ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTOCOL: Agallah Don Bishop
AGALLAH DON BISHOP | BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
INTERVIEW LAMONT “RENZO” BRACY
Validated Exclusive Interview with Agallah Don Bishop ahead of his New Album “Endangered Species Protocol”
Meet Agallah Don Bishop! If the name sounds familiar, Agallah is legendary in the Hip Hop industry as being one of the most prolific artists and producers to ever grab a mic. Raised in the historic Brownsville, Brooklyn barrio, Agallah had all the inspiration needed to push the narrative and create his own lane.
Agallah Don Bishop has worked with just about every relevant head in the industry, and it's his commitment to pushing quality music that attracts the masses. In just the last year alone, Agallah dropped epic jewels with his 2022 project, “The Year of The Tiger,” an album that invigorated the industry with authentic New York Hip Hop.
As we embark on the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop, its legends in the game such as Agallah Don Bishop who are committed to keep REAL music alive and well. Since his first project, the single “Ghetto Girl” nearly 35+ years ago, Agallah Don Bishop has been on a mission to supply the streets with quality music that serves a purpose. With a catalog that exceeds over 500+ songs, collaborations and albums, Agallah Don Bishop has just about accomplished every aspect in the realm of the music and film industry.
Agallah Don Bishop latest project, “Endangered Species Protocol'' is a full studio album which will definitely agitate the industry, and will serve notice that Hip Hop is alive and well. To be released 2/17/2023 on his imprint label Propain Campain/Empire, the album features the likes of, Body Bag Ben, Yz, Dinco D, Popoff, Warlord Iron S.H.E.I.H.K., Big Ox, Harley Hussle, and Sosa Stacks Ransom. The album is action packed with 17 tracks of straight heat.
VALIDATED: Tell us what made you want to pursue a career in music?
AGALLAH DON BISHOP: Ever since I can remember, I was drawn to the culture. Raised in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, I always wanted to be a DJ.
VALIDATED: What was the Hip Hop scene in Brownsville, and who were you inspired by?
AGALLAH DON BISHOP: In the early 80’s, the Hip Hop Culture was on fire with legendary artists and DJ’s on the come-up early in their career. As with today, the DJ’s controlled the narrative and I wanted to be a Dj. At that time, I was young and couldn’t afford turntables. I met a neighbor, whose sister I was crushing on at the time (Darlene) and he had equipment and would let me come over. It was there I learned how to work the 1’s and 2’s, crossfade, etc. I remember listening to the mix-shows; DJ Red Alert, DJ Swan and Special K’s show on the radio. I was truly inspired by how they were representing real Hip Hop.
VALIDATED: How did you actually get your start in the Industry?
AGALLAH DON BISHOP: As I started as a DJ, I formed a group and we began break dancing, graffiti artistry and performing. As things progressed, I ventured on my own and began gaining recognition as a rap artist. The attention gained drew the attention of Wild Pitch, Profile, Polydor, and I eventually signed with Tommy Boy Records. I spent a year signed to Tommy Boy Records before being released and signed to Elektra. After I was signed with Elektra, the label created the sub division, EastWest America/Elektra, and recorded the project, “Ghetto Girls”. The actual project wouldn’t be released until two years later due to the label. In addition, with EastWest America/ Elektra, I recorded a single, “Wrap You Lips Around This” under my first rap name 8-off in 1995 and in 1996 “Alize for Dolo”.
I left Elektra and was introduced to Johnathan Shelton, who was starting his label Game Recordings which already had Royce da 5’9 and Eminem. I recorded the single “Rising to the Top”, featuring Sean Price which was scored by the Grand Theft Auto series and would go on to sell 20+ million copies. After the success of the single, I decided to go out as an independent artist.
VALIDATED: Wow, that is quite an amazing start, early on, who did you get the opportunity to work with?
AGALLAH DON BISHOP: I’ve worked with numerous artists as a producer which included EPMD, Das EFX, Onyx, Group Home, and The Alchemist.
VALIDATED: After going through the early trials with labels, what was your defining moment as a solo artist?
AGALLAH DON BISHOP: I was invited on tour with Busta Rhymes and Das EFX. From listening to my productions on the tour bus, I was granted the opportunity to produce a single off of Busta Rhymes’s album “When Disaster Strikes”, the single “Things We Be Doin For Money” featuring The Chosen Generation, Rampage and Anthony Hamilton. From there, I produced for Das EFX and countless others. Parrish from EPMD was working on his solo project and I was able to score some production on his project, as well as on the EPMD albums “Back In Business”, and “Out of Business.”
VALIDATED: What was the moment when you knew you were on to something Big?
AGALLAH DON BISHOP: In 2000, when I recorded the single “Crookie Monster”, featuring the production of The Alchemist, I began seeing fans of Hip Hop go crazy! It was an instant hit!
VALIDATED: Tell us about the lead-up to the Purple City Entertainment and the whole Dipset movement?
AGALLAH DON BISHOP: It was in 1997, during the time of working with Parrish of EPMD when I decided to form a group which consisted of Deke O’Malley and Ike Eyes named D.B.D. (Death B4 Dishonor). As D.B.D. we released the single “Feel This” produced by KRS-One brother Kenny Parker and recorded a demo album which featured Guru from Gang Starr, Special Ed, and Lil Dap from Group Home.
From that moment, I was introduced and formed a relationship with Shiest Bub which led to the formation of Purple City Entertainment. Finally we drew the attention of Jim Jones from the Dipset through Shiest promotional work for Cam’ron and Juelz Santana. It was during this period that I was named “The Don Bishop”, and Shiest “The Emperor.” Jim Jones took a liking of one of my tracks on the Purple City Joints, “Gangsta” and he granted me a slot on the “Diplomats Vol. 4 mixtape.”
In 2004, Purple City would be signed to Babygrande Records in which we dropped several mixtapes’ and followed it up with a greatest hits project. Purple City began making major noise in the industry, and in 2007 the group dropped the single, “You Already Know" featuring appearances by Dead Prez and Nappy Roots with production by Dj Premier and Grammy Award winning Alchemist. Purple City would record and release the album “Road II Riches” and the singles “Winning” featuring Un Kasa and Bathgate, and “Purple City Byrdgang.”
VALIDATED: Tell us about the Propain Movement?
AGALLAH DON BISHOP: In late 2007, it was time to move on from Babygrande Records and start my own imprint. I formed Propain Movement in 2009 as a label and production company to bring on up and coming artists and producers who were passionate about the art.
VALIDATED: As the recording industry has changed and transformed over the years, what do you find as the key to your longevity? What advice would you give aspiring artists?
AGALLAH DON BISHOP: The one principle I follow is to make sure I produce and release authentic music. As trends would have it, the internet has made it easy to release music in volumes; however, the quality must match the quantity. One must put in the work on all spectrums of the process. The market is oversaturated at the moment! The elements that most artists fail to realize is that it takes an all around effort which involves a good quality project wrapped around good marketing, branding and a team to make a record successful. The days of the “Gatekeeper” are lost. An artist must be consistent and committed to his or her craft.
VALIDATED: Let's talk about your new project, “Endangered Species Protocol”, what makes this a must-cop album?
AGALLAH DON BISHOP: “Endangered Species Protocol'' is a full studio album which will definitely agitate the industry, and will serve notice that Hip Hop is alive and well. To be released 2/17/2023 on the imprint label Propain Campain /Empire, the album features the likes of Body Bag Ben, Yz, Dinco D, Popoff, Warlord Iron S.H.E.I.H.K., Big Ox, Harley Hussle, and Sosa Stacks Ransom. The album is action packed with 17 tracks of straight heat.
VALIDATED: Last, but not least, what do you want fans to know going forward? What is your purpose?
AGALLAH DON BISHOP: As an artist, I’m not afraid to speak up! I'm collecting on my dime and more importantly, “I'm defending my Legacy”.