SUNZ OF MAN

The best known Wu-Fam members and yet a very mysterious group, Sunz of Man started out as a very anonymous rap group. They all come from Brooklyn, NY, and consist of Killah Priest (aka The Iron Sheik From The Middle East), Hell Razah (aka Israel The Arch Angel), Prodigal Sunn and 60 Second Assassin. What makes Sunz of Man stand out from many other rap groups is their lyrical skills and style.

"The Sunz of Man are like street prophets" The RZA explains, "They're tellin' you what's goin' on in the streets in a more prophetical way by relatin' to certain scriptures in the Bible N' things that are destined to happen".

They have released their debut single in late 1994, under the Wu-Tang Productions, entitled 'Soldiers Of Darkness/Five Arch Angels'. The two tracks featured on the album were good, but the single could only be found in the hip-hop underground (were it was a big hit), and had no radio play. The track 'Five arch angels' featured Shabazz The Disciple, who was thought to be the fifth member of the group, but he decided to leave on a solo deal.

In that time, Sunz of Man members had several appearances on different albums: The track 'Protect Ya Neck II The Zoo' from Ol' dirty Bastard's debut album, 'Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version', featured Killah Priest, Prodigal Sunn and 60 Sec. Assassin. Killah Priest had two more appearances on the album, on the cut 'Snakes' and on 'Don't U Know'. 60 Sec. Assassin had a track with ODB entitled 'Dirty N' Stinkin', but that cut never made it to the album. Killah Priest was featured on two tracks off the Gravediggaz '6 Feet Deep' LP, in 1995 you could find 60 Sec. Assassin singin' in the end of 'Glaciers of Ice' off the 'Only Made 4 Cuban Linx.' album, and Killah Priest has the first verse of "Americal Is Dying Slowly" soundtrack, and two appearance on the "One million Strong" compilation: One in "Where Ya At?" track, and another track entitled "Wicked Ways", which also featured 60 Second Assassin.

Until then, Sunz of Man remained low-key, but all that changed on GZA's album, "Liquid swords". Killah Priest had a verse on "4th Chamber", which had a huge rotation on MTV and was very popular, and a solo track entitled "B.I.B.L.E (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth". Those appearances brought a lot of recognition for the leading Sunz of Man member. In that same year the Sunz of Man released their second single, "No Love Without Hate", which was still an underground record, probably due to bad promotion.

"You lose focus when you constantly look to others for guidance," says Prodigal Sunn. "We don't get too caught up in those kind of gimmicks. We simply trust our intellects, N' through our music we hope everDONOTBLOCKOURADSybody else does, too."

"We are just tryin' to civilize our brothers that is on the street that want to run out there doin' stealin' N' killin' N' all that is the ways that we'll be prosperous tomorrow N' that is not gonna happen. That is when you go into not promise tomorrow," preaches Hell Razah. "For you thinkin' that kind of life will lead you to tomorrow, it is not going to happen that way."

The group became more and more visible, and rumors of a debut album were heard. The first title selected was "Nuthin' New Under The Sun", which later changed to "The Last Shall Be First", but the anticipated LP was delayed again and again. In 1997, the group signed with Red Ant Entertainment/Threat Records, and it was feared that the whole record would have to be recorded all over again. But surprisingly, things were moving a lot faster for the Sunz of Man under Red Ant Records than with Wu-Tang Productions, and the highly-antcipated debut album finally dropped on July 21st, 1998.

But preceding this event was Killah Priest's solo album, that was released four months before the groups' album. This excellent and very spiritual album which was released on Geffen records introduced the incredible lyrical talent of the founder of Sunz of Man, and has added a lot to the growing popularity of the group. On the album were featured Hell Razah and 60 Second Assassin (More info on the album in Killah Priest's Profile section).

"We the lyrical revolutionaries. music is an instrument to send messages, says Killah Priest, "All these lyrics that I'm droppin' is from the mind N' the soul."

We're speaking the truth to our people N' whomever else wants to listen. Basically, we feel everyone needs to open their minds more N' look within themselves to recognize their talents. That way they can go forth with confidence N' claim their God-given covenants," adds Hell Razah.

The Sunz of Man album, entitled "The Last Shall Be First", was very successful and established Sunz of Man as the most prominent Wu-Fam group. The album has excellent beats and productions by The 4th Disciple, Tru Master, Supreme, RZA and Wyclef of the Fugees, but more important is the content of the album, the lyrics:

"We're of one mind when it comes to writin'," explains Prodigal Sunn. "We're comin' from a religious - political perspective, and what distinguishes us from the rest is our vocabulary, our styles and our personalities. We have originality."

Though now a very popular and well-recognized group, Sunz of Man still remain pretty anonymous and very little is known about the four members. Fans can now only wait patiently with anticipation for the next release from this prodigious rap group.

Sunz of Man: Discography

Last Shall Be First.

First Testament.

Saviorz Day.

Freedom Of Speech.

Old Testament.