This is an attempt to clarify as much as I can my art.

Sometimes I wonder why the things I make are what they are and how they are. Because even though my music, poetry and illustrations express a certain darkness, I am in no way a pessimistic person. On the contrary, my message is one of peace and unity which I not only deem possible, but even inevitable. I believe the reason why my art is somewhat 'dark' is because I like to leave a lot to the mind of the listener or observer, and do this by keeping the greater part of my work in the realm of symbolism and the abstract. A mysterious realm similar to the night when the world has no defined form and it's reality is left to the imagination.

Wether I am composing, writing a lyric or a poem, or painting, there is one central force and that is my message. A message inspired by ancient sjamanic philosophy and various spiritual teachings coming from the older religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism and newer religions as Christianity, Islam and the Baha'i Faith.
Ever since my early years I have felt a strong urge to investigate the various religions and philosophies, and especially their mystical sides. Though I speak in plural, I see more and more their similarities and I am beginning to realize this oneness of Truth. This constant search for Truth defines my art, defines my life and my being, and it was only logical to take on the name of this greatest desire: the inner truth.

I have always had the urge to express myself in words and illustrations. It kept, and keeps, me sane in these mysterious realms of discovery. Behind my passion for poetry and composing lies a deeper passion for symbolism. Every single object, wether man made or not, is a key to many mysteries. Love for example, is abstract, but it is manifested in so many ways: see planets circling around the sun, and little drops of water merging when they meet, see trees reach for the sun, and the warmth it gives in return. I seek these signs, and these manifestions are the primary source of all my works.

Music came to me relatively late. I started listening to hiphop in 1993, when my dad had found an LP of Ice-T (Home Invasion), but it struck me much later, round the year 2000. It was then that poetry on paper took on the form of rythmical reciting: rapping. Hiphop gradually became an important link for me between my constant urge to search for truth and my urge to express my findings.

At first I did not have a message. I simply imitated what I heard which was mostly gangsterrap. I did this under the alias of 'Naz-T' which stood for Nasty Truth. But this did not satisfy me. I wanted to make a positive change in the world and did not deem gangsterrap the way to do this. Cursing and violence slowly vanished but the raw sound of artists like Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang, M.O.P and B.I.G kept surging within me. I knew by changing my ways I would lose some support, maybe gain some, but I decided I would not let myself be guided by expectations, especially if that meant clinging to patterns and traditions which is in my opinion the worst enemy of any artist, because clinging is limiting. Creating demands freedom of mind and soul.

Soundwise I like to experiment. I do not mind making certain consessions, except when it comes to my lyrics. The reason why is because lyrics in particular give expression not only to emotions but also to principles. Which partly define who you are. I cannot make consessions on that part because I want to stay true to myself.

I study the truth in many of it's forms, and while I walk this road of unfoldment I report my discoveries along the way in my art. What drives me is total freedom- which I don't mean to be anarchy. As long as the truth has not been made manifest we are not free. Also I am driven by the situation in this world. There is too much suffering going on to stay quiet. Signs of desperation, injustice and disharmony are getting more clear every day and even though I alone will not be able to make a significant change, it is no excuse for not trying.

The death of the body is inevitable and since there is no knowing when this life could end, there is only time for action. Every tree wishes to bear fruits, as I wish to bear mine. An interesting issue: what are the fruits of man? I think it varies per individual. I believe mine to be songs, poems, stories and paintings, the scientist's to be formulas and useful discoveries and the architect's to be great designs. It doesn't really matter what the fruits of man are, as long as they are beneficial to ourselves and others...

Ben Caselin