Iron Solomon and His Svengali Brothers

Svengali Bros. (from l to r: Vanguard, Damian Burnz, Iron Solomon)/Photo: Amy Hume

With this kid ripping apart pretty much every emcee out there (despite what some people say), and no one even willing to battle him* at the recent Funk Flex car show, not to mention holding onto his title at Fight Klub by destroying Yung ZM (listen to the audio), we had to find out what’s up with Iron Solomon and his new crew: the Svengali Bros. They all met up at the long time running End of the Weak battles and are plotting some havoc together. Made up of Iron, Vanguard, and their beat maker Damian Burnz (formerly of NYC hardcore band Skarhead), we shot over some questions about battling, Russell Simmons’ attempt to ban words, and future plans. These were the results:

What the hell is a Svengali brother?
All: If you don’t know, go ask your mother.

How many of there are you?
D.Burnz: A lot, but mainly a Mick, a Greek, and a Jew.

Word on the street is that you’re being billed as the next Eminem. Do you think a label like that helps or hurts?
Iron: Neither. I’m white and good at battling but our music is a lot different from his.

How do you feel about using the word “nigga”? Do you always refrain, or do you feel you’re entitled to it like any other rapper?
Iron: I don’t think that being an MC has anything to do with being entitled to use that word.

Russell Simmons was recently campaigning to ask rappers to stop using the words “bitch” and “ho” in addition to “nigga.” Do you think it was just a publicity stunt, and is direct evidence that politically correct shit is going too far?
D.Burnz: Come on. Campaigning to stop using words? That shit ain’t Hip Hop. And this coming from a guy who claims he used to smoke leaky leak and fuck every model down town in the Eighties. I don’t believe it for a second. This is a losing battle and he knows it. Wait.. Wasn’t he trying to sell his new book? Sounds like he’s trying to impress an audience that don’t buy rap records. Hip Hop is freedom, the voice of the youth!

So you’re a Jewish white rapper from the Upper West Side. What other ammo can you give people that want to battle you?
Iron: Take a look at me, what more do you need? There is no ammo that will help you beat me if you aren't good at rapping.

There’s a video floating around YouTube that claims you’re not really freestyling when battling. They piece together clips where you say the same rhyme against different opponents. Care to respond?
Iron: If someone spent that much time analyzing my rhymes and editing footage of my battles, then they are dedicated fans. I think that means I am heading in the right direction.

Obviously pigeon-holing yourself, as strictly a rap battl-er isn't the smartest move career wise, what are you doing to make sure you're not labeled that? Or are you using that to your advantage?
Iron: Battling is bringing a lot of attention to me, and the people around me. That is a big advantage. When people hear our music it will be clear that there is much more to it than battling.

Nas said “Hip Hop is dead.” Do you think he was specifically targeting mainstream rap, since the so called “underground” has always been alive and well?
Van: I think that he was targeting people who have commercialized music for money without respect for the art form. Hip Hop don't stop.

What do you think about the phenomena that is the Dirty South? A few years ago did you ever think NYC wouldn’t be on top of the game?
D.Burnz: We listen to all types of music. Everything moves in cycles, this isn’t the first time NYC Hip Hop hasn’t dominated the radio.

How come you didn’t audition for Ego’s Trips White Rapper Show?
Iron & Van: We did. We didn't make the cut.

Who do you want to work with?
All: Quincy Jones, Rick Rubin, Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Gamble & Huff, Syd Barrett, Sid Vicious, Keith Richards, Maceo Parker, John Lennon, Lady Miss Kier, Barry White, Frank Sinatra, Mozart, Lisa Lisa, Isaac Hayes, Bad Brains, Roger Waters, Aretha Franklin, Mike Patton, Deborah Harry, The JBs, Mick Jagger, The Delfonics, Lee Scratch Perry, Slash, Prince, Billy Idol, Billy Paul, John Coltrane, Bootsy Collins, Sade’, Curtis Mayfield, David Bowe, Myles Davis, King Diamond, Billy Holiday, Diana Ross, John Bonham, Taj Mahal, Ringo Starr, Nina Cherry, Laurel Aitken, Bohannon, The funk brothers, David Byrne, Nat King Cole, BT express, Eddy Grant, Eddie Van Halen…

If you had your choice, what label would you sign to?
Iron: The one that gives us the deal we want.

What are the best drugs to take when battling?
All: Beer, Liquor, Mary Jane, Pills, Needles, Crack, Cocaine.

Any words of wisdom for the kids?
Van: Try this at home.

Is rap in the toilet?
D.Burnz: Crap is in the toilet.

Some say that rappers can't just make money off just their music anymore, especially with the internet killing record sales. Do you agree/disagree?
All: We agree to disagree.

How do you keep it peace with all the rappers you battle? Has shit ever turned ugly?
Iron: If you and I battle its definitely peace. If shit turns ugly it's not about rapping anymore. That’s a different type of battle.

Name the last 4 emcees** you battled and give us one word to describe each:
Iron:
Dirty Apple Slim: Crushed
Avalanche: Killed
Locksmith: Destroyed
Jin: Stressed

Who’s the G.O.A.T?
All: Farnsworth Bentley.

*The only guy they could dig up was some 45 year old guy named Jesse West, and it wasn’t even a battle. Iron said in one of his rhymes “Why don’t you act your age and die.” KO!
**We asked these questions before his latest Fight Club battle, which he won also.

To see him in action, search “Iron Solomon” on YouTube, then sit back and watch him win battle after battle.

For more info check their MySpace’s: Iron Solomon, Svengali Bros., Damian Burnz