What’s good everyone!? Today, we have a very special interview for you! We speak with Ras Ceylon. Ras Ceylon has a long impressive resume in Hip Hop. Ras has experienced a lot in Hip Hop over the years and works within the community to create a positive uplifting! We discuss working with Chairman Fred Hamtopn Jr., working with Sizzla’s judgement Yard fam, what else he has been working this year, the Sri Lanka government and much more!
This is one of my favorite interviews I have done in a while and I’m glad to share it with you! You can follow Ras on Twitter/Instagram – @RasCeylon.
1. Where are you from and what was it like growing up there?
Born and raised in Southern California, Orange County area & moved to the Bay after high school & been here ever since. Growing up in the 80s & 90s was hectic at times dealing with institutional racism & police terrorism at an early age but it got me ready for the fight I been in my whole life. I appreciate having SoCal roots and deeply connected to community here in Oakland (where I been based 20yrs). Being a part of the West Coast underground Hiphop scene for 3 decades now is amazing..California love!
2. What music inspired you growing up?
All kinds of music inspired me from an early age but it was Hiphop & Reggae that really captured my imagination since childhood. I can still remember studying the album cover of & playing my moms Bob Marley record then buying my first Public Enemy cassette in elementary school. I also played the guitar a bit and was into metal & punk that my older sister introduced me to. Any rebellious genres were appealing to me as a youth. 2Pac was my hero & Peter Tosh was my musical role model coming up.
3. What have you been working on in 2022?
A lot of new music! This year has been a renaissance of sorts for my musical output. I’ve released a bunch of singles, videos & features this year and it’s not slowing down. In fact, I just got back to the Bay from Denver CO where I recorded a new collab EP with long time Wu Tang associate Timbo King & my producer Dawit Justice. The video we shot in Brooklyn and dropped earlier this summer “Frontline.Generalz” is the 1st single off the upcoming album with Timbo. I also am working on a solo album for Chalice Row Records and “1999” video is the 1st single for that. I’ve performed from Miami to Portland to Oakland recently and will be on stage at the upcoming Oregon Reggae Fest on August 20th. Lots of new songs, videos and shows on the horizon so folx should stay in tune!
4. I understand you work with Fred Hampton Jr., that is an honor. How did that come about and could you tell us about the work you have done.
I’ve been working with Chairman Fred Jr. for almost 20yrs now & we first worked together on the “Free The SF8” campaign back in 2007. As a “conscious rap” artist back then, the POCC now Black Panther Party Cubs challenged us artists to contribute relevant music to the cause and to get involved with grassroots community work, so that’s what we been on ever since. I’ve traveled all over the country with Chairman Fred & The Cubs including during the summer of 2020 during the George Floyd Uprisings. From supporting political prisoners to families of victims of police terrorize to helping provide basic needs to the masses, the work we’ve been able to do carrying the legacy of the BPP continues to inspire all aspects of my life. To serve the People while being on the right side of history is always the goal! Free’Em All is our call.
5. What is one thing you want people to take away from your music?
Hmm that’s a good question that I’m not sure I have a clear answer on. I have never made music with the outcome in mind, it’s usually just the beat/production that dictates the content. However, I do want the people to feel the authenticity of my music particularly when there is so much artificial stuff out there. We make music from the heart and from originality, I trust that is felt in the vibrations we create and frequencies we tap into.
6. I also understand you are a part of Sizzla’s judgement Yard fam. Could you tell us about that?
Yes, it’s an honor to be a part of the family of 1 of the greatest musical artists in our lifetime: Sizzla Kalonji. Me and my crew came up on his music in the late 90s & when I first visited Jamaica in 2010, I was basically adopted by Judgement Yard & it’s been on ever since. I have spent significant time there & I’ve helped out with his Sizzla Youth Foundation charitable organization, as well as collaborated and share the stage with Kalonji many times. He will be featured on my upcoming solo album. Check out his new album “Rise Up” that just came out.
7. How do you feel about the current state of Hip Hop and is there any younger/upcoming artists you would to work with?
As an educator my working definition for Hiphop is “a cultural of youthful expression with African origins” so each generation will add their own interpretation of the culture. Being an “old head” I never want to be bitter about how younger artist express themselves despite being frustrated by how the entertainment industry seems to only make space for a certain kind of energy. I’m always open to working with upcoming artists but just like all my collaborations, it has to happen organically.
8. Anything else you want the world to know…
For those who don’t know, my new video 1999 was an FYI that the first Sri Lankan rapper is cut from a revolutionary clothe and the government who banned my music is now out of power. A little underground cassette tape is now considered the first Sri Lankan rap album so you never know the impact of your creative output. I want the world to know thag the struggle is still on in Sri Lanka as the economic and political crisis continues. Everyone should know that change is possible and revolution is the solution. Still decolonizing..
