Eric Allnat VanNockay
Eric Allnat VanNockay is a graffiti writer, member of the UZN and worker from one of the USA plants. In his vision about UZN he mixed the experience of the creative personality and the worldview of a common man, who lives and works among people, distant from art forms of Hip Hop.
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Tell us about yourself. I grew up in the late 70s early 80s at the peak of the Hip Hop/ Zulu era in a city not far from the Bronx New York, called New Haven, Ct. I moved to the Bronx in 1984 until 1989 when I joined the Army. When I joined the Army in '89 I went overseas to Germany for 4 years and I introduced them to Hip Hop and American culture at the clubs. The DJ would let me rock the Mic and even though I was in the Army I still did graffiti over there and wore the Hip Hop clothes so they got a taste of that style when I was over there. Now I work in a place that makes parts for Airplanes with people of many cultures and races. Most of them are older people who have no interest or idea about UZN or Hip Hop. Do you work in a factory and directly with the art forms of Hip Hop is not connected. Most people come UZN is through Hip Hop. What attracted you to UZN? I always was connected to Hip Hop and UZN even though I didn't join UZN until 3 years ago. I was always down with Zulu brothers since I was a teenager. I was and still am graffiti writer, I used to MC (rock the mic), I was a DJ and I also used to break dance. So I was involved in every aspect of Hip Hop. My state was influenced greatly by Hip Hop and UZN because we were only 45 minutes away from the Mecca of Hip Hop. I was attracted to UZN through graffiti. I was taught by a Bronx born and bred artist named CINE one of the original TAT Cru. He was a Zulu king but I didn't join yet.
associated with Hip Hop? Most if not all people in UZN in my chapter and Worldwide are directly associated with Hip Hop in some form or fashion. There aren't many who didn't come in it that way. Once in UZN they use their different talents, jobs and skills to better help UZN and our communities. Some are lawyers, Accountants, Nurses, Teachers, students etc. The UZN today trying to attract people not only from the Hip Hop culture. What do you think, how do it? And that people of different interests, professions and life views can be found in the UZN without connection with Hip Hop? I work now for a company that makes parts for Airplanes and Automobiles. Since I am Older (50) there aren't many people I recruit or are interested in UZN like back in the day. So I leave the recruiting up to the younger members of my Chapter. I concentrate on talking to the youth about how Hip Hop kept me out of trouble. And being a part of Zulu has prepared me on ways to reach the youth through Hip Hop. There is a lot of racism over here in America, we don't have civil wars like where you live but things are bad everywhere. In order to attract people to the Hip Hop culture we must show them that UZN care about people, all people, our youth and older people. We must show them we care and how Hip Hop has helped us. By educating them in everyday problems so they don't look at us as just Hip Hoppers but people with problems just like them but show how Hip Hop and UZN has united all of us together and help us to deal with problems in a better way.
How many people in UZN, who isn't directly What are the philosophical questions in the basis of the principles of the UZN, for you are the most important? The most important principle in UZN to me is Faith in a higher power to help me become a better person. Helping my fellow man, self elevation causes expansion. Lifting them up not knocking them down. How the UZN affect your life? UZN has helped me realize my potential to be someone who can teach and reach others with a positive message of peace, love, unity and having fun. What are the problems American workers have? As people try to solve them? The problems we have with workers here is low wages, unemployment is high, discrimination. Which leads a lot of our youth and young men to drug selling, gangs and violence. Eric Allnat VanNockay & Biz Markie 002
Participation in the UZN helps you, including, and in solving everyday problems? Participation in UZN helps me understand people from all walks of life. Allows me to learn from those who came before me and paved the way. Not to judge or think I'm better. Which helps me understand who I am. What do you like to do in free time? In my free time I like to travel, do graffiti, bowling and reading. I'm always hungry for knowledge. Knowledge is power. What is your attitude to Hip Hop? How much does it interesting for you? Hip Hop is a lifestyle, a way of life it will always be here. I love hip hop it's who I am even at 50 years old. I am still rappin, Hip Hop and the old school.
How do you see the development of UZN outside the realm of Hip Hop? UZN has changed a lot from back in the days. Now its Universal but back then it was just New York, Ct. New Jersey. It was called the Mighty Zulu Nation. But as Afrika Bambaataa traveled all over the world with B Boys, graffiti Artist, MCs, and DJs introducing the world to the Hip Hop culture people all over the world embraced Zulu and Afrika Bambaataa became the face Hip Hop worldwide. So it changed to the Universal Zulu Nation with chapters all over the world. UZN has united people from all races, cultures, and beliefs more than governments have. This is what we must continue to do if we want peace and equality and maybe then governments can learn from this. I don't think UZN can develop outside of Hip Hop, UZN was developed from Hip Hop. Hip Hop gave birth to UZN so it will always have its origin there.
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