The Universal Zulu Nation’s Minister of Information, Quadeer Shakur, speaks out against Worldstar & other negative influences faking the funk and trying to perpetrate as hip hop culture.

In February 2013, the Universal Zulu Nation sent a warning to Worldstar Hip Hop, demanding that Worldstar cease using “hip hop” as part of their moniker, citing the fact that the rachetry WSHH promotes is not, in fact, hip hop culture, or even remotely representative of it.

The letter, penned by Zulu Nation’s Minister of Information, Quadeer “M.C. Spice” Shakur, is addressed to WSHH’s founder Lee O’Denat, and respectfully asks Worldstar to use the following disclaimer on their site:

“World Star Hip-Hop is in no way affiliated with real Hip-Hop Culture or its’ founders or the Universal Zulu Nation. This site solely for entertainment purposes, and does not promote Hip-Hop Culture.”

Shakur further denounces Worldstar, writing a scathing thesis as to how they portray everything that hip hop culture is not.

The Source recently had the opportunity to catch up with MC Spice & the Zulu Nation, after seeing recent postings in which they continue to stand by their words and denounce WSHH as hip hop.

You wrote a letter to Worldstar on behalf of Zulu Nation, urging that they remove “hip hop” from there name because what they’re promoting, is not, in fact, part of the hip hop community or lifestyle. What prompted that move?

First off, Worldstar’s website has nothing to do with the culture of Hip Hop.  ”Q” whatever-his-name-is, does not get a pass from the true Hip Hoppers worldwide.  His so-called “pass” is given to him by the same devil-minded individuals who have plotted against Hip Hop since its inception.  He is a part of a bigger scheme to destroy the image of our culture through media.  My brother Mick Benzo aka Mickey Bentson forwarded me a video of a young man beating another young man and robbing him of his money, while making him strip his clothes off.  The video played on a site called–of all things–WorldstarHIPHOP?  No.  That is unacceptable.  That may be WORLDSTAR, but it is NOT Hip Hop.  That is NOT our Culture.

What was the discussion/general consensus amongst other members of the Nation prior to writing the letter?

There was no discussion.  The past two years, I have been on a mission to assassinate the movement of the so-called media, labels, radio stations, deejays and any other tool of oppressive media that have made Hip Hop appear as something other than it is.  Those who buy into the new ratchetness and “new nigger” behavior, and call it Hip Hop, are fooling themselves.  And they know they are.  They know the truth, but love the ratchedness and love the hate, greed and violence people like O’Denat airs, while using the term “Hip Hop” to promote lies. 

Has Worldstar or O’Denat responded?

No.  Why would he?  He knows he’s lying.  He knows the site isn’t Hip Hop.  He’s the “Alphabet Boy” of Hip Hop. Don’t believe the hype.

Being that Zulu Nation was founded by one of the pioneers of hip hop, what’s the general opinion on the state of the industry today? What would you like to see happen with hip hop today?

Hip Hop has never changed.  The branding of Hip Hop, and the support of the true essence of Hip Hop has changed, as it relates to those in so-called positions of power who can effect change with our Culture’s image.  There are thousands of youth, youth mentors, Hip Hop elders, and musicians who are constantly moving the Culture forward.  The lack of support of many of the programs, organizations, and individuals who are doing great things in Hip Hop, is what causes us to believe that Hip Hop is lost.  And as long as the hundreds of Clear Channel, Cumulus and other radio companies or conglomerates call themselves ‘Hip Hop’ or ‘Number One for Hip Hop,’ the people will be programmed to believe this nonsense.  It’s fake.  It’s all false.        

In the past, I rocked with Clear Channel as a Creative Director.  They didn’t know shit then, they don’t know shit now.  What I would like to see in Hip Hop today, is more aggressive approaches to promoting our music, and our Culture our way.   I would like to see artists start from the ground up and go back to 50-100 CDs.  Move their way up and learn the business side of this so-called game.  But I would love for all of my brothers and sisters to be aware of what the true Culture of Hip Hop is.  Before they pick up a pen or make a beat.   Maybe something better will come out of their mouths if they knew that this beautiful Culture is theirs.  I would definitely love to see journalists, musicians, etc., all pool their resources the way we always have, so we can keep Hip Hop Culture and media in our hands and away from the wicked.

You mention the “pillars of hip hop” a lot. Break that down for us. What are they?

Correct. Hip Hop Culture has four spiritual principles.  Far too many of our brothers and sisters speak on the four or five ELEMENTS of Hip Hop.  But those elements are limited, as any PHYSICAL element WOULD be.  We are all familiar with emceeing, deejaying, graffiti and break-dancing, with the fifth and most important element being KNOWLEDGE.  However, the four spiritual PRINCIPLES are what we are BUILT on.  That’s Peace, Unity, Love and Havin’ Fun.  Bottom line, if the emcee you follow doesn’t evoke those vibes, they are obviously not Hip Hop.

Is there anything else you want hip hop fans to know? 

Yes.  That I don’t have beef with the brother from Worldstar.  I just believe in my heart and know to be true, that the use of the word ‘Hip Hop’ alongside his name is a form of false advertisement, and he is misleading millions of viewers, and his advertisers.  I don’t own Hip Hop, but I AM Hip Hop.  You know what they say, “Real recognize real.”  I don’t recognize him.