Vast Aire: “Cannibal Ox are like two great mutants that come from the X-Men’s First Class”

Theodore ‘Vast Aire’ Arrington gained fame and recognition for his role in the hip-hop band Cannibal Ox, who released their seminal debut album The Cold Vein on leftfield beat maestro El-P’s now-defunct Definitive Jux label in 2001. Alongside Vordul Mega, Vast Aire’s flows managed to combine the deft, literate wordplay associated with other Def Jux artists like Aesop Rock, with the tough, hood-oriented vocabulary of his native New York and El's unmistakably hard production. Often employing dizzying double-time flows, the duo were admired as the pre-eminent street prophets of the era.

Since then, Vast Aire has gone on to work with the cream of the New York rap scene and beyond as a respected solo artist, and has taken part in several ‘supergroup’ projects such as The Weathermen and LXG. 2011 sees him return with a brand new solo LP, packed with collaborators (including  his Cannibal Ox partner, Vordul Mega) on Man Bites Dog Records. Is this the return of Cannibal Ox? “Every time you look at me,” Vast says expansively, “...you’re looking at Ox.”

Vast Aire starts our conversation with a history lesson – Cold Vein was not his first LP: “I have been making music since the Atoms Family Prequel LP in 1999-2000. A year and a half after that, The Cold Vein dropped.” This early release, also featuring Vordul Mega, provided some of the blueprints that would go on to form the Cannibal Ox sound. How have things changed since he appeared on the scene? “The music game is all ways changing, sometimes good and sometimes not so. After my new LP, there will be a lot of change for the good.”

Vast displays the brash confidence typical of many rappers with such distinguished pedigrees – he insists that his new LP is his best yet. What inspired the lyrics on the new album? “My personal life and the life of my close friends... I also took a lot from mistakes of the past. I wanted this record to sound like I was a 33-year old that has travelled the world and has embraced culture, spirituality, and the mastery of music. The title is based on the long, epic journey of a person’s growth. This is my best music ever!”

This spiritual learning which Vast has embraced – where does it come from? “I try to find peace within myself before I try to look for it anywhere else,” Vast replies sagely. “I’m a Moorish Sufi and I represent the Nation of Gods and Earths. I have also studied Buddhism for over 12 years. Mystical Islam is my base.” Many of the lyrics on A Street Odyssey contain references to mystical Islam, and the teachings of the Nations – a spiritual movement which counts among its members many of the hip-hop elite, from Rakim and Brand Nubian to members of the Wu-Tang Clan.

On the subject of Wu-Tang, two of the better-known guests on Vast’s new LP are Wu-affiliates.  It seems pertinent to ask how those collaborations with Raekwon and Cappadonna come about, and indeed what were Shaolin’s finest like to work with? “Cappadonna was in town doing a show, so we asked him to hop on the record. He and I have done tours together and respect each other’s music, so it was easy! Raekwon is cool with my homie DJ P.O.V. who produced our track Thor’s Hammer. I met Raekwon a few times from touring with Wu-Tang. We made it happen.”

Thor isn’t the only superhero to get a name check on the LP – is Vast Aire a massive comics fan? “Comics have always been a hobby of mine. I still collect and read them. My favourite will have to be the X-Men / New Mutants.”

There is a raft of producers on the album – who are they, and what inspired Vast to use their work? “Kount Fif is a great dude and I love his sound. Thanos is my homie from the hoods of Brooklyn; I have been making bangers with him for a few years now. Melodious Monk went to school with me and we have done many classics over the years. Ayatollah is the man, and he has always given me free range to bless his beats. He gave me a banger for this new LP!” It sounds like a lot of the producers you used were close friends? “I just wanted to keep this record personal and raw and I needed their sounds.”

‘Battle of The Planets’ references Vast Aire’s LXG project – is he working on LXG material at the moment? “LXG is my homie’s crew, my man Genesis. Again, we all went to school together. Cannibal Ox are like two great mutants that come from the X-Men’s First Class, and Genesis was right there. We are working on a few projects, no doubt.”

Vast Aire has been involved in more than a few industry beefs over the years. Does he still hold grudges, or is it all in the past? “No, I have moved on. Everything I said on the song Battle of Planets is truth. I don’t start shit, but I do know how to end it.”

As he moves towards being one of hip-hop’s elder statesman, what has Vast Aire learned from the rap game? If he wasn’t an emcee, what would he be doing right now? “Life is the best teacher. If I wasn’t doing music I would most likely be doing something in the art world. I’m an artist all around.”

Luckily for Cannibal Ox fans, it doesn’t look like Vast will be setting down his mic any time soon – over a decade on from his debut, this is a man who still lives and breathes hip-hop.