Legend is a word that gets thrown around a lot in hip-hop. The fact is, it’s not only about record sales or how many times an artist has been on TRL. A legend is more than that. A legend changes the way music is done no matter for how brief of a period it may be.

He brings something new to the table, something that will be remembered throughout hip-hop history. A legend makes lasting music. A legend will more likely be remembered for one song than another artist will for selling twenty million records.

El Da Sensei is a legend. He never went platinum but as a member of The Artifacts and then as a solo artist he made pure hip-hop that could appeal to backpackers and the masses alike. Some say the term backpacker was created for El Da Sensei.

Easily one of the most memorable MC’s in the history of hip-hop El Da Sensei is still at it. Sixshot.Com caught up with the New Jersey MC to discuss The Unusual, touring with Common when he was Common Sense, and why The Artifacts broke up.

Sixshot.Com: All right El, you’ve done so much in hip-hop that it’s hard to know where to begin but I want to start off by talking about the music you made as one half of the Artifacts. Today, how do you feel about the music made by the Artifacts?

El D a Sensei: I feel the music I made with Artifacts was both surprising and ground breaking at the time for a lot of reason. One of the main reasons was because we came from jersey and we sounded like we came from New York City.

Sixshot.Com: I was trying to remember even a couple of instances when you rhymed about material things in your music, which you know is big today. Why weren’t you into that?

El Da Sensei: We didn't care too much for rhyming about material shit. We just wanted to spit and spit good. That was our only goal really. Back then it was all about how you spit. That was what was important.

Sixshot.Com: When you rap you could tell that you love it and have a passion for it, which is rare. How is it that you’re able to bring that feeling across in all of your rhymes?

El Da Sensei: All my favorite things came from rhyming. Just hearing all my top favorite MC’s made me want to do the same. I felt, what better way to be recognized. All I wanted to do was make a change with my shit and be just as good as the best and still be myself.

Sixshot.Com: You toured with Common before he was a major star. Did you have any idea that he would reach the heights that he has in his career?

El Da Sensei: Oh yes definitely, we all did. I'm very proud to know a dude like Com. He's a big inspiration to me because he comes from my era. He shows me that an artist like me can still make it. Plus on top of all that, he's a true MC's MC and nobody can deny that.

Sixshot.Com: I know you and Tame One have had your ups and downs. Have you two spoken at all recently?

El Da Sensei: Nah, no talking to Mr. Tame One since 1997.

Sixshot.Com: When the Artifacts split up you were obviously going to do your solo thing. What approach did you want to take as far as becoming a solo artist?

El Da Sensei: I just wanted to tell my side of being in the group but also give a little more than I did previously doing all the singles that came before it. It was a starting point and stepping stone to create my baby that would come next.

Sixshot.Com: The Unusual is a classic. It changed hip-hop. It brought a new style to the game. It was like hip-hop in its purest form. Looking back on that today, how do you feel about the album?

El Da Sensei: Now The Unusual was my shit. That was something I took and said fuck all that shit. Let me get back on my grind for real you know? That was my mentality with that album. All the producers I wanted came through for me and more. It gave me the chance to be one of the first to fuck with Illmind on tracks and he gave me the illest song I ever made which is 'Crowd Pleasa'.

Sixshot.Com: You’re a hip-hop legend but your sales never seemed to match the hype. A lot of that probably has to do with the business end of it all. How do you feel about the business side of hip-hop?
 
El Da Sensei: The business part is most definitely needed and it is still the hardest part of the game for most MC’s. Of course the times have changed and so has the music for better and for worse. But for me it hasn't changed at all as far as getting your shit right though. It's just less groups and a lack of good music. But when hasn't that been the case for the last who knows how many years?

Sixshot.Com: Some MC’s just make classic music. There’s just a feel to it that makes it sound classic. You’re one of those MC’s. What does El Da Sensei look for in a track?

El Da Sensei: I look for drums first. That's what moves me. Also a track that doesn’t sound like something that I’ve heard before. That’s real important to me. It has to have an original sound to it. Bass lines and tracks must be aggressive. They have to be very hard and very strong but also it has to swing.

Sixshot.Com: I’ve heard you described as a backpacker and as a conscious MC. Would you classify yourself as either one of those.

El Da Sensei: Nooooo, I would consider myself a battle MC first. I like to rock for that cats that want to hear straight spitting. Good flows are what I’m all about and knowing that many people want that style I’m able to give it to them. I can have my topics, but most of me is like spit first and think second. (Laughs)

Sixshot.Com: You’ve influenced so many artists in the game. Who are some artists that have influenced you?

El Da Sensei: I have been influenced by the best and that's just way too many to name. Because then it would be half the hip hop world that I’d be naming and I don’t thing either of us have the time for that. (Laughs) I'll name a few though, Kane, KRS, Chubb Rock, Special Ed, G-Rap, Buckshot, shall I continue? (Laughs)

Sixshot.Com: Nobody can ever deny that you’ve accomplished a lot in your career. But did you accomplish everything that you set out to do as far as hip-hop goes?

El Da Sensei: I have accomplished a lot in my years. I’m still doing more work and I’ve been all over the world and back. Awards are not important to me but if someone is willing to give me them then I’m taking. That’s how I feel.  I'm very proud of what I’ve given to the game, record sales or not.

Sixshot.Com: What do you have going on right now? What can we expect to see from El Da Sensei?

El Da Sensei: I got a lot going on right now man. I was in Poland for a while recording an EP with this team of a DJ and a producer called the Returners. We have Steele from Smif N Wessun, Akrobatik and Doujah Raze. That’s going to be hot. Everybody should look out for that.

Sixshot.Com: All right El, you’ve got a bunch of fans out there. What do you want to say to them?

El Da Sensei: I just want to wish my family and yours well. I want to thank all the fans that show support and I want to shout out Sixshot.Com for having me.