zion antoni (AKA Ari Yusef) is a publisher and grassroots independent recording artist/record producer from The Bronx, New York. He is the founder/chair of The Urban Cry, LLC, a limited-liability company with two main branches: freelance journalism and an independent record company. zion advocates consciousness and bringing a reality to light. "Ari Yusef & Ab Soul Jah are from Exor. It is the home-world of The Exorian race. They are represented by a pair of Exorian metas named The Unimaginables; the two are hereditary protectors of their planet."

'"The Ten Elements of The Universe" is the name given [to] their group. Each pair possesses elemental powers including fire, love, vapors, plants, sound, metal, [and] shadows. Ari Yusef, they say, is hundreds of thousands, if not millions of years old, but ever-growing in power and strength, due to the fact he is a [deity] and is empowered by the faith and praise of The Nuwabu. Ab Soul Jah [is a] warrior born on the planet Venus; home of a civilization very similar to The Mayans called The Mayah, said to possess the power of the great Jaguar God "Akbal" (translated as "Night.")

"The Jaguar God of The Underworld, The Mayah believed he was the shape The Sun took at night. Akbals powers are control of fire and flight," THE DIABOLICAL DOCTOR STRANGE himself once told us within a comprehensive feature about his crew, The Guerilla Godz. Last November, Solomon Strange & Ari Yusef(f) reunited to release their latest collaborative effort, THE GUERILLA GOD. Doctor Strange has since connected us with Ari Yusef AKA zion antoni and we've been chatting, via email. Check out our exclusive interview below, which has been lightly edited for general clarity. Solomon Strange & Ari Yusef's THE GUERILLA GOD is now available exclusively on Bandcamp.


I. How did you and Solomon Strange AKA THE DIABOLICAL DOCTOR STRANGE initially meet and come to become collaborators?

Ari Yusef: As I told my achi (brother,) Solomon, "when it's a Day One, there is no meeting date" lol. It was around 2006 or so, hearing his work was deep and inspiring content, I had to build with him.

II. What are the circumstances behind the creation of your latest collective effort, THE GUERILLA GOD?

Yusef: Ahh, I went into the studio with fresh content on some art really imitating life... reflection... fresh material to process. By the time I was developing, Solomon compiled older tracks we worked on together... to bring about a strong mixtape that those select can digest.


III. How was this project recorded? Did anything have to be done differently during these Strange COVID-19 times?

Yusef: Not necessarily... upon [recording], I contacted him A.S.A.P. when certain tracks were finished and in his genius, he crafted the rest under his vision... inspired by the sound.

IV. Who did what behind the scenes on THE GUERILLA GOD? Were any of your fellow Guerilla Godz crew members involved, as well?

Yusef: This compilation has mostly me... the only other Guerilla [Godz member] I rocked with was [Ab Soul Jah, a] good lyricist from Queens... that was put together by Solomon, as well.


V. Would you mind explaining a bit of the intended narrative or storyline heard across THE GUERILLA GOD?

Yusef: The narrative is usually intricately put together by Solomon himself... characters... [conflicts,] regions, and strong elements of the universe, personas, role-play, and lyrics. The Guerilla Godz hold [their] own work, role and contribution, and energy. Solomon is certainly the maestro through the soundscape. The Guerilla God... looks like in essence showcases Ari Yusef Goodwin… and his own evolving, actions, experience, and vision.

VI. How does THE GUERILLA GOD's album cover image tie into said concept?

Yusef: Ahh, my achi, [Solomon], is given all credit for this... powerful picture, though... Moor king... I couldn't choose better. My own ancestors and fathers were Moor... a [colloquial] term for indigenous [peoples] of North Africa, Black Jew, and Muslim, etc.... so, seeing the cover was real.


VII. What's is the inspiration behind your mask and overall image?

Yusef: My achi, Solomon, wears the mask in his persona and presentation most times... it's [mysterious] and it's potent, his whole swag. Similar to the late MF DOOM. Myself, I don't wear one... in The States, I'm known by my public name, zion antoni... under Guerilla Godz, I present under my real name, give the work in a calm, raw, hard natural state. Stream-of-consciousness.

VIII. What's planned next for yourself, THE DIABOLICAL DOCTOR STRANGE, and/or The Guerilla Godz?

Yusef: I'm gonna say expect more potent projects... real organic artists... genius soundscape from the achi, something to always elevate your consciousness. Myself, always the real that you can pull from, always the real 'cause I run with the real. Stay tuned.