Rude Boy Rupert

Hey Rupert, great to catch up with you and can you tell us how you came to remix the new ‘Black’ track by Freddy Bastone and Ihsan?

I met Julian Garnett in 2022 in Love Vinyl Records on Phil Asher Day and we talked lots about music and kept in touch. I liked his ‘Sbase’ Mix of Freddy & Ihsan’s ‘Black’, playing it on the Chillifunk radio show. I thought the Ihsan ‘Black’ vocal was special and would suit the sound I’ve been experimenting with. More phone calls and Julian kindly sent me over the vocal to play with.

Listen here: https://on.soundcloud.com/1V2mcXNeL4qCH5sj8

Producing or DJ-ing – do you have a favourite and what do you like about each one?

Love them equally, but right now probably the studio work over DJ’ing. I do really enjoy being creative at home working by myself with no time limits.

I used to enjoy playing longer DJ sets back in the day at Garage City and it was all about the journey set, creating something really special. Now the one hour DJ set seems to be the norm unless you’re promoting your own night.

You’ve produced music for Chillifunk Records and Craig Smith’s Beyond Tomorow label and how do you approach production. Is it ideas, sounds and how does the creative process work for you?

It’s different every time. Listening to my records, playing different key progressions and recording everything to catch those happy accidents. I remember with the Freddy Bastone remix it was the drums and strings first.

Do you have a favourite track that you’ve produced or remixed and what makes that one so special?

The first track I made with Gavin ‘Face’ Mills ‘It’s A DJ Thing’, back in 1998 did really well and helped me buy my early equipment.

Then the first 3 track EP ‘Stories from the Underground’ 2021 I did for Lofty & Tom on Four Four Trax, which will be re-released on Chillifunk Records in 2025.

Part of London’s Garage City and Soul Heaven clubs, you’ve been a resident for both since the early 90’s and how did you connect with these guys? And what are the highlights from any of the events you’ve been part of?

Bobby & Steve Zoo Experience had already started their Garage City party at Joe’s Brassiere. A chance meeting with them at Catch a Groove Records thanks to store manager, Abbey Shah led to me giving Steve a mix cassette and he invited me down to check out what they were doing at the Podium in Vauxhall. Garage City was and still is my home and holds many fond memories including India performing her full repertoire of songs at a Valentine’s party there in 1994. The Garage City summer seasons we did at Es Paradis, Ibiza were also magical. Garage City ran every Saturday night at Bar Rumba and I’m so grateful and give thanks to Bobby & Steve Laviniere.

Soul Heaven was the same and I was already in love with the Ministry of Sound from when it first opened, so getting to play those events and travel the world for Soul Heaven was again, an amazing experience.

Another great moment was my Italian Tour in 1993 including the legendary Angels of Love club in Naples where I warmed up for the great Claudio Coccoluto (RIP).

Coming of age in the days of early 80’s electro, hip hop, soul etc, how did these music scenes impact you and can you tell us about how it inspired you/excited you including some of the clubs, DJs and records that shaped you. 

I guess my story was very similar to most teenagers in the early 80’s with groundbreaking dance music and fashion. I soaked up those compilations from Street Sounds and went to the legendary UK Fresh event in ’86 where Grandmaster Flash, DJ Cheese, Whodini, Mantronix and many more performed for the first time in the UK. It really was something…breakdancing, scratching…it was New York in London. Any money I had I spent on records and collecting became a huge part of my musical journey.

Later I went clubbing to Nicky Holloway and Gilles Peterson’s Special Branch events and in Borough High Street, and the last Shoom parties in The Park, Kensington. I was also a big Crazy Club fan and follower of Fabio & DJ Face before I stumbled across Linden C at his Strictly Rhythm nights at the Soundshaft. Some of the DJs that inspired me well it’s got to start with Paul “Trouble” Anderson. Then Fabio , Frankie Foncett, CJ Mackintosh, Claudio Coccoluto and Ray Keith.

And 5 tracks that immediately came to mind (but there are so many more..) are…

Hashim – “Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)”

Kraftwerk – “Tour De France”

Lonnie Listen Smith – “Expansions”

Aleem & Leroy Burgess  – “Release Yourself”

Todd Terry – “To The Batmobile Let’s Go” debut album

Why and how did you first get into producing?

It was Gavin ‘DJ Face’ Mills who first asked me to come and work on something together. Getting to use that infamous Catch Records MPC drum machine of his lit the touch paper for me.

I remember driving to Sheffield with Chicago DJ, Terry Hunter, who told me to get a drum machine and sound module, which I still use to this day. I’m grateful to have gained knowledge from Gavin, Ceri ‘Sunship’ Evans, Martin Ikin and especially Grant Nelson. I’m lucky to have met some great friends who’ve made amazing records!

How’s 2024 been – new music and shows and can you tell us what’s upcoming for you? 

For me 2024 has been taking stock and doing my homework going out and listening to all styles of music. ‘We Out Here’ festival, Liquid Spirit Gozo and Wild Canvas were amazing. Garage City reunions are always special for DJ’ing at and Part 4 was memorable for me.  In 2025 I’m going to be DJ-ing more and already confirmed are sets at Liquid Spirit Gozo (Malta) in September and Garage City in October. I have some remixes for Chillifunk Records forthcoming and a new EP for them. There’s also more collaborations coming with different styles of music I love.

The Remixes of “Black by Freddy Bastone featuring Ihsan including Rude Boy Rupert, Julian “JuJu” Garnett and the original Freddy Bastone version are out on November 15th on JuJu Muzik. Follow @https://www.instagram.com/julian.garnett/