Downplay (BNE) Interview

April 30th, 2009 | By YouDee

Downplay Productions is a label/crew project helmed by 7ravesty. Having dropped a very solid compilation “The 1st Downplayment” BNEsFinest got to catch up to the lads and fire em some questions.

How did Downplay Productions come to be as a label and a crew?

7ravesty: It started about 18 months ago with me an Ghosty. We got our crew “FittMobb”, and decided instead of trying to chase a label, we decided we’d rather do it on our own, total control. We had good people around us all willing to put in the leg work, so went for it. As a crew, it was already there, just didnt have a name attached!!

There’s quite a few associates on the crew front. Can you give us a rollcall of who make up Downplay?

First up we got FittMobb and its emcees (myself, Ghosty and eMCYTe), Underworld Beats, Breakthrough Crew, Tricksta, Mikey XXI (21) and the affiliates, Not Yours Clique, Caughtz 1, Triple3, The Allegiance, Impossible Odds, T.B.A., Btrail, U.D. and a few others that we both support and collab with whether it be music, events, art or just chilling out outside of it all we all family. With members like Ghosty movin interstate and flying the banner elswhere, the crews bound to expand.

The track “Bareknuckles” addresses the violence that has historically plagued the Brisbane rap scene. How do you feel about the violence and what motivated the track?

XXI: It’s not so much about one person or one event in particular but more about a group of different situations that all happened around the same time, a few gigs in a row were closed due to fights breaking out and coz we were either performing at or helping organise the line up at them, it reflected negativly on our music. We captured the moment through song and vented the frustration felt, at the time. Music’s a good release and is usually an outlet to whatever input ya getting at the time. If im seeing stress, I’m writing stress. It’s better times now, all things pass. Brisbane scene is getting better overall people are wisening up. We get along for the sake of getting along.

7ravesty: Like Mikey said, it’s not directed at any one person. It’s about everyone in general really. We’ve all seen it happen, gigs goin great, good vibe, then shit just explodes over some trivial bullshit and before u know it, another venue wont take hip hop nights. But more importantly, dont we want girls to be able to come an support the scene as well, without the fear of some shit goin down??

What do you think of the current state of the local scene? Do you think it’s progressing?

XXI: As far as hip hop music goes its flourishing. So much talent in the BNE as far as the scene goes, fuck a scene, represent your talents for the love of it.

7ravesty: It’s looking pretty strong, with the numbers Cyphaz is pulling and the Interstate acts they bring as well as Uber shows and while it was going, Fresh Til Death. Like XXI said, thereas shitloads of talanted people in Bris.

What local acts are you feeling?

XXI: I’m liking Twin Dialects true Goodna styles and Affirmative Word. Plus i like some true Aussie underground like Strikes, R.D, Mode, Deadbeat Society, 7ravesty. Dwiz always puts on a mad energenic show!! He’s one sweaty bastard.

What are the goals for Downplay Productions? What can we expect from the label in the near future?

7ravesty: With our First official release “The 1st Downplayment” done an dusted and  the “Burn This” mixtape doin the rounds, we are lookin to back up those two with “Burn This Too” mixtape in May/June and “The 2nd Downplayment” coming at a later date.  FittMobb has almost finishing recording its yet to be titled debut EP and  Tricksta’s EP is nearing completion, as is UWB debut album. eMCYTe is also workin on his solo release. XXI will be releasing another batch of free music through the assorted forums and links and bound to pop up in assorted colabs. Expect Downplay to live up to its name and equal the playing field, downplay the egos, downplay the bravado, downplay yourself to get down with us. Expect more music, more colabs, mixtapes, demos, downloads, more art, more pics, fun times and if ya lucky we’ll throw in a sticker or 2.

How would you describe the sound Downplay collectively releases for new listeners?

7ravesty: Something for everyone. We’ve got such a range of MCs representing the name with differing styles. From emcyte’s laid back far northen styles to XXI’s graf hop, to UWB grimier style and everything in between.

XXI: A good range of beatmakers too,although Ghosty handled most of the production on “the 1st Downplayment” and diversity between styles with everyone involved experiencing and portraying different issues important to them. the more chapters the bigger the book, in one word?  DOPE…

Where can people hear your music? Where can they pick up a copy of “The 1st Downplayment”?

You can hear our music comin out of your speakers, hopefully playin on the radi-ho! You can also pick up a copy at Rockinghorse in the city or Rehab Records in Indooroopilly. Soon to be available interstate, at any gigs you see us at, or just hit us up through myspace and we can send em out. It should soon be up on iTunes or u can just follow our links for the free downloads.

What can be expected from a Downplay live performance?

7ravesty: Quite possibly me spilling a beer all over the front row! Hahah. We generally rehearse a fair bit before any gigs, so you can expect a tight set!!!Except maybe from me if the bar tab is worthwhile!!!!

XXI: Fire, pure heat, commitment to the show, good times, antics but most of all, Fire.
Anything else you’d like to add?

XXI: With so many egos on the rise, people should downplay that shit.

7ravesty: If ya see me round, buy me a beer!
OH an shouts to flicka NYC for the pic.
Cop Downplay’s “The 1st Downplayment” directly through the lads on MySpace (www.myspace.com/downplayaustralia), from Rockinghorse Records, Rehab Records or through the other aforementioned outlets soon.

Briggs (VIC) interview.

April 1st, 2009 | By YouDee

In the explosive aftermath of his newly released EP “Homemade Bombs”, BNEsFinest got to tap in to the mind of new Vic larrikin Briggs. Check out what the man himself has to say.

How long have you been rhyming? Give us a bit of insight in to your personal hip-hop history.

I’ve been into hiphop my whole life, my brother showed me Public Enemy and Naughty By Nature, my cousins showed me Wu Tang and Ice Cube. I seen Gravediggaz on Rage one night and it terrified me, it was dope. I listened to mostly Gangsta rap growing up and I still do. I love it. But it wasn’t just Hip Hop in my house, metal, punk and hardcore also was up in the mix. But hiphop was always very much at the forefront.

What about rap and hip-hop culture caught you and made you choose to move in those circles?

It was just what happened, i didnt make a choice. I made hiphop music so i hooked up with like minded dudes who wanted to have a laugh/drink when i moved to melbourne. And it just grew from there as i did shows. Growing up where i did, there wasn’t much of a hiphop scene, there was me and a few others, but there was a punk/metal thing going on, we all used to mess around make music together and party together though because we all had the same goal, to get smashed. That said, I’m not fussed about what music you’re into, as long as you’re not a dickhead.

You have a lot of humour in your tracks but also have a bit of meaning packaged with it. Is it important to you to have a balance on tracks?

I like to have a laugh, thats about it, if i can think of something funny and turn it into a verse or whatever, my job is done. As for the message, i dont like to preach, i just like to put the ideas out there, i’m not trying to tell people how they should think, im just giving them a different angle. There’s a lot of politics in australia that aren’t touched on, or they are but they aren’t delivered in the way that i think they should, so thats what i do when i feel like it, i talk about some real shit.

Being an indigenous rapper do you feel extra pressure to rep? Do you think it effects how people view you?

I’m not too fussed on how people perceive me in that light, but im proud, i wear it on my arms and in everything i do everyday. But I dont make a point about throwing up a black fist in every single one of my joints because at the end of the day im a rapper thats aboriginal, not an aboriginal rapper if you get me?

You’re down with Peepshow Entertainment, how did that come about?

Its nothing official. Its just my mates. Im down with peepshow like im down with Stronghorn Studios, like im down with Hazard Productions, like im down with Hilltop Hoods. We’re all just mates, and all those guys helped me out on the EP so i thought it was only correct to drop their logo on it. They’re the fam.

Have you heard much in the way of Brissy rap? Who are you digging from up this way?

750 rebels, thats my team! those cunts are sick and always close to put another beer in my gorilla grip, much props to lopz for holdin on to my bag of t-shirts i left at cabaret too!

What would we find in your cd player/on your ipod right now?

Busta Rhymes, Reks, The Game, Little Brother, Devin The Dude, Young Jeezy, Guilty Simpson, Sean P and always, always gotta have Ghostface

When can we expect to see you rocking a stage in our neck of the woods? What can we expect from a Briggs show?

You can expect me to deliver in the flesh what i tried to deliver to your earholes on the CD. Just some class clownish, hardcore hiphop. I hope to come up to QLD real soon, i havent been there for a year or something.

The EP is doing the rounds at the moment, what’s next for the Milkman?

I’m working on my LP right now. Jaytee who produced just over half the EP just sent me through some fucking monsters. Them cloverfield beats. That cunt smashes it. 76, suffa and trials are blessing me of course. More on that in the future.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Make sure you cop the disc! burn it, strap it to a pigeon and send it to a loved one whatever! im not fussed. But if you want me to eat lunch and have 2 slabs rather than one, cop the disc!

Pieces

B-Milkman

www.airbriggs.com <- for all the info n bullshit.

Wolverine (WA)

March 17th, 2009 | By YouDee

Rugged rhyming is something that can be relatively rare in the Aussie scene. Wolverine alongside statesmen Clandestien are examples that Aussie rappers can rhyme on the raw tip and do it well.

Your style is definately a lot grittier than most Aussie rap at the moment. Have you consciously kept your style raw?

Not consciously, but I do like that style.I always spit from the heart and give a 100% in the booth and anyone who’s heard me in the studio knows i’m really loud, I’ve got a booming voice. I can’t hold back, I let it all out, it’s my therapy.

What artists would you quote as influences of your style?

Early 90’s is what I grew up with N.W.A, Geto Boys, Public Enemy, Biggie, Nas,Kool G, Wu, Cube But as I grew Necro, Non Phixion, JMT, Cage, Mobb Deep.

Give us some insight in to your personally hip-hop history. How did you get in to hip-hop and what have you done building up to this point in your career?

It started about 87 listening to hip hop,I started writing around 90 and learning the basics. I used to spit over keyboard loops and record it on a tape deck. I recorded a lot of bedroom demo’s,entered battles,cypher’s and just freestyling were ever possible. I started doing live shows around 2000 and radio shows and started looking for a producer I met BIOS around this time and began the first album The Wait is over which took four years to release. Around 2004 I met up with Rob Shaker and Squared and we formed the group Figures of Speech during this time shaker help me release my album and then we released the FOS album Roll of the Dice we did a ton of gigs and got distro through Obese Records. Its taken almost another 3 years to release the maestro mixtape due to recording over 100+ songs for

my next album.

What would we find in your cd player right now?

There’s always Jedi Mind Tricks and Mobb Deep in there but also AOTP, Ill Bill, WU, Outerspace, Snowgoons, Tomahawk, Bunks, Strut and lots of other random stuff.

What is your favourite era of rap and why?

Defiantely early 90’s it was just really exciting and real,you could tell it was from the heart and they weren’t as concerned with making money.

What do you think of the current direction of Australian hip-hop as a movement?

Positive as far as its spreading its wings and people respect and recognize the scene. When I first started you where dreaming if you thought you could get a gig locally,the rock crowd wouldn’t let you,you had to put on parties ect. Negative in theirs to many mc’s rythming the same,sounding the same and too many mc’s dropping albums to soon. They need to learn the craft,the history and get your flow tight before releasing albums.

What artists would you like to work with on the local, Aussie and international levels?

Locally: Strut, Trem, Bunks, Tornts, Bigfoot, Delta etc

Internationally: JMT, AOTP, Apathy, Black Poet, Snowgoons, Ill Bill man I could go on forever.

Have you heard much of the Brisbane scene? What Brissy artists have you been impressed with?

Yep, U.D.,Techtonyx, L Flows and Verb Ill, Matty B, Lazy Grey, Coalition Crew, 750 Rebels a lot of dope stuff coming out of brissy.

For those that haven’t had the pleasure of being exposed to your music, how would you describe your style?

Raw street battle storytelling waking heads out of there sleep hip hop.

What projects have you got on the boil. Having just dropped your mixtape what can we expect next?

Tons of projects in the works the next is The Summertime Vibe(which I produced 3 quarters of) which is a funky party album perfect for those summer days drinking,partying and hanging with your mates. Then the Maestro album,which me and shaker are producing with a few big collabs on it,raw insightful street rap.

Then there’s the Wolfman album which is one of my alias think JMT,tornts,lc styles brutal angry street rap. A new alias Charlie Jones album which will be that old school boom bap wu tang type style. A new crew Biologik and a horrorcore album,I’m a big horror movie fan,that’ll be more for the die hards who like that style.

There also be a reissue of The Wait is over and an unreleased material album. I also do film scores so something may come out with that plus a heap of collabs. HAHA I’m a Busy man.

Are there any plans for a trip to Brisbane at the moment?

Definately heading to brissy in the near future as well as a oz tour probably either just before or after teh Maestro album is released around april 09.

Anything else you’d like to add?

You can’t tame the beast, afew promoters and heads have been sleeping on Wolverine for a few years now, But i’m being unleashed from my cage and things are gonna change.

Check out my product and listen to tracks here:

www.myspace.com/wolverineperth

www.myspace.com/wolfbeats4sale

www.myspace.com/thesummertimevibe

www.csarecords.com

And thanks for the interview and the exposure.

Nick One

March 17th, 2009 | By YouDee

BNEsFinest got to catch up with the sometimes hard to catch Nick One. Having wrapped up one of the year’s best albums on the production side of Billy Bunk’s “Spit N Gristle” we hold him down for long enough to fire off some questions.

Give us a bit of insight in to your personal history in hip-hop. How did you get into rap?

I was approached by this nigga named Daz and he said would I like to make a beat?  I said heck yes and picked up this stick and started tapping out a rhythm.  Before I knew it cunts were rhyming over my shit.

Listening through ‘Spit And Gristle’ it seems you prefer tracks to be on the shorter side. Why is this the case?

It takes too long to do heaps of cutting and pasting and erasing this and that.  I just tell my assistants to make it into a hit single and leave it at that.

How long have you been producing? How did you start out?

Well I was tapping a stick, and Daz was like yo let me rap on your beats.

What tools do you utilise in your production?

I use professional equipment, all the latest gear.  Expensive.

What do you think of the Aussie scene at the moment? Who are you feeling?

On the rap side of things my new stuff is pretty good, and as for beats, well some of my stuff is just incredible.

You’re already building up a nice little resume. Who would you like to work with locally and internationally rhyming and production-wise?

Mission Australia gave me the template for that one.  I want to work with some rich and famous motherfuckers.

You have experience on the mic and on the production front. Which do you enjoy more and why?

Rapping over my own beats is always a highlight for the audience.

What would we find in your cd player right now? What have you been feeling lately?

Remixes and mixtapes and exclusives.  Ho-oh!!!

What’s next on the cards for Nick One? When can we expect to hear another release?

Hand in my dole form.  I got a few different projects I’m working on… I got to get my rent assistance signed by the leaseholder.

You hold a weekly sunday session at Kaliber lounge, what can people expect rocking up?

Just me and Steve playing rap and everyone is just maxing the fuck out.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Check out the myspace at www.myspace.com/nickone

Thorts of Mankind (BNE/Melbs/WA)

March 17th, 2009 | By YouDee

BNEsFinest got the chance to catch up with Thorts of Mankind, Field Trip and Hungry Humans to talk about the release of the new release with Brisbane’s own V. See what he has to say about hip-hop and Brisbane.

How did you come together with V?

I met V online in about 2004 I think, I use to talk to DCE a bit back then and was tryna hit him up for beats so he put me onto his mate V and we made a track together called “dreamz” for this Lifestyles compilation. Then we worked on a couple of tracks together for V’s album and we just kept working with each other from there.

You come across as a normal person instead of pushing a persona in your music. How important is it to be yourself on the mic?

Well I don’t want to put out some false image on the mic about who I am and what I represent. It’s very important to me to just be myself. I use hip hop solely as a form of self expression and that’s it.

Give us a little insight in to your hip-hop history. What have you done previous to the Mankind release?

I started mc’ing in 1995 when I lived in Mooroopna in country Victoria but didn’t start taking it seriously until about 1998 when I lived in Redcliffe (brizvegas). Since then I’ve been in a few crews/groups Manifest, WYS (Watch Ya Step), the Alliance. Was on the radio a lot back in 99-2000 down in Melbourne and then in 2004 me and my mate 86 released a self titled EP under the name of field trip that was my first proper release. Since then I’ve featured on some mates album and compilations but nothing to full on until now.

What is the meaning/reasoning behind the name Mankind?

It’s just a name I thought of and I thought it sounded dope. I thought it summed up who we were mankind.

Have you had much contact with the Brissy Hip-Hop Scene?

Well I lived in Redcliffe for about 4 years from when I was 16 to 20. I had a radio show on the community station there but other than that and going into Rocking Horse records I didn’t really meet anyone actively involved in the scene back then. It wasn’t until I moved back down to Victoria that I got involved with other artists. So no not really, I wish I did though.

What Brissy rappers have you heard and who are you feeling?

Back in the day I was a huge Decipher fan. I use to bump that “Blurred Visionaries” cassette every god dam day it’s still one of my favourites. I’ve always been a Lazy Grey fan, Shin-Ki-Row. At the moment I really like Rainman’s album and the 750 Rebels new stuff is dope.

What do you think of the state and direction of Aussie Hip-Hop?

I see it’s getting rather big now and there are so many people involved with it these days. When there’s growth like that there’s always going to be positives and negatives but I couldn’t really care too much about the negatives. I really just focus on what I’m doing myself and keep making what makes me happy.

How does putting together a project working directly with a producer differ from working on a solo outing?

It was hard in some ways with the distance between us as we couldn’t really sit down together and talk things through but the net makes it easier these days. Yeh it was a long process with me working on my Rhymes and Dave on production. We pretty much just let each other go with our own side of things so it wasn’t too bad really. V’s a top notch producer and I had faith in him to do a really good job, he came through with the goods.

When can we expect a Mankind/Thorts/Hungry Humans show in Brissy?

I would love to do a show in Brizzy. The only thing holding me back at the moment is time and money. I still have to work 50 hours a week at my job and yeh all that jazz. If anyone wants to help out me and some boys to come up holla!

What’s next? What projects have you got coming up?

I’m currently working on a solo album with a few different producers down here and I got something else lined up after that as well. I’ll always have something in the works; it’s never going to stop for me. I’m also on a few albums that are going to drop real soon from Class A, Raven and Crixus so keep an ear out for those releases.

Anything else you’d like to add?

If you haven’t picked up Autism “5 tracks of Adrenaline”, Fatty Phew “23 Years in the Making”, Lost Soulz “Conveyor Belt”, Field Trip “Self Titled” EP, Dave V “V” and Esvee “Sovereignty” go and get them. Keep an ear out for Class A, Crixus, Raven and all Hungry Human albums in the near future. Oh yeah and Thorts of course. Haha peace.

Rugged Intellect (CAN)

March 17th, 2009 | By YouDee

Just north of the US is an extention of the land known as Canada. While sharing a border with the US the northern cousin seems a lot less trigger happy and is home of many a dope artist such as Rugged Intellect.

For those yet to hear your tracks, how would you describe your sound?

My sound would best be described as futuristic old school hip-hop in the sense that it is the perfect marriage of the past, present and future sounds of hip-hop music. By combining all these elements, the sound created is the apex of top-notch production, earth-shattering lyrics and respect for the foundations of hip-hop culture.

Just north of the US is an extention of the land known as Canada. While sharing a border with the US the northern cousin seems a lot less trigger happy and is home of many a dope artist such as Rugged Intellect.

Following the disintegration of a previous contractual situation, me and Domingo were introduced through a mutual acquaintance. After recording the song “Say Goodbye”, Domingo jumped on board and extended his expertise to mentoring my career in the right direction and opening the doors to many unforeseen opportunities. Overall, his contributions were instrumental in getting me situated and without a doubt we will continue to make dope music throughout my career.

Speaking of dope producers, your album features beats from prominent figures and some upcomers. Which producer was your favourite to work with?

For me to pick a favorite producer out of the talented individuals I have been blessed to work with would be an injustice to the different experiences working with each one brought to the table. Of course working with Domingo was crazy, but I also enjoy working with Buckwild and my friend and producer Adam Sampler. The work with Adam Sampler was particularly dope because most of it was done before any outside production or features were secured and we were just working out of the home studio making music not knowing what would come of it.

How did you get involved in hip-hop? Give us some insight in to your hip-hop history and how you got in to to this stage in your career.

From the earliest stages of my childhood, I was surrounded by hip-hop culture despite not initially knowing it was hip-hop. I grew up in a vastly multi-cultural West Indian neighborhood and I remember hearing hip-hop music blaring from my neighbor’s houses and also occasional park jams. Personally, I always had an ability to write and throughout my adolescence I put together poems that turned into rhymes. From there, I started taking the MC craft seriously, rhyming in the halls of my high school with breakdancers spinning in the cafeteria during recess. Let me specify I was one of the only white cats in my neighborhood but regardless of that it was never a problem because they knew me as that white kid from the neighborhood who rhymed.

What do you think of the current state of hip-hop culture? How healthy is the Canadian hip-hop scene?

The current state of hip-hop culture is in full expansion and I am proud to see that as a culture we are still evolving as new artists and new sounds are being created every day. However, corporate upheaval and bastardization of the culture has created the illusion that real hip-hop is dead but as long as there is poverty and the desire to make it out the struggle, hip-hop will always exist. Even though critics like to say hip-hop is on its deathbed due to oversaturation and things of that nature, it’s important to understand hip-hop is not what you see on BET, MTV, or read in XXL 95 percent of the time. I think the future of hip-hop lies in the education of the youth in understanding how the powers that be try to puppeteer our culture with gimmicks and garbage but at the end of the day, hip-hop is not going anywhere!

Like I always say, the Canadian hip-hop scene is a burgeoning one full of talent but unfortunately not enough outlets allowing artists to generate visibility for themselves. Due to a variety of socio-political and economical reasons, the Canadian rap industry will never come close to that of the US especially considering our population is not even one tenth of that.

You’ve already worked with some of the dopest rappers to grace the mic. Is there anyone else you’re hoping to work with?

Most definitely. Production wise, I’d love to work with DJ Premier, Show, Just Blaze (although I won’t be able to afford him anytime soon), Pete Rock, Alchemist, Lord Finesse and others….MC wise, definitely Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Canibus, The Last Emperor, Percee P and Nas.

Have you heard much Australian rap? What did you think of what you’ve heard?

I haven’t heard as much Australian rap as I would like to in order to formulate a good opinion about it, but from the artists I’ve heard, like Brad Strut for example, I can tell the Australian scene is full of dope artists and producers.

What’s next? Now that the album’s out, what else have you got in the works?

Now that the album’s out, the mission is definitely to spread the message globally and introduce as many people possible to my music and what I represent. As I work on other projects, I am equally going hard with promoting the album and doing shows everywhere. I’m  actually headed to the UK on Tuesday for a 6 day tour so that should be really dope. I am also putting together a Rare and Unreleased collection of recordings that features unheard songs with CL Smooth, Ghetto Dwellas (Party Arty & D-Flow, A-Bless), Sean Price and more so look out for that in early 2008.

What would we find in your CD player right now?

At the moment, I am really enjoying the new Jay-Z album “American Gangster.” The beats on the album are phenomenal, as I’m a sucker for ’70s era soul and funk samples. I’ve also been bumping the KRS One/Marley Marl album “Hip-Hop Lives” which is one of the dopest albums that came out this year.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Peace and respect to everybody reading this interview and all the hip-hop heads worldwide holding it down for hip-hop culture. I invite everyone to check out my album “Renaissance Music: The Introduction” which is available now. The album features production from Domingo, Buckwild, Adam Sampler, Molemen and more as well as classic collaborations with Kool G Rap, Ras Kass, RA The Rugged Man, Heltah Skeltah, AG & Party Arty of DITC and more.

In Australia the album is distributed by Shogun Distribution so it should be available at fine retailers like Soul Clap Records, as well as JB  Hi-Fi and Sanity.com.au

Extra shout-out to BNE’s Finest for the interview and feel free to check me out at http://www.myspace.com/ruggedintellect

ONE LOVE!

Brad Strut (Melbs)

March 17th, 2009 | By YouDee

BNEsFinest got the chance to throw some questions at the main man himself, Brad Strut. Got some insight on the album, what’s happening and how his wordly travels are going. Def a good read.

How did you get in to rhyming and when did you start?

I found hip hop at an early age round the ‘breakdance’ era, busted windmills, grew a bit older, got involved in the graff scene, picked up on the music a bit more, met Dj Frenzie and started rhyming….all by the age of 15 yrs old.

Must be a relief to have the album out, what does this album mean to you?

The new album means alot to get released. It took around 3 years from go to woah and is certainly a relief to have aired. It’s a bit trippin though, listening to some of the shit i was going through whilst recording it…

You’re in the UK while your album just dropped in Australia. What is the reasoning for this and is it interfering with album promo?

Yes and no as far as interfering. Ideally I would be home right now promoting and doing shows etc etc, but I got a good team behind me taking care of the business, I been doing all the usual media commitments and related promo stuff and I will be back in OZ touring the album in Sep/Oct. So it’s like yes and no. The reason I’m here is to see more of the world, experience different cultures, gather new inspirations and get out of the bubble.

On ‘Monopoly’ you refer to rap heading in a negative direction, explain this a bit for us.

I just break down the fact that hip hop in Australia is becoming increasingly monopolised and how it aint a good thing for the culture overall.

You’ve done a few international collabs. Is there anyone you’re wanting to work with or looking forward to working with again?

I got some stuff in the works…Maybe a lil Foreign Beggars collab, a project I got penned with UK producer Beat Butcha and a few other odds and ends… A collab with a Slovakian/Swiss duo too.

How did the Celph Titled collab happen? Are you guys still in contact?

DJ Sheep hooked up the business side of things and we all made it work. I drop Celph a holla here and there, all is well.

What happened with J-Red? Is he still your DJ?

Good question, best q I had in a while…..
J-Red is a big I dunno, aint been in touch with the man for long time??
I think it’d be fair to say he aint dj’ing for me no more.

What do you think of the Brisbane Hip-Hop scene? Have you had the chance to see much locally?

I love Brisbane!! The scene that I’ve had the chance to witness whilst there seems healthy indeed. I had some great times making music there, had some good friends from there once upon a time too…
Killers are LG, 750’s, The Optimen, Verb Ill and L-flows and a few more I’m strugglin to remember.

Trem produced a large portion of the album but Balans was nowhere to be found. What’s happening with Bob?

Bob rocked ‘Bounty Hunterz’!!
As far as what’s happening with him….Atm I don’t know cos I’m on the other side of the world. I heard he may be bout to rock Daddy status and he holding down a solid job so, yeah??

What do you think of the Aussie hip-hop scene at the moment? Where do you see it going in the future?

Atm it’s doing it’s thing, as for the future…..I haven’t got a crystal ball and my nickname aint Nostradamus

Do you think there’s a saturation of wack emcees at the moment or are you happy with the level of the new wave of rappers?

There’s good and there’s terrible. Happy?? I dunno, don’t really give a fuck…Just concentrate on what me and my people are doing really…Aint concerned with wackness.

How does the Australian movement compare to overseas in your experience?

Hip Hop wise it’s been dope going OS. I played Kemp in Czech, have played in Austria, bout to rock Scotland, Street Connection in Beroun was cool too… Also had the chance to witness some of my all time faves live like AG ,Pharoahe Monch, JMT, Non Phix and a bunch of others.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Buy the album….

Brad Strut - Legend:Official (OUT NOW)

Brad Strut “Legend: Official” is out now and available Australia-wide. International orders can be taken through www.checkoutwax.com

Be sure to cop this one.

Q-Unique (NY - US)

March 17th, 2009 | By YouDee

Q-Unique recently came through town on the Zulu Supa Jam tour with fellow NY legends Roc Raida & Lord Finesse (if you missed it you fucked up). BNEsFinest.net got the chance to build with him and find out how he got down with Rock Steady Crew and got the info on the new Q-Unique projects.

How did you get down with the Rock Steady Crew?

Crazy Legs got a hold of my demo back in the days, and asked me to run with the crew. It was real surreal cause I was always a fan, but it was with a twist, cause I wasn’t gettin’ down as a dancer…

Your recent appearances with Lord Finesse & Roc Raida had two of the most influential crews ever represented (D.I.T.C. and Rock Steady Crew), how did you feel about touring with the boys and was it something that’d been planned?

Oh man it was an honour and a pleasure touring with them. Me and roc have been friends for a while and I got to chill and build with finesse, that meant a lot to me. It wasn’t planned, the only people that I think knew what was going on were the promoters.

It’s mentioned through out your tracks in increments but how did you become fam with Uncle Howie? (With the label along with down with Uncle Howie himself).

Well Ill Bill and I have been friends for a while, when he saw that The Arsonists came to the end of its run he hollered at me to go on tour with Non Phixion. Then eventually do the 1st Q-Unique solo album. As far as Howie himself, he is a great guy. He was present through out the recording of my album, has a lot of stories to tell and he is truly in a lane by himself

What do you think of the current state of what mass media portrays as hip-hop?

It’s dramatic bullshit, but thats been the history of the media, and I don’t know if there’s any changing that.

What do you think of the recent trend of claiming hip-hop is dead?

Also unnecessary dramatic bullshit, anyone who states that hip hop is dead should not be involved with it.

What CD would we find in your CD player right now? What has been in heavy rotation for you lately?

Korn’s Greatest Hits
Slaine “The White Man is the Devil 2″
Ill Bill “Is the Future part 2″

There was talk of a collaborative project between Ill Bill and yourself, is this still going ahead or has it taken a backseat to the La Coka Nostra project for the moment?

It’s getting done. “What’s Wrong With Vengeance” Ill Bill & Q-Unique.

What do you think of the Aussie hip-hop scene from what you’ve seen?

I think it’s awesome.

You’ve already collab’d with Lyrical Commission, are there any other Australian acts that you hope to work with?

With things like that, I dont plan on it, it just happens. But with LC, we fam now, so there always a chance of that happening again.

As addressed by yourself on your intro ‘The Resume’ off ‘Vengeance Is Mine’ it is a little known fact that you’re quite skilled on the MPC. How long have you been producing and is this an area you plan to involve yourself in more in the future?

I’ve been making beats since 89, and I’m always looking to expand on my resume with that aspect. I produced both Arsonists albums and some of my solo. I’m producing the new solo album.

Also on ‘The Resume’ you talk about all your achievements in music paling in comparison to being a father. Is it important to you to have a message or something to say in your music over the trend of one-sided gun talk and gangsterisms?

Gangster shit, jiggy shit, whatever, I like to bring difference to the table, my own twist. If you look at my work from Arsonists to solo, there are songs that have never been made in the history of hip-hop. That’s how artists should approach the situation, maybe then they’ll stop bitching bout what’s dead.

What is next for Q-Unique? Is there a new album in the works or any projects you can give us a little insight in to?

Working on the new album right now. so far the craziest guest appearance is Fieldy for Korn, that’s my dawg right there. Overall I’m real happy bout this album. Aside from that got the new mix CD in the streets right now “Street Supreme”.

Thanks for taking the time to build with us a little. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Just thanking the people down under. I’ll be back. Check out the site Q-Unique.com and the MySpace page MySpace.com/QUnique. Peace.

DJ Sheep & J-Zone aka Extra Chee$e (BNE - NY)

March 17th, 2009 | By YouDee

BNEsFinest.net’s own U.D. got the chance to ask some questions of New York’s J-Zone and Brissy’s own DJ Sheep on the eve of their tour. Def worth a read.

J-Zone:

You’ve been involved with hip-hop for a fair while, either as a head or in producing your own material. How have you seen the culture and the trends change over the time? (Positive and negative aspects).

From a positive, a lot of people are taking matters into their own hands in terms of not depending on being signed to labels. The southern and west coast dudes always did indie stuff, but I’m from New York
and a lot of artists in New York were lazy and depending on labels. In the mid-90’s a lot of people began to control their own destiny which was good to see. But from a negative, that helped flood the market.
There’s just too much product out and its easy to get lost these days. I also don’t like the fact that a lot of the diversity has begun to fade in rap. I liked when you turned on MTV and got some goofy funny rap,
some gangsta shit, some political shit…you had guys of all different styles co-existing. I don’t see that much these days, and it feels like a lot of cats are planning every move they make and following formulas instead
of just doin whatever they feel. Rap is about breaking rules. If you wanna rap about picking boogers, you shouldn’t be stopped because of fear of being taken as a joke!

You’re managing a cross-over of a different type. What sparked your interest in doing porn soundtracks and this new $leazy Listening style?

That started as an inside joke between me and Al-Shid, a rapper I work with. He would say my beats sounded crazy and he could see them in pornos. I have a strange sound and most of my favorite beats, MC’s will complain that they can’t rap on it. But a lot of them told me they could see the beats in pornos because a lot of my ideas are freaky and twisted. So I started imagining a porno with these crazy beats in them and I did a skit for my A Job Ain’t Nuthin But Work album called “$leazy Listening”. It wound up catching the ear of a friend of mine in the adult films industry, and I got my first job doing music for a porno called Asian Bang. It started as a joke, but I felt challenged doing beats for pornos. I get bored with that traditional boom bap hiphop easily and I was tired of MC’s sayin the beat was too crazy or they couldnt rap to it, so I’m focused on doin instrumental and film stuff. It fits my style more.

You’re affiliated with some of the best heads doing it right now. How’d you get down with Celph Titled?

Me and Celph met in 1999 because he worked at BUDS, who were distributing my first album. About a year later, we bumped into each other at a music industry event and we got on the subject of rare gangsta rap. And before you know it, we’re talking about old obscure gangsta rap CDs for hours and people around us were like ‘how do you guys know about this? you’re New York undergound dudes!’ We became friends and recorded a bunch of songs, some of which never came out. The feedback was good, so we decided to do a whole project and give it a theme and a feel of the old gangsta rap albums we love. We ain’t gangstas at all, but we wanted to capture that old school vibe and humor that was on those albums with our own twist, so that’s how Bo$$ Hog Barbarian$ was born.

How important is it to you to have fun in your music? Would you ever make a completely serious album?

Very. I’m not a battle rapper, I’m not a killer or drug dealer, I’m not an activist, I’m not a politician. I’m a regular dude that goes through the everyday bullshit that anybody else would, so I take my experiences and share them with some humor thrown in. I can laugh at myself (which is important) and at others, and I try not to take myself too serious as a rapper in terms of content. Music is therapy to me. Laughter is a great medicine for hard times, so I go hard at it. But at the same time, humor hurt my career. For one, a lot of people are too cool to laugh these days, so if you’re funny, you’re seen as corny. And also, even though I’m lighthearted as an artist, I take my craft and my production very seriously. I spend a lot of time on my records to make them sound how I want and I take a lot of pride in what I do. And just because I’m funny, people think I’m taking everything as a joke and that’s dead wrong. I think a lot of people overlooked concepts, writing and production that I’ve put down because they take me as a joke, and that became frustrating. Albums like To Love A Hooker and  A Job Ain’t Nuthin But Work I felt had some nice concepts and I worked real hard to make them cohesive and they were only seen for the humor. That bothered me.
I recently walked away from recording as a rapper and doing shows here in the US. I want to focus on producing and behind the scenes stuff and maybe without the J-Zone character being in the forefront,
people will take me a little more serious in terms of musicianship. I don’t think I’d ever make a completely serious album because humor is in me, but you never know!

You state that you’re a business man. Do work and business ethic go hand in hand in the industry?

Yes and no. I’m serious about my business and I realize that music is a business. But I don’t allow the business to determine how I make music. Like I said, humor and bugged out beats are not big money makers unless you get lucky. I knew when I made some adjustments to my sound after my third album, there could be a loss in sales and in fans. And there was. But I’m an artist first, so I took that risk. But on the other hand I’m very professional in my business dealings with people. If I have a session, I’m not gonna show up 8 hours late even though that’s common in the industry. I don’t fuck around with peoples time and money. I’m serious about being a professional.

I read an old interview with you saying that Australia was one of your favourite places to perform. What do you like about the Aussie scene?

I realize that they don’t see American artists perform as often as the US does, or even Europe. So when they come to a show, they appreciate the show. In most of the US, people just stand there wanting to battle you with their demo and mix cd’s in their hand. Nobody is hyped and having fun. Overseas, they know you may never be back or it may be a long time until they see you again, so they make you feel welcome and I always appreciated that. Plus, Aussies are rowdy as a muthafucka! I love that! I love to see them mosh pits in that bitch! Just don’t start no fights, haha.

How did you get down with Brissy’s own DJ Sheep?

I met him in Sydney when I was there in 2000, and we both got kicked off the radio show for playin Geto Boys songs. He DJed for me in Brisbane too. That’s my dawg right there!

What do you have in heavy rotation at the moment?

Guy: “You Can Call Me Crazy”

Brass Construction: Brass Construction (LP)
4 Deep: “Rollin 4 Deep”
Brokin English Klik: “Kaos Ta Bass”
Devin The Dude: Waitin To Inhale (LP)
J-Zone catalog (somebody asked me for my favorite 3 J-Zone albums so I had to hear them all again).
Suga Free: “Pure Pimp Fene”
Da Lench Mob: “All On My Nut Sac”
Funk Inc.: “Message From The Meters”

For those who haven’t got to catch you live, what can be expected from a J-Zone show?

If customs doesn’t trip on me, expect to see some nice animal fur. PETA might protest outside the venue.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I hope they show some good movies on the plane. That’s a long ass trip.

DJ Sheep:

You’ve been involved with hip-hop for a fair while, either as a head
or in producing your own material. How have you seen the culture and
the trends change over the time? (Positive and negative aspects).

Shit’s always gunna change, it’s inevitable, you don’t see
mutherfuckers walking around with those big ass Motorola cell phones
in a bag anymore right? It’s more a question of how you adapt, there
are ways of adapting to your environment without affecting your
original steelo or whatever. There’s always corny trends, and some
cool ones too. It’s boils down to how you adapt and take a twist on
what’s happening in the world and fuck with it. It’s not 1994 and Nas
isn’t gunna make another “Illmatic” you know?

You’re one of the few heads I know personally that admits to liking
both underground and more mainstream rap tracks. Who are some of your
faves from both scenes and how important is it to you to have a
balance?

Oh man, I listen to a lot of shit that might surprise people. I don’t
like *ALL* mainstream rap songs whatsoever, but the ratio of good and
bad songs in mainstream rap and underground rap is about the same, if
not more… I tell people I listen to Devin the Dude in Brisbane and
they are like “fuck that jiggy shit”… COME ON! Yeah, I listen to The
Game, who cares you know? It’s important just to be yourself and like
what you like, I listen to all genres of music, if it’s dope, it’s
dope… I been listening to the Gap Band and a lot of mellow 80s soul
joints lately… You don’t need a balance but you have to figure out
what YOU like, that’s the problem with everything, be it rapping and
producing and even diggin’ for samples and beats, people just follow
what’s hot right now and don’t have a mind of their own to figure it
out. All that peer pressure shit is wack, I know people that have a
gang of dope hip-hop records and listen to Green Day in their car to
work, then turn around and make the most amazing beats sampling some
obscure folk records from Europe!

You’re about to go jetsetting again after a short stint at home. What
have you got coming up on your agenda?

Well, I got this J-Zone tour of course… then I’m gunna head out to
Bangkok and Paris for some record shopping, then I’m going to relocate
to Scotland for a year and go for dolo. No firm plans yet, but some
shit seems to be shaping up with the music tip. It’s gunna be very
different to Japan and Taiwan where I’ve spent the last 3 years
basically…

How’d you get down with J-Zone?

I was chillin’ with my mate who did a radio show in Sydney and I had
my crates there to play some tracks. Zone saw the Geto Boys “We Can’t
Be Stopped” LP in my record bag and we chopped it up from there, I
guess we realized we both liked the gangsta rap and he asked me to DJ
for him in Brisbane. I think we got kicked off the radio for playing
Geto Boys because they were on some flower power incense burning
steeze. I remember Zone told me he was looking for Low Profile’s album
and I had a spare so I blessed him with a copy. We definitely kept in
touch and made some plans to work together, but due to one thing or
another it always fell through, it’s been a long time coming this
tour, we’ve tried with different promoters and it’s finally happening
thanks to Green & Gold.

You’re known for being a crazy crate digger aside from DJing. What’s
the craziest find you’ve ever had in one of your searches?

Man… actually, one of the craziest finds was recently, like 2 or 3
months ago. I was in Taiwan in a junk store and I found this record
called “Roy Porter - Inner Feelings”. Shit is a mad small pressing
jazz/soul/funk joint from a Los Angeles based drummer and it was 2
bucks. That shits usually like a $500+ record. I was happy as shit
when I found that… not because it was a rare record, but cuz I heard
it on my man Soulman’s CD a while ago and it was just sitting in the
front of the crate in the fuckin’ weirdest shop in Taiwan, just junk
everywhere in that store… but, I think the craziest shit for me and
my business with diggin’ is hooking up established local and overseas
producers with samples and then getting to hear the end product. I
caught some drums in a DJ Shadow track, which was off a private press
record from Stones Corner in Brisbane, I hooked him with that in 2001
or whatever… then he dropped the whole break on his recent world
tour, just trips me out to hear it in the mix you know?

How important is it to you to have fun when you’re doing your thing
and not take yourself too seriously?

It’s probably one of the most important things to maintain longevity
in the game. Not just hip-hop, but life. You have to be able to laugh
at the ridiculousness of shit sometimes and also be able to have a
laugh at your own expense. I like to do my thing, and have fun.
Actually, that’s probably the most appealing thing about J-Zone’s
music to me, is the fact that some, if not most, of his music, is to
be taken a little tongue in cheek. If you don’t like the “Every Hog
Has It’s Day” album, you’re probably the same dude calling Devin the
Dude jiggy, smell me? If you can have a laugh, you will definitely
understand that album, it’s in HIGH ROTATION right now!

How does Brissy and Australia stand up against some of the other
places you’ve performed at?

It’s different you know. Brisbane and Australia have a unique scene
and somewhere like Vietnam or Taiwan have a different scene. Not one
is better than the other, but I was playing to a lot more people
(sometimes up to 5,000) a night at Ministry of Sound in Taiwan, so
that was like something I’d never experienced before. Totally
different. I like making people dance and have fun and bug out… but
Australia is always home, and people are always mad chill and more
into what they like out here! It feels great to be home!

What do you have in heavy rotation at the moment?

Humongous amounts of gangsta rap, Taiwanese pop records and tons of
Japanese soundtracks, rock and jazz from my last trip… let me see
what’s near the turntables right now though…

Too Much Trouble - If You Ain’t Suckin’ EP (Hot Club Wax)
Don Friedman - A Hope For Tomorrow
Miles Davis - Dark Magus
JJ Band - Self-Titled
Ultramagnetic MCs - Critical Beatdown
Dr Tree - Self-Titled
Main Source - Breaking Atoms
Comptons Most Wanted - Music To Driveby
Curtis Mayfield - Superfly

For those that haven’t got to catch you live, what can be expected
from a DJ Sheep set?

Anything goes you know. I feed off the crowd, the more they are up for
a certain thing or sound, I’m gunna run with it and go… Expect
obscure slept on shit and classics, etc. I’m using Serato right now,
so the possibilities at every show are endless. We got a ton of really
crazy songs to play in the gangsta rap set, I’m gunna knock out the
classics for sure tho… Geto Boys, NWA, etc.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Peace to anyone and everyone who has helped me on this journey. Props
to my crew The Jediz and peace to everyone who copped wax from me.
Major props to Green & Gold Records for having the balls and the word
to follow through on this tour. And make sure you don’t miss these
shows people!! And bring extra $crilla because I heard J-Zone has some
cool and exclusive merchandise for sale!

Maekism of Last Credit (SYD)

March 17th, 2009 | By YouDee

BNEsFinest got the chance to pick the brain of Maekism of upcoming Sydney duo Last Credit. Find out what the Nurcha rep has to say about XXXX, what to expect from their live shows and more.

How did you pair meet? Did you always intend to work together musically?

We met back in primary school, some 16 years ago. We’ve been mates since then, so we never had any intentions to become ‘rappers’ back in year 1. Over the last 5 years or so we would come up with many zany schemes, such as beer brewing, mice breeding and rapping was the only one that kind of stuck.

You both come from a metal background, what would you say to metal heads that are closed minded to rap because of the commercial stereotypes?

Well most young metal heads now are lady boys that listen to queer metal and would get their head knocked off in a real Moshpit, they’re usually the ones to hate on or criticize rap music because they can’t draw any resemblance between the two genres. But hip hop, I’m mainly talking about in Australia, is very similar to how metal was backing the 80s/90s. They sung about getting pissed, doing crazy fucked up shit (none of this ‘I want to cut myself and cry’ faggotry), the gigs were in shitty little pubs and clubs (much like the gigs we play all over Sydney), and ask any generation x metal fan, they’ll tell you Cypress Hill rules!

How did you become members of the Nurcha familia? What about Nurcha did attract you?

Shrekk hooked us up with this one gig back in January 06 after hearing a track on our myspace. We acted as professional as possible and that led to him giving us more and more gigs, eventually he just signed us because we are extremely super ultra dope! Haha.

What artists in the Aussie scene are you digging?

Mainly the artists that have an original sound, not the same rap over a beat type mentality. Funkoars are obviously in my top 5, I’ve always been a fan of The Herd and Urthboys solo stuff, the Hoods, our label mates Double and Big Lu their shit is unfuckwithable, I dare you to watch them play live and not nod your head! Otherwise, I don’t really listen to much more, I’ll go past heaps of stuff, but as far as slapping one’s CD in my stereo, they’re be the top contenders at the moment.

Have you heard anything from the Brissy hip-hop scene? Are there any artists you’re digging from Brisbane?

Not too much, Optimen only a little of, but I like what I hear. And Offensive Linesmen, they quite dope too, hehe. We did a track with Plague back in the day, shit was filthy as haha!

What have you been listening to lately?

I’ve been watching a lot of VH1, and they show a nice array of Metal count-downs, haha. So I’ve just been cranking out my metal collection from the 90s, Pantera, Sepultura, Obituary, some Manson, but lots of Pantera over the last month now.

What would we find in your CD player right now?

Pantera – ‘Reinventing the Steel’

What’s next for Last Credit?

Well once JMC gets back from his Euro-trip, we’ll be hitting the road and gigging over the country for our launch tour, and probably try and get to places we haven’t played yet like Brisbane. I’m looking at producing a few tracks for secret project in Nurcha as well as considering some solo stuff. Promote the hell out of ‘Breakfast Of Champs’ in stores now or online at www.nurcharecords.com/music.htm, get it! Maybe come up with another zany scheme like opening up a solarium or some shit.

Will you be braving the XXXX amber goodness while up for the launch tour?

Ah XXXX, we got you down here in Sydney too, I have had it many times, and not a bad drop, but it can’t hold a candle to the other cheap tap beers like VB and Carlton Draught.

What can we expect from you when you come through town?

Expect a hip hop show by a crew that is deemed worthy of induction into the rock and roll hall of fame! Probably not, but expect some in your face shit, hopefully we’ll have some merch by then, get some of you Brisbanians sporting Last Credit shirts.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Our Debut album, Breakfast Of Champs is out now through Nurcha/Obese, you can cop it at all good hip hop stores or at JB Hi FIs across the country or online at www.nurcharecords.com/music.htm! And I’m sure if JMC was here he’d same something gay like, ‘thanks to everyone that has supported us over these past few years, thanks to all who have purchased the album and thank you Chuck Norris!’

Last Credit’s debut album “Breakfast of Champs” is available now through Nurcha Records online and through all good hip-hop stockists. For a preview of what to expect from the lads head to their myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/lastcredit) and read the review of the album on this very site.