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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Mankind – IIWII review

Geelong meets Brisbane on this MC & rapper collaboration release between Hungry Humans, Field Trip and now Mankind rapper Thorts and recent 750 Rebels addition and long standing producer (and drummer) V, formerly known as Dave V.

From the first moment the release plays you can tell there’s something special install. The opening track “Hungry Humans” sees Thorts breaking down what the project is about, being a regular human and being a part of mankind. Thorts rhymes throughout are extremely solid. Using a laid back flow that works well over the banging and often abstract production from V. Matching up well with his overall style Thorts reveals himself as a regular and down to earth lad that happens to be a rapper and hungry for love, life and beats. Being a collaborative project the main stage is shared between Thorts and V by including instrumental tracks. V being the production minded head that he is doesn’t let the instrumental tracks drag out and keeps them short while being long enough to get a feel for the beat.

All production duties are handled by V who is more than capable of handling a complete project (as previously shown on both the ‘Lifestyles’ compilation and his ‘V’ album) while cuts duty is shared between DJ Bogues and DJ DCE. There are very few miss-steps on the production front even when heading in to much more abstract territory. The one slip is in the instrumental track “Upon this Mental Ray” which at times feels slightly out of time.

Guests on the album are Class A on “The Simple Life” who has a solid showing but doesn’t quite hold her own against Thorts, Lost Soulz on “Everyday Hustle” who blend seamlessly with Thorts making a very smooth and head nodding track and Esvee on “From Then to Now” who delivers a nice reminiscent verse that works well.

Being a very impressive debut under the title of ‘Mankind’ the pair have managed to put together an extremely banging album while being easy listening and versatile enough to save it from slipping in to the territory of being boring. The guest spots were solid while not being over done making for a well rounded release that is definitely worth selling out the hard-earned to pick up for fans of dope beats & rhymes.

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!

Yet another dope rapper from the US’ less backwards neighbour Canada comes with one of the albums of the year. Underground upcomer Rugged Intellect delivers a dope album which cements his position of one of the names to watch for.

From the moment the CD starts to play it’s obvious that this is going to be more of a true school outting than a commercial filler release. Opening with “What It Is” (one of the standout tracks on the album) the production almost instantly forces your head to nod and Rugged delivers solid lyrics showcasing his well developed style of lyricism.

Guest spots throughout the album are handled by a who’s who of the underground/lyricism scene with Rock of Heltah Skeltah (”Guaranteed”), R.A. The Rugged Man (”DBA”), Kool G Rap (”All Fair”), Ras Kass (”Next Dose”), AG of DITC (”Like That”), Party Arty, Sean Price, Rustee Juxx and Solomon Childs (all on the “Say Goodbye (Remix)”) all handling their spots well and helping the album  show it’s strength.

Production on the album is as impressive as Rugged’s flow with beats being contributed by Domingo, Buckwild, Momo of Molemen, Rugged’s right hand man Adam Sampler and others. Largely sample based the beats throughout are head-nodding throwback hip-hop at it’s finest.

Standout tracks on the album include “It Is What It Is”, “Biters Block” (where Rugged calls out all the new jacks who bite their favourite rapper’s style in an attempt to get attention), “DBA” with R.A. the Rugged Man (on some classic dissing the sluts shit - DBA stands for Dirty Bitch Anthem) and “All Fair” with legendary lyricist Kool G Rap. The whole album is bumpable front-2-back coming in at 18 solid tracks (including bonus tracks) with no skip material.

A very solid introduction to Rugged Intellect for those not up on the man, def worth your hard-earned. The album is available in Australia through Shogun Distribution.

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.

Brad Strut – Legend: Official.

Unkut Recordings – Shogun Distribution

Aussie wordsmith Brad Strut returns with his highly anticipated sophomore solo release ‘Legend: Official’. After three years of work, he delivers a gem to set the bar for the rest of the scene.

Back in the booth largely backed by fellow Lyrical Commission member Trem handling production Strut shakes the sophomore slump to deliver one of the nicest albums of the year. While Brad proves throughout that he’s more than capable of holding down tracks solo he has a few friends in the mix in the form of Lyrical Commision on “Bounty Hunterz, Lee Sissing on “One” and “Strut Life”, Daniel Merriweather on “Caught Up”, Outerspace and Trem on “Terrordome”, Trem again on “Incite the Premises” and Sean Price on “Automatic”. The standout tracks however aren’t just the collaborations even though the guests are some of the most impressive names in the industry.

Personal standout tracks include the lead single “Monopoly” features Strut talking on the direction of the industry, “Terrordome” with Army of the Pharaohs members Outerspace and Trem making this an underground banger and the requisite Lyrical Commission collab “Bounty Hunterz”. From the time the cd starts you know you’re in for a treat with this release. The anticipation was definitely answered and Strut stood up to the plate and delivered another album that is sure to go down as an Aussie classic.

If you like hard-edged lyricism then be sure to run out and add this one to your collection.