WORDPLAY Producing tracks for members of the WU, did you approach it as you would other projects or did you feel an extra element of pressure? Yea that was the first time I felt the pressure for real. (He laughs). I knew RZA was doing the executive production so it changed my mind state. I stopped sampling nice sounding shit and just went in on the moody flex. It was mad to hear what he did to my beat ‘The Keynote Speaker’ he changed a part of it slightly but it made it better. So, You’ve worked with some absolute legends, but what would be your dream collaboration? Me, BVA, Slick Rick and Preemo.
How did you meet BVA and eventually form the 3 amigos? I met BVA in Glastonbury town center. He was stood on the monument with our old DJ Filthy Finger Tips, he shouted over “yo, you got weed? I was like yea! And that was it....
What’s been your favourite Hip Hop moment to date? When Lord Finesse’s manager Rich said to me ‘I’ve got some unreleased Big L tracks on my phone, I’ll play you them now’ I was bugging out, while he was trying to find them, Big L “Put It On” came on in the back ground. What’s your favourite UK hip-hop album of all time?
Your latest project with SonnyJim, how did that materialise and what are we to expect from it? I met Sonny at a show one day, we spoke on doing something and it didn’t take long before the project was born. It’s a different style for us both, I made it more spaced out and there’s some real experimental shit on there, but it’s still boom bap! How did you’re US connections come about? It’s always the same way, trying to send people messages everyday until you get a link. All I do is send beats out everyday and when someone likes a beat you can then hustle a verse. It’s as easy and as hard as that! What was it like working with KRS ONE/ Rampage/Vinnie Paz? A blessing and very surreal at the same time. We got the Paz and KRS features for free so that changed it even more, its nice to know your heroes are down to work with you and not just for the money.
Who do you most look forward to hearing new material from? I don’t really listen to music like that anymore all my time is taken up with looking for samples; I play the classic that’s about it. You’re usually involved in several projects at a time, what do you have planned for 2014? My new solo album is coming out this year, I’ve got an EP with Sonny Jim coming out on Eat Good Records and an album with Rag’n’Bone Man that I wanna put out this year.
Any news on the next Owls album? Yea we made a lot of tracks for it. I’ve given one to DJ Finger Food for the next Wordplay mixtape and will be releasing a few more exclusives for the fans. I cant say when the full album will come, hopefully in the near future but it’s not something I want to rush. If it aint right, I aint down. Have you got more material with Rag n Bone Man to come? Yea, we have an album we made together that’s finished but I’m not sure how its gonna come out. Fingers crossed we can figure something out.
You bring through a lot of new artists and upcoming talent, can you tell us what your thoughts are on the importance of bringing through the next generation? Yea, I think it is very important for the scene to keep moving and growing. We aren’t against each other in this game, the industry is trying to make you think that because if we’re united we would be too strong. The independents should help each other, the same with MC’s and producers, plus its good for your soul to help people.
If you were stranded on a desert island with a notepad, your record collection, MPC, and one artist (that was lucky!), who would it to be? Well, if I was on I desert island I wouldn’t want an MC there. I would have my woman (he laughs), I can rap and make beats, I don’t need no MC’s. It’s gotta be DJ Skitz, Countryman. That album got me into UK Hip Hop. I saw you guys do a show as the 3 Amigos at an SMB night a few years before High Focus started. How did you initially linkup with Baxter, Dike and the rest of Contact Play? I met Baxter and Mr Key in Brighton through our old DJ Filthy Finger Tips (he was DJing for them at the time). When we first met we had a battle for 2 hours (me, BVA, Baxter and Key) I wish we recorded it man, jeeez. I met Dike shortly after that and we rolled with each other ever since. We all know High Focus bring crazy energy at live shows, what’s the maddest thing to happen to you during a show? For me it was when I was sick on stage. I just finished my verse on ‘Not Like Before’ and I felt the rainbow chunks coming so I jumped under the decks and let rip (he laughs). No one even noticed. And the maddest thing to happen offstage? I don’t know man, i’m never offstage (he laughs).
Can you share some words of wisdom for our readers? Love your life, happiness is inside us all not in the things we are told we need. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, so start loving this one. Peace Visit www.rldrecords.co.uk to keep posted on the latese release from Camp Leafy.
LEAFDOG INTERVIEW BY CRAIG PALMER
LEAFDOG INTERVIEW BY CRAIG PALMER
What are your favorite diggin’ spots? Any interesting digging stories? I would never tell anyone where I dig. Producers out there, keep your secrets close to you. I was digging with Lord Finesse once but was too broke to buy anything,that was a shame and kinda funny at the same time.
You do an annual fundraiser at Glastonbury skate park, do you come from a skating background? Is that where you first got into hip-hop? Yea, BVA and me were always into skating and that’s where I heard all my new Hip Hop from New York. I mean there was Westwood playing a bit, but for the real underground shit it was from the skate videos. I want to make one myself and do the music for it, try and bring the two scenes together again, so look out for that.