Leeds Hip Hop Scene

Wiz & Dbo catch Kockee and the multi-talented Lanre (SOL, Slickhanded) outside The Faversham

Whats happening in 2007?
Kockee - Right now im promoting the album 53rd degree, Chapel City, Slickhanded productions produced it all for me. We’ve just been performing it around and making some noise around the UK, Europe, Ireland France, Germany…

The Album has a big sound!
Lanre Phillips - Thanks, yeah we’ve been working with Kockee for a while now and we’ve made a product that were happy with. The next thing were looking at now is getting it distributed thought the whole of France. But were wanting to look after the UK market as well, but it’s such a harder thing to do in terms of marketing.

You’re not a bad singer Lanre?
Lanre Phillips - Thankyou again, yeah I’m in a band called SOL, were signed to Avista Urban, part of Sony BMG. Our Album goes out worldwide this year.

What would you say is the Leeds sounds right now?
Kockee - Kockee K is the sound right now (laughs)

Other Than yourself whats worth watching out for in Leeds?
Kockee - Theres always lots of underground hip hop projects going on and then theres the grime heads doin their thing so I’m always there to onboard for the youth. People like TDP, Terrierz you know doing their thing. Theres a mixtape dropping soon so watch out for that.
Lanre Phillips - Amy Stead all day long, she is an amazing vocalist, and pianist, Alicia keys comparisons have been drawn. This girls white, from Braford and she is sick. Also Bianca G, Marcus Romelle & my sister Toyin are also exceptionally talented people to look out for in the R&B scene……….

How many other projects have you been involved with before 53rd degree?
Kockee - Done a lot of mixtapes locally, just really sharpening my claws, but this is my first official release. There wasn’t really anywhere to put the earlier stuff anyway, other than local club halls. Now though the music is changing and in 53rd degree I’ve got a theme that I can say “this is a professional product”.
Lanre Phillips - I think the great thing about the album though is the wide appeal it has. Even the hardest rockers want to work with Kockee now because they love the vibe and where he’s coming from. I think that’s a real British thing as well flipping out lots a styles together and making it work.

What are you hoping to get out of 20/20/2 Vision?
Kockee - Well just hoping to push the video through all the right avenues and network with people who might not know who I am. Also push the video through the internet and you know, everyones got phones these days that play media…

OK lastly what is the 53rd degree?
Kockee - 53rd degree north is the Latitude of Leeds. It’s a bigger scope of looking at our small part of the world, instead of this street or that area. It’s a big look and a big image that were putting out. Spread your wings a bit, don’t just enclose yourselves in your immediate environment. Get out there and do your thing.

Safe for the interview

More Info:

www.myspace.com/kockeek
www.myspace.com/slickhanded
www.20202.co.uk