Hinton knocks out hip-hop for a life of redemption

A young, African-American boy named Arlandis Hinton from California joins the biggest and most violent street gang in America infamous for drug trafficking, murders and robberies, with famous hip-hop superstars like Snoop Dogg, Easy-E and Ice-T alleged to have been part of the organized criminal trade.
He then gets discovered by the legendary Eazy-E and is initiated as B.G. Knocc Out along with his older brother and rapper Dresta into the music industry, mostly producing diss records as musical responses against Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.
His musical career hits an end curve after the early death of his mentor Eazy-E in1995 and B.G. Knocc Out is incarcerated to 10 years in jail for a case of gang-related attempted murder in 1998. He then reverts to Islam while serving time and was released from jail in 2009.
Today known as Hasan Bin Hinton, he is not only a changed man but looking over and above his past. He just undertook the Haj pilgrimage for the first time and spoke to Arab News from Madinah about life before and after having accepted Islam. Following are the excerpts from the interview:

What was it like growing up when you joined the hip/hop music industry? Were you happy?
I grew up in Compton, California which was fun as a kid, but the older we got the more things started to change because of the gangs. Eventually I took part in that lifestyle, and at that point rap music was just a hobby. Years later I was discovered by the huge American icon Eazy E. In the beginning I can say I was happy, at least as far as I knew what being happy was.

You were sentenced to ten years in jail for attempted murder. Can you describe what that period was like for you? What events led you to accept Islam?
It was a huge change in my life, because I had never been to prison and I didn’t know what to expect. So I just went in with no expectations. After being there for a while and figuring out the system I wanted to become educated, so I began to read a lot. One year in my sentence after talking to Muslims on the yard and studying Islam, I declared the shahadah.

What have you learned from your past actions in retrospect? Do you wish you ended up differently? Or do you think that if things didn’t turn out the way they did, then perhaps you wouldn’t be on the path you are on right now.
After receiving the punishment of a long-term prison sentence, I knew I had to change, so that was the beginning of transformation for me. I think that if I hadn’t gone there I definitely would have been killed like many of my friends I grew up with. When I look back on it, all I can say is that Allah had different plans for me.

How has your life been after accepting Islam, both personally and professionally?
There have definitely been some changes in my life after I accepted Islam. Personally, I try to make better decisions for me and my family. Professionally, I haven’t figured it out yet. I’m still working on that part of my life. It has not been that easy so far. But I have faith that things will change InshaAllah.

In the past few decades or say years, we have been witnessing many musicians and celebrities from the entertainment business taking a complete detour and accepting Islam. Why do you think that is?
Allah is the best of planners, as it says in the Qur’an. I think in America so many people grow as Christians but never seem to benefit from it. Islam is so different. It instills in you something more. It’s a simple way of life. The book is clear. It requires you to reflect more on yourself and think about Allah in a way other religions have yet to realize. And I think when people recognize this, it is very easy to accept Islam as a way of life.

Has your newfound spirituality changed your outlook on things that didn’t seem any different to you before?
Of course. Everything is more clear now. I see Allah’s hand in everything that goes on.

This the first time you’ve performed Haj. Can you tell us about your experience? Do you feel any different at all?
I am absolutely excited. For us as Muslims we can’t wait to lay our eyes on the Holy Kaaba, the city of Madinah, and the Prophet’s Mosque. I just feel like I accomplished something so great. This experience has been the best thing in my life so far. I will cherish it for the rest of my days.

Most times if not always, a career in the music industry seems to come attached with its share of debauchery. Is it possible to maintain a life in the entertainment business when many of its inner and outer doings conflict with Islam’s religious beliefs?
I will not be going back to music after Haj. I don’t think it’s possible. After being cleansed of sins and starting fresh I can’t allow myself to go backward. So my life with music is done. I’m looking forward to new horizons.

What are your future plans now? It’s been said that your new album Nutty by Nature was slated for release in 2012?
Nutty by nature has not been released, nor will it ever be. My new focus is business. So I will be looking forward to going into that field soon InshaAllah.

What is your advice for young people who want to pursue a career in the music industry?
As Muslims we must reflect on what our Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said concerning music and instruments. If we take these things into consideration, I think you’d think twice about pursuing music as a career. I definitely wouldn’t recommend it.