Flipping through the FM dial these days, it’s difficult to recall a time when integrity was pervasive in hip-hop, when lyricism and “commercial viability” were neither conflicting nor mutually exclusive. In 2004, with crunk music aspiring to airwave dominance, a movement was brewing in Detroit amongst a collective of disenfranchised, yet impassioned emcees. Ardent followers of early original hip-hop such as the Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim, Nas, Ice Cube & the inimitable Kool G. Rap, The Wisemen was born equally from necessity as well as to an underlying purpose: a revival of the enlightened aesthetic of the so-called “golden era” of hip-hop. Spearheaded by Bronze Nazareth, a Detroit producer/emcee, with deep ties to the RZA of the seminal Wu-Tang Clan, and Kevlaar 7 the group was rounded out by Detroit stalwarts Phillie and Salute (the Kid).
The name 'Wisemen' refers to the individual member’s commitment to prudence in the face of adversity, an ideology spawned from each emcee's proven perseverance in the face of hardships. Like most inner city youth, for years the members of the Wisemen subsisted by any means necessary.
Originally planned as a 7 man collective entitled 'The 7 Wisemen' led Bronze and Kevlaar 7 to search for worthy constituents. Discovering Phillie in the streets of Southwest Detroit while circulating his business card to prospective clients/members, Bronze elaborates: 'We met on the numbers streets, and Phillie told me he rhymed, so I played him some beats and we went back and forth freestyling, and we just seemed to connect on the same mental plane. Growing up in the infamous 'numbers' streets, a rough set of blocks in Southwest Detroit, Phillie learned to use his intellect and innate street savvy to contend with the daily hazards of street life. Before becoming Wisemen, Phillie drifted in and out of several groups and label scenarios, unable to identify people, or entities, worthy of his raw talent until he met Bronze.
Meanwhile, on the east side of Detroit, a chance meeting led Bronze to Salute (the Kid). Salute and Bronze also experienced an instant connection: "We felt the same way about things and since that day, we always looked out for each other" says Salute. Growing up in the Diggs projects, Salute embraced a string of self-described wild years, garnering street experience and eventually finding himself experiencing the tragic loss of his mother.
Bronze initiated Salute's introduction to Kevlaar and Phillie and from this tight-knit unit would evolve the core of The Wisemen. Recognizing that the four captured a unique dynamic, the prospect of a 7 member group was abandoned and in 2004 the Wisemen started to plan their underground ascent.
In 2005, Bronze Nazareth's beats and rhymes were highlighted on the underground smash Think Differently Music: Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture. 2006 saw the release of Bronze's solo debut, The Great Migration, to both critical and commercial fanfare. 2007 saw the release of The Wisemen's first full length effort 'Wisemen Approaching'. Released on NY indie labels Kings Row Music Group/Babygrande Records (home to GZA, Hi-Tek, Jedi Mind Tricks, Immortal Technique, etc.), the album was heavily critically acclaimed. The cerebrally menacing Wisemen unleashed their debut aural assault, drawing generously from a blueprint of pensive soundscapes, mesmerizing beats, bleeding, emotive piano riffs and sprinklings of soul.
"Wisemen approaching" featured a slew of guest appearances including GZA/Genius of the Wu-Tang Clan, Sunz of Man core constituents Killah Priest and Prodigal Sunn, Vast Aire of Cannibal Ox,and Planet Asia. Produced entirely by Bronze Nazareth, & Kevlaar 7, all four Wisemen shared mic time effortlessly.Wisemen Approaching is a historic snapshot of four emcees guided by a common purpose, hardened by experience but optimistic about hip-hop’s future. Around the time of completion of "Wisemen approaching" two vital pieces to the Wisemen puzzle were forming.
Illah Dayz met Kevlaar 7 in passing, just sitting on a couch in Kevlaar’s girl’s crib. The first few times, just greeting each other with a quick “what up doe”, and keeping it moving, the 2 emcees hadn’t the slightest idea of any ties each had to anything involving Hip –hop. Eventually it was brought to Illah’s attention that Kevlaar rhymed and produced, so Illah asked Kevlaar if it was true. That one question set off an instant connection, and was the spark to the birth of another Wisemen. Illah Dayz came up on the East side of Detroit on the Helen block, and quickly learned the harsh realities of life, that haunts his book of rhymes. Illah’s word play and unorthodox rhyme pattern sets him apart from any emcees in the world today. Prior to Illah’s inauguration into the crew, there was a chemistry filled night in the Black Day in July studio and 4 core members agreed that Illah was one of the missing pieces. “Super Bowl Cipher” was recorded that night, and Illah left the studio, as the new Wisemen, and a life-altering event around the corner. Two blocks from Black Day’s studio, Illah was in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. The Wisemen were right by his side during his recovery and rehabilitation, and Illah has returned from that tragedy, wiser and stronger. The microphone or the pen NEVER left Illah’s mind and now he is back as an emcee to be reckoned with. Soon after, a face that in other crews may have been forgotten forever, resurfaced with a new hunger.
Hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan a.k.a Gun Rule, June Megalodon grew up with Bronze Nazareth and was one of the original members of the early group, The Unknown. After some personal responsibilities took hold, June found his way onto a song on the Unknown album. After numerous mentions of his name on "Great Migration" and "Wisemen Approaching", fans were left wondering "Who is June?” He finally resurfaced on Thought For Food, Vol. 2. Spitting fire on 'Blade Runner' and 'MC Death March'. June states "When ya'll hear My Music you will say the Megaladon is definitely Swimming!!
Currently The Wisemen are on the road doing shows, and in the studio working on several different projects such as Bronze Nazareth’s 2nd solo offering, “School for the Blind man”, their sophomore effort, "Children of a Lesser God", and Kevlaar 7’s solo debut “Die Ageless”. In an effort to bring the masses back to reality, they’re fighting hip-hop’s noble fight: a return to the fundamental pursuit of beats, rhymes and life.
