Hi dude. I was a bit worried with this interview, I’m gonna be typing your answers into my laptop as we go and being an MC I’m scared of you leaving me behind!
“Don’t worry Dan, I’ll take it easy!”
Ok, you’re without doubt one of the most talented and intelligent MCs on the UK scene right now. How did you get into MC’ing and who were the guys that inspired you in the first place?
“Well when I was 14 my cousin used to run an old rave pirate station called Absence in West London. One night he took me along and I just loved it. He asked me to do some hosting and that was it. I got into Jungle a couple of years later and I have to admit, witnessing the likes of Skibadee at a One Nation rave one time, well he just killed it man. All the early Jungle headz just made me want to get into it all.”
A decade on the mic, but the Hip Hop / Jungle scene hasn’t always been the music you’ve brought out…explain?
“Well when I was at school a good friend of mine was teaching himself Bass, another the guitar. They happened to luckily find this dingy rehearsal room. My mate said hey, come down and have a smoke and a drink and let’s have a jam. It went well and we all said let’s form a Metal band would you believe. We called ourselves ‘Flict’. This was 1999. Then we got asked to enter Battle of the Bands, so we did and fuck me we won it.”
What did you win?
“We won a day’s recording at Aldgate Studios. It was amazing for us kids to be sitting in this world famous studio where the likes of Queen, Madonna and INXS had all played. Anyway we made a track, only the one but that studio vibe had me trapped.”
How has your style developed from the early Jungle days through to your current style?
“Good question. Well it’s all about growing up I suppose Dan. Experiencing life. I mean, I started off in a Metal band then moved into the world of Jungle, Garage and Grime . Listening to – and taking advice from other vocalists from different walks of life and that also helped me mould my style.”
What’s the strength of MCing in the UK scene like at the moment? Who else is doing it out there?
“Well in my mind not a lot. It has changed for sure, but – and I’m going to upset some people out there – the majority of the UK Hip Hop MCs have become lazy. They are not broad minded enough, there’s no experimentation out there – it’s basically stagnant. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and a place for that moody sound. I’ve also got a lot of time for The Foreign Beggars man. And Skepta steps up. And obviously me!”
Pirate radio stations, maybe the last bastion of a revolt against the establishment, were you ever involved in any other stations other than your cousin’s?
“For sure, for sure. Stations like Deja Vu and Infastep. Loads man.”
Ever had any run ins with the police?
“So many. Luckily because I was just using my voice I never lost any expensive equipment. But I’ve seen stuff taken, I’ve seen records snapped in people’s faces, we’ve all jumped out of windows to get away…”
Who are you listening to on your ipod at the moment?
“Everything Dan. It all depends on my mood. I could wake up one morning and stick some Bjork on, I’m really into the Foreign Beggars second album, I could just switch on some metal or Dubstep. In fact I’m really into my Dubstep at the moment and I’m writing a lot of new stuff. My Grandad was also a huge Reggae head so that always gets a press of the Play button regularly. Anything and everything.”
From the massive back catalogue of tracks you have worked, which is your most accomplished moment – what are you most proud of?
“Woah. Well two tracks come immediately into mind. ‘Studio Ain’t For Kids’ which still stands out whenever I perform it, people know it all in the crowd and it still sounds fresh. Also ‘The Pub’ – I’m a big fan of beer and it has a real catchy chorus.”
You’re currently working on a new LP ‘Open Season’ – how is it shaping up and when can we except to hear it?
“Well to be honest, with all the gigs I’m doing I’ve had to put it on a back burner. I was hoping to bring it out this Summer, but realistically, it’ll probably be next April now.”
Will the album be very different than your first album ‘The Holy Moley’?
“Never really spoke to anyone about this. It’ll be completely different. ‘Holy Moley’ was created just after my friend who was the guitarist in ‘Flict’ passed away. I was in a bit of a dark place. The new album is a totally happier selection of music. Some Hip Hop, Dubstep, Electro – more light hearted definitely.”
What do you think is the best Hip Hop album ever made?
“Oh man, I love the early Method Man stuff but I suppose Heltah Skelta’s ‘Nocturnal’. That album Dan, 13 years old and still fresh. A classic underground Hip Hop album with a real grimey, basement sound and strong lyrics. ‘Leflah’, ‘Operation Lock Down’, ‘Therapy’ – all brilliant.”
You recently dropped ‘The Things’ mixtape which features a who’s who of the UK Hip Hop scene. Can you see anyone breaking into States side of things?
“I just don’t know you know. People are so narrow minded over here so at the moment, no”.
Next weekend you’re in Austria for the springnine festival with the Urban Nerds, how does such a strong UK sound go down with European audiences?
“They absolutely love it. They love it hard man. Sometimes it’s like a Metal gig with a Mosh Pit in front of the stage. They go mad.”
You doing anything in Ibiza this Summer?
“Yeah I’ve got a gig with the ‘Bigger Than Barry’ crew who put on events all over the Midlands and the North. They’re taking me out in June for a big show. They want me to hype it up!”
So you’re joining the DMC team soon, hosting our Southampton heat – looking forward to it?
“You bet. Never done anything like this before.”
Okay so we all know you’re cutting edge musically, but everyone has a ‘Guilty Pleasures’ artist they like secretly. What’s yours…?
“Ha! Norah Jones man. People come to my place and hear me listening to her – I have all her albums by the way, and there like ‘Illaman, what the fuck?”
The next DMC UK DJ Championship Heat takes place in Southampton on Thursday 28th May.
Venue :
BEAT STREET
Orange Rooms
1-2 Vernon Walk
Southampton
www.orangerooms.co.uk
Hosted By:
Illaman
Acts on the night:
DJ Switch (World Battle Champion 08)
DJ Shiftee (World Battle Champion 07)
Cutmaster Swift (World Champion 89)
£7 adv / £5 (NUS)
8pm – Till late
Tickets available from:
Southampton Guildhall: 02380632602
www.livenation.co.uk
