Mathematics (Wu-Tang) - The Math Files Interview (Wu-Elements series #4)

May 18, 2010 - PRLog -- Mathematics or Allah Mathematics is Wu-tang's official DJ and also main producer as part of the Wu-element's, this is the man that the Clan members be it solo or as a group turn to when going on tour or when they want that classic Wu sound. A well rounded artist, Mathematics does not just produce, DJ, mix or manage new acts, he was also responsible for drawing the original "W" logo, drew the artwork for GZA's Liquid Swords album, and written the theme and additional music for Wanda Sykes' television show, Wanda at Large.  

Born Norman Porter in south-side Jamaica, Queens, Mathematics was exposed to hip-hop culture at an early age. His older brother brought home mixtapes of Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Treacherous Three, Cold Crush Brothers, and others jamming at area block parties. There were no double tape decks at the time, so Mathematics and his brother made copies by pushing two boom boxes together, one playing and one recording.

The future producer originally thought of himself as an MC and imitated Spoonie Gee, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, and other favourites, but a realization that it was the DJ who controlled the tempo and flow changed everything. Influenced by early greats like Grandmaster Flash, Grand Wizard Theodore, and DJ Charlie Chase, he started DJing block parties in the '80s while his brother hooked him up with future Wu-Tang member GZA/Genius. GZA was working with the Cold Chillin' label and needed a DJ, but this was only the beginning of Mathematics' Wu-Tang association.

GZA's family lived around the corner from Mathematics, and one day GZA called the young DJ to go to Queens and watch his cousin shoot a video. The video was for "Ooh I Love You Rakeem" by Prince Rakeem, and Mathematics was shocked to find out Prince Rakeem was actually an old friend, RZA. Over time, RZA taught Mathematics all he knew about production, like how to use samplers and how important it is to have your own voice. At the time, the copyright rules for sampling stated that if you kept a sample under three seconds you didn't have to get label clearance. To avoid seeking clearance, Mathematics sped up old soul records and created a sound that has since become widely imitated. "Wu Banga 101" from Ghostface Killah's Supreme Clientele, "Rules" from the Wu's Iron Flag, and un-credited work on "Must Be Bobby" from RZA's  Bobby Digital: Digital Bullet, and recently the Wu-Massacre project  by Method Man, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah are some of Mathematics' major contributions to the Wu world amongst others.

In 2003, Mathematics released his first full-length, Love, Hell & Get Right (Da Come Up) on his own Quewisha Records label in conjunction with High Times Records, which was followed up by The Problem, Wu-Tang Clan & Friends Unreleased, and Return Of The Wu & Friends in 2005, 2007 and 2010 respectively.

A creative force behind Wu and hip-hop in general, Mathematics has been busy touring, producing, putting together mixtapes, radio shows, his Mathfiles blog's and a list of other side projects only this man can do. In continuation with the Wu-elements series haven chopped it up with Inspectah Deck on The Manifesto Of A Rebel Interview  last week, Wu-International presents you this week with the Math-files interview, find out what the 5th Disciple has been up to, upcoming projects and more, Enjoy ...


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