A Chat With Rival..!

Rival is one of House Of Grime’s newest affiliates. So i caught up with the DJ turned MC to discuss DJ’ing, MC’ing, Highly Rated, The England 10 and plans for he future.

Me: When did you 1st get into music and why ?

Rival: Well music is something I grew up round from young. It was about I would say school times, I payed more notice to garage, So Solid Crew were definitely a big part in getting me into it but I wanted to be involved just ‘cos I enjoyed the whole hype it had and obviously ‘cos I enjoyed it…plus I was shit at sports (Laughs).

Me: (Laughing) Why should people listen to your music then ?

Ri: I think it’s not really a case of why you should listen but more if you do listen to it, ‘cos honestly man done this MC ting to see if I could do it and I’m here now having an interview about my music (Laughs) so if you listen then nuff love I guess I’m doing something right but my music is what I do init simply ‘cos I enjoy it so if you enjoy it as well that’s a bonus to me.

Me: You were apart of the crew Highly Rated, why did you leave ?

Ri: I’m gonna answer this so honestly….that crew took the piss out of me and weren’t respecting me as their DJ. At the time I weren’t the only DJ but I was the best, I put the most work in full stop. I used to do our Axe FM slot with no MC’s turnin’ up, I never got no jingles to even show I’m on decks from them either, but yet we would have meetings about what’s next for the team, but how can a team work when its only me doing radio shows ? So I left and focused on myself plus it was around that time I got involved more with road, ‘cos I was only 15 when I joined them so I was very much getting involved in hype elsewhere (Laughs).

Me: Do you still have contact with them ?

Ri: I talk too some on Facebook and that’s about it, the only one I’m close with is Creeper Crisis, me and him go back before the crew so we’ve always stayed cool.

Me: Forwards as always, how did you get brought through to Alien Muzik ?

Ri: Well my cousin Marger is also a fellow alien and it weren’t until he come out of jail we bucked up on a music level, done a few freestyles and he asked if I’m on joining, but I told him I wanted to talk to Rude Kid first rather than it seem like it was a bring in just ‘cos of who I’m related to, so everyone else heard my music and everyone agreed and I’ve been an alien since. But I knew a few of them from when I was a DJ.

Me: Ok, As part of rap group P.M.D (Pat Man Down) which do you prefer grime or rap ?

Ri: I’m gonna say Grime ‘cos that’s me init like that’s what I started on and when I think to write lyrics it’s always grime first.

Me: So what have you got coming up for the listeners ?

Ri: I got a lot of music for them you know, but I don’t wanna put everything out now so I’ll tell you three things you should look out for. Firstly “Newham Noise” that’s my promo coming sometime in the next few months, secondly “Hate Mail” that’s the mixtape coming soon, no date yet and thirdly my mixtape I’m doing with Bezerk but that’s still in the works but trust me there is so much more to come you just gotta wait.

Me: Bezerk ?

Ri: Bezerk is one of my guys I know from Hackney, he is definitely someone to watch out for, one the hardest underrated MC’s, but when people hear the mixtape then that’s when you lot will all know.

Rival – Grime Daily Freestyle

Me: Your from East London, do you think East is top of the grime ladder ?

Ri: I don’t see a grime ladder when it comes to endz, I just see talent..yes east is probably known for having a lot of MC’s and a lot to do with the origins of grime but music is music it ain’t about endz for me.

Me: Lord Of The Mics is soon approaching who would you fancy your chances against in a clash ?

Ri: Ohh I don’t have no one in particular but I would love to get a call to go on there so whoever is in charge of that, get at me ‘cos I would love to bury any challengers ha ha ha.

Me: What’s been the pinnacle of your career so far ?

Ri: So far I would say going on Westwood and Logan Sama ‘cos they’re very big stations with a high audience so to have all them listeners locked in when I’m dropping bars is big.

Me: What are your goals in music ? Do you see yourself going commercial ?

Ri: I would love to get signed if the deal was right and the time was as well, but the current state of getting signed seems everyone changes their music and goes on to some 140 BPM pop ting. Don’t get me wrong if it works for them, then cool that’s their dreams but my goals are just to get myself out there as one of the hardest MC’s for my time at the moment and get my music across to as many people as I can.

Me: Are you still going to pursue a career as a DJ or is that completely behind you ?

Ri: Na me DJ-ing is dead-out now. I might host a mixtape but as far as going back na it’s long now. It’s all CD and now Vinyl it’s not for me. (Laughs) I’m an MC now. Don’t get it twisted I can still mix but that’s history for me.

Me: What is your favourite aspect of grime ?

Ri: I would say the raves ‘cos that’s when all your favourite MC’s are on stage clashing or dropping their well known lyrics, I’m a fan as well so hearing that is always something I’m on a hype for, as well as the mixtape’s that’s when an MC truly shines at what they do.

Me: What is your favorite rave these days ?

Ri: You know what I’ll keep it real, I don’t do this whole raving thing, it’s all “no hats no hoods” now, I’m not really on that (Laughs) and they want I.D now as well and man ain’t driving and I gotta renew my passport so it’s all politics ’till I sort that stuff out (Laughs) but yeah catch me outside the rave tryna holla the gyal dem (Laughs).

Me: What tunes are you feeling at the moment, and who are your favourite MC’s ?

Ri: I don’t have a favourite tune. I’ve got tunes so I would say ‘Shoot A Nigga Remix’ by my guys in Mounford Estate, shout out to them definatly keep me on my bars, that stupid funky tune ‘Are You Gonna Bang Doe’. It’s so funny man I have to play that and ‘She Likes To’ by The England 10 it’s not my favourite 10 MC’s but nice to see grime coming together like that.

Me: Who would be in YOUR England 10 then ??

Ri: If I was to do an England 10 I would put……….D Double E, Flirta D, Kano, Devilman, Skepta, Frisco, Jendor, P Money, I’d Keep Wiley and myself obviously (Laughs), it’s a mad line up but I know the tune would be nuts anything with D Double would be nuts (Laughs).

Me: How do you see Grime and yourself in the next 2/3 years ?

Ri: Grime in the next 3 years will hopefully be up there alongside pop ‘cos right now it seems like it’s always kept underground and only gets a mention when someone gets mainstream success so I’m hoping in the next two years it will have more attention ‘cos it’s such a growing scene. And myself in 3 years…..I ain’t gonna say signed just yet but hopefully as more of a known artist in this scene and hopefully by then I get paid off of this music (Laughs).

Me: I appreciate you talking, any final shout out’s or announcements ?

Ri: Yeah man I wanna shout out my Alien Muzik, my boy Deathstar ya dun kno family, my boy creeper and the whole mountford estate massive, the Greaze Gang of course and all my Newham niggaz still hustling on the roadside ‘cos it’s all business in anything you do out here. Look out for the mixtape’s as well this music thing for me has only just started, I’m coming….watch this space? Nah watch Rival (Laughs).

And you can do just that: Rival’s Myspace – Facebook – Twitter – Grimepedia

Another New Affilate..Q & A With Skillzie.

After browsing Grimeforum last month, I came across Skilzie. Impressed initially by his two promo’s and tunes I heard later on, I decided that he’s an artists I would like here on House Of Grime. Here’s a quick Q & A I done with him.

Me: For those unsure who you are, introduce yourself.

Skilzie: Yo what’s good people, my name’s Skilzie, straight from South East London.

Me: You seemingly came from nowhere (No offence), when and why did you start music ?

Sk: (Laughs) Na bruv I hear that. Boy..it started bout 5 years back you know, bunking lessons spitting in the toilets and I just took it from there really.

Me: What’s the reason behind your name ?

Sk: Boy, I was gonna use Skillz init but that sounded bait, so I just added the last 2 letters of my name on to the end and ran with it.

Me: You’ve dropped two promos, “My Step In” & “Top Of Da Blocks”, take us through them.

Sk: My Step In was my first thing, it’s got 12 tracks on it with prodcutions from Deverlish, Rude Kid & K.A.D, check it out, the music speaks for itself. Top Of Da Blocks was my 2nd, this was more hard-hitting grime that caught ears. I think it’s 9 tracks..(Laughs)..bad memory ! But like I said the music speaks for itself you can get them both from my myspace.

Me: I’ve heard a few of your tunes on legendary pirate station Rinse FM, will we be able to hear you on the radio soon ?

Sk: yeah man I’ve gotta large up DJ BigBeats for the airplay and yeah BigBeats and Dogzilla are working on it. Large up Dogzy vet in this !

Me: Which producers are you comfortable using ?

Sk: K.A.D, Lengface, Z Dot. There’s bags but they’re my main ones really.

Me: Your new to the scene, are you happy entering with the scene it is currently, or is there another era of grime you would of preferred to be associated with ?

Sk: Na man I’m fully happy with the scene right nowit’s in a good place !

Me: You made a tune sending for Maxsta, what’s that all about ?

Sk: Basically to cut a long story short: I done a ‘lil publicity stunut on the forum, he obiously took offence to it ‘cos it was he’s boy and it went from there, but I ain’t gonna like he’s new tune with Kerry is big !

Me: What’s been the best part of being an MC so far ?

Sk: I don’t even know, you know ?! I’d say people feeling my stuff…

Me: Grime is so often mentioned in a negative light, what can you do to try and change that ?

Sk: Grime is grime I dunno if I can do anything to change it but if I had the choice I dunno if I would.

Me: What’s next for Skilzie, a mixtape ?

Sk: Yeah I’ve got a free thing dropping “Prepare 2 Launch Vol.1″ we’re looking at September big up Nu Breed for the artwork, this is looking to be around 15 to 18 tracks watch out for it. Shaping up to be a lot !!

Me: Thanks for talking bro, any shouts/announcements.

Sk: No worries bro, anytime. Yeah shout out Link Up ENT., Deadly Nightshade, Iceman, Shaggidy and Flash, K.A.D productions, Ruthless INC. and all my West Street man 3Brooksey ! 3Tyrone!

Skilzie’s Myspace – Top Of Da Blocks Promo – My Step In Promo

There you go. Stay locked to the blog for more exclusive Skilzie news and information.

Kozzie speaks on Maxsta clash ! (Clash footage and Poll).

Me: Last time we spoke the situation with Maxsta had died down, how did the Rinse clash come about ?

Kozzie:  Well you see Maxsta his a funny guy. He did an interview and said a whole bag of shit saying that my crew and producer are shit and his better than us with his eye closed. So I phoned Maxsta and said what’s with the publicity stunts and he said that I caught feelings that’s why I done it and he wants to continue the war so I said come rinse and lets do this.

Me: So you went to Rinse on Wednesday, in all honesty, who won the clash ?

K: I think the clash was good and to be honest I”ll let the fans decide.

Me: What have people been saying so far ?

K: You know what, they haven’t said that much just that I was using all my bars before he came. But he was in Rinse when I was spitting he just wanted to wait for Axeman dont ask me why lol.

Me: I see, when I spoke to Maxsta myself he said that you two had made a little hype tune, is that still coming out and when can we expect to hear it ?

K: It should be done soon but i ant in no rush to do it still

Me: So now the clash is done, where does that leave the situation ? Has the line been drawn ?

K: I thought the line was drawn a long time ago but he got excited and started chattin’ shit so no it’s not done.

Me: So you’ve just clashed him, but on Lord Of The Mics, he’ll be facing Marvell’s Double S. Who do you think will win ?

K: I dunno lol, it will be a good clash probably Maxsta still to be real.

Me: Ok fair enough. Ragz volume 2 has just landed what’s the next we’ll be haering from you ?.

K: Another mix tape from me, a solo ting then another Raggz in the future.

Me: Right ok, anything else to say ?

K: Yeah you know what there is. Just to let the forum know, I’m 18 not 19 and I don’t want to be the forum’s best MC. Keep saying I sound like Blacks and P Money I couldn’t give a shit, stop listening to me then pussies. Big up yourself, big up my Ardest Barrers Misc and Slaughter.

So there you go, watch the videos below and take the poll to decide who won.

Final Part Coming Soon, for now, VOTE.

I caught up with Maxsta !!

Maxsta’s name is hot at the moment. Last year saw the young East London MC feature on many CD’s and get his name spread across the scene, being tipped off by legends such as Tim Westwood to be future stars. I caught up with him to talk Roll Deep, Rinse FM & Much much more..

Me: Thanks for talking bro, what’s good…..

Maxsta: I’m ‘ere just found out who I’m clashing on Lord Of The Mics 3 so I’m strapping…. you cool ?

Me: Everything’s healthy. I assume you can’t tell us who your clashing, but are you confident ?

Max: Very, it’s gonna be interesting man I found out like two hours ago and I’ve been at it, got about 7 16’s for my man lol. Plus Wiley’s gonna set up a Movement back to back with Roll Deep set so I’m getting ready for that too…alot of stuff going on

Me: Yeah you’ve been knocking about quite a bit with Roll Deep lately, how did that come about ?

Max: I done a version of Danny Weed’s ‘Activity’ this year and we bucked, got it cracking and didn’t stop. We started the maxtape and I also jumped on some tunes with the mandem on Aim High 4. Me, Manga and J2K have got an ‘09 version of ‘Heat Up’ it’s mental fam truss me bare tings popping. I get along with everyone as well so I jus fit at home with Roll Deep.

Merky Ace Interview…

Merky Ace has been making music from a young age, and after downloading his promo, I decided to catch up with him to talk MC’ing, Commercialbility and Promos.

Me: Good to hear from you Merky, for those unsure as to who you are introduce yourself.

Merky Ace: Basically I’m an MC from South East London and I’m part of a crew called family tree.

Me: Right so where can people hear your stuff what promo have you done ?

MA: www.myspace.com/merkyace has all my official release work up to date but songs I might have leaked exclusively can be found on my Facebook fan page which is “Merky ACE” or by searching for me on www.grimeforum.com. I have released 4 free promos named “Headtop Turner”, “Watch Me Leave Scarz”, “N.W.O” & “Normal”. My 5th Promo “Who’s Merky” is completed and looking to drop real soon.

Me: What can we expect from that, features/productions wise ?

MA: Boy I’ve got features from TKO, Ego, Shif Man And M.I.K who are all part of my team plus features from Darkos & REC. Production wise expect to see beats from Swizzee, Magikal Of YBC, Silencer & Dafro, Krimson and many more big names in the producing scene.

Me: OK, as an up and coming MC, what’s been the best bit of your journey so far ?

Ma: Seeing me pass nearly everyone that I used to see as important in the scene. A lot of people I know used to be on this but now they’re just washed up which shows me that I’m doing suttin right ‘cos I ain’t like them and I’m actually beginning to progress in the scene.

Darkos Interview

Darkos is a talented MC/Producer from the East of London, and having just released his free instrumental promo, I grabbed him to talk about Sounds, Commercial Grime and Beat Creatures.

Me: Thanks for talking, hows things lately ?

D: Yeah, everything is going good still, just trying to put in the work at the moment really.

Me: Nice, so you just released your promo, talk us through it.

D: This is how it went down: I was jamming on MSN one time and my boy must of said to me ”yo blud, seeing as you got stuff coming up, might aswell make suttin real quick so people will know you’re still about”. At first I wasn’t on it (lol) but then after a while I just thought might as well..so I released it, it got good and bad feedback, but it’s all good because at the end of the day, you can’t please everyone & you learn what the listeners would like to hear get me.

A word with Swizzee Star

Swizzee Star is a young up and coming producer from Essex and has been tipped to become one of the scene’s best producers. I caught up with him to talk on his experiences, his MC’s to look out for and Virtual DJ….

Me: Swizzee Star..hows things going ?

Swizzee Star: Things are going well, been doing a bit more networking than production for the 1st half of this year. From now on though it’s all about production.

Me: I see, what can we expect to hear from that second half ?

SS: Gotta club banger vocalled by Realist and Erico, the tune is already finished but needs to be re-done because of 1 sample in there I’m not looking to get bumped off like kraze (no send). It should be on Voltage’s album and a joint promo with Nutcase and Maxsta. I got my own promo coming out end of this week still and I’m working on another at the mo but I’m kinda slacking still.

Me: That’s fair, what’s the promo gonna be called ? Is it all instrumentals ? Grime ?

SS: The 1 coming out this week is GRIME 100%, it’s a vocal promo and features MIK, Darkos, Rival, T.B, Maxsta, PNX, Grime E, REC, Merky Ace and more, a few people might have heard some of the tracks before but obviously I want everyone to hear them. ALSO it has my too many man remix on there, last minute ting.

Me: Sounds interesting. What’s been your favourite aspect of producing so far ?

I caught up with MIK…

Noted by many as the grime scene’s hardest working MC, I caught up with South East London Resident M.I.K to talk about his promo’s, future projects and GrimeForum.

Me: Thanks for taking time out, hows things going ?

MIK: I’m all good just living life really.

Me: Good..so you’ve just released ‘Workaholic’ your CD, for those who ain’t listened yet, describe it for us.

MIK: 21 tracks of hard hitting grime for the real grime fans none of that watered down crap that floating about at the moment.

Me: Producer wise what can we expect ?

MIK: Beat creatures, swizze star, zdot, jbeatz, crazee bandit, lowko, vd, smurf, tham and deverlish.

Me: A nice mix up, so whats next for you ?

MIK: Well I just put out the mixtape so I’m just pushin dat at the moment then after I’ve felt I’ve dun enough with it I’m guna work on a single for my next mixtape ‘Grime to five’ which should be out sum time next year if not sooner.

Me: I see. I guess it’s hard to argue with your work rate, you’ve done a lot of promo, how many promos have you done and what’s the latest one ?

MIK: Well I’ve done 13 promos since last year June not to mention the I love pirate radio series and just before the mixtape landed I dropped the 10 minute tea break ep. So yeah alot of ground work.

Me: The I love pirate series was quite unique in it’s own right, in a non-obvious way what inspired you to do that ?

MIK: I just happened to be on my pc one day listening to a couple of my radio rips and thinkin to myself I’ve done alot of radio work that people may not have heard so I just made a little ting outta most of the rips I had stored on the hard drive.

Me: Interesting..you mentioned earlier the whole “watered down thing”, overall how do you see the scene at the moment ?

MIK: It’s just mad at the moment ‘cos there really ain’t a market for the hard grime as there was before, so alot of mc’s are jumpin the funky and hip hop wagon which I can understand in a way ‘cos as an artist you need to spread your word whether it’s in grime or not.

Me: Is that hinting towards a direction you maybe going ?

MIK: Nah not at the moment but I’m not sayin I wouldn’t go in that direction ever ‘cos you never know really music is music at the end of the day.

Me: And of course a big part of music these days in particular grime is the Internet, and you can be found on Grimeforum, is the forum a help or a hindrance to your progression as an artist ?

MIK: Yeah for sure it has helped ‘cos alot people hadn’t heard of me,. before then my stuff was gettin posted on there.

Me: And no secret to anyone your name recently has been embroiled in several lyrical spats, with Lee Brasco being a point. How did this all come about ?

MIK: Basically, I checked my myspace one day and saw a message from Lee saying man are sayin I sent for you. So I’m confused didn’t know what he was on about, so I messaged him back sayin I dunno what your on about, so I jumped on my facebook straight after, I see a message from kast sayin suttin like sounds like he’s biting ur flow with a link 2 a video. I check the video I’ve seen it’s brasco I’ve listened 2 the tune thinkin I cant hear nuffin.

I got half way through and I’m hearin Ergh dis ergh dat in da same way that I say it no different so I’ve clocked what his message was about on myspace so I message him back sayin fella I’ve just heard the tune I don’t know if your sendin for me or what but you’ve fully catted the way I say ergh so he message me back sayin hes never heard of me until that day which is a lie cos he heard me on westwood last year December with Spitter, fact, but yeah that’s all dead now init.

Me: And what’s the score with Kozzie ? You’ve fired shots that way as well. That seems a more personal thing ?

MIK:  He called my name on radio, I sent for him simple.

Me: Right..on a more positive vibe, which MC’s/producers are doing well for you at the moment ?

MIK: Wiley, Chipmunk, Stryder, Skepta, Bashy.  But more on a under ground note I’d say, Producers: swizzee, beat ceatures, Wiley, Silencer and one guy im workin with on my new mixtape called Relentless from bedford, gotta nice sound. MC’s there’s merky of course when I see what he’s doin it reminds me of when I was cummin up. Ermm ego some demon style mc serious bars and TKO fully sick I fully rate him at the mo.

Me: What inspired you to make music and what makes you carry on ?

MIK: People like heartless crew, so solid, pay as you go, essentials, wiley they made me do this grime ting and the fact that it’s part of my lifestyle makes me wanna do it even more, to reach new heights.

Me: Ok well that’s a wrap for now, any last shoutouts ?

MIK: Shouts to myself for staying strong through all lifes struggles, blunt, all the djs dat have helped me, producers that send me stuff ona regs and urself for this interview, oh yeah, and grime !

MIK’s Myspace / Twitter / Workaholic CD

A quick word with Kozzie..!

After dropping his very 1st mixtape earlier this year I caught up with House Of Grime’s very 1st affiliate, Kozzie, to talk about his mixtape, his recent feuds and his song writing techniques….

Me: Thanks for taking time out Kozzie, hows things ?

Kozzie: Yo it’s kool gang whats good ?

Me: Everything’s healthy. So, maybe not everyone is aware but you’ve making music for a while, when did you start and what were your reasons ?

Kozzie: Well I’ve been making music now for about five years but I’ve been taking it serious for about three years. The reason I started making music was because I wanted to show people I had a talent you feel me ?

Yeah I get you. That’s backed up by your mixtape “Straight Of The Book”, for those who havn’t heard it just yet, how would you describe the sound ?

Kozzie: I desc1ribe my sound as grime, straight off the book out now cop that shitttttttttttttt.

Me: Ha good answer. So starting a career in music must’ve started somewhere, who were your influences ?

Kozzie: My influences were Blacks, P Money, Little Dee and Wiley etc.

Me: I see. So we’ve had the 1st mixtape, what’s next ?

Kozzie: Ragz vol 2 that’s a crew mixtape from Ardest Barrez: me, Mischief and Slaughter. Then I’m working on a new one now, not sure when it will be out but it’s gonna be fire hahahaha.

Me: Ardest Barrers have been about for a lil while now, how did you 3 get together ?

Kozzie: Well we’re all friends from the estate really, one day we thought fuck it lets do a ting and then it went successfully you know..

Me: Ok ok. Will it always be just you 3 or will the time come when you wanna freshen things up ?

Kozzie: Yeahh probably. When I see talent then you know there might be all 6 members and shit but for now there’s 3 man in the crew.

Me: Ahh ok. If Ragz Vol.2 is coming soon, will we be hearing you over the radio ?

Kozzie: Yeah you can here me on rinse.fm, 100.4 here and there and yeah Ragz should be out in the week.

Me: You go on Rinse quite often these days, do you prefer certain DJ’s/Times or is it more about getting yourself heard ?

Kozzie: Getting heard, but yeah I prefer certain Dj’s big up DJ Smallz. I like grave yard shifts as well lol !

Me: LOL. So realistically, after the Ragz download and your next mixtape, what’s next for you ? How long can you see yourself in music ?

Kozzie: BOYYYYYY I aint gonna stop music ’til I get a deal and I’ve got mad doe. Next, probably one more mixtape then an album from me.

Me: Right I hear that. So as everyone is probably aware by now, recently you’ve been involved in lyrical spats with both Voltage and Maxsta, and now also M.I.K, what’s the situation ? How did it all start ?

Kozzie: Boy Voltage thought he was better than me, I had to show him I’ll bury him , which I did lol. And Maxsta, we just went at it for fun. M.I.K is just wack, can’t really take him serious, he mad a tune for me thinking I’d reply. I’d just beat him up really you know lol. But nar this is grime we all wanna make it but certain man just wont if you get my drift !

Me: I think the war aspect helps keep interest. Who would you like to see in a clash ?

Wiley and Skepta live on rinse, Blacks and Griminal live on rinse and me and Lightnin live on rinse. lol.

Me: Lightning ? Why him ?

Kozzie: I think he’s good, I think we can swing at it you know lol, well he’s better than mik lol.

Me: Well that would be interesting. Some big artists were mentioned then, who is your top 3 ?

Kozzie: Wiley, Skepta & P Money. Top 3 youngers, me, Maxsta & Mischief.

Me: I see. Back to YOU as an MC, which producers do you find best accompany your “flow” so to speak ?

Kozzie: Maniac, Wiley and Silencer. Them man there are ill !

Me: Yeah all 3 have done a lot recently. So as we’re talking about beats, how do you write ? Do you listen and write along to a beat ? Or do you write the bars and wait for the right beat to come along ?

Kozzie: I pick specific tunes to write to, each tune gives me a new flow you know.

Me: So your versatile then. A big point at the moment is the whole commercial business, do you see yourself ever dabbling in that market ?

Kozzie: Yeah I do still. I think I could do well in the market to be honest with my self.

Me: Electro ? Hip Hop ? What other music do you listen to apart from Grime ?

Kozzie: A bit of funky, R n B and a bit of rap, that’s all really.

Me: Each to their own I suppose. Well I appreciate the time you’ve taken out, any final mentions/shoutouts ?

Kozzie: Yeah big up your self gang, big up Slaughter, mischief and all ma road mandem, watch out for me, dun kno !! Later.

So there you have it, a big interview there with Kozzie. One of my longer ones actually.

Cushty

A Quick Word With Sketchman…

After successfully releasing two good mixtapes into the scene and having his tunes spun on Ras Kwame’s homegrown show plus on radio stations such as Kiss and Edge FM, I caught up with South London MC Sketchman on his 1st album, commercial music and his graffiti background.

Me: Sketchman..thanks for taking time out bruv..how’s things ?

Sketchman: Yeah all good man, just got my head down at the moment doin’ this music thing full time.

Me: Great to hear. Your names getting big now, but for those who are still not sure, who are you ?

Sketchman: Basically Sketchman is Charles Hazell from Sutton, I’m just a humble guy that always kicked about with making music, after being a big fan of grime to begin with and that, and towards the end of last year after putting out my second CD n gettin’ a little bit of love on radio i thought its time to start taking this a bit more seriously. I left the studio i was at then (Ev James Technologies) in my bits n through Swindle I got the link to Danny C’s studio in Bermondsey. After being in that environment I just realized how much more there is to being successful, and the promotional side of things, networking etc and now I’m just putting together my third CD: The Final Draft.

Me: Yeah you’ve made tunes with Swindle, and Killa P, who are both sort of “down the road” from you, how did the P Money collaboration come about ?

Sketchman: Basically, I went to Aim with a mind-frame like ‘this is it now this is where I gotta start gettin involved with the scene n show wot I’m about’, I got my plan together and thought about features carefully like who’s doin a lot at the moment, who’s releasing something soon so their names are up there at the time of my release etc but most importantly who I rate the most. I wanted emcees to feature on tracks that I think they’ll shine on, ‘cos standard I want them at their best on my project, P Money can do a lot in any tune standard but me n my lot ave been listening to him rip up sets since F.A times so when I thought about doin a slyly aggressive tune he was first choice. I bucked him up on the myspace n explained how I was at Danny’s and I think that speaks for itself ‘cos it’s just a whole new level of like professionalism, he agreed to collab, I linked him with the beat on one night (hang tight my boy Cinematic), he was feelin it and a few days later the tune was done.

Me: So thats P Money, and you’ve just worked with Loudmouth, who else would you like to work with. Producers and/or MC wise.

Sketchman: Yeah hang tight Loudmouth everytime he’s on the level. The thing I love about grime is that everyone brings summin different, it’s so versatile that collab’s can happen all the time n nothing sounds samey. There’s so many names to mention. RIP Young Dot stayed pride of place in the motor for the longest I reckon so Dot Rotten’s definitely serious. Silencer is my favorite producer right this second. I just did a new thing with Cotti, I love that yard sound like I know it’s crossover dubstep but I vocalled it grimey. I rate too many people to mention them all innit… I don’t wanna say too much in case it don’t happen and I look like a flop but I’ve been in talks with 2 more big emcees this week about summin new, Frankstah’s got the exclusive on that one still haha.

Me: As always bruv. You mentioned about crossovers then, a big thing this year and most of last year is the whole “commercial crossover”, is that a direction you can see yourself heading ?

Sketchman: You know what I’m a grime kid straight. That’s my first answer. Grime will always be my priority. Having said that I respect all kinds of music, and certain artists that have done years of graft in and around the scene, like put the hours in deserve to make their bread and butter somehow, and if commercial is the only way forward for them then who can really hate ? They still do grime but they’re tryna shot music to people who aint into grime and fair-play innit ? Just to be clear me and a vocalist from my group Beckie Sutton have vocalled 2 things from Deverlish and the Vinyl Vixens, good tunes, an electro tune and a funky tune, n both are getting a bit of love on the pirates right now… ‘cos I’m thinking raaa it cant hurt to have them in the bag, for promotion if nothing else? It’s not a jumping ship thing, I’m a grime kid all day !

Me: That’s understandable. So the album “The Final Draft” is dropping later this year, what’s next after that. More music ? Or will you be taking a lil break ?

Sketchman: No breaks. Ever haha. I wanna get as much product out as possible, ‘cos I’m one of them that needs to be doing summin or I’m climbing the walls, I aim to do at least a studio session a week and that won’t change when the CD’s done and out. Just promote that while I move on with the next one I guess. With The Final Draft its like bang I’ve just touched down at this new studio n this new approach, let me iron everything out on this one and get comfortable, get familiar with everything n everyone but still come with a deep CD. What I’m hinting at is if your feeling this CD your gonna feel the next one even more.

Me: Ahh I see. Your name “Sketchman” comes from what you described as your “Grafitti Era”. Is that something you’ve completely left behind now ?

Sketchman: Yeah I thought everyone had that phase haha. Graffiti was always a joke ting, I was just a lil shit that used to like my name up places really, in fact the name came about ‘cos I weren’t even as on it as most hence ’sketch-man’ rather than ’sick-reach-at-the-top-of–the-petrol-garage-man’. The name just stuck from time ago.

Me: Ha yeah I can hear that. So what’s the score crew wise, musically, who’s in your team ?

Sketchman: Like every crew there are loads of good people around me that are hungry as well that haven’t put summin towards the CD yet, biggest shout to them for being patient… at the moment Vocalz, K-Debt (as seen on Emergency room with Killa P) and Denies are 3 mandem that have, and Becky as I mentioned with her cris voice, all my lot have been on it from day with me they’re all sick individual artists, check some of their stuff on my Myspace.

Me: I see. So earlier you referenced to the pirates, will we be hearing you on there over the Summer ? Or is it a laying low thing until the album arrives ?

Sketchman: Na to be honest at the moment it’s a thing where if someones sayin jump I’m sayin how high get me, anything to get the name out I’m on it raggo! I got pretty good relationships with a lot of the DJ’s now so hopefully it shouldn’t be a problem… I’m itching to do some live stuff man I’ve got so many road bars that aren’t gettin put on tunes, there’s a massive backlog that i just need to get out innit.

Me: Of course away from the pirate stations you’ve enjoyed airplay on stations such as 1xtra and Kiss, how does it feel knowing that a DJ WANTS to play your tune ?

Sketchman: It’s sick man, that’s one of the reasons I’m in it, you made something that is good enough to get broadcast to so many people. It’s nuts! Swear down true stories I was gettin a bunk up when I come on Dangerous Minds n I was like hang on that’s me n started listening to the tune instead ! Haha that was a while ago though so probably a bit different now, I’d just go on totalkiss.com after or summin get me haha but yeah I’d love to be on radio a whole lot more, so its promo promo promo for me right now tryna get a demand for my tunes to be played kinda thing.

Me: Well it was interesting talking to you bruv, any final shoutouts ?

Sketchman: Yeah biggest shouts to Danny C, Ev James, Vocalz, K Debt, Becky, Lima, C Dot, Ampkid and everyone thats contributed to the CD, emcees, producers, DJ’s playin stuff, your large, SAFE.

So there you go. Watch out for ‘The Final Draft’ coming later on this year. You can get involved with Sketchman via his

Myspace or his Twitter.

Peace

Giggs & Mike Skinner – Slow Songs (Behind The Scenes)

Some real talk in that video.

Heres a 1xtra radio rip of the song below

Peace

A Chat With REC…

REC is one of London’s biggest emerging talents, and with his debut mixtape “Press Play” in stores, I felt it only right to grab a word.

Me: Your name is fairly new to some people, who are you and where are you from ?

REC: Well I go by the name of REC pronounced (arr-ee-cee) and I’m from pimlico in South London.

Me: OK OK and how long have you been doing music ?

REC: Well writing lyrics I’ve been doing that since I was 13 and I’m 19 now so that makes it 6 years however going studio and making tracks about 4 years now to be honest.

Me: Ok so your 1st in store CD “Press Play” is available what can we expect on there ?

REC: Yeah that’s available to buy right now in uptown records so support the grime scene people ! But yeah to be honest you can expect grime obviously I have other genres on there to cater for other listeners and to show my versatility. But it is predominantly grime and very good grime for any fan plus I got features like Double S, Twissman and more so that gives the CD a little more weight.

Me: Yeah I see. So if there’s different genre’s on the CD which of them was your favourite to make ?

REC: Erm I liked making bassline because the vibe from bassline beats always gets me hype so that was enjoyable. But grime is always my favourite genre to make because it’s what brought me into music properly and its a unique sound that brings a vibe just can’t be replicated.

Me: “It’s what brought me into music properly” so who were your influences ?

REC: No one can ever say that they were not influenced by Wiley because he is grime in itself so him and a couple other vets like Ghetts and Kano. But my personal influence has to be Scorcher, there was a point where I even started spitting like him, but yeah scorcher because he was different to a lot of MC’s because he could also deliver the goods on CD’s so that helped me develop a lot.

Me: And I’m correct to say your a producer as well yeah ?

REC: Yeah yeah some people may not know that still. I’ve been producing on and off for like 3 years now I just don’t really advertise my beats but you should be hearing more from me soon. I’ve got 3 beats on my CD as well so that should give an idea to people about my sound.

Me: “Allstar Recordingz UK” is that movement still going ?

REC: Yeah yeah well more an independent label, which consists of producers, artist and a sound engineer, such as myself, Clixx, Felon, Renegade, Kr Saviour and Rampage. And we’re just trying to do this properly with performances, releases, videos everything so watch out for us.

Me: Certainly. You’ve got a tune on the mixtape called “When I Was A Kid” with Double S. How did the collaboration come about ?

REC: Boy you know what I’m very fortunate that Double S knows a friend of mine so it kind of came through them and that at the time Double S was not too busy on any project of his own so I asked if he could jump on the tune and he didn’t mind so It’s matter of luck really and considering at the time musically I wasn’t really getting much luck in music I feel that it was deserved.

Me: I see. Do you think (without mentioning names) that too many MC’s are where they are because of who they know ?

REC: Yes and no. Yes because some just get very fortunate although being clearly lacking in lyrical talent but because they know a person who has access to avenues such as legal radio they get the exposure needed to progress. No because you can’t help where you live for example Bow E3 a lot MC’s from there get the exposure because that is the spiritual home of grime so its not there fault they live there is it so you have to look at it from both sides.

Me: So apart from Double S who else have you got lined up to work with? What’s the next step for your career ?

REC: You know what my boy Clixx I always work with him you know what from now people should just know that Clixx is no longer a friend but a sibling lol but back to the point I’m working with the likes of Nayta, Fantastik, Dribbla, Southstars and more of the younger generation who I think are going to takeover the scene differently. But my next step is to break into the grime scene, “Press Play” was a project for exposure.

Me: So that covers the MC’ing side of your careers, how do you plan to progress as a producer ?

REC: You know what producing for me is on the side really, I only produce when I want to and I don’t produce just grime either so, the exposure of my beats will probably only be heard on future releases of my own really.

Me: Ok I see. Do you find that as an up and comer it’s harder to get beats from the more established prodcuers ?

REC: Erm to be honest I haven’t really attempted to ask established producers for beats because as you will have noticed if you bought my CD I have up and coming producers on there and their beats are as good as some of the more established producers so why go to established producers when I’m not yet established and they won’t give ma a chance ?

Me: In a twisted way that’s quite a positive response ! Well thanks for talking to me pal, any shoutouts ? And where can people contact you ?

REC: Yeah a big shout to my brother Clixx, large up Drastic, Damage, D Dot, I Dot, Rampage, Renegade, Felon, Kr Saviour, Nayta, My tight friends from day and everyone supporting. You can socialise or contact me thorough http://www.irec.tk (Myspace), http://www.twitter.com/iREC, Vivien Rec Kongolo (Facebook) and recartist@hotmail.co.uk for collabs and anything else no waste people please it’s a waste of both our time and large up yourself mate !