Major Freq Interview - July 2008 - Click the image to enlarge
How did you get started?
"I loved rock music for a bit, and came across Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park as i used to watch Kerrang all the time. Lyrically, his content pushed me over into hip hop. Still after that I carried on listening to bands like KoRn, Limp Bizkit, Staind etc. But after a few years (when the Godzilla movie came out) I really became attached to the song used in the credits by P Diddy, Puff Daddy, Poof Didly whatever called "Come With Me" - a mixture of hip hop with an orchestra backing in there. I then started to listen to a lot of Eminem. A few years after, heading into 2004 I then started to write (or try to!)"
How did you get into spitting?
"Well after watching 8 Mile, I decided to start searching for online rap battling/hip hop communities. And I came across Kalistyle. Back then it used to be really active, but then there was an invasion and it led the site into being hacked. Till this day I still produced, featuring on, work with people from that site who one day WILL become up there with the others."
What did your first ever track you make sound like?
"Well the flow was bad, the beat was quite catchy and I had a really gay American accent (as everyone most probably put on when they started) you can listen to it and all my songs from 2004 at www.soundclick.com/YLMusic!"
Any influential artists?
"Yup, I love artists who really show emotion in their tracks using day to day problems, world issues etc for instance; Immortal Technique. You can't get any real-er then him. I also like producers who turned rappers like J Dilla, his lyrics really meant something too. Eminem played a big part as an influence too because of his style and how he delivers. Now (after being supported by other unsigned artists) people like Kande, Masta T, Corey Drumz (check them all on soundclick.com) have pushed me that one step further too! But to be honest, the biggest influences I have are my friends. Without their support I wouldn't be where I am right now. (Jonesy, Mark, DJ 80, Coley, Nay, Immi, Hannah, Dani and everybody else who have listened to my music and saved them (ha!)...Sorry if I didn't put you in."
What Equipment do you use?
"Well at the moment, I use a Samson CO1U condenser (with Adobe Audition = if you know how to master you can match anyone’s quality!) and that’s it on the vocal side. For production I use, FL Studio 8 XXL Producers Edition, Pro Tools, an M Audio Keystation 49e and now the Akai MPC 2000."
How do you feel about the state of Hip-Hop at the moment?
"Hip Hop in the UK has never really been strong. Too many people either want to be the next 50 Cent by rapping about "guns" and "shanking" people or the next grime mc. No one really sees the hip hop culture in the UK too. They just see a group of people talking poems to loud instrumentals. Since this year artists who have already made it such as S.A.S, Sway, Baby Blu have all ventured into the States leaving nothing behind in the UK, killing it off once and for all. And my purpose is to bring Hip Hop back to its rightful level in the UK with help from Aim2Break Records and anybody else who supports what we do best."
Out of all the Hip-Hop tracks ever released, which one would you most like to have been a part of?
"I would of loved to jump on a track with J Dilla and Kanye (Pay Jay - good song) or Immortal Techniques Bin Laden Remix."