Angel Aguilar best known as Agallah (8-Off the Assassin or Don Bishop) was born on February 17, 1974 and is an American rapper of Puerto Rican and Filipino descent. Prior to going solo, Agallah was a member of The Diplomats an affiliated group of Purple City, the group Propain Campaign, and Death B4 Dishonor. He has ghostwritten and produced tracks for Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma, The Diplomats, Guru, Mobb Deep and Big Pun. Several of his songs have been placed in video games to include: Grand Theft Auto III, NBA Live 08 and UFC Undisputed.

THE INTERVIEW

Brenda/HRM: How’s it going? This is definitely an honor to sit down with you and do an interview. You’ve been in the business since the early 90’s- what has that been like?

Agallah: The business has changed drastically because of technology and the internet. I’ve been a student of this game since the 90’s and have learned a great deal from the artists I’ve worked with. I’ve had a lot of fun… No Era like the 90’s!

Brenda/HRM: How have you seen the Hip-Hop game change since the 90’s?

Agallah: There is no filter anymore. Everything is much easier for artists coming up with access to youtube, internet, and social media, but I love how hip hop is evolving. I continue to check for fresh new music because I love “sounds”.

Brenda/HRM: What were some of the challenges you faced then compared to what artists face now?

Agallah: Well when I was coming up, we didn’t have the technology or access to the world like the artists now. You couldn’t just “get a deal” or be a successful independent artist so easily…you had to really hustle. A&R’s were tough, hip hop was raw, and it was more about the culture back then. Now its much different.

Brenda/HRM: You’re originally from Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York- what was it like growing up there?

Agallah: Very tough, always in survival mode. I’ve seen a lot and have done a lot. Sean Price (of Heltah Skeltah) and I grew up together in Brownsville. I was a wild youth. (laughs)

Brenda/HRM: Agallah- that is an interesting name- what inspired it?

Agallah: It came from the 5% Nation of Islam because I had “knowledge of self” since ’87. My previous rapper name, Eight-Off The Assassin, was too much for people and controversy swirled around the similarity of the name “Adolf”, and people thought I was on some Hitler type of stuff. My real name is Angel Luis Aguilar, so I added on and got my name from there.

Brenda/HRM: You finished your debut album, “Wrap Your Lips Around This” in 1996. What happened that it was shelved and didn’t become available until 2012?

Agallah: At the time, the label was folding and they couldn’t release it. I left the label and continued creating music. The album is out there for download and available also on Ebay.

Brenda/HRM: I’m definitely feeling the message in “Outlaw’s Bible”. Tell us what inspired this song.

Agallah: It’s a dedication to my friend, Tone, who was killed by police coming out of a liquor store in Virginia. It was produced by Get Large Productions, so I would like to give a shout out to them for that!

Brenda/HRM: Did you produce the beat for “Coat of Arms?” Tell us more about this song.

Agallah: Oh No produced “Coat of Arms”… he is a dope emcee /producer and also the brother of the infamous MadLibs. Big thanks to Planet Asia, Tristate, and Rasco for their part in this song!

Brenda/HRM: What songs off of your debut album would you promote and recommend fans and new fans take a listen to? Where can they get the album?

Agallah: The whole thing is dope… and we have a visual mixtape in the works which includes videos of six songs from the Red “V” Mixtape:

“Coat of Arms” ft. Planet Asia, Tristate, Rasco (prod by Oh No)
“Simon Bar Sinister” ft. Supernatural
“Identity Theft” (prod by Alchemist)
“Outlaws Bible” (prod by Get Large Productions)
“Where Things Can Go”
“Slaughter” ft. Murdoc

Check out the new mixtape available Oct 1st via Empire Distribution!!

Available on iTunes at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-red-v/id710533365

Brenda/HRM: Mad love and props on “Simon Bar Sinister”, you killed it on that one, son! What inspired that heat?

Agallah: That was all a freestyle with the legendary MC Supernatural, champion of freestyle rhymes, who even broke the record for the longest (more than 9hrs) continuous freestyle rap at the 2006 Rock The Bells concert. We’d know each other for a while, so it was time for us to collab and it was SWOOPY! (yes, Swoopy...) Supernat is an amazing emcee so keep a look out for his upcoming album!

Brenda/HRM: Tell us more about the upcoming "The Red V Mixtape".

Agallah: The Red “V” Mixtape is the first release of my entire project, which will be followed up by the actual Red Velvet album sometime by the end of the year. Phenomenal material! Your head won’t stop nodding to the beat! It’s for the true heads and the new heads to marinate… high-end hip hop! (laughs)

Brenda/HRM: Is there anything different that can be expected on the Mixtape? Who are some of the artists featured? Which songs are bringing Agallah in full effect?

Agallah: This is me at my finest. Lyrics are sick. Beats are knockin’. Many years in the making and I put a lot into it. Red “V” Mixtape features artists/producers such as Sean Price, Inspectah Deck, Sadat-X, Planet Asia, Ras Kass, Sick Jacken, MC Supernatural, Rasco, Tristate, Tash of the Alkaholiks, Alchemist, Oh No, and so many more…. Too long of a list! You can check out track listing at www.facebook.com/redvmixtape

Brenda/HRM: I tried to find “Risin’ To The Top” featuring Sean Price because I was intrigued by the title but couldn’t find it to take a quick listen. Bust us some lines off of that track.

Agallah: Lyrics… “Risin’ To The Top” by Sean Price ft. Agallah

“Everyone welcome to the gangsta world of Agallah
Where it's me and my niggas, my bitches, my guns and my cars
My dogs don't kill, they kill these rap stars
I like ridin' around with a gangsta broad
I'mma gangsta dog, go with the shotty, or I'm shankin' y'all
Wind up in prison, no thanks to y'all”

Brenda/HRM: Bad ass, now that’s what’s up! I know you are always bringing that fire- so what do we have to look forward to- upcoming projects, CD releases, shows, etc?

Agallah: After the Red “V” Mixtape, we will release the Red Velvet album, followed by Agallito’s Way – soundtrack for a movie, and then the Dons on Deck album that I’m working on with Inspectah Deck of Wu-Tang. It’s dope. We are definitely going in!

Brenda/HRM: For an artist like myself, I’m always looking for fresh beats to flow to- do you sell any of your beats online? If so, where can cats go to cop some beats produced by Agallah?

Agallah: My new website will be up soon, but for now you can go to my fb page www.facebook.com/AgallahTheDon or contact AgallahTheDonBishop@gmail.com (serious inquiries only).

Brenda/HRM: Anything else you would like to share with your fans and new fans?

Agallah: Stay SWOOPY! Don’t let anyone tell you NO or that you can’t do it…. Anything is possible!

SUBSCRIBE to my new Official VEVO Channel:

www.youtube.com/AgallahVEVO and go to iTunes to get the album!! Red “V” Mixtape: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-red-v/id710533365

Brenda/HRM: Well, much love and I appreciate you hanging with me and doing this interview!

Story and Interview by:

Brenda M. Atencio – Hip Rock Magazine