Certified Banger: What’s up Skandal? How are things with you?
Skandal: Things are s**t bruv - my macbook just died on me! Imma jump off a building in a minute, I may have lost near 3 years of work and rough songs.
CB: Man that's bad - hope you revive it, then you can get a PC and transfer all the files! You’ve just dropped your mixtape ‘Hunger Pains’ with the mighty DJ MK. How well is that being received?
S: It's doing really well, to be honest. I knew it was a solid release due to the work we put in but it's done well; it got album of the week in The Independent newspaper!
CB: High praise indeed! Tell us a bit about it – is it a collection of stuff you’ve been working on over a short or long period of time? Are there original beats or dubs? How would you describe its overall sound?
S: I'd say I had my mind set on doing a mix CD with an idea of spitting that UK way over some of them down south beats (which I really happen to like). We threw some good old hardcore Dilla/Black Milk-esqe boom bap ish in to mix it up a lil. Overall the release has a very electronic sound to it with the exception of a couple soul samples on the down south beats.
Most of the tracks are dubs, not that many people will know the ones I've used and two joints are produced by Beat Butcha ('Bold As F**k' and 'Home Ec').
CB: Do you consider ‘Hunger Pains’ as your platform to higher things? What will you be doing next?
S: Yeh of course, I mean all this graft is gearing up to an album. I'mma put out a few good more mixtapes before I drop that as I'm still relatively unknown. But yeh onwards and upwards!
CB: What is your focus as a rapper – do you prefer story telling, lyricism, rhyme for rhymes sake – how would you describe your style as an MC?
S: A jack of all trades and a master of none! To be honest I'll try and do it all, story telling, straight bars, emotionally charged s**t, songs, hook based s**t, commercial ish. What ever I feel at the time. I mean I love Hip Hop so you know it's in me to "keep it real" no matter what I do.
CB: Your first official release (was it ‘Project A’?) was pretty different to the mixtape – the beats were more grimy. Where do you think you sit when it comes to genre? Are you embraced by both the Hip Hop and the Grime scene?
S: Mmmmm by the artists yeh. Like I've said before no one can say I'm wack, so I get love from both sides of that coin. I mean it's obvious I'm influenced by both genres. But I'd still say it's Hip Hop. Grime has a lot of elements of Hip Hop too so even if I work with a grime artist or do a Grime or Dubstep track I'mma still bring that essence we all know and love to the table.
CB: You featured on the first volume of my ‘On The Radar’ series and it’s good to see how you’ve grown and progressed in the year since that dropped – what advice would you give to an underground artist about surviving in this game? Is there a particular formula?
S: Yeh safe for putting me on there bro, it gave me a leg up at the time. Umm as for advice, all I can say is if you like my progression and you wanna follow that formula all I'd say is curb your ego, listen to criticism and take it on board, especially if its one of your peers or someone you rate. Pay attention to producers and listen to any direction they or your engineer maybe give you. Oh and dedication. Work hard and be dedicated.
CB: I’m always on the look out for new artists to support – who is worth my support in 2010?
S: Me!
CB: What would you rather have – 50 Cent’s money, Jay-Z’s rhymes or Eminem’s pop star status?
S: Ooo you making me think here, mmm if I had 50 Cent's money that would mean I'd have his business acumen right? That's a string I've yet to add to my bow and that money would help push my music to another level commercially and internationally so I'll go wit Fiddy!
CB: OK, so if you could choose one thing (skill, style, image etc) from one rapper to have as your own what would you choose? If someone had to pick one of your attributes to be theirs, which do you think they’d take?!
S: You know what, I haven't got an image, it's not something I set out to have or I'd have one right? But I've noticed you need one to stand out from the crowd. Everyone has an image from Immortal Technique to Lil' Wayne and that's one thing I'm lacking. I'd have to take, Bubba Sparks! Naaa I'm playing... I'd try and create my own image dawg, I can't be on that plagiarism shiiiiiiet!
As for mine I know it wouldn't be the nose picking, I'd have to say it would be my work ethic, not many are matching mine these days. We could all do with some hunger pains!
CB: Thanks for answering my (sometimes strange) questions. Anything you’d like to add before we finish?
S: Naa fam I'm good. Bless it up yeh. Shout out to all my real heads! Oh yeh check djgone.tv
Peace
Friday, 4 December 2009
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Vee Kay Interview Number 2!
Certified Banger: Can you tell us your necessary background details so we can build on basics for the rest of the interview? For example: who you are, where you are from, projects you have worked on, people you have worked with.
Vee Kay: I'm Vee Kay, I make Hip Hop and trans-atlantic-speed-bhangra. It's a fairly new genre, but it's coming on with quite a following - so far there's about 14 people into it!
CB: How would you describe your sound? Is there any one track that would best define your style?
VK: My sound is a mixture of Rice Krispies and chocolate. Oh, sorry, that’s Krispy Cakes. Well then my style is just whatever it comes out like at the time of creation - sometimes I'll make a beat with an artist in mind and we'll go from there, otherwise it's whatever sound I find that inspires me first.
CB: Who have been your biggest musical influences and which Hip Hop producers have inspired you?
VK: Biggest musical influences are people that I grew up listening to like The Big Bopper or Frankie Goes To Hollywood....also Annie Lennox.....later on, when it came to Hip Hop I always wanted to make beats like Wyclef and A+.
CB: Do you have a musical background? Do you play any instruments?
VK: I got a Kazoo and a Penny Whistle. The Kazoo got some pimped up diamantes on it, so you know that s**t bangs.
CB: How did you find out that you were handy when it came to crafting beats?
VK: My old producer went off and started making music for Pete Waterman, so I decided that after they didn't want my dulcet tones on their tunes that I'd go back to underground hip hop and pretend that I never sold out....the rest is history...
CB: Do you feel like many producers are overlooked or overshadowed by the MC's that rap on their beats?
VK: Yeah, some producers are really unlucky and get overlooked.....Andy from Wham was a brilliant songwriter, but George Michael f**ked him off and went solo. Same with Kanye - Jay Z overshadowed Kanye on their tunes, but that’s cos Kanye sucks.
CB: What are your three pieces of equipment do you value most when it comes to production?
VK: I got a AMD Athalon PC that I got from my mate Dave, it's got a 10GB hard drive and 32KBS of RAM, so its fast as hell, I also got Cubase 5 which is what I use to sequence my Akai s20 with 16 seconds of sample time.....I also got a broom to keep my s**t tidy!
CB: What other programs/equipment do you use?
VK: Sometimes I use a mic to record vocals, but most of the time I rock some headphones through the input so I can keep it grimey. Programmes wise I download all my samples from Limewire.
CB: What process do you go through when writing a track? Do you start with a tune, a sample, a drum beat or a concept? What happens next?
VK: Most of the time I'll get a track that I really like, like Black Eyed Peas, put that into the sequencer, then I'll layer my sounds and drums EXACTLY the same as they are on the B.E.P tune, then once I've finished, I mute the B.E.P tune and voila! I got myself a banger straight up.
CB: How do you prefer to work when collaborating with rappers? Do you both get in the studio and write together or is there a separate process?
VK: I got a slight case of Agraphobia, not massive, but sometimes I get nervous around rappers, mainly because I hear them sounding really aggressive on the tracks. If I want some vocals then I'll usually myspace them and see if they can record at theirs and then send me the stems. Black Eye Peas don't come across aggressive so I'd be happy getting in the studio with them, but that’s about it.
CB: Have you ever been given some invaluable advice when it comes to producing? What tips would you give to an aspiring Hip Hop producer?
VK: Someone once told me that you should never, and I mean NEVER, start the bar with the snare at the beginning, basically switching the pattern of the drums. Snare, Kick, Snare, Kick. It's true too, it sounds awful. If you want to make Hip Hop, the best advice I can give you is to get on myspace, get limewire, a copy of a sequencer and then just loop everything up. No one cares about finding vinyl anymore, so get in while it's easy!
CB: What can we expect from you in the future? Are you currently working on any exciting projects?
VK: I'm working on a 16 track concept album that’s like a Jazz odyssey, but completely inspired by Buddy Holly. He was massive into his Jazz, and if he hadn't have died, he'd have been a pioneer of Hip Hop. There's no proof of that, but it is fact. Before he died he was tentatively in talks with Herbie Hancock to work together. I'm currently looking for labels for it at the moment.
CB: Any last words or plugs?
VK: Enjoy life and live each moment like it's your last. Do one thing a day that scares you and never throw a 15 year old to the floor - there's a good chance they'll punch you in the ear!
Vee Kay: I'm Vee Kay, I make Hip Hop and trans-atlantic-speed-bhangra. It's a fairly new genre, but it's coming on with quite a following - so far there's about 14 people into it!
CB: How would you describe your sound? Is there any one track that would best define your style?
VK: My sound is a mixture of Rice Krispies and chocolate. Oh, sorry, that’s Krispy Cakes. Well then my style is just whatever it comes out like at the time of creation - sometimes I'll make a beat with an artist in mind and we'll go from there, otherwise it's whatever sound I find that inspires me first.
CB: Who have been your biggest musical influences and which Hip Hop producers have inspired you?
VK: Biggest musical influences are people that I grew up listening to like The Big Bopper or Frankie Goes To Hollywood....also Annie Lennox.....later on, when it came to Hip Hop I always wanted to make beats like Wyclef and A+.
CB: Do you have a musical background? Do you play any instruments?
VK: I got a Kazoo and a Penny Whistle. The Kazoo got some pimped up diamantes on it, so you know that s**t bangs.
CB: How did you find out that you were handy when it came to crafting beats?
VK: My old producer went off and started making music for Pete Waterman, so I decided that after they didn't want my dulcet tones on their tunes that I'd go back to underground hip hop and pretend that I never sold out....the rest is history...
CB: Do you feel like many producers are overlooked or overshadowed by the MC's that rap on their beats?
VK: Yeah, some producers are really unlucky and get overlooked.....Andy from Wham was a brilliant songwriter, but George Michael f**ked him off and went solo. Same with Kanye - Jay Z overshadowed Kanye on their tunes, but that’s cos Kanye sucks.
CB: What are your three pieces of equipment do you value most when it comes to production?
VK: I got a AMD Athalon PC that I got from my mate Dave, it's got a 10GB hard drive and 32KBS of RAM, so its fast as hell, I also got Cubase 5 which is what I use to sequence my Akai s20 with 16 seconds of sample time.....I also got a broom to keep my s**t tidy!
CB: What other programs/equipment do you use?
VK: Sometimes I use a mic to record vocals, but most of the time I rock some headphones through the input so I can keep it grimey. Programmes wise I download all my samples from Limewire.
CB: What process do you go through when writing a track? Do you start with a tune, a sample, a drum beat or a concept? What happens next?
VK: Most of the time I'll get a track that I really like, like Black Eyed Peas, put that into the sequencer, then I'll layer my sounds and drums EXACTLY the same as they are on the B.E.P tune, then once I've finished, I mute the B.E.P tune and voila! I got myself a banger straight up.
CB: How do you prefer to work when collaborating with rappers? Do you both get in the studio and write together or is there a separate process?
VK: I got a slight case of Agraphobia, not massive, but sometimes I get nervous around rappers, mainly because I hear them sounding really aggressive on the tracks. If I want some vocals then I'll usually myspace them and see if they can record at theirs and then send me the stems. Black Eye Peas don't come across aggressive so I'd be happy getting in the studio with them, but that’s about it.
CB: Have you ever been given some invaluable advice when it comes to producing? What tips would you give to an aspiring Hip Hop producer?
VK: Someone once told me that you should never, and I mean NEVER, start the bar with the snare at the beginning, basically switching the pattern of the drums. Snare, Kick, Snare, Kick. It's true too, it sounds awful. If you want to make Hip Hop, the best advice I can give you is to get on myspace, get limewire, a copy of a sequencer and then just loop everything up. No one cares about finding vinyl anymore, so get in while it's easy!
CB: What can we expect from you in the future? Are you currently working on any exciting projects?
VK: I'm working on a 16 track concept album that’s like a Jazz odyssey, but completely inspired by Buddy Holly. He was massive into his Jazz, and if he hadn't have died, he'd have been a pioneer of Hip Hop. There's no proof of that, but it is fact. Before he died he was tentatively in talks with Herbie Hancock to work together. I'm currently looking for labels for it at the moment.
CB: Any last words or plugs?
VK: Enjoy life and live each moment like it's your last. Do one thing a day that scares you and never throw a 15 year old to the floor - there's a good chance they'll punch you in the ear!
Phoenix Da Icefire Interview
Certified Banger: Tell us about Phoenix Da Icefire - who is he?Phoenix Da Icefire: The character I have created goes by the name of Phoenix Da Icefire, he is my alter ego, much more fierce and stronger than I show in my day to day life, I feel like I can do almost anything when I slip into the character of Phoenix.
I am also the other half of Higher Heights and was responsible for bringing out the ‘Anathema’ LP by Triple Darkness, I first featured on ‘High Fidelity’ (by M9) on a track called ‘Holy Water’ and a track that I have got for my album called ‘Mental Prisoners’. I put it on there so I could test the waters with the UK scene.
CB: You’ve just released your mixtape ‘Baptism Under Fire’. What else is on the way?
PDI: I’ve got an album coming called ‘Right Timing the Quantum Leap’, it features Kyza Smirnoff, Triple Darkness, 9 Planets, Jah Miracle, Midas Touch, Yasine and El Crisis.
CB: Which words best describe your style?
PDI: The best way to describe my style is “free style”. I don’t believe in being caged behind my own bars like prison, my music is supposed to set me free, that’s why every track sounds different, I can do almost anything but my usual sound would be a cross between Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Wu-Tang all in one.
CB: Who have been your biggest musical influences and which Hip Hop artists have inspired you? Which are your favourite albums? What music were you brought up on?
PDI: I was brought up on The Fugees, Nas’s ‘It Was Written’ for me was one of my favourites, Killah Priest, Canibus for his battle style rap, Talib Kweli, Common and Mos Def to name a few.
CB: When was the first time you rapped?
PDI: There was a sound track to Space Jam, which had Busta Rhymes, Method Man and LL Cool J on it (‘Hit ‘Em High’) and me and my younger brother practised it and learnt all the verses to that song.
CB: Haha, me and my brother did the same thing with the same song! So, who else have you grown with musically?
PDI: There are a lot of talented people round my way - P-Money, Firmer Dee AKA Funky De, Little D, Blacks and AKS - we used to all be in a crew together and now I see everyone branching off and taking it to the limit. It was a garage crew back then and now I’m in a group with AKS as well as J Da Exodus called Midas Touch so it’s funny how it works out.
CB: What are your thoughts on the current state of Hip Hop?
PDI: I think hip hop has now become the voice of the corporate rather than the people now, but these days people are waking up and getting wise to the lies that are being fed to them everyday and they want to hear conscious music because they can relate to the real issues they face everyday as opposed to hearing about the girl they might meet at a club!
CB: What process do you go through when writing a track? Do you start with a beat, a concept, a lyric that you thought of in the shower? What happens next?
PDI: Have you ever used the term vibe? Well that in itself is a subconscious grasp on the fact that everything is made of vibrations - what I do is listen to the vibe or vibration of the track and try to align myself with what I hear. In other words I tune myself into the instrumental, once I’ve done that I get a title and a melody for the chorus if there is any. I believe the instrumental itself and the rapper or singer are two separate halves like man and woman and it’s up to the artist to know whether he/she is the right fit.
CB: Interesting and very different answer! Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years, 10 years time? Is it an achievable goal?
PDI: I plan on being the UK’s landmark for Hip Hop.
CB: Highly aspirational! Any last words?
PDI: To all the artists out there have a clear goal in what you are trying to achieve, make sure its realistic and you are true to yourself and you will succeed in anything and everything.
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Delusionists Interview
Certified Banger: Can you tell us your necessary background details so we can build on basics for the rest of the interview? For example: who you are, projects you have worked on, people you have worked with.
Ben Black: Ben Black aka Beanz aka that rapper/producer out of Delusionists. We dropped our debut EP 'The Prolusion' earlier this year, which was a strictly in-house production. Off the strength of that we're starting to link with some other heads so we've got a few remixes and collabos bubbling beneath the surface... Some of it has come off the back of being on OTR4 so big up to Certified Banger for that!
CB: What are your current or upcoming projects? ie albums, singles, tours, guest spots…
BB: At the moment we're still pushing 'The Prolusion'. We're pressing hard copies of it and trying to get 'em in people's hands at shows and when we're out and about. There'll be a few bonus cuts on there too - remixes and a couple of other things we've been working on lately, like 'The Movement' which we dropped a couple of weeks back. Oh, and a remix of 'Parallel Worldz'.
The album is also well and truly in the works and I'm enjoying writing it and piecing it all together. I've produced all of our stuff myself so far but I'm taking a bit of a backseat this time and my boy Slim Pickens (UK All Day) has stepped up to handle a lot of the beats. He did The Movement and it instantly just seemed to fit, so we're using that as the blueprint for the way forward. We're also trying to hook up a few suprise collabos for the project, which should get people excited if it comes to fruition...
CB: How would you describe your sound? Is there any one track that would best define your style?
BB: Difficult to say, man! 'The Prolusion' was all about finding our sound really so you'll find a mix of styles on there. Fast, slow, happy, sad, clever, ignorant... It kind of shows the full repetoire of what we could do at the time.
I suppose 'The Evil' sums us up best though, because it deals with two sides of a coin. It's like a message to females saying "Look, I am a twat, I will do twattish things. But I KNOW I'm a twat and I intend to change'. A lot of hip hop deals with the first part, in that it puts a spotlight on the negative behaviour but doesn't always acheive a balance by showing the other side. I suppose we're coming from a similar angle to someone like Common - he's said some pretty ignorant s**t in his time, particularly in his early career, but it's always tempered with the conscious, insightful stuff. Some people would say that's contradictory but humans aren't one dimensional, so music should reflect that.
But yeah, you'll hear a lot of cocky, bragging stuff from us because that's what we enjoy, but you might just hear some deeper stuff if you listen close enough. I like the type of Hip Hop where you won't necessarily pick up on things until you've had a few listens, so we try to make stuff that has a little something beneath the surface.
CB: Who have been your biggest musical influences and which Hip Hop artists have inspired you? Which are your favourite albums? What music were you brought up on?
BB: I was chatting about this to DBF (fellow Delusionists MC) the other day and we agreed that pound-for-pound Jay-Z has probably been our biggest influence over the years. Can't say I'm too impressed with BP3 though...
Other than him, I'd say De La, Tribe, DOOM and Jehst have all been massive influences at various points in my development as an emcee. De La and Tribe because they showed that you don't have to be "hard" to make proper Hip Hop. DOOM because I love the way he just seems to be having a laugh without being a corny punchline rapper. And Billy Brimstone because he's consistently proved that a Brit can be up there with the best in the world, and that gives you belief!
I could write a huge list of my favourite albums but the ones that spring to mind? 'The Score', 'ATLiens', 'The Chronic', 'Midnight Marauders' and more recently Q-tips' 'The Renaissance'. And now I feel bad because I've left out loads of classic albums... '36 Chambers'! Oh, and just to avoid being a complete cliche, 'Illmatic' probably isn't in my top ten.
CB: What is your earliest memory of anything Hip Hop related? First rap track heard? First time you rapped?
BB: My earliest Hip Hop memory was my brother playing 'The Show' in the mid-80s. Inspector Gadget was my s**t at the time and when I heard that theme music mixed with that beat I was hooked from then on. I've got to thank my big bro really, for letting me watch them breakdancing movies with him and letting me 'borrow' his Eric B and Rakim records. Yep, I've still got 'em and no, you ain't gettin' 'em back!
I did fanny about with poetry for a bit but I wrote my 1st rap when I was about 10. It was for a school project about tbe Tudors. Henry VIII was the original gangsta! "F**k a pimp slap, cut that bitch's head off!" Me and a few others performed it to the class and when i realised that I could get away with doing that instead of proper work there was no stopping me. Our next one was about Ancient Egypt and I've been writing gradually less educational rhymes ever since.
CB: Where are you from? Can you tell us a bit more about the Hip Hop scene there?
BB: Well, I've lived in West London for the last few years but I was brought up in Lowestoft (Google it). There wasn't any sort of Hip Hop scene, other than a few of us who used to play basketball and listen to whatever The Source told us to. It was good though because it made me go out and seek Hip Hop culture and allowed me to have a fairly unique take on it without being influenced by friends or whoever saying this or that is what i should be into. I didn't really feel that peer pressure to be into any acts in particular, because nobody else really had a f**king clue about Hip Hop. I think you also value stuff more if it's hard to come by, y'know? Which is probably what's up with things at the moment - you don't even have to walk to the shop to get an album now, let alone pay for it! I can remember saving up for weeks just so I could go and get the Dogg Pound album when it eventually came out in the local record shop (about a year after it was released).
CB: What about the Hip Hop scene in general, UK or worldwide – where do you think it’s headed? Are things good/bad? What are your current philosophical thoughts on the current trends in rap music?
BB: Arrrgghhh! The current trends... Well, there is a lot of shit out there. That's my philosophical insight! But nah, there's always been rubbish out there, it's just that now the rubbish is getting some exposure. I'm a bit suspicious of big name DJs getting behind acts that have their ads all over telly and the internet, like "You really like that? Really!?!". Maybe I'm just being cynical but it's a bit strange that you want to co-sign something with a big marketing budget but you don't say f**k all about something of real quality like 'The A-loop Theory'. That's not supporting the scene, it's damaging it by making the general public think "oh, so this is what British Hip Hop sounds like...".
But I've gotta say, although it hurts to see hip hop bastardised and repackaged to suit the teeny boppers you can't be that mad. I can't lie, I liked Kriss Kross and MC Hammer as a kid - who didn't? As long as there's some balance I think Hip Hop will be okay, but if Gang Starr came back sampling 2 Unlimited I'd be worried. What's reassuring is that hip hop will always rebel against itself. For example, there's a lot of people trying to 'Push the boundaries' production wise and neglecting the lyrics a bit. But I think there's a lot of fans who just want to hear some no-nonsense music and entertaining lyrics, which hopefully is where we come in.
CB: What process do you go through when writing a track? Do you start with a beat, a concept, a lyric that you thought of in the shower? What happens next?
BB: It's any and all of those things! Quite often i'll just hear a word or phrase and think "I've never heard that on a record" and I'll think of something that rhymes with it and take it from there. That's one way to stay original I suppose. More concept-heavy songs can take ages to write though. Sometimes a beat conjures a certain emotion and you want to do it justice so you have to choose your words carefully. I've just started writing to other people's beats and that's much easier coz you're not thinking 'That bassline's a bit muffled" or whatever. You can just concentrate on the lyrics and let the producer take the blame if people don't like the beat!
CB: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years, 10 years time? Is it an achievable goal?
BB: I want to be in a position where we can put out music from ourselves and others and have a fanbase that trust us to consistently put out strong product. If I can sort out the business side of things so i can do my bit for the artform and support my family, i'll be happy. I know it's gonna be a long, hard road but If I didn't think it was achievable I wouldn't bother.
CB: Any last words?
BB: Yeah, I haven't had a chance to do the whole cliched shout out thing yet so... Big up all the people that have got behind Delusionists so far; Certified Banger (obviously), Disorda, HHC, HipHopHypeDog and all the bloggers, DJs and heads who have let us know we're doing something right.
Also, shout out to the crew - DBF, Chantelle, Zombie Killer, PITMO, Mr Baker, Slim Pickens and King Hektah. Oh, and go cop 'The Prolusion' and keep in touch on Facebook or Twitter and check out the blog, Beats Laying About - it's not exactly Certified Banger but we do our thing!
Ben Black: Ben Black aka Beanz aka that rapper/producer out of Delusionists. We dropped our debut EP 'The Prolusion' earlier this year, which was a strictly in-house production. Off the strength of that we're starting to link with some other heads so we've got a few remixes and collabos bubbling beneath the surface... Some of it has come off the back of being on OTR4 so big up to Certified Banger for that!
CB: What are your current or upcoming projects? ie albums, singles, tours, guest spots…
BB: At the moment we're still pushing 'The Prolusion'. We're pressing hard copies of it and trying to get 'em in people's hands at shows and when we're out and about. There'll be a few bonus cuts on there too - remixes and a couple of other things we've been working on lately, like 'The Movement' which we dropped a couple of weeks back. Oh, and a remix of 'Parallel Worldz'.
The album is also well and truly in the works and I'm enjoying writing it and piecing it all together. I've produced all of our stuff myself so far but I'm taking a bit of a backseat this time and my boy Slim Pickens (UK All Day) has stepped up to handle a lot of the beats. He did The Movement and it instantly just seemed to fit, so we're using that as the blueprint for the way forward. We're also trying to hook up a few suprise collabos for the project, which should get people excited if it comes to fruition...
CB: How would you describe your sound? Is there any one track that would best define your style?
BB: Difficult to say, man! 'The Prolusion' was all about finding our sound really so you'll find a mix of styles on there. Fast, slow, happy, sad, clever, ignorant... It kind of shows the full repetoire of what we could do at the time.
I suppose 'The Evil' sums us up best though, because it deals with two sides of a coin. It's like a message to females saying "Look, I am a twat, I will do twattish things. But I KNOW I'm a twat and I intend to change'. A lot of hip hop deals with the first part, in that it puts a spotlight on the negative behaviour but doesn't always acheive a balance by showing the other side. I suppose we're coming from a similar angle to someone like Common - he's said some pretty ignorant s**t in his time, particularly in his early career, but it's always tempered with the conscious, insightful stuff. Some people would say that's contradictory but humans aren't one dimensional, so music should reflect that.
But yeah, you'll hear a lot of cocky, bragging stuff from us because that's what we enjoy, but you might just hear some deeper stuff if you listen close enough. I like the type of Hip Hop where you won't necessarily pick up on things until you've had a few listens, so we try to make stuff that has a little something beneath the surface.
CB: Who have been your biggest musical influences and which Hip Hop artists have inspired you? Which are your favourite albums? What music were you brought up on?
BB: I was chatting about this to DBF (fellow Delusionists MC) the other day and we agreed that pound-for-pound Jay-Z has probably been our biggest influence over the years. Can't say I'm too impressed with BP3 though...
Other than him, I'd say De La, Tribe, DOOM and Jehst have all been massive influences at various points in my development as an emcee. De La and Tribe because they showed that you don't have to be "hard" to make proper Hip Hop. DOOM because I love the way he just seems to be having a laugh without being a corny punchline rapper. And Billy Brimstone because he's consistently proved that a Brit can be up there with the best in the world, and that gives you belief!
I could write a huge list of my favourite albums but the ones that spring to mind? 'The Score', 'ATLiens', 'The Chronic', 'Midnight Marauders' and more recently Q-tips' 'The Renaissance'. And now I feel bad because I've left out loads of classic albums... '36 Chambers'! Oh, and just to avoid being a complete cliche, 'Illmatic' probably isn't in my top ten.
CB: What is your earliest memory of anything Hip Hop related? First rap track heard? First time you rapped?
BB: My earliest Hip Hop memory was my brother playing 'The Show' in the mid-80s. Inspector Gadget was my s**t at the time and when I heard that theme music mixed with that beat I was hooked from then on. I've got to thank my big bro really, for letting me watch them breakdancing movies with him and letting me 'borrow' his Eric B and Rakim records. Yep, I've still got 'em and no, you ain't gettin' 'em back!
I did fanny about with poetry for a bit but I wrote my 1st rap when I was about 10. It was for a school project about tbe Tudors. Henry VIII was the original gangsta! "F**k a pimp slap, cut that bitch's head off!" Me and a few others performed it to the class and when i realised that I could get away with doing that instead of proper work there was no stopping me. Our next one was about Ancient Egypt and I've been writing gradually less educational rhymes ever since.
CB: Where are you from? Can you tell us a bit more about the Hip Hop scene there?
BB: Well, I've lived in West London for the last few years but I was brought up in Lowestoft (Google it). There wasn't any sort of Hip Hop scene, other than a few of us who used to play basketball and listen to whatever The Source told us to. It was good though because it made me go out and seek Hip Hop culture and allowed me to have a fairly unique take on it without being influenced by friends or whoever saying this or that is what i should be into. I didn't really feel that peer pressure to be into any acts in particular, because nobody else really had a f**king clue about Hip Hop. I think you also value stuff more if it's hard to come by, y'know? Which is probably what's up with things at the moment - you don't even have to walk to the shop to get an album now, let alone pay for it! I can remember saving up for weeks just so I could go and get the Dogg Pound album when it eventually came out in the local record shop (about a year after it was released).
CB: What about the Hip Hop scene in general, UK or worldwide – where do you think it’s headed? Are things good/bad? What are your current philosophical thoughts on the current trends in rap music?
BB: Arrrgghhh! The current trends... Well, there is a lot of shit out there. That's my philosophical insight! But nah, there's always been rubbish out there, it's just that now the rubbish is getting some exposure. I'm a bit suspicious of big name DJs getting behind acts that have their ads all over telly and the internet, like "You really like that? Really!?!". Maybe I'm just being cynical but it's a bit strange that you want to co-sign something with a big marketing budget but you don't say f**k all about something of real quality like 'The A-loop Theory'. That's not supporting the scene, it's damaging it by making the general public think "oh, so this is what British Hip Hop sounds like...".
But I've gotta say, although it hurts to see hip hop bastardised and repackaged to suit the teeny boppers you can't be that mad. I can't lie, I liked Kriss Kross and MC Hammer as a kid - who didn't? As long as there's some balance I think Hip Hop will be okay, but if Gang Starr came back sampling 2 Unlimited I'd be worried. What's reassuring is that hip hop will always rebel against itself. For example, there's a lot of people trying to 'Push the boundaries' production wise and neglecting the lyrics a bit. But I think there's a lot of fans who just want to hear some no-nonsense music and entertaining lyrics, which hopefully is where we come in.
CB: What process do you go through when writing a track? Do you start with a beat, a concept, a lyric that you thought of in the shower? What happens next?
BB: It's any and all of those things! Quite often i'll just hear a word or phrase and think "I've never heard that on a record" and I'll think of something that rhymes with it and take it from there. That's one way to stay original I suppose. More concept-heavy songs can take ages to write though. Sometimes a beat conjures a certain emotion and you want to do it justice so you have to choose your words carefully. I've just started writing to other people's beats and that's much easier coz you're not thinking 'That bassline's a bit muffled" or whatever. You can just concentrate on the lyrics and let the producer take the blame if people don't like the beat!
CB: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years, 10 years time? Is it an achievable goal?
BB: I want to be in a position where we can put out music from ourselves and others and have a fanbase that trust us to consistently put out strong product. If I can sort out the business side of things so i can do my bit for the artform and support my family, i'll be happy. I know it's gonna be a long, hard road but If I didn't think it was achievable I wouldn't bother.
CB: Any last words?
BB: Yeah, I haven't had a chance to do the whole cliched shout out thing yet so... Big up all the people that have got behind Delusionists so far; Certified Banger (obviously), Disorda, HHC, HipHopHypeDog and all the bloggers, DJs and heads who have let us know we're doing something right.
Also, shout out to the crew - DBF, Chantelle, Zombie Killer, PITMO, Mr Baker, Slim Pickens and King Hektah. Oh, and go cop 'The Prolusion' and keep in touch on Facebook or Twitter and check out the blog, Beats Laying About - it's not exactly Certified Banger but we do our thing!
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Lunar C Interview
Certified Banger: Can you tell us your necessary background details so we can build on basics for the rest of the interview?
Lunar C: Yoyoyo, I’m Lunar C - an MC from Missing People and Sinoptic Crew.
CB: What are your current or upcoming projects? ie albums, singles, tours, guest spots…
LC: I’ve been working on quite a lot of projects this year. A few months ago me and Missing People released our debut EP ‘Glossop View’. I’m just about to release my debut solo project ‘The Lunar CD’ which should be out in the next two months and will only cost £1; so get your squid out! It’s gonna have roughly 20 of my best tracks on there and some sick features from West Yorkshire’s finest MCs and producers. Also the whole Sinoptic crew (Lunar C, EXP, JND, Angry Nik, WYdeboi, Neverlearn and Angela Bellis) have got ‘The Badger Sex mixtape‘ coming in the next few months too which is just gonna be all of us killing it. This year I’ve featured on JND’s ‘Working Classics’ ,Mastermind’s ‘Cut n Paste mixtape’ and I’ve just laid a verse down on a remix of Wu-Tang’s ‘Criminology’ track which is gonna be 6 MC’s: Me, Jack Flash, J Simple, Joker Starr, Spida Lee and Gen for Gen’s ‘Forbidden Jutsu mixtape’. Me and WYdeboi have been collaborating with a sick beatmaker from Leeds called Bridgens ,I’ve collabed with No Pretense, Adverse and Immranimal from Shedmen, Leady and maybe more which I might have forgotten. I’ve also got a crew of about 6 14 and 15 year old MCs that I’m kinda mentoring and they know all about Hip Hop which is rare for young UK MCs these days. I truly believe they are gonna shock alot of people with the skill they already have - they freestyle and write everyday and are about to do their first track soon so look out for Kontraband, Kid Nem and Sinister!
CB: You’ve been busy. How would you describe your sound? Is there any one track that would best define your style?
LC: If I had to describe my style I would just say my name is quite self explanatory. I’m a bit of a lunatic and I just write whatever comes to mind and it’s usually either a bit perverted and a bit crazy but I can switch it up and be versatile when I want to.
CB: Who have been your biggest musical influences and which Hip Hop artists have inspired you? Which are your favourite albums? What music were you brought up on?
LC: I’m only 19 so I think in the beginning it was Wu-Tang clan that got me hooked on Hip Hop but I’ve always been into music; all different types. My dad brought me up on everything from Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Faith No More to Mos Def and Cypress Hill so I’ve acquired quite a varied taste. I go through phases of listening to different rappers though at the mo I’ve been listening to a lot of Rakim ,Sage Francis and MF Doom .
CB: What is your earliest memory of anything Hip Hop related? First rap track heard? First time you rapped?
LC: I must have been a sprog but I can remember the first time I tried to rap. All I used to do when I was like 13 was sit in my room and listen to Wu-Tang (I know I keep mentioning them but, f**k you; they’re dope) tracks over and over and memorize the lyrics so the first time I tried to write my own they just sounded like a weak version of them so I only ended up writing a couple of bars and didn’t try again till I was 16. Since then I haven’t gone a day without rhyming .
CB: Where are you from? Can you tell us a bit more about the Hip Hop scene there?
LC: I’m from Bradford, West Yorkshire. I personally think that WY has most of the best artists in the UK and I rep it to the fullest. Bradford is also making a name for its self too which is exciting ‘cause it’s been a long time coming. We used to have Breadbins and Stack Chedda which Dr Crobe and Miki B (Brutal Artistry) used to put on but they came to an end a while back and I only managed to make it to one of those nights ‘cause of my age. But now Bane and Miki B are putting on a new night in Bradford called ‘DISGRACELANDS’ which is fire and is really helping the Bradford and WY scene to grow!
CB: What about the Hip Hop scene in general, UK or worldwide – where do you think it’s headed? Are things good/bad? What are your current philosophical thoughts on the current trends in rap music.
LC: Obviously I don’t think the Hip Hop scene is in the best shape its been in but I think there’s hope for determined talented artists if we just push our product in the right way and maybe stop moaning and being depressed and bitching. I was talking to an MC called JSN who does Hip Hop and Grime and we was having a little debate. I said to him “You need to listen to more UK Hip Hop. Why don’t you?” and he said “because most of it is just people moaning and it’s not positive” and to be fair to a degree I agree with the dude. Qe need to stop bitching as much about what we’re not doing and actually give it a go, but also I see it from the point of view of a struggling artist where you can only rap about what you know and if you’re poor then most of your s**t is gonna be about that. I don’t know if real Hip Hop will ever be a lucrative business again, the media only ever dare steal watered down parts of our culture and capitalize on it; they aren’t interested in the raw form – it’s too risky.
CB: What process do you go through when writing a track?
LC: I’ve always got bars going through my head which I usually write down and make a verse out of but these days I’ve been trying to write to beats and make some proper tracks because there is a difference between good bars on a good beat and a good track, with a good track everything has to blend and be perfect and capture a vibe.
CB: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years, 10 years time?
LC: I’ve got a lot of things cooking up for the future. In 5 years I hope I’m alive and living off music and have enough money to eat and smoke weed!
CB: Any last words?
LC: GET YOUR SQUID OUT! Lunar C
Lunar C: Yoyoyo, I’m Lunar C - an MC from Missing People and Sinoptic Crew.
CB: What are your current or upcoming projects? ie albums, singles, tours, guest spots…
LC: I’ve been working on quite a lot of projects this year. A few months ago me and Missing People released our debut EP ‘Glossop View’. I’m just about to release my debut solo project ‘The Lunar CD’ which should be out in the next two months and will only cost £1; so get your squid out! It’s gonna have roughly 20 of my best tracks on there and some sick features from West Yorkshire’s finest MCs and producers. Also the whole Sinoptic crew (Lunar C, EXP, JND, Angry Nik, WYdeboi, Neverlearn and Angela Bellis) have got ‘The Badger Sex mixtape‘ coming in the next few months too which is just gonna be all of us killing it. This year I’ve featured on JND’s ‘Working Classics’ ,Mastermind’s ‘Cut n Paste mixtape’ and I’ve just laid a verse down on a remix of Wu-Tang’s ‘Criminology’ track which is gonna be 6 MC’s: Me, Jack Flash, J Simple, Joker Starr, Spida Lee and Gen for Gen’s ‘Forbidden Jutsu mixtape’. Me and WYdeboi have been collaborating with a sick beatmaker from Leeds called Bridgens ,I’ve collabed with No Pretense, Adverse and Immranimal from Shedmen, Leady and maybe more which I might have forgotten. I’ve also got a crew of about 6 14 and 15 year old MCs that I’m kinda mentoring and they know all about Hip Hop which is rare for young UK MCs these days. I truly believe they are gonna shock alot of people with the skill they already have - they freestyle and write everyday and are about to do their first track soon so look out for Kontraband, Kid Nem and Sinister!
CB: You’ve been busy. How would you describe your sound? Is there any one track that would best define your style?
LC: If I had to describe my style I would just say my name is quite self explanatory. I’m a bit of a lunatic and I just write whatever comes to mind and it’s usually either a bit perverted and a bit crazy but I can switch it up and be versatile when I want to.
CB: Who have been your biggest musical influences and which Hip Hop artists have inspired you? Which are your favourite albums? What music were you brought up on?
LC: I’m only 19 so I think in the beginning it was Wu-Tang clan that got me hooked on Hip Hop but I’ve always been into music; all different types. My dad brought me up on everything from Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Faith No More to Mos Def and Cypress Hill so I’ve acquired quite a varied taste. I go through phases of listening to different rappers though at the mo I’ve been listening to a lot of Rakim ,Sage Francis and MF Doom .
CB: What is your earliest memory of anything Hip Hop related? First rap track heard? First time you rapped?
LC: I must have been a sprog but I can remember the first time I tried to rap. All I used to do when I was like 13 was sit in my room and listen to Wu-Tang (I know I keep mentioning them but, f**k you; they’re dope) tracks over and over and memorize the lyrics so the first time I tried to write my own they just sounded like a weak version of them so I only ended up writing a couple of bars and didn’t try again till I was 16. Since then I haven’t gone a day without rhyming .
CB: Where are you from? Can you tell us a bit more about the Hip Hop scene there?
LC: I’m from Bradford, West Yorkshire. I personally think that WY has most of the best artists in the UK and I rep it to the fullest. Bradford is also making a name for its self too which is exciting ‘cause it’s been a long time coming. We used to have Breadbins and Stack Chedda which Dr Crobe and Miki B (Brutal Artistry) used to put on but they came to an end a while back and I only managed to make it to one of those nights ‘cause of my age. But now Bane and Miki B are putting on a new night in Bradford called ‘DISGRACELANDS’ which is fire and is really helping the Bradford and WY scene to grow!
CB: What about the Hip Hop scene in general, UK or worldwide – where do you think it’s headed? Are things good/bad? What are your current philosophical thoughts on the current trends in rap music.
LC: Obviously I don’t think the Hip Hop scene is in the best shape its been in but I think there’s hope for determined talented artists if we just push our product in the right way and maybe stop moaning and being depressed and bitching. I was talking to an MC called JSN who does Hip Hop and Grime and we was having a little debate. I said to him “You need to listen to more UK Hip Hop. Why don’t you?” and he said “because most of it is just people moaning and it’s not positive” and to be fair to a degree I agree with the dude. Qe need to stop bitching as much about what we’re not doing and actually give it a go, but also I see it from the point of view of a struggling artist where you can only rap about what you know and if you’re poor then most of your s**t is gonna be about that. I don’t know if real Hip Hop will ever be a lucrative business again, the media only ever dare steal watered down parts of our culture and capitalize on it; they aren’t interested in the raw form – it’s too risky.
CB: What process do you go through when writing a track?
LC: I’ve always got bars going through my head which I usually write down and make a verse out of but these days I’ve been trying to write to beats and make some proper tracks because there is a difference between good bars on a good beat and a good track, with a good track everything has to blend and be perfect and capture a vibe.
CB: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years, 10 years time?
LC: I’ve got a lot of things cooking up for the future. In 5 years I hope I’m alive and living off music and have enough money to eat and smoke weed!
CB: Any last words?
LC: GET YOUR SQUID OUT! Lunar C
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
The Riddlah Interview
Certified Banger: Can you tell us your necessary background details so we can build on basics for the rest of the interview? For example: who you are, where you are from, projects you have worked on, people you have worked with.
The Riddlah: Cool, yeah, I grew up listening to many different types of music. From as early as I can remember I have been surrounded by music around the house, back when I lived at my mum’s, with my older brother heavily involved in the underground metal scene in Scotland and my older sisters’ love for musicals and plays. I’ve always had a passion for music and kinda wanted to do something. Once I got to the age of choosing a genre so to speak, Hip Hop was what I had grown to like the most. I grew up in Leith, Edinburgh, and went to a prominent Leith school, made lots of friends due to my outgoing side, and Leith became my ‘hood’. Once leaving school time came, when I was 16 (in ‘98) I started to show more interest in writing rhymes and I wondered if it was possible for Scottish people to rap. Things have moved on in massively over time, and I’ve now worked with a lot of the biggest names in the Scottish Hip Hop scene, and I continue to try and push our Scottish sound further south for listeners. I’m always contributing beats and rhymes to projects artists are working on, and you can find quite a lot of my work on local releases, but I also release my own UVBeatz Volumes, on free downloads and printed CDs with covers, these releases are proving to be quite popular with them getting downloads from other countries too, not just in the local scene, im currently putting most of my energy into the LP I’m working on. It’s gonna feature artists from all round the globe but still dominantly Scottish. Release details will follow in the near future with it being a more proper/professional release.
CB: How would you describe your sound? Is there any one track that would best define your style?
TR: Well I can cater for many different sounds and styles but lots of people have told me you can tell it’s one of my beats. I personally can pin point my sound, I like to make all different feelings through music, so I could come out with a soft almost R’n’B beat one minute, then the next day feel in the mood and end up making something banging or dark. Then these beats are normally chosen by an artist When I personally want to make a track, with me spitting on it (which I don’t do so much these days) I normally choose the hard beats.
CB: Who have been your biggest musical influences and which Hip Hop producers have inspired you?
TR: Wow, there are tons, dunno where to start so I’m just gonna shout a couple names that are big inspirations to me: Film maker - I like to listen to the emotion put into the scene of a film and make that work with music. John Carpenter was a massive influence to me; I just love his simple synths and melodies. RZA has a massive influence too; he lives the producer’s dream! The work he has done on film is amazing! Always gotta show respect to Dr. Dre too.
CB: Do you have a musical background? Do you play any instruments?
TR:Funny, ‘cause no I don’t really have any experience of playing any instruments, again lots of people have told me I should have done music at school or even college. I can play a keyboard for recording to make beats, but I believe if you claim to play an instrument, you should be able to just play it.
CB: How did you find out that you were handy when it came to crafting beats?
TR: When I started making music with Madhat in a group called Dark Rumours I began to make beats and I found it fascinating how many different things you can do and over time have learnt more and more techniques and nice touches that make a beat. Man, it ended up taking over from wanting to spit; I just wanted to make beats.
CB: Do you feel like many producers are overlooked or overshadowed by the MC's that rap on their beats?
TR: Well, I think it comes down to how into the music you really are as a fan, and how the individual single or album is marketed. If you really are a true fan of something, you end up checking the CD to see who produced what track but a lot of people just like the music and label it by the MC on it. On the marketing topic, some Albums have the MC and the producer as the main concept of the album - I like this and think it makes people more aware of the talents of individual beatmakers. I mean, check out the marketing put into Timbaland, Kanye West, DJ Muggs, Dr. Dre - they all try to put the message over to bring recognition to the producer. I don’t think its really a topic to worry about, in fact I think the beatmaker/producer profile is going upwards.
CB: What are your three pieces of equipment do you value most when it comes to production?
TR: Im a big believer in having the right speakers (or monitors), you gotta hear exactly what your end result is; no good using poor speakers. I got EDIROL MA-15D, my keyboard is a main player in my production, coming up with a melody naturally; an old Panasonic connected through midi, touch sensitive, running and connected through FL Studio 8 Producer Edition, on PC - very under rated programme, you gotta know what your doing.
CB: What other programs/equipment do you use?
TR: I got a copy of Sonar for recording and Sound Forge, an Allen & Heath ZED 14 mixing desk/console, a Behringer mic, Eltax Sub Woofer, deck and crossfader, and my ever amazing brother on Guitar - he loves his Les Paul.
CB: What process do you go through when writing a track?
TR: Well, I don’t really have a set course, more like a few different ways to go about it. So to get different sounding beats, if you start of with percussion or drums you will most likely end up with a drum orientated beat. Start with the music and it goes the other way around – I keep changing and switching.
CB: How do you prefer to work when collaborating with rappers?
TR: Again, it all depends on circumstances, some people record elsewhere and send me lyrics, some come to my lab, some ready written, and some chill and write at in the studio with me, that’s when I end up writing too, and dada! you got Riddlah on a track. It’s not often that I plan to be on a track or do a solo one, normally just an off the cuff thing.
CB: What tips would you give to an aspiring Hip Hop producer?
TR: You end up learning as you go yourself, with the technical stuff, like connections and quality setting on things, I like to chill and watch other beat makers doing there thing, I love chilling with Nasty P and learning more things he does that I don’t, but also things I do he doesn’t - so beatmakers out there, I’m watching!
CB: What can we expect from you in the future? Are you currently working on any exciting projects?
TR: Well yeah, I’m working on my LP as I said; really looking forward to getting it completed, dunno what’s planned for me production wise other than that, but I’ve always got other things I’m involved in with other artists on their projects, as long as Scottish Hip Hop is still pushing and making moves I'll be there doing my thing!
CB: Any last words or plugs?
TR: Show support to Scottish Hip Hop, a growing scene full of talented artists, make sure and get your self a copy of my recent ‘UVBeatz Recordings Vol.2’ FREE DOWNLOAD LINK: http://rapidshare.com/files/236858968/UVBeatz_Recordings_Vol.2.rar , and keep up to date with: www.myspace.com/uvbeatz , lastly shout out to, Madhat at MCF Records, Blasfimasinna also on MCF, Wardie Burns one of the Twisted Methods and WERD at SOS for all his help! Alexis at Savage Sound System, Nasty P KFM Records, Jonny on the Guitar, Steg G at Powercut Productions and Jay at MCF Records also - all these people keep me busy and keep me involved, Thanks! Sorry if I missed you out, you know what these things are like, you always forget someone. UVBEATZ!
The Riddlah: Cool, yeah, I grew up listening to many different types of music. From as early as I can remember I have been surrounded by music around the house, back when I lived at my mum’s, with my older brother heavily involved in the underground metal scene in Scotland and my older sisters’ love for musicals and plays. I’ve always had a passion for music and kinda wanted to do something. Once I got to the age of choosing a genre so to speak, Hip Hop was what I had grown to like the most. I grew up in Leith, Edinburgh, and went to a prominent Leith school, made lots of friends due to my outgoing side, and Leith became my ‘hood’. Once leaving school time came, when I was 16 (in ‘98) I started to show more interest in writing rhymes and I wondered if it was possible for Scottish people to rap. Things have moved on in massively over time, and I’ve now worked with a lot of the biggest names in the Scottish Hip Hop scene, and I continue to try and push our Scottish sound further south for listeners. I’m always contributing beats and rhymes to projects artists are working on, and you can find quite a lot of my work on local releases, but I also release my own UVBeatz Volumes, on free downloads and printed CDs with covers, these releases are proving to be quite popular with them getting downloads from other countries too, not just in the local scene, im currently putting most of my energy into the LP I’m working on. It’s gonna feature artists from all round the globe but still dominantly Scottish. Release details will follow in the near future with it being a more proper/professional release.
CB: How would you describe your sound? Is there any one track that would best define your style?
TR: Well I can cater for many different sounds and styles but lots of people have told me you can tell it’s one of my beats. I personally can pin point my sound, I like to make all different feelings through music, so I could come out with a soft almost R’n’B beat one minute, then the next day feel in the mood and end up making something banging or dark. Then these beats are normally chosen by an artist When I personally want to make a track, with me spitting on it (which I don’t do so much these days) I normally choose the hard beats.
CB: Who have been your biggest musical influences and which Hip Hop producers have inspired you?
TR: Wow, there are tons, dunno where to start so I’m just gonna shout a couple names that are big inspirations to me: Film maker - I like to listen to the emotion put into the scene of a film and make that work with music. John Carpenter was a massive influence to me; I just love his simple synths and melodies. RZA has a massive influence too; he lives the producer’s dream! The work he has done on film is amazing! Always gotta show respect to Dr. Dre too.
CB: Do you have a musical background? Do you play any instruments?
TR:Funny, ‘cause no I don’t really have any experience of playing any instruments, again lots of people have told me I should have done music at school or even college. I can play a keyboard for recording to make beats, but I believe if you claim to play an instrument, you should be able to just play it.
CB: How did you find out that you were handy when it came to crafting beats?
TR: When I started making music with Madhat in a group called Dark Rumours I began to make beats and I found it fascinating how many different things you can do and over time have learnt more and more techniques and nice touches that make a beat. Man, it ended up taking over from wanting to spit; I just wanted to make beats.
CB: Do you feel like many producers are overlooked or overshadowed by the MC's that rap on their beats?
TR: Well, I think it comes down to how into the music you really are as a fan, and how the individual single or album is marketed. If you really are a true fan of something, you end up checking the CD to see who produced what track but a lot of people just like the music and label it by the MC on it. On the marketing topic, some Albums have the MC and the producer as the main concept of the album - I like this and think it makes people more aware of the talents of individual beatmakers. I mean, check out the marketing put into Timbaland, Kanye West, DJ Muggs, Dr. Dre - they all try to put the message over to bring recognition to the producer. I don’t think its really a topic to worry about, in fact I think the beatmaker/producer profile is going upwards.
CB: What are your three pieces of equipment do you value most when it comes to production?
TR: Im a big believer in having the right speakers (or monitors), you gotta hear exactly what your end result is; no good using poor speakers. I got EDIROL MA-15D, my keyboard is a main player in my production, coming up with a melody naturally; an old Panasonic connected through midi, touch sensitive, running and connected through FL Studio 8 Producer Edition, on PC - very under rated programme, you gotta know what your doing.
CB: What other programs/equipment do you use?
TR: I got a copy of Sonar for recording and Sound Forge, an Allen & Heath ZED 14 mixing desk/console, a Behringer mic, Eltax Sub Woofer, deck and crossfader, and my ever amazing brother on Guitar - he loves his Les Paul.
CB: What process do you go through when writing a track?
TR: Well, I don’t really have a set course, more like a few different ways to go about it. So to get different sounding beats, if you start of with percussion or drums you will most likely end up with a drum orientated beat. Start with the music and it goes the other way around – I keep changing and switching.
CB: How do you prefer to work when collaborating with rappers?
TR: Again, it all depends on circumstances, some people record elsewhere and send me lyrics, some come to my lab, some ready written, and some chill and write at in the studio with me, that’s when I end up writing too, and dada! you got Riddlah on a track. It’s not often that I plan to be on a track or do a solo one, normally just an off the cuff thing.
CB: What tips would you give to an aspiring Hip Hop producer?
TR: You end up learning as you go yourself, with the technical stuff, like connections and quality setting on things, I like to chill and watch other beat makers doing there thing, I love chilling with Nasty P and learning more things he does that I don’t, but also things I do he doesn’t - so beatmakers out there, I’m watching!
CB: What can we expect from you in the future? Are you currently working on any exciting projects?
TR: Well yeah, I’m working on my LP as I said; really looking forward to getting it completed, dunno what’s planned for me production wise other than that, but I’ve always got other things I’m involved in with other artists on their projects, as long as Scottish Hip Hop is still pushing and making moves I'll be there doing my thing!
CB: Any last words or plugs?
TR: Show support to Scottish Hip Hop, a growing scene full of talented artists, make sure and get your self a copy of my recent ‘UVBeatz Recordings Vol.2’ FREE DOWNLOAD LINK: http://rapidshare.com/files/236858968/UVBeatz_Recordings_Vol.2.rar , and keep up to date with: www.myspace.com/uvbeatz , lastly shout out to, Madhat at MCF Records, Blasfimasinna also on MCF, Wardie Burns one of the Twisted Methods and WERD at SOS for all his help! Alexis at Savage Sound System, Nasty P KFM Records, Jonny on the Guitar, Steg G at Powercut Productions and Jay at MCF Records also - all these people keep me busy and keep me involved, Thanks! Sorry if I missed you out, you know what these things are like, you always forget someone. UVBEATZ!
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Leady Interview
Certified Banger: Can you tell us your necessary background details so we can build on basics for the rest of the interview?
Leady: My name is Leady and I have featured on Mixtapes such as UK Runnings, HHB Radio Mixtapes, Certified Banger "On The Radar", I have worked with the likes of Filthy Rich, JabbaThaKut, Beit Nun, Baron Samedi, Joe Gutta, Lunar C, WydeBoi, EXP, and plenty more.
CB: What are your current or upcoming projects?
L: Currently I'm working on my Solo Project 'Toxic Nonsense' as well starting possible joint projects with the likes of Manchester based Producer X-FIRE or Huddersfield producer Kegzi. Obviously I have a track featuring on the current Certified Banger 'On The Radar Vol.4'. Also I will be featuring on a project that will be released by E.L.D.E.R.S, a coalition of MCs from the states, Canada and the UK put together for working together, and promoting each other as well, so with that said, keep eyes open for the debut from E.L.D.E.R.S - 'The Black List'.
CB: How would you describe your sound? Is there any one track that would best define your style?
L: I'd describe my sound as very British. I think the track so far which best defines my style will be 'Remote Control' with Lunar C and Wydeboi taken from Lunar C's forthcoming solo project.
CB: Who have been your biggest musical influences and which Hip Hop artists have inspired you? Which are your favourite albums? What music were you brought up on?
L: My biggest Hip Hop influence would be KRS ONE, just for how much he has done for what we love doing today. Musical Influences would be Miles Davis(expect a few tracks using samples), Nina Simone, Guns and Roses, Van Halen and Meat Loaf. Hip Hop wise, my influences are as mentioned KRS ONE, Dilated Peoples, Roots, Method Man, RedMan.
CB: What is your earliest memory of anything Hip Hop related? First rap track heard? First time you rapped?
L: First album I listened to would have been an Ice T CD, can't remember the actual title though that would also contain the first real rap track I heard. First time I rapped I was terrible,but it's what got me started and to where I am now.
CB: Where are you from? Can you tell us a bit more about the Hip Hop scene there?
L: I'm from Leeds, West Yorkshire, the scene here is full of talented MCs, DJs and producers, just not enough people really working hard and pushing themselves properly. Obviously West Yorkshire is home to the massive Don't Talk To Strangers -
Leeds being home to a lot of the members.
CB: What about the Hip Hop scene in general, UK or worldwide – where do you think it’s headed? Are things good/bad? What are your current philosophical thoughts on the current trends in rap music?
L: Hip Hop at the moment in my opinion is being hurt with all this terrible autotune stuff out there now. However I don't think this is bad because we still have and always will have in existence a strong underground scene.
CB: What process do you go through when writing a track? Do you start with a beat, a concept, a lyric that you thought of in the shower? What happens next?
L: It depends on the mood really, sometimes I might have a topic or something I want to say in which case I get a beat to fit the tone, or for the most part I'll listen to the beat and let that guide me through everything from topic to how I want to approach the track and say things.
CB: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years, 10 years time? Is it an achievable goal?
L: Still doing what I love doing, hopefully will be able to say I've been around Europe and so on to perform my music etc.
CB:Any last words?
L: Shout outs to Missing People, Freyed Knot, Chief Wiggum, 9 Lives, all DTTS, DS Fam, Alphabetix, Jack Dans, Crack House, Organised Mess, E.L.D.E.R.S, Blessed House, Snafu, DBO, wiz, IrnMnky, ESSDEE, everybody repping for Leeds and West Yorkshire haha, Big up JabbaThaKut, Megamouth, Jack Flash and the rest of Groundwurq, and obviously Certified Banger - the greatest blogspot going, anybody else, if I forgot you, then sorry.
Also check out:
www.myspace.com/mrleady
www.reverbnation.com/leady
www.youtube.com/leady
www.youtube.com/Illuminatielders
www.myspace.com/illuminatielders
Leady: My name is Leady and I have featured on Mixtapes such as UK Runnings, HHB Radio Mixtapes, Certified Banger "On The Radar", I have worked with the likes of Filthy Rich, JabbaThaKut, Beit Nun, Baron Samedi, Joe Gutta, Lunar C, WydeBoi, EXP, and plenty more.
CB: What are your current or upcoming projects?
L: Currently I'm working on my Solo Project 'Toxic Nonsense' as well starting possible joint projects with the likes of Manchester based Producer X-FIRE or Huddersfield producer Kegzi. Obviously I have a track featuring on the current Certified Banger 'On The Radar Vol.4'. Also I will be featuring on a project that will be released by E.L.D.E.R.S, a coalition of MCs from the states, Canada and the UK put together for working together, and promoting each other as well, so with that said, keep eyes open for the debut from E.L.D.E.R.S - 'The Black List'.
CB: How would you describe your sound? Is there any one track that would best define your style?
L: I'd describe my sound as very British. I think the track so far which best defines my style will be 'Remote Control' with Lunar C and Wydeboi taken from Lunar C's forthcoming solo project.
CB: Who have been your biggest musical influences and which Hip Hop artists have inspired you? Which are your favourite albums? What music were you brought up on?
L: My biggest Hip Hop influence would be KRS ONE, just for how much he has done for what we love doing today. Musical Influences would be Miles Davis(expect a few tracks using samples), Nina Simone, Guns and Roses, Van Halen and Meat Loaf. Hip Hop wise, my influences are as mentioned KRS ONE, Dilated Peoples, Roots, Method Man, RedMan.
CB: What is your earliest memory of anything Hip Hop related? First rap track heard? First time you rapped?
L: First album I listened to would have been an Ice T CD, can't remember the actual title though that would also contain the first real rap track I heard. First time I rapped I was terrible,but it's what got me started and to where I am now.
CB: Where are you from? Can you tell us a bit more about the Hip Hop scene there?
L: I'm from Leeds, West Yorkshire, the scene here is full of talented MCs, DJs and producers, just not enough people really working hard and pushing themselves properly. Obviously West Yorkshire is home to the massive Don't Talk To Strangers -
Leeds being home to a lot of the members.
CB: What about the Hip Hop scene in general, UK or worldwide – where do you think it’s headed? Are things good/bad? What are your current philosophical thoughts on the current trends in rap music?
L: Hip Hop at the moment in my opinion is being hurt with all this terrible autotune stuff out there now. However I don't think this is bad because we still have and always will have in existence a strong underground scene.
CB: What process do you go through when writing a track? Do you start with a beat, a concept, a lyric that you thought of in the shower? What happens next?
L: It depends on the mood really, sometimes I might have a topic or something I want to say in which case I get a beat to fit the tone, or for the most part I'll listen to the beat and let that guide me through everything from topic to how I want to approach the track and say things.
CB: Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years, 10 years time? Is it an achievable goal?
L: Still doing what I love doing, hopefully will be able to say I've been around Europe and so on to perform my music etc.
CB:Any last words?
L: Shout outs to Missing People, Freyed Knot, Chief Wiggum, 9 Lives, all DTTS, DS Fam, Alphabetix, Jack Dans, Crack House, Organised Mess, E.L.D.E.R.S, Blessed House, Snafu, DBO, wiz, IrnMnky, ESSDEE, everybody repping for Leeds and West Yorkshire haha, Big up JabbaThaKut, Megamouth, Jack Flash and the rest of Groundwurq, and obviously Certified Banger - the greatest blogspot going, anybody else, if I forgot you, then sorry.
Also check out:
www.myspace.com/mrleady
www.reverbnation.com/leady
www.youtube.com/leady
www.youtube.com/Illuminatielders
www.myspace.com/illuminatielders
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