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I had the pleasure to converse with Jihad! An Emcee who is already steady on the come up. Jihad is a lyrical power house, having already done multiple mixtapes, even spoke about his part in a movie coming up. In this interview we speak about Jihad's ethnic backround, culture, religon and how he is taking Hip Hop to another level. Jihad is one of those emcees that has something special to offer not only in music but this world. If you aren't familiar with Jihad, YOU ARE NOW! - Enjoy! 
Question: Thank you for this exclusive interview with you on Raptalk.net. First off your bio alone is least to say impressive. How did you get into music?
I have always been a fan of music, whether it is from Hip Hop to Rock to Classical and so on. I got two older brothers, so as a kid; I was blessed to be exposed to all kinds of music. At one hand, I had my brothers bumpin K-DAY back when it was on AM, and the next second, I would have my mom or dad playing some Pakistani or Afghani music. But, with all this exposure to different styles of music, it was when my brothers would be playing N.WA., Public Enemy, Rakim, etc., that really had me gravitating towards rap/hip hop. From that, I just started noticing little things, like when I would be in elementary school writing up poetry, and I had an affinity for rhyming, or when my brothers would be messing around, free styling with their homies, I would be jumping in, and everything would be coming natural to me.
Question: How has your religion influenced your style?
My religious beliefs have been a major factor in the way I rhyme, my content, and really, in everything I am trying to do. I know I am accountable for everything I do and say, so, with that in mind, I try to bring as much positivity as I can to the table and give the people something beneficial in my message. Also, I try to keep everything in my lyrics as real as possible, and being Muslim is a big part of who I am and what I strive for.
Question: JIHAD means struggle, what struggles have you been through?
Musically, just having the name “Jihad” has been a huge struggle for me. A lot of people are ignorant to the real meaning, and just in general, because of the media and what not, they are afraid that people are going to react negatively to the name. I think what many individuals fail to realize is that, people want the truth, and when they are presented with it in the proper forum, they cling to it and get behind it, thus creating a following or a movement. On a personal level, I have been struggling all my life, trying to stay on the right path and keep myself on point. I have gone from pushing weight, to having guns pointed in my face, to trying to make something of myself educationally, and I have done my best to learn from my experiences and become a better person.
Question: Whom did you listen to growing up?
I grew up listening to N.W.A., Public Enemy, Rakim, KRS-One, De La Soul, The Jungle Brothers, EPMD, DJ Quik, 2pac, Too Short, Eazy E, Ice Cube, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie & so on.
Question: How does it feel to be mentioned in THE SOURCE (March & June Editions), SCRATCH, DVD Magazines?
I feel blessed. It is good to see all the hard work I have put in pay off, and I am thankful that other people can appreciate the music I make. So, to get some recognition from some of the biggest publications and various media outlets, it’s definitely humbling and just more inspiration for me to keep doing what I’m doing and not to let up.
Question: What project are you currently working on?
Right now, we are finally giving my current release “93’ Fly” with DJ Warrior DJ Envy & DJ Arkane Hosted by Cashis of Shady Records, a good push. It has been tough, because I have been overseas in Dubai, UAE working the market over here, and preparing to shoot a video for my song “U Can’t Hold Us”, which is directed by my homeboy D Zennie. You can look for that to hit all the music channels internationally once it’s completed. Besides that, I’m working on about 3 to 4 new mix tapes, a Hybrid Rock/Rap style album with my homies Burning Tree Projekt, and I’m also preparing my debut album.
Question: How did you start commen up and getting on mix tapes?
I started recording when I was in High School, and once I graduated, I got together all my homies who could spit, and laid down a demo of like 5 or 6 songs. From there, I kept writing and putting music together, but it was not until 2002 when I battled Jin and beat him, that I really got in the game. After that, everything picked up quickly, and I have been recording heavily ever since. As far as the mix tapes, I got linked up with DJ Warrior through his older cousin, who was real close to my old DJ and was our older homeboy since Junior High.
Question: What mix tapes have you been featured on?
I have been featured on:
DJ Warrior's "West Coast Mix tape Kings Hosted by Julio G & Kam", "iLL Street Dues Pt. 3 Hosted By Glasses Malone", "Got Mix tapes Pt. 4", "DJ Strong - Hip Hop West Vol. 1 Hosted By E-40", "DJ Warrior, Kam & Boretta Present M.O.B.", "DJ Warrior & DJ Strong - West Coast Reputables", "September 7th's – Western Hospitality 2 Hosted by Crooked I", And my own mixtapes: “DJ Warrior & DJ Nutty Present Jihad – Death Before Dishonor” “DJ Warrior DJ Envy & DJ Arkane Present Jihad – 93’ Fly Hosted by Cashis”.
Question: Not only are you straight commen up hard on the music tip, you are in an up coming movie "Hype" including the soundtrack! How did that come about?
I got linked up with the brother Kader Ayd, who is a movie director out of France, through some people I used to mess with on the music tip. He hit me up last summer and asked me if I wanted to be in one of his movies. He presented me with the script and we began filming the following week. He knew I rhyme and that I have been pushing on the music scene heavy, so, it made sense that he ask me to be on the soundtrack. The movie is dope and I will be finishing my parts in July, then, once that is completed, it should head into post-production and hopefully will be premiering at the Cannes’ Festival next year.
Question: Have you had any acting training before? Were you nervous?
No, I have had no previous training in acting. But, I think a lot of the experiences I’ve been through and the maturity I gained from them, really helped me with relating to my character and also, being able to keep it as real as possible. I wouldn’t say I was nervous, I knew I had a job to do, and I know Kader (the director) was giving me a big opportunity and putting a lot of faith in me, so, I didn’t want to let him down. I was more focused then anything and I just wanted to make sure I did my best and the rest is all in God’s hands.
Question: Who have you worked with?
Artists wise I’ve worked with Napoleon formerly of 2pac’s Outlawz, Jayo Felony, Cashis, Eastwood, Saafir, Chop Black, Tristar, Cross, Tracey Lane, Marc Spitz, Scipio, Burning Tree Projekt & a lot of up and coming rappers/artists like my cousin Drifter, Bellywize, Diamyn, and Duke Riddles.
Question: You beat out BET'S Freestyle Hall of famer (RuffRider Signee) JIN MC, what was that like?
That whole day was surreal, and I just got to give props to my homeboy, well really my brother and partner in our company Rebellion, Joseph Park. He is the one who really pushed me to go and actually got the battle to happen. The whole experience was a blessing and the way everything went down it was like a dream. I look at that instance, as the turning point in my career, and it was the place where I linked up with my family Cookie Bishop of West Coast Ruff Ryders & Cook Up Entertainment.
Question: What are your plans with WCRR and Cook up Entertainment now?
Right now, my family Cookie Bishop is putting together Larsiny Family West, which is the West Coast Division of Cassidy’s new group Larsiny. So, I’m definitely gonna be apart of that, and you can look forward to seeing me and him working on some music together as well. We are also working on a Cook Up Ent. Mix tape, which will showcase all of the artists/producers that we mess with and we’re really looking to bring unity throughout every region, because the movement isn’t only in the West Coast.
Question: You have worked with some dope people, how did you hook up with them?
A lot of the people I’ve worked with have either come through relations that people within my camp like Cook or Joe have had, otherwise, through my own connects. Warrior has also been a big part of hooking us up with a lot of people. The majority of the people we deal with are like family, so, it is a blessing to get their support and work with them.
Question: To have the a DJ like the homey Warrior do a couple mix tapes featured with you, that’s not the norm, how did you link up with him?
Warrior’s cousin, Burn, was actually one of my older homies growing up. So, him and one of the people I used to work with, DJ Nutty, were close and they really introduced me to Warrior. From there, I was on my grind and he seen what I was doing musically, and he came through and did his part to help my buzz grow and get my name out there. So, shouts out to DJ Warrior and the whole Cali Untouchable DJs camp, they’ve all shown me a lot of support and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me so far.
Question: How is your debut album going to differ from the mix tapes you have out?
All the projects/mix tapes I have been putting out have all been done with no budget, and we have been coming out of pocket. So, to still maintain a certain level of quality and really do all the things I’ve done so far, has taken a lot of effort and also the collective support of the people involved, from the producers to artists, and on. So, first off, I want to thank all of them for holding me down and helping me push the line. As far as an album, we are working on getting a proper budget together and really going all out on the project. We may be independent, but I do not want to compromise myself musically because I was not able to afford certain things, that would help my product compete with everything else that is out there on the market at a major level. We’ll be looking to get a lot of big name artists and producers involved, but, you’ll also see the same people I’m still working with now as well, because at the end of the day, I’m more concerned with the music, and a person doesn’t have to be necessarily famous/known, to give you something dope.
Question: How can peeps check out your music?
The best way to stay up to date with Jihad and the entire Rebellion camp, is to check out my myspace, which www.myspace.com/rebellionmusic. You can also purchase my music at www.socalpeople.net, and you can look to hear me on Sirius Satellite Radio and various radio stations overseas.
Question: Where can people contact you for shows?
For booking information, you can hit me up at my myspace and everything can get situated from there.
Question: Any other career plans besides movies and music?
Yah, we’re also working on our clothing line, which we will be pushing through my homies Daniel Lee and Eddie Hahm at Commune Clothing. You can check out some of their work at www.wearecommune.com and www.badcocollective.com. We are also working on putting together some organizations and charities to help give back to the community, locally and internationally. I am also getting involved with some real estate and construction stuff overseas, and we are looking to create some television programming as well.
Question: With so many stereo types of religions especially from the Middle East, what is the biggest conception, would you say people have about your religion?
I think the biggest misconception that people have, is that Islam permits and promotes terrorism. All of that is false. Anything to do with harming innocent people and killing yourself is against the teachings of Islam, and is actually a major sin.
Question: What do you think you contribute to Hip Hop-music in general?
My contribution to Hip-Hop is that I am speaking for a group of people who have not been heard yet. I have been given the opportunity to represent a whole movement that can help elevate the musical landscape, and bring Hip-Hop back to its glory days.
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