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Great conversations just keep on happening her in the Hot Seat segment of In the Chair. To day, LaSuria Kandi Allman interviews Hell Razah.
Chron
Smith (born October 1, 1976), better known by his stage name Hell
Razah, is an American rapper. He is best known as a member of Sunz of
Man, an early affiliate group of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Razah suffered a brain aneurysm in April 2010. He made amazing strides in his recovery process and began to record right away. Although still in the recovery process, Razah continues to make remarkable progress. He came to adopt the moniker Heaven Razah.
"God's Flesh" Hell Razah ft. Judah Priest produced by Dr. G
Da Last Future &Sunz of Man
Razah made his rap debut in the early 90s as a member of the group Da Last Future, an early incarnation of the Sunz of Man, which included Killah Priest, Shabazz the Disciple, Prodigal Sunn, Supreme and 7th Ambassador. Razah and 7th Ambassador self-released the single “Livin’ in Hell” b/w “Mental Combat” independently before the group adopted the Sunz of Man moniker. Razah recorded a number of tracks with the group before their induction into the Wu-Tang family, including “Deep in the Water”, “Writing Rhymes With a Liquid Pen” (aka “Elements”), “Lulla Bye” and “Psychic Hotline”.
In 1995, the group adopted the moniker Sunz of Man, and signed a record deal with Wu-Tang/Priority Records. SoM released a number of singles on Wu-Tang Records, including “Soldiers of Darkness”, “No Love Without Hate” and “Bloody Choices”, in anticipation of their 1996 debut album Nothing New Under the Sun. Due to internal conflicts and label complications, the album was shelved. Sunz of Man later signed a record deal with Red Ant Entertainment for the release of their official 1998 debut The Last Shall Be First, with the group’s roster shaved down to just Razah, Killah Priest, Prodigal Sunn and 60 Second Assassin. The album was one of the most successful Wu-Tang affiliate releases, debuting at No. 20 on the Billboard 200 album chart, and No. 7 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart.
After the departure of Killah Priest in 1998, the group took a hiatus. 1999 saw the release of The First Testament, which featured previously recorded material from the group, including the early tracks from Da Last Future. Razah, Prodigal Sunn and 60 Second Assassin returned in 2002 with the album Saviorz Day, the second official Sunz of Man studio album. The group has yet to release a third studio album, but it has been reported that the group has reconciled with Shabazz the Disciple, Killah Priest and Supreme.
Razah
made his solo debut in 2001, though quietly, with the independent
release When All Hell Breaks Loose. The album featured guest appearances
from 7th Ambassador, Killah Priest, Prodigal Sunn and Timbo King of
Royal Fam, and production from Supreme. The album spawned the single
“Champaigne Room” b/w “Ghetto Love”. The tracks “Must B tha Music”, “Oh!
Now You Bangin'”, “Ghetto Government”, “Champaigne Room”, “Like It or
Not”, “What We Came to Do”, “B.B.P. (Business Before Pleasure)” and
“Rowdy, Rowdy” made up roughly half of the 2004 Sunz of Man compilation
Elements, with the other half made up of tracks from The First
Testament.
Razah’s next solo album, Renaissance Child, was released in early 2007 on Nature Sounds Records. The album featured appearances from Timbo King, Tragedy Khadafi, R.A. The Rugged Man, Talib Kweli, Viktor Vaughn, Bronze Nazareth, Killah Priest and Ras Kass, and production from Godz Wrath, MF DOOM, Bronze Nazareth, Krohme and 4th Disciple. The album was a well-received, critical success and featured the singles “The Renaissance” and “Buried Alive” b/w “Project Jazz”. It was released February 2007. The album has moved 4,506 units. The First 10,000 Units Contain a Limited Edition Bonus DVD Directed by Apademik, and Co-Directed by: Hell Razah himself.
Chron
Smith (born October 1, 1976), better known by his stage name Hell
Razah, is an American rapper. He is best known as a member of Sunz of
Man, an early affiliate group of the Wu-Tang Clan.Razah suffered a brain aneurysm in April 2010. He made amazing strides in his recovery process and began to record right away. Although still in the recovery process, Razah continues to make remarkable progress. He came to adopt the moniker Heaven Razah.
Da Last Future &Sunz of Man
Razah made his rap debut in the early 90s as a member of the group Da Last Future, an early incarnation of the Sunz of Man, which included Killah Priest, Shabazz the Disciple, Prodigal Sunn, Supreme and 7th Ambassador. Razah and 7th Ambassador self-released the single “Livin’ in Hell” b/w “Mental Combat” independently before the group adopted the Sunz of Man moniker. Razah recorded a number of tracks with the group before their induction into the Wu-Tang family, including “Deep in the Water”, “Writing Rhymes With a Liquid Pen” (aka “Elements”), “Lulla Bye” and “Psychic Hotline”.
In 1995, the group adopted the moniker Sunz of Man, and signed a record deal with Wu-Tang/Priority Records. SoM released a number of singles on Wu-Tang Records, including “Soldiers of Darkness”, “No Love Without Hate” and “Bloody Choices”, in anticipation of their 1996 debut album Nothing New Under the Sun. Due to internal conflicts and label complications, the album was shelved. Sunz of Man later signed a record deal with Red Ant Entertainment for the release of their official 1998 debut The Last Shall Be First, with the group’s roster shaved down to just Razah, Killah Priest, Prodigal Sunn and 60 Second Assassin. The album was one of the most successful Wu-Tang affiliate releases, debuting at No. 20 on the Billboard 200 album chart, and No. 7 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart.
After the departure of Killah Priest in 1998, the group took a hiatus. 1999 saw the release of The First Testament, which featured previously recorded material from the group, including the early tracks from Da Last Future. Razah, Prodigal Sunn and 60 Second Assassin returned in 2002 with the album Saviorz Day, the second official Sunz of Man studio album. The group has yet to release a third studio album, but it has been reported that the group has reconciled with Shabazz the Disciple, Killah Priest and Supreme.
Razah’s next solo album, Renaissance Child, was released in early 2007 on Nature Sounds Records. The album featured appearances from Timbo King, Tragedy Khadafi, R.A. The Rugged Man, Talib Kweli, Viktor Vaughn, Bronze Nazareth, Killah Priest and Ras Kass, and production from Godz Wrath, MF DOOM, Bronze Nazareth, Krohme and 4th Disciple. The album was a well-received, critical success and featured the singles “The Renaissance” and “Buried Alive” b/w “Project Jazz”. It was released February 2007. The album has moved 4,506 units. The First 10,000 Units Contain a Limited Edition Bonus DVD Directed by Apademik, and Co-Directed by: Hell Razah himself.
In
October 2007, Razah released his next album, Razah’s Ladder, entirely
produced by the production duo Blue Sky Black Death. The album also was
acclaimed, due to BSBD’s soulful production work, and also to Razah’s
new spiritual lyrical direction, inspired by the recent death of his
father. The album featured guest appearances from Prodigal Sunn, Shabazz
the Disciple, Crooked I, Ill Bill and Sabac Red, and featured no
singles. Self-funded videos were shot for the tracks “Razah’s Ladder”
and “Audiobiography”, the latter directed by Sunz of Man producer
Supreme, and “Razah’s Ladder”, Directed by Apademik.
In 2004, Hell Razah and 4th Disciple released a full-length collaboration album, Freedom of Speech, under the title “Sunz of Man presents”. The album featured fifteen newly recorded tracks with 4th Disciple, and five other previously released tracks from When All Hell Breaks Loose. The album featured the single “Article One” b/w “Project Love”.
In 2005, Razah, Killah Priest, Royal Fam’s Timbo King, Tragedy Khadafi and William Cooper formed the underground supergroup Black Market Militia. The group released their self-titled debut album Black Market Militia that same year, with production from Godz Wrath and Bronze Nazareth, and guest appearances from dead prez and Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets. The album spawned the singles “Audobon Ballroom” b/w “Thug Nation”/”Hood Lullabye” and “Gem Stars” b/w “Mayday!”. Razah’s next album collaboration album was with Shabazz the Disciple and producer Ayatollah as the group T.H.U.G. Angelz, titled Welcome to Red Hook Houses, to be released on July 8, 2008 on Babygrande Records. Other releases came in 2008 such as solo album titled Heaven Razah, and Article 2: Right to Bare Arms, a second full-length collaboration with 4th Disciple. In an October 2007 interview, Razah also announced plans for numerous other releases for the year. He announced that the Sunz of Man were reunited and planned on releasing an album sometime soon. He also stated that The Maccabeez, a group consisting of himself, Killah Priest and Timbo King, were nearly finished recording their debut album. Black Market Militia are also planning for another album. Another possible release is a collaboration between Razah, Shabazz and Blue Sky Black Death, and a project from G.G.O. (Ghetto Government Officialz), which consists of Razah, 7th Ambassador, Lazarus, Face God and other Red Hook locals.
Hell Razah suffered a brain aneurysm in 2010. After surviving that near death experience, he began to
go under the name Heaven Razah.
In 2011, Hell Razah’s health was improving and he said on Twitter several albums will come out in the future, including Heaven Razah 2, the second album with Shabazz the Disciple as T.H.U.G. Angelz (produced by Ayatollah and 4th Disciple), Razah’s Ladder 2 produced by Blue Sky Black Death, a gospel/rock album produced by Krohme called Krohme Razahs and an album with Shyheim called The Verrazano. An album with Killah Priest as Thug Vaticans called The Lamb’s Supper will come out in 2013. He’s also doing an album with producer Bronze Nazareth. He also started a hiphop/soul group together with producer Shroom and singer Tarone Rachamim called The Dutch and they are planning to release their first album in the future, which is called Music from the Heart.
In 2004, Hell Razah and 4th Disciple released a full-length collaboration album, Freedom of Speech, under the title “Sunz of Man presents”. The album featured fifteen newly recorded tracks with 4th Disciple, and five other previously released tracks from When All Hell Breaks Loose. The album featured the single “Article One” b/w “Project Love”.
In 2005, Razah, Killah Priest, Royal Fam’s Timbo King, Tragedy Khadafi and William Cooper formed the underground supergroup Black Market Militia. The group released their self-titled debut album Black Market Militia that same year, with production from Godz Wrath and Bronze Nazareth, and guest appearances from dead prez and Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets. The album spawned the singles “Audobon Ballroom” b/w “Thug Nation”/”Hood Lullabye” and “Gem Stars” b/w “Mayday!”. Razah’s next album collaboration album was with Shabazz the Disciple and producer Ayatollah as the group T.H.U.G. Angelz, titled Welcome to Red Hook Houses, to be released on July 8, 2008 on Babygrande Records. Other releases came in 2008 such as solo album titled Heaven Razah, and Article 2: Right to Bare Arms, a second full-length collaboration with 4th Disciple. In an October 2007 interview, Razah also announced plans for numerous other releases for the year. He announced that the Sunz of Man were reunited and planned on releasing an album sometime soon. He also stated that The Maccabeez, a group consisting of himself, Killah Priest and Timbo King, were nearly finished recording their debut album. Black Market Militia are also planning for another album. Another possible release is a collaboration between Razah, Shabazz and Blue Sky Black Death, and a project from G.G.O. (Ghetto Government Officialz), which consists of Razah, 7th Ambassador, Lazarus, Face God and other Red Hook locals.
Hell Razah suffered a brain aneurysm in 2010. After surviving that near death experience, he began to
In 2011, Hell Razah’s health was improving and he said on Twitter several albums will come out in the future, including Heaven Razah 2, the second album with Shabazz the Disciple as T.H.U.G. Angelz (produced by Ayatollah and 4th Disciple), Razah’s Ladder 2 produced by Blue Sky Black Death, a gospel/rock album produced by Krohme called Krohme Razahs and an album with Shyheim called The Verrazano. An album with Killah Priest as Thug Vaticans called The Lamb’s Supper will come out in 2013. He’s also doing an album with producer Bronze Nazareth. He also started a hiphop/soul group together with producer Shroom and singer Tarone Rachamim called The Dutch and they are planning to release their first album in the future, which is called Music from the Heart.
Heaven Razah Part 2 became Living After Death and was released on iTunes on March 31, 2013. In May, Hell Razah announced the formal roster of his new label, Hell Razah Music Inc. to include Razah's oldest son "Heaven Sun" aka Yung Razah, Queen the Prophet, Scripture,Judah Priest, and a few more to formally represent Razah's long time "Ghetto Govt" global movement also known as "GGO" (Ghetto Govt Officialz). The Ghetto Govt Movement has global chapters that are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities as well as in the underground hip-hop community.
Razah
released the album "El' Raziel" in April 2015 and is currently in the
process of wrapping up Risen: The Story of Chron “Hell Razah” Smith
which is a documentary directed by Frank Meyer and stars Wu Tang’s RZA,
Cappadonna and Popa Wu, Sunz of Man members Killah Priest, Prodigal
Sunn, and 60-Second Assassin, producers A. Supreme Wilder and Shroom,
rappers RA The Rugged Man, William Cooper, Timbo King, Ras Kass, Judah
Priest, Queen the Prophet, and Scripture, industry heavyweight Randy
Philips (AEG, Global Ent.), Hell Razah’s family and friendsand many
more. Risen is Executive Produced by Digital Reacharound CEO Robert
Juster, Produced by film maker Paul Harb (The Expendables, Rambo, Rocky
Balboa), and Esquire Network’s Michael D’Alonzo, with Cinematography by
Jason Valdez. Risen: The Story of Chron “Hell Razah” Smith has TBA 2016
release via Digital Reach around.
What city and state did you grow up in?
Brooklyn NYC.
What was it like growing up in Brooklyn?
It was like another planet, so much talent there.
Tell me some things about yourself?
I am an humble person.
What inspired you to become an artist?
Honestly my family did, I have a spiritual side.
Who was the first artist you collaborated with?
Killah Priest
As a artist do you think the music has changed from then to now?
In a big way, a major change.
How would you categorize your style?
Original, genuine
What if any message do you try to relay to the audience?
Love and God first
What would you change about the music industry from an executive stand point?
Certain freedoms become hurtful to others.
What do you think attributed to the change from consciousness of the early 80's to the gangster era of today?
Razah. That is where I come in at, gangster, spiritual, conscious.
11. Kandi. What are your thoughts about the way the artists are presenting themselves?
Razah. It shows you the mentality that they have.
12. Kandi. What would you consider to be your big break that get your foot in the door mainstream?
Razah. Being myself, most artists are trying to be someone else.
13. Kandi. What is the name of your current single?
Razah. Yesterday
14. Kandi. How long have you been artist?
Razah. Early 91
15. Kandi. What are your goals for the future?
Razah. Being able to change the world and reverse it.
16. Kandi. Do you have any shows/album/videos coming up?
Razah. Documentary "Risen" I survived a brain aneurysm.
17. Kandi. What record company do you represent?
Razah. He'll Razah Music Inc.
18. Kandi. Are there any artists that you would like to collaborate with?
Razah. Lauryn Hill is needed now.
So your fans can follow you what social media sites are you on?
All of them
Do you write your own music?
Yes, I do I love that
Are you involved in any social or political groups?
Yes #GGO Ghetto Government Officials. We have chapters throughout the world. We are Global.
Are there any youth or community programs that you are involved in?
Yes, #GGO covers everything
Are there any challenges that you have dealt with and you have overcame?
The road to recovery
Are you interested in making movies?
That's powerful stuff, I will work with you.
Thank you. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A lot of things coming to reality.
What advice would you give to young men today who are suffering from injustices?
The way it works they want to fill you up in prisons not schools.
Have you ever experienced stage fright?
No, never
What advice do you give to aspiring artists who are trying to get into the music industry?
Hard work
What do you think about the legalization of Marijuana?
Get them high and we will take away their guns and rights.
I would like to thank you for this very powerful interview. I look
forward to future interviews with you. Much Success in all of your
endeavors. God bless you
Street Prophet Entertainment/ SPMG (website coming soon!)
Ghetto Govt Officialz / Hell Razah Music, Inc.
hellrazahdigital.com
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