Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire, “Noble Drew Ali” MP3

May 07, 2013


"Noble Drew Ali" is the weighty, keys and horn-driven centerpiece of Mr. Muthafucking eXquire's imminent Kismet tape, the latest in a series of thoughtful free projects he's released since signing with Universal last year. Kismet, out "very shortly" via eX's Life is Passion site, will feature Danny Brown, Flatbush Zombies and Goldie Glo, Heron, Gorgeous Black and Cokey Briccz, appearing together as The Passion; eX will debut more of its songs this Saturday in New York, as part of the Downtown Music Festival. Buy tickets to the show here. Hear "Noble Drew Ali" below, then read a quick email interview with eX about spiritual love and recording at his own pace.

Stream: Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire, "Noble Drew Ali" (Prod. by CONSTROBUZ)

Are you in love? Is it possible to be in love with more than one person at a time?  I try to give every woman I deal with a little part of me. So I'm sure right now I'm in love somewhere in the universe. You can be in love with as many people as you want to be. You can be in love with someone you've never met or will never actually be with. Love isn't physical, it's spiritual. It isn't possessive. So many times we get caught up with ownership in relationships. Mine, mine, mine. Daffy Duck shit. It's childish.

You signed with Universal last year but haven't been recording songs for a label-backed LP. Is there something unappealing about working on a full album? I love full albums. I wouldn't say anything is unappealing per se, I just create when I feel inspired. I did one record for my album that literally everyone I've played it for so far has cried while listening to. I dont feel comfortable just producing dribble. I did that last year and it just didn't work for me.

If you never release an album with Universal, will you be disappointed? No, cause that would be totally on me. I'm gonna drop an album. I got two songs done. I can really finish it whenever, and my label understands. Well, they deal with the fact that I'm "different." I just dont see things so linear and basic I suppose. I had a friend tell me recently that she thought I was too brilliant to be a rapper. I don't quite agree, but I can see how my thought process isn't conducive to being 2 Chainz or some shit. I love 2 Chainz.  

Is it difficult to be a patient person in rap these days? Patience would mean that I was waiting for something and I'm not really waiting for anything. Fuck all this internet shit, no disrespect. I feel guilty for how much I don't relate to other people's worries. I dont really tweet or use Instagram. I try to force myself to. I look at other rapper's shit like, What do they say? It's always like "Something something something, brozay."

Are you Mr. Muthafuckin exQuire or Mr. MFN? If Universal drops your album in a Best Buy, what will they call you? I prefer Muthafuckin. I really really really detest being called MFN. In Best Buy they'll call me "Spongebob Squarepants" or "Crab Rangoon."

Are you still coloring? Sometimes. Not as much as I used to. I colored the other day with my Fortune Cookie. That's one of my bitches. I mean 'bitch' in the best way possible, by the way. It was this book about vampires. She ordered it online for me. I appreciate little things like that. 

What's your idea morning routine? Favorite breakfast is CTC (Cinnamon Toast Crunch) or some totally unhealthy shit from Sonic if I'm on the road. 

Are you listening to Fred Hampton speeches on your iPod, like "Noble Drew Ali" says? Read or watched anything else inspiring lately? I do listen to Fred Hampton speeches on my iPod. I listen to Khalid Muhammad and Malcolm X as well. I don't really put much in my lyrics that I don't do. I recently watched "About A Son," this documentary on Kurt Cobain. That was very inspiring. 

At home with Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire in 2011:


Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire, “Noble Drew Ali” MP3