Leeds Hip Hop Scene » Interviews

Hip-HopKings.com Interview with Souls of Mischief (Video)

Editor — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:26:00 +0000

If you are a Hip Hop fan in the UK it’s no doubt you saw Souls of Mischief sometime in the past few days, I was fortunate to be back stage at The Well, Leeds, with Ryan from Hip-HopKings.com and Stu (Taste The Diff’rence) when this was filmed. It’s a great interview and they are a group of great people too.

Apparently Ryan also interviewed Mystro on Saturday night too so I’m looking forward to that one very soon…

Souls Of Mischief In Leeds Interview

The Headspace Interview

Chris — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:37:53 +0000

We wanted to push for a line up that would excite UK Hip Hop heads, and have loads of exclusive tracks. At the same time we wanted up and coming artists to be sitting alongside established artists.

I briefly caught up with Vice from Basement Sessions about the Headspace Mixtape that will launch tomorrow, 5th February 2010, with a raft of UK Hip Hop Acts dropping exclusive tracks for this new project between Basement Sessions Podcasts, HipHopHypeDog, Sensei FM and Soapbox Clothing.

For our readers who don’t know who you are, can you briefly introduce yourself?
My name’s Vice. I run Basement Sessions, an online Hip Hop community which has been running for a year now. My partner in crime is Hype Dog, one of the best UK Hip Hop blogs around. Hype Dog’s pretty new in the game but doing things properly. We are just about to drop the first volume of the Headspace mixtape, which is supported by Sensei Fm and features graphics from ever fresh Soap Box Clothing.

What motivated you to release your mixtape? Can you let us know who features on there?

Initially I wanted to release a mixtape to celebrate a year of the Basement Sessions podcasts. I got at Hype Dog with the idea and we decided to join forces. There’s a lot of Uk mixtapes that come out each year and they tend to follow the same pattern, with similar sounding tracks, the same artists every time, and very few exclusives. We wanted to push for a line up that would excite UK Hip Hop heads, and have loads of exclusive tracks. At the same time we wanted up and coming artists to be sitting alongside established artists. Weve got tracks from TY, Stig of The Dump, Mystro, Jack Flash, Alphabetix, Prose, Brotherman, Lowkey, IQ and loads more artists from around the country.

Do you have a fave track on the mixtape?
ah man! I love all of the tracks on there. Every single track on there was picked because we were feeling the artist, not just on there because of their rep. I love Ty’s new track with Corey Mwamba, thats got a really nice vibe. There’s an amazing Akira Kiteshi remix of Asaviour & DJ IQ from the A-Loop Theory that gets your head nodding every time. I’m a fan of all of these artists so it’s really hard to choose. I guess one other track that I’m feeling is Jack Flash’s new track produced by Wizard, that’s a banger!

Where do you think the UK Scene is right now? Where would you like to see it go?
The UK scene constantly gets ripped apart by everyone. The ‘Golden Days’ of the early 2000′s is way behind us, and people keep on clutching onto that sound, with artists like Taskforce, Jehst, Moorish and alike constantly selling out venues. Those guys are still sick but there’s way more out there to discover. The UK Hip Hop scene has really crafted it’s own sound, and every city sounds different. From boombap, to soulful, to double time to wonky sounding beats there is everything you could ask for in a genre.

The one thing that is stopping the scene from blowing up is the clique mentality and every city being separate. London is always classed as the hub of the scene, but cities like Leeds, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham, Derby and loads more and pushing their music hard. So many crews in each city only except particular artists into their network, and as each city tends to have a relatively small scene, if you are a new artist it can be hard to push through. People need to switch their mentality and try and discover music from all over the country and across the British Isles.
There is no reason to be negative about UK Hip Hop, it’s an amazing genre with a great scene. I would just like to see it come together, and be more supportive of the artists who are really moving our country’s sound forward.

Are you cooking up any other ways to bring fresh ways of releasing music to this digitally obsessed age?
We’ve got some ideas! I think the key is to tap into that digital market but be sure double up with a physical format aswell. Headspace Volume 1 is strictly digital, but there’s some very different things happening for the upcoming volumes! For the next volume we will be bringing it to the people! We’d like to get more live shows on the go and some different ways of releasing the material.

Basement Sessions have recently began working on a series of 4 day events, the first took place at Knowle West Media Centre in Bristol in January called XLR. The event consists of Workshops, Film Screenings, Live PA’s from the best local talent and lectures. The whole idea is redefining Hip Hop. All of the footage will be uploaded and promoted, and live tracks sent out to shows and blogs, to route back to the ever growing digital scene.

Any Shout Outs?
The headspace mixtape will be available to download on Friday. Go to http://ukhiphopmixtapes.blogspot.com to cop it! Plus it will be all over the UK Hip Hop online circuit so you can check us anywhere! Particularly Hype Dog, Certified Banger, Hip Hop Chronicles, Leeds Hip Hop (of course!) and UK Allday
There’s too many! You can check the Basement Sessions podcasts at:
www.basementsessions.podomatic.com
We’ve got regular shows from myself in Birmingham, Jagos in Bristol and 456 in Ipswich, plus guest mixes and interviews with some great artists.
Our blog is:
www.thebasementsessions.com
www.twitter.com/basementsession
And you can join the Basement Sessions Facebook group at:
www.tinyurl.com/streetface
Plus check our You Tube channel:
www.youtube.com/basementsessionsuk

You can check Hype Dog at:
http://hiphophypedog.blogspot.com/
twitter.com/hypedog1
Also check out UK Hip Hop Mixtapes for a whole host of paid and free mixtapes and projects:
http://ukhiphopmixtapes.blogspot.com
twitter.com/ukmixtapes
And be sure to check them both out on Twitter plus check out their London Events page:
twitter.com/ldnhiphop

Plus be sure to check our supporters Sensei FM, who are home to tonnes of great online shows:
www.sensei.fm

And check Soap Box Clothing, who offer Limited Edition clothing with a difference:
www.soapboxclothing.co.uk

Hip-Hop Kings Interviews Charlie Sloth

Chris — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:47:13 +0000

HHK: Thanks for speaking to us Charlie! For the fans who haven’t heard your music, can you introduce yourself please?

Charlie Sloth: My name is Charlie Sloth (in a Michael Caine accent) The most watched man in Europe and the best looking fat guy on the planet!

HHK: The Charlie Sloth show is not only a great show to watch, but the creativity, and innovation behind the idea was fantastic. How did you come up with the idea? And how was the reaction from fans at the start?

Charlie Sloth: Thank you, I was looking for some kind of stickiness a reason for people to check back at my site at least once a week, i had self educated myself in all the sections of new media i thought was most important like Music production, editing, camera skills, directing, management, web design and creative writing and I thought how can I get across what I’m doing without coming across all arrogant. So I developed the idea of playing all the roles myself. I then created a pilot and took it to the guy’s at jump-off they put the first two episodes up and then worldstarhiphop.com came in and started screening the show exclusively every week. At first a lot of my fan base was confused I had a lot of negative feedback but I think that they did not really understand the concept.

HHK: Do you think that 50 Cent caught the idea, and decided to do a similar show for himself?

Charlie Sloth: Many people seem to think so. I’m not a great believer of coincidence but to be honest I wasn’t mad, I was humbled that people are taking notice and paying attention

HHK: One More Drink is the name of the new single. What can you tell us about the single? And how has promotion gone so far for the release?

Continue Reading the Charlie Sloth Interview @HHK DotCom

Chief Wigz Interview on Certified Banger

Mr Certified Banger — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:24:28 +0000

“…the time’s gotta be right for everything; recording, writing, practising, ciphering, timing of life -it ain’t luck, just good timing”

A legend on the Leeds scene, quiet for a while, is ready to rock again on a national stage. Certified Banger gets the lowdown from the man himself:

Certified Banger: Alright? How’s it going?

CW: I’m good; the glass is always half full! I got the 12” out, album on the way, all produced by ‘Brutal Artistry’ may I add, and I’m rolling with an ill label, ‘Don’t Talk To Strangers’ – things have never been better.

CB: Let’s talk about your 12” then. What’s it called? What’s the thinking behind the orange vinyl – why is it orange and why is it vinyl and not just download or CD?

CW: ‘Sunday Service’ is the name of the first release. The thinking behind the vinyl (let alone the vinyl being limited edition orange vinyl) was that a classic product. Since I was a teenager my dream was to have my own vinyl, I want more already, it’s like having you’re own comic book printed and the story board is about you. It’s just a classic, traditional method of releasing material. Me and Brutal Artistry and DTTS as a label all want to practise the art form traditionally; anyone can release a download, some people put one out each week and that’s fine but we want our product to be permanent, we want you to be able to pick it up and be fascinated with it, not just put it on your ipod and it fall into years of endless un-listened music. We want you to use it as it was designed to be used classically! Anyways, vinyl’s still the new cool – all the kids are getting back into it. Trust.

Read on here

Genesis Elijah All Day Interview /via @UKallday

Editor — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:35:17 +0000

Having stepped away from this hip hop lark in 2007, Genesis Elijah has recently resurfaced, taking his career into his own hands and sounding hungrier than ever. We checked in with Genesis to find out where he’s been at, where he’s going to and what he thinks of the UK scene at the moment. Candy-arsed rappers look away now.

What you been up to and what’s the game plan for 2010? I’m Doing It seems to suggest you’re in a pretty focused mood…

“Oh yeah! I’m on this thing like I’ve never been before. I’ve been preparing for 2010 since the beginning of 2009 and my whole plan for 2010 is to get me in a good position for 2011. I’ve been getting rid of deadweight waste men from around me and adding people who are focused on me. It’s nothing personal, just business.”

What producers have you been working with?

“Erm that I’m Doing It track was produced by Rich West but my new EP Civil Unrest was produced by Beezwax and the one after Before I Was Famous was produced by The Krate Krusaders. I’ve just started working with a producer called Flex who’s got some serious talent and I’ll also be working with Blacksmith & Jonny Simps.”

And what about MC’s? Have you got any collaborations stashed away or coming up for heads to get excited about?

“I’m not gonna go in to all the artists I’ve worked with this year but I will say I’ve done over 25 collabs with UK, US and European artists so you’ll be seeing me a lot in 2010.”

Continue Reading @UK All Day

How We Do Tv: Wailers Interview

Editor — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:20:15 +0000

How We Do caught up with pioneering reggae group The Wailers, discussing their impact on global music, how they developed the reggae sound, as well as their new material and future plans for one of the world’s longest serving groups. Much knowledge and experience dropped in half an hour, be sure to listen close to Family Man! More footage after the jump

Narow P & Sir Snaf interview Aston ‘Family Man’ Barret, Ivan and new singer Elan. Filmed/edited by Willis ‘Brighton’ Lock.
woord (and jah bless…)
tom

Matter of FACT, it’s Verbal Contact!

Wisdomtooth — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:26:39 +0000

Whats Good?

The all too familiar opening from some Yank spamming your Myspace inbox. You don’t even bother to look at how bad they are, probibly some RnB turd singing seriously about guns and hoes. Next time this scurge of self promotion passes you, take a minute to let them know exactly whats good. In fact start with these boys Verbal Contact. If your not already familiar with Matter, Prys or Sonar Cousin, allow me to introduce to you the governor himself, Matter.

How did Verbal Contact come about?

Prys, myself and Sonar Cousin all
play a big part in Leeds crew of crews Northern Hostility and thats
where everyone really got to know each others style. When NH started
losing momentum a bit, a few side projects sprung from it, Verbal
Contact being one. Matter chose to link Prys and Sonar C as he knew all
three parts would complement each other perfectly and plus we’re on
equal footing when it comes to alcohol and marijuana intake.

How and why did you sign with 30 Tone Slug and did you actually sign
anything?

We signed with 30TS partly cos we already had a music
relationship with Alphabetix, who run the label, and partly for their
work ethic and potential. it’s not enough to just sign with your boys
so fortunately they have been well on it sorting gigs, promotion, all
the stuff its hard to do if you don’t have your fingers in the right
pies. Their alcohol and marijuana intake isn’t quite up to par but we
let that slide.

Where is hip Hop at right now in Leeds?

Well it’s a hard one as it
seems every hiphop night that goes on in Leeds is geared strictly to
students and these nights put on their fake rudeboy emcee mates and
theres not a massive platform for local MCs, no real open mic
nights…. a lot of leeds hiphip fans have got disheartened with this
and don’t go to local nights when they do happen… there’s still mad
amounts of talent though so musically we’re killing it, it’s just the
money goes into the wrong places, your average leeds promoter can’t
really match a bunch of posh kids with student loans when it comes to
cash… HOWEVER there’s nights coming up that hopefully will become
regular things The Line Up at The Vault has Sonnyjim, Jack Flash and
DS Fam playing their first night and the Alphabetix ep launch at Elbow
Rooms on Oct 11 which we’re playing will be a big one. In short, the
scene’s been corrupted but we’re taking that shit back.

Name an artist you would like to work with and why?

Chima
Anya’s a sick upandcoming Mc who uses some dope-arse producers, real
intellgent rhymes

How important do you
feel live performance is to getting your name out and reasing your
profile?

You can’t really overstate the importance of a live show.
Everybody downloads your shit these days so the way to seperate
yourself from the flock youve got to kill it live. especially in a
scene this small thats how youve gotta put yourself out there.

Your debut E.P Literary Vices is dropping near the end of the year.
What if any is the concept behind the E.P?

It’s mainly a statement about where we live, what
we get up to, stories that surround us in Leeds. it’s real down to
earth and paints a picture of a certain place at a certain time… for
future releases we’re gonna tackle some bigger topics trusssssssst.

What other projects are you involved in?

Prys has been in
Defenders of Style, a Leeds hiphop crew since he started spitting more
or less. Sonar C aka Mike D is a freelance operatist who works with
BARE man in BARE different music scenes, too many to mention but you’ll
see his name about no doubt. Matter is in live funk/hiphop band the
Loose Wires, tearing up dancefloors round the country.

The
Northern Hostility mixtape has been eagerly anticipated for a while
now, and a little birdy tells me it’s all but done. When Can we expect
it in stores?

We’re deciding the best way to approach it. It probably
will be out as a free release, with a limited amount pressed to CD and
also as a free download, end of 09. I see Northern hostility as a
showcase of the sickest artists in Leeds at that time and it was a nice
starting point for a lot of people involved in it.

Where do you see the Leeds Scene heading in the next Decade and who are
you feeling?

If the Leeds scene starts asserting itself again and also
adapts and moves with the times, i can see it flourishing, the same
could be said for the whole UK scene. Just get them bangers made. Right
now Chief Wigz and Optic are big in the game, J Bravo still smacks it,
everyone in Northern Hostility was there for a reason. And standard you
best keep em peeled for Verbal Contact or we’ll peel em for you
hahahahaha.

Verbal Contacts’ EP launch rests nicely on the same night as Master Ace with support from Alphabetix. Saturday, 28th November, Elbow Rooms all for an incredible£5. No excuses

30 Tonne Slug Prepare To Make Their Mark

Wisdomtooth — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:14:41 +0000

30 Tonne Slug is the latest Leeds based label to stand out and proclaim it’s
worth to the Gods that are Hip Hop. If their debut EP Alphabitix Anonymous, out
next week, is anything to go by then they stand every chance of acceptance. I caught
up with Angel S and MrRis (the label chiefs) to probe their minds and find out
where they are, where they’ve been and most importantly where they intend to
go.

Meeting in the pissing rain over a Sailor
Jerry’s n Coke outside Hyde Park Pub, the conversation gets straight to hip hop
politics, a familiar and well treaded topic up north.

MrRis – One label does not make a scene and that’s why we taking things into
our own hands and releasing our own music and the music we love. No one is
getting pushed in Leeds. It’s a simple fact that you have to get out there and
do it yourself. Everyone knows each other in Leeds, we all collaborate but some
friendly competition is healthy and helps bring the scene forward.

Angel S – We’ve been doing this for long time now and were not naive. 30
Tonne might well run at a loss for the first few years, but you have to earn
respect in UK hip hop. Heads are loyal but we’ve all seen it where artists have
come out of nowhere and pushed themselves hard but have had nothing to back it
up. We have done the exact opposite.

Alphabetix have been sharpening their claws on the gig circuit for years
now. Building up a reputation for being able to get the crowd hyped at any
given night. Angel S is right of course. Instead of hauling all their efforts
into producing a studio album that doesn’t have an audience, they are now in a position
where heads are asking “when is the album coming? Where is it, Don’t you want
my money?”.

The rain finally clears and the sun pushes through onto the sodden pub umbrellas.
MrRis suggests we go back to 30TS headquarters for a preview of the EP. The mood
is full of optimism as talk turns to 30 Tonnes’ latest signing Verbal Contact. MrRis
genuinely gushing his love for Matter and Prys’ (Verbal Contact) vocal styling’s.

MrRis – Matter is one of the hardest
working heads I know and him and Prys just work so well on the same track. They’re
coming from the same place.

It’s obvious you are passionate about the people you surround yourselves
with, I say.

Angel S – The mandate is Artist first! Business comes second. Were fans as
much as anything, we wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t have love for the
music. That’s not to say that were ignorant to the industry. I have been
involved in marketing for Vadim and IQ in the passed and have built up my
contacts along the way.

As we reach 30TS HQ I ask them about their backgrounds. People either get
into hip hop as they are growing up, where they become part of its culture as
much as it is their own. Or they get into the ‘Scene’ as they hit Uni and
usually become a parody of it (excuse the cynicism, maybe I’m just getting old).

Angel S – I was into all the US stuff growing up back in York. Then I herd
Taskforce and was like this is DARK!

MrRis – We used to bump The Roots non-stop too. Back at Alexs’ (ABD) yard. ‘118
Soundsystem’ was the party house, we even put out our first 12” release under
it – Beached.

Alphabetix Anonymous is playing in the background. A polished mix of intelligent
vocals playfully weaving through a select choice of beats, from the likes of
Mike D and J Bravo to name a few. We sit over a brew and a smoke to absorb Verbal
Contacts ambitious and strikingly accomplished ‘Literary Vices EP’, then it’s
time to leave. They have a busy afternoon finalising artwork and contacting
promoters. I drive home with my advanced copies of Literary Vices and
Alphabetix Anonymous feeling good and even a little exited. The sun is out
and the fruits of the last couple of years of some of Leeds most respected
heads are on the horizon. Watch this space.

Leady Interview

Mr Certified Banger — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:54:13 +0000

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

No related posts.

Golden Mic Challenge Winner ABD Interview

Wisdomtooth — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:52:26 +0000

Be sure to go and check out the ABD Interview on Certified Banger!!

ABD has been on the West Yorkshire Hip Hop scene for a while now and dues are beginning to be paid. Without fail he rocks the show and gets the crowd involved and partying without resorting to non-sense. He has dope flows, a very likeable timbre and he’s taken time to answer some questions for me:Certified Banger: Yo ABD, congratulations on the Golden Mic Challenge win! Before we get into this, let us know about yourself, give us all the info we need:

ABD: Ok I’m 23 and been rhyming since I was 14, so 9 years at some point this year. My main crew is Alphabetix, I’m also in Northern Hostility, and I usually have the odd live band side project here and there (not at the mo!) I come from York but I’ve been living in Leeds about 4 years. Alphabetix have our own label – 30Tonne Slug on which we plan to release our own stuff. We put out a 12” of my old crew 118SoundSystem in 2006.

Click here to read his tips on rocking a show, his suggested reading list and his thoughts on religion

Click here to download some free tracks by ABD and Alphabetix