Okay, let’s get the story right, is it correct that you hail from a Lebanese Mafia background and what’s with this Mammoth tusk you tried to sell for $8 million dollars from a Siberian excavation that went wrong?
“Hey Dan, it’s all true man. I was never a member of the actual Mafia, a member introduced me to the Head of the Mafia and he just liked me. So we did some deals, he actually wanted me to to the main drug distributor working out of Beirut but I declined. It’s not something I boast about though. I used to listen to all those mob Hip Hop lyrics and thought it was what I wanted. I thought it was all revolutionary at the time, it was a learning process for me – it didn’t take long for me to realise that all these people are someway connected to their government. All the big mobsters are – and the one’s that serve time just got too big for their boots. The Mammoth tale, well that’s something we’ll talk about in person!”
So in the background, it sounds like a crazy house, lot’s of children running around…
“Yeah I have two beautiful children and another on the way, it’s been quite a Christmas. I used to live in Dalston but it was on a busy road and too many crack-heads about so moved up to Edmonton.”
2003 saw you come to London and get caught up in the dance music scene which was firing at the time. You linked up with the likes of UK Apache, Visionary Underground, Fun-Da-Mental and the Asian Dub Foundation. What was those days like, who stood out musically for you – and what about now?
“To be honest Dan, it’s only been recently that I have started to get into new bands and music. When I first came over to the UK I was digging stuff from the 50s, 60s and 70s. What has happened over the years when I have got into new music is when a friend has personally introduced me to stuff that they like. When I was in Lebanon it was a complete different industry – no Hip Hop at all. You know, I just felt my way around in the music industry for a while, a lot of people in our business just try shit on you, the more up and coming artists are so different as they are into the music rather than the money.”
So I guess your big break came when the ears pricked up on Wu-Tang rapper/producer and manager Cilvaringz after he heard your first demo. A fellow Arab hailing from Morocco who started his career rapping in Holland and then became an official member of a multi-platinum selling and internationally acclaimed rap group. What’s he like, could you believe your luck?
“Well to find a fellow Arab with the same mentality was amazing. We shared some e-mails and then I went over to Holland to meet up, we went on tour and it got me noticed. I just knew this guy was for real, he’s really smart business wise too…he goes to big label heads and just pulls of miracles.”
So what were you listening to as a kid?
“Well Hip Hop is my life although an old girlfriend introduced me to Reggae and I just fell in love with Bob Marley.”
Your Arabic Rap talent opened many doors for you, for instance your friend DJ U-Cef introduced you to Gorillaz and Blur frontman Damon Albam who was looking for an Arabic rapper for his song ‘Mr Whippy’ – basically you describing the city of London. A huge moment and we’ll come to what followed. It took you an hour to record your verse, part being…
“You wont believe how guns can go off though Listen to the ambulance sirens See how (DJ) U-Cef’s neighbours were shot! They murdered children! The police might knock on our door and search the house”
Tell us what is behind your words here…
“It was basically something that happened in Ladbroke Grove. It was the house next door to him, a drug deal going down which went wrong and the guy, his wife and kids all got shot dead.”
So your meeting and initial work with Damon was the his then new project The Good, The Bad & The Queen – a troup made up of of you two, Paul Simonon from The Clash, Simon Tong from The Verve and Tony Allen from Fela Kuti. What was it like recording with those guys – your album debuted at No. 2 in the UK Album Charts and went Gold in a matter of hours…
“So magical. I knew all of them independently and so knew their incredible musical backgrounds. Tony is a history book – a real inspiration. Paul, just a great guy, Simon – what an amazing group. But the biggest thing that saw a lump in my throat is how they made me feel so comfortable straight away. Some big musicians have huge ego’s, these guys were so humble. We just hung out and made some music.”
What are your memories of your live gig at the BBC Electric Proms at The Roundhouse in Camden? Millions saw you perform…
“Probably the biggest performance of my life back then. We did a private gig at The Tabernacle in London beforehand to get the set right, just for our friends and family which was great. But The Roundhouse, wow…”
A world tour followed and then you hooked up with Cilvaringz on a major European tour with the Wu-Tang Killa Beez – did you party?
“28 gigs in 30 days – it was all about piling onto the bus straight after the gig. Although, I have to say, Eastern Europe saw some action. The festivals were a highlight too, meeting idols, actors, fellow acts back stage was great. Drew Barrymore was cool, Cameron Diaz was lovely but had bad skin and probably the best was getting to know Flee from The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. One of the coolest moments of my life. We met up again in Nigeria where we jammed together for The Africa Project in Lagos. An honour.”
Your first album, ‘The Mammoth Tusk’ wow, where do I start? You really do open up your heart and force home your views, memories and thoughts. ‘Star Spangled Banner’ sees you talking about expressing your politics by using an imaginary girl with a big rear end to represent the American foreign policy, you had Dr Dre’s producer Focus working with you who had produced the likes of Beyonce, Destiny’s Child, 50 Cent, J-Lo, Pink and N-Sync, De La Soul come in on ‘Rewind DJ’ and Eminem’s radio DJs Lord Sear & Rude Jude of Sirius/Shade 45 even accuse you of being involved in 9/11. Can you talk us through this epic album, how long did it take, what was it like working with such amazing people?
“Thank you Dan. Well it took three years to do from when I first started writing until it hit the shelves. I wrote 70 songs all in all and myself and Clivaringz just sat down and decided who we should approach for what song. He was the Executive Producer and was so important to the album. The proudest bit? Having Damon on the work, he is so busy and it took me a year to finally get him tied down.”
What’s next for Eslam in 2009?
“I have a lot of exciting projects planned for next year. I’m already writing a new UK album, an Arabic album and also a project which I am doing with Damon with the Syrian National Orchestra, in Syria.”
