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Khalil Ismail: The calm before the storm
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Khalil Ismail
LA's Hip Hop Examiner caught up with Khalil Ismail an artist out of the DC area.
LA Hip Hop Examiner: How did you get into rapping and with your current label The Brown’sTone Recording Company?
Khalil Ismail: I started rapping as a hobby and even bragging about myself but I noticed that there was not enough music that inspired youth to do things that were good. I’d already recorded my first album when I met Kayona Brown, the founder of the label, at a hip hop social networking event and she was honest from the start and gave good feedback and criticism.
I always had aspirations to have a label that would allow me to keep my integrity and at Brown’sTone I am able to do that because the artists here are not more of the same.
Listen to “Givin’ Up”
LA Hip Hop Examiner: I caught an interview you did on a Muslim program where you discussed researching whether music was haram?
Khalil: "Some" rulings of scholars in Islam are constantly being evaluated. I dont have a problem being a traditionalist where that is consistent with our Holy book but most importantly it is our book (the Quran) that does not prohibit music. A book that we believe comes directly from God, the most calculated being who would not leave out any rulings regarding music if he deemed it detrimental to his creation. Secondly, while there is literature that claims our Prophet looked at the use of musical instruments in a bad light, there is still no concrete evidence that he directly forbade it.
LA Hip Hop Examiner: What about other Muslim rappers, like Mos Def, how do they represent Islam and would you like to work with them?
Khalil: Mos, Lupe and others are not necessarily out there representing Islam. While I like their artistic expression and would like to work with them, the difference between me and them if you look at the roles Mos takes, his religion is more of a personal thing for him, he separates the two. I'd much rather say, my faith tends to influence what I write about and situations I choose to place myself in a little more than those guys.
Listen to “Can’t Change”
LA Hip Hop Examiner: A lot of artist are involved in charitable projects and there is not much talk about it. You work with a women’s shelter how is that going?
Khalil: We started with fundraising and now we have a building with the ability to house women and their children escaping homelessness and abuse. I have written a song about it that no one has heard yet, I may release it as a single later.
LA Hip Hop Examiner: You are out of DC and I know you just finished a national tour. Do you have plans to come out to LA?
Khalil: I worked with Antar Hanif an independent videographer out on Venice Beach recently to film a video for "Make Em Think" and had a great time. I hope to be out again soon to perform.
LA Hip Hop Examiner: I hope you keep me posted on that. What would you like readers to know about you in general?
Khalil: In a general sense, we are trying to do something unique and exciting and no one can say it can’t be done because no one has done it before. We know people are looking for intergrity, quality music that makes you think and stimulates your mind. I hope to leave that impression on people.
Also, Muslims have been put under an unfair light in the media and I’d like to show how Islam has practical solutions to things and has something to contribute to the world, not just Muslims.
For more: Click links, watch video below featuring Khalil and check out The Calm Before the Storm including "Fake Gangstas" and artist's favorite "Freedom"
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