Dj Khalil is not only my not only my partner in Self Scientific, he is my best friend.  I see no lines between his family and mine, and members of his family have been MAJOR inspirations and mentor’s in my life.  One of these people was Khalil’s father Mahdi Abdul-Rahman (Walt Hazzard).  Self Scientific is special because Khalil and I share a link through our parents that we didn’t discover until we had already decided that we were friends.  Khalil and I met when we were in the 8th grade, at the Superstar Basketball Camp.  Although we lived in different areas, and went to different schools we always stayed in contact.  It was through basketball that we discovered our mutual love of Hip-Hop and obscure, underground shit like UltraMagnetic MC’s and GangStarr.  One day when our parents finally met they realized that they had known each other when they were younger.  My parents and Khalil’s parents once lived in a building that Muhammad Ali owned in an area known as The Dons in Los Angeles.  My mother remembered Khalil’s mother and of course her husband, Walt.  When they met Walt Hazzard was already an accomplished basketball player on his way to the NBA. What I remember my Mom saying most was she thought her name [Khalil's Mom] was Pat.  I knew Khalil’s mother as Jalessa.  During his NBA career Walt Hazard became a Muslim and changed his name to Mahdi-Abdul Rahman, Pat became Jalessa. So when my mother finally realized who I was talking about all the time, it was like Khalil and I were meant to be friends.

I began to study Islam when I was 14 years old.  My interest started with the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, and the Nation of Gods and Earths.  When I met Khalil’s father, from a distance, I was always fascinated with his conversion to Al-Islam.  I remember being at Khalil’s house and I would see Coach…I wanted to ask him questions about Al-Islam and the differences between NOI and Muslims who pray 5 times a day so bad, but I never had the courage, at the time I felt like maybe I didn’t have enough knowledge to form the right question.  Instead I would , and still do, ask Khalil all the questions that I didn’t have the courage to ask brother Mahdi myself.  I could go on for days explaining the impact brother Mahdi had in my personal development but the thing I will remember the most was his dedication to Islam and the excellence he showed me through his children and loved ones.  I am now a Muslim, and can only hope to be half the father and human being that he was.  Several years ago, I had the pleasure of going to the Masjid and praying directly across from him, with Khalil’s brother Ansar.

A successful Blackman with an Islamic identity, strong moral fiber  and family values.

Thank YOU

R.I.P.

Mahdi Abdul Rahman

Where do I start? I have been so busy since releasing Trials Of The Blackhearted that it has been hard to update the blog.  I have never been one to keep a schedule, but lately it has been increasingly more necessary for me to be organized.  I have a lot of opportunities and projects that are more like small industries. These ideas require some planning and forethought, as well as day to day work, and I cant afford to pay a whole staff so, unfortunately the blog suffers.  The good thing is I am on the verge of

presenting the fruit of some that forethought and planning through several creative and business mediums.

I believe in building communities, and anyone who frequents this site and scrolls through the pages of this blog I consider a member of this community.  So it’s only right that I preview some of the stuff I am rambling about, right here.  Tell a friend. Build the community.

Project : Harun

Harun is a brand I started that creates and reappropriates , authentic articles of culture.  It also is my first name, in Arabic.  I am a fan of Japanese artisans and their ability to take an inspiration and translate it through their perspective.  My idea with Harun, is to make, and re-package items from the vast cultural spectrum I have come across in my short lifetime, with a modern and sophisticated feel.  Much like my favorite Japanese brands take an American influence and re-interpret it.  The brand represents all of the influences that made a generation of young black men such as myself, realize that the world we see, is not necessarily the world we live in…will play out through Harun.

The first product for Harun will be a fragrance we call No.7.  The base oil is something I have personally worn for a long time and my brother and partner, Mos Def developed the top note.  The combination make what I believe, is one of the most pleasant scents I have ever smelled. Here’s a lil info:

Harun -No. 7- is a special blend of woodsy, spicy, Indian attar, with a refreshing citrus top note.  We combine original oils in their purest form to create a warm and invigorating scent with robust tones evoking sensibilities of strength yet still maintaining a unisex benefit .  The oils are bottled in Brooklyn, NY the cultural epicenter of America’s greatest city and contain Imported Attar from the Kamauj Uttar Padesh region of India. Harun -no. 7- is 100% natural and is free of alcohol and chemicals.  In the tradition of the original oils (attar) Harun -No.7- can be used a a fragrance for the home or for the body. Natural fragrance oils are affordable because they are concentrated, a small bottle will last the user several weeks, if not months.

These will be available in October , I will tell you where soon. Tell somebody. Build The Community.

In Ancient Kemet, they believed the heart was the organ that controlled thought, logic, and knowledge.  The weighing of the heart, against a feather, was used to determine if people were righteous or wicked during their time on earth.  If their heart was heavier than the feather, the Heart was devoured.  With the world rapidly changing, and evolving beyond recognition, people are becoming even more desensitized to the conditions we exist in.  The most heinous acts are applauded as “interesting” and “entertaining” while genuine acts of love, and justice are shunned.  We can sensationalize but we are scared of true emotion, we have more information now than ever before but no one wants to read.  The truth is scary, it is easier to escape through our favorite vice, than to deal with the harsh reality of the present.

Our hearts are heavy, our hearts are dark, these are the Trials Of The Blackhearted…

Self Scientific – God’s Language (Video Trailer) from Chace Infinite on Vimeo.

Trials Of The Blackhearted 4-11-11

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD SONG

“You jokers are just jesters. . . suited to entertain us / These are songs of retribution VS. / Hymns of enslavement” – Chace Infinite

Another song taken from the upcoming Self Scientific EP – Trials Of the Blackhearted. Verse Vs. Versus is a play on words that alternate between Verses, and Versus.  side note: might be the first time someone used antiquated in a rap. LOL.

Self Scientific -Verses Vs. Versus

TRIALS OF THE BLACKHEARTED  April 11th

click on image to download

“Language of the Gods, translated for the laymen / Modern interpretations of some lessons held sacred” – Chace Infinite (Self Scientific)

We aspire to represent a higher sense of self awareness, this message is filtered through reality’s harsh lens.  Achieving these aspirations confirms our belief in something greater.  Failing to reach these aspirations, causes people to question if something greater is against us. In between our aspirations, and reality, there is language.

God’s Language is another song from the forthcoming Self Scientific EP Trials Of The Blackhearted. Trials Of The Blackhearted is due be released for free on March 29th 2011.

Self Scientific – GOD’S LANGUAGE



This was going to be on Designer Music.  Inspired by my time living in Oakland, CA.  Recorded circa 2007 / 2008.  Featuring my brother Mitchy Slick.

Self Scientific – Car Culture feat. Mitchy Slick

This is an older song, from around 2007. The closest thing to a typically West Coast song we have probably ever made…let me know what y’all think. We rarely release material that we don’t plan on using but , fuck it.

SELF SCIENTIFIC – BUILD OR BANGERS

Extremely proud to announce this collaboration. . . Since February of 2010 I have been pushing the idea of making Africa a popular item in the subconcious mind of the current Hip-Hop generation.  I can say that this is the moment I am most proud of.  An opportunity to generate some awareness to a very worthy cause. I also did a joint over D’Angelo’s “AFRICA” that is available for download. Black History Month.

AFRICA
Akomplice x Chace Infinite x Good Wood NYC

Akomplice, Chace Infinite of Self-Scientific, and Good Wood NYC have come together to create a genuinely inspiring project. The project aims to promote change and education in the world’s global water and sanitation crisis. The unique collaborative pack will release at 7PM on February 11th, 2011.

Limited to 65 pieces total and only available on the Akomplice and Good Wood NYC websites. The collaboration package (retail $69.99) consists of an exclusive track from Chace Infinite which is a flip on D’Angelo’s song “Africa,” a handcrafted box set containing an intricately carved Africa necklace from Good Wood, and an original t-shirt from the fellas at Akomplice. 100% of the package’s profits will be donated to Pump Aid, an organization which has developed a cost-efficient water pump for sustainable water production in impoverished African communities.

Akomplice’s Africa t-shirt will also be offered alone later this month.  The T-shirt will be available in red, white, green and black.  The design features a text-formed image of Africa on its front, enumerating sociopolitical issues affecting the continent; its back is brandished by each collaborator and reads “Donate 2 Africa.” The shirt is more than a fashion statement – it represents courage, cohesion, and change. It is a tangible symbol of this project’s support for Africa.

Every year millions of people in developing countries die from a lack of clean water, and
hundreds of millions more are susceptible to parallel fates. Take a moment to look at the
hard facts. Unsafe water and poor sanitation create health, educational, environmental,
and social problems which could easily be prevented with the right tools.

In alignment with Black History Month it is not only appropriate but entirely essential to remember our historical roots in Africa and reflect on this month’s core celebrated values – struggle, strength, ability and action. This project honors those who
must endure a daily struggle for survival by taking action and giving them access to clean
drinking water, sanitary plumbing, and most importantly greater opportunities in life.

Read more.

Chace Infinite – Africa

New Year, new music…expect a Self Scientific EP later this year, but for now, we hope that you enjoy this.

We feel as though the injustice that was displayed with the Oscar Grant trial, is another example of brutality, handed out by the so-called law in America.  Even in today’s seemingly relaxed social environment, where a Blackman is the literal face of the nation, we  are forced to deal with blatant abuse of power, by  local and federal “authorities”.  We have been desensitized, and have come to a point where we expect the injustice to continue, yet collectively, we do nothing.  We are ALL guilty. . .guilty of allowing our brothers and sisters to be continually treated like something less than human.  The current generation spends countless hours online, typing useless banter about people’s personal lives, and listening to music that barely addresses the issues that effect us.  If we ain’t gon tear this muthafucka up, we at least have to say something. . .”He Says Tazer , We Say Murder”. . . FUCK THE POLICE.

Self Scientific -PEACEFUL (Justice For Oscar) feat. Krondon & Freddie Gibbs