Creative Minds Interview - Jan 2007 - Click the image to enlarge
How did you get started?
"Basically I started out as a drum n' bass MC when I was about 14. Back then, everyone listened to Drum n' Bass, hip-hop weren't really that big, and you were either a DJ or an MC. As I could get a mic much cheaper than a pair of 1210's, I decided that MC'ing would be my thing.
At around the age of sixteen I started to get into hip-hop. I wrote this hip-hop lyric and everyone was just like, 'Fuck! That was sick.' I didn't really get that type of reaction much when I was spitting to drum (n' bass) so I thought 'Fuck it,' I'll start spitting to hip-hop."
How did you get into producing?
"I started producing basically because I needed beats. I was a little, not very good MC; nobody would have wasted there time making me a beat, plus I didn't know no one who could make beats. So I said fuck it, did a little research, and then went and bought Fruity Loops. Loved it mate! It's the sickest program for any producer to learn on, it's so easy."
What did your first ever track you produced sound like?
Ain't got a fucking clue mate, but it was probably whack. In fact I know it was whack. I only remember the good tunes so, yes, it was whack. But to be fair, I was rocking Fruity Loops and I didn't know shit all about how to use it, I didn't even know what midi was, I didn't even know what a fucking sample was back then. All I knew was; 'If I clicked that box, the drum would sound.'"
Any influential artists?
"Yeh, 'course. Production wise: Scott Storch. The man's amazing. My favourite producer, easy. I also like Dre, his drums are killer, Timbaland and some of the Neptune's stuffs alright. As far as rapping, I gotta say Eminem. The first hip-hop album I ever got was the Martial Mathers LP. Man, I rinsed that so hard the CD looked like a vinyl it had so many fucking scratches on it."
What's your ideal production setup?
"For me, the key is simplicity. My setup has got to be simple. If I'm in a studio where there's equipment racked up to the roof, millions of plug-ins, computers rammed with software, yeh - it might offer you a lot of possibilities; but it's a head fuck! My brain'll just frazzle out and I won't be making a beat for shit. That's why, equipment wise, all I use is an MPC, sound module and ProTools; it's all I need. Keep it simple; keep it sweet!"
…And vocals. What do you use to get that fat vocal sound?
"Well, at the top of the vocal chain is the Beyerdynamic MC834 mic, which in my opinion does a great job of capturing a natural sounding vocal. The signal then runs through a Focusrite® Voicemaster Pro, which is basically a fancy pre-amp that has all the tools on it I need to spice up the vocal."
How do you feel about the state of Hip-Hop at the moment?
"To be honest, hip-hop's pretty whack at the moment. Personally I can't stand all that Dirty-South bollocks that for some reason seems to be big right now. Their lyrics make me laugh mate. If you gave a Crayola to a retarded five year old he could write a better fucking song than them."
Out of all the Hip-Hop tracks ever released, which one would you most like to have produced?
"Easy, Still Dre. No question. That tune came out in like 2000 or something, and I still rinse it now. Best tune ever made. Classic! That whole album's a fucking classic! Dre 2001, 's what hip-hop's all about."