people say all Germans and Japanese people should be treated a certain way because of World War II.
Plane Ill: Have you ever watched the show?
Hasan Salaam: Nah, I never watched it. I don’t have cable. I was at my people’s house the other day and seen The Daily Show shit. What’s so controversial about the show?
Planet Ill: The show is not controversial it’s just Lowes and other group believe that the show does not show Muslims in their true light. They believe Muslims are really terrorists and are constantly plotting against America.
Hasan Salaam: That’s fucking stupid. It’s like when I watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey. They have Italians, but I never hear people are going to pull their ads, because they belong in the Mafia, because that’s racist. It is crazy. No matter what, there are always going to be angry people mad for no reason. But I really have to check out the show.
Plane Ill: Yeah, check it out, you’ll laugh at the stupidity of the show.
Hasan Salaam: That is the thing about reality television. They always follow the lives of dumb people. Every time I’ve seen a reality show, it is never about intelligent people trying to make a difference .You’ll never catch called the real lives of mathematicians (Laughs).
Plane Ill: So would ever shop at Lowes again?
Hasan Salaam: I never really went to Lowes in the first place, so that’s not really my issue, but I think once people realize that we are all the same across the board then this world will be a better place. There are crazy fanatic Christian terrorists just like there are Muslim terrorists. There are Jews and Muslims here that don’t really practice the faith and choose to follow it in their own way, the world would be better off and less nonsense.
Plane Ill: Is there anything else the fans should be looking out for?
Hasan Salaam: Well check out the new videos “1911” and “Musical Chairs” and there is going to be some more videos coming soon off Music Is My Weapon. I also want to thank those who purchased the album and donated to Guinea-Bissau and posted a comment about the album all that goes a long way. As soon as we start building the school and other facilities, the people we have donated and have shown love are just as much a part of the project as the citizens of Guinea-Bissau. Thank you.
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