Producer-ghostwriter-emcee Angel ‘Agallah Don Bishop’ Aguilar, who hails from Brooklyn, New York, has laid down fiery tracks for the likes of Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma, Dipset, Guru [RIP], Sean Price [RIP], Saigon, PMD, Das EFX and Mobb Deep [RIP Prodigy], among others, all the while releasing his own notable solo projects along the way. The artist f.k.a. 8-Off The Assassin was once a member of The Diplomats-affiliated – short lived – collective, Purple City, and is also presently the CEO of his boutique imprint, Propain Campain.
First things first, last year (August 11th 2023 to be exact) marked the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop — What exactly does that mean to and for you?
It’s a milestone moment for me; I’m born and raised in Brownsville Brooklyn, NYC, the home and birthplace of Hip Hop; I lived and breathed the culture my whole life, so it’s special for me.
To quote the late, great The Notorious B.I.G., “You never thought that Hip Hop would take it this far!” — Was this something that you ever could’ve imagined?
We had no idea it would get this far; it def started out as a sound of the urban community of NYC in the Bronx, and then spread out to other places in New York…but, yeah, now it’s everywhere and still growing.
What are some of your fondest, most stand-out moments / memories during your lengthy tenure in this thing called Hip Hop?
My times on tour with Onyx and Run-DMC and Dr. Dre and Snoop. That was an experience going city to city rocking for sold out crowds night after night. I was getting the experience watching them and seeing how they would do they sets and (since) this is the business of entertainment so I studied the greats and applied it to my skillset.
That said, what are your future plans and / or goals throughout the remainder of 2024 and beyond?
I just dropped a new album called Black Rich Port, featuring Tragedy Khadafi, Grea8Gawd and more, produced by me…and just getting work in with new artists like M-Tundra, so I have more music coming soon.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
A good vibe is what I’m pushing with this new album; it’s about unity, and leaving the separation narrative that’s been out in the air lately. Not here to steal a culture or try and discredit any greats, but I can only speak from my perspective about what I know are the facts. The same rules don’t apply where I’m from in Brownsville Brooklyn, we stand on that.
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Tupac and Biggie; we was in process of doing a few records, but it didn’t happen due to the East Coast / West Coast beef. BIG picked a few beats and was gonna use one for Life After Death album, but he passed so we never got to the studio…but Biggie was my bro, facts!
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Madison Square Garden; I dream of rocking there one day or Barclay Center in Brooklyn.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?
I just stick to what I do, and make myself happy that way. But as far as music I kinda know it’s all templated, creativity is being computerized and people lose the craft identity, so I try and stay in an organic vibe.
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
Just staying focused. The brain is the strongest muscle, you gotta protect your mentality. And, well being.
Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from entertainment?
Well, a food business of sorts…I’m looking into a few ventures, but the music is just a key to open these doors, the possibilities limitless when you don’t limit yourself.
What’s an average day like for you?
I wake up and make beats everyday, go record shop hunting, and making connects with artists, so I stay busy and make things happen for myself. I got a label, so I gotta stay producing.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…
I’m usually a cool dude in the right setting, but I’m human so I only go where I’m celebrated not where I’m tolerated. I just give respect where it’s given, that’s how I roll.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
The industry can really make you a different person. I try to stay grounded with my family, and don’t let it affect the art. I just stay away from vibes I’m not feeling, and build with people who is likeminded and wanna win; the ones at the top collaboration, the ones who at the bottom hate on each other.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Get right with a higher power, get a business outside of music in case your dreams don’t manifest, stay on a hustler mentality; no one cares about yesterday, so push forward and mind your own.
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
In good health, and teaching the youth to do production and master classes; planning it now!
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