Styly Cee first of all can you tell us what part of Nottingham are you from and what was it like growing up there?
I lived in Beeston till I was 21, it was o.k. I used to go to the youth club quite a lot, we used to take our electro tapes and have challenges with each other. Other crews from around Notts used to come and have a go to, but there were a lot of people into hip hop in Beeston in the 80's. A lot of cardboard and lino was worn through.
You're a rapper and a producer how did it all start for you?
What I did first was edit tapes on my Amstrad stack system with the pause button, doing mixes at first then repeating a break or loop, it took me hours.
Then I started writing verses and stuff, pretty shite if I'm honest. I've still got all my old stuff, it's beyond cringe factor, but everyone has to start somewhere. Just hope no-one hears it. After that I got a very small Yamaha keyboard which was sitting in my cousin's room doing nothing so I was given it, 3 secs sampling time. My dad had a Roland U20 keyboard which I used for drum kits and bass, played in the samples live. Then I got a slightly better sampler, a Gemini one with 10 secs and a bit better quality. Did some of the Lost Island demo's on that then I got the Akai S20 which I still have, it's like a step child of the MPC, I can't let it go. Never use it but its staying.
What artist would you say have influenced your music and why?
Too many to mention really, but I used to like electro/ Soul Sonic Force/ Jonson Crew etc, then as things changed I was blown away by Eric B and Rakim, all the Juice Crew, the Wrath of Kane still gets me now. DITC, Ultra, Tuff Crew, as well as all the good British music, Demon Boys, Hardnoise, Hijack, Blade, Gunshot, Mello and all them. Gang Starr, Pete Rock, Jay Dee, Tribe. All these guys still inspire me to be honest, loads more too, I like the energy that they bring to their music, it was more about the music and getting it right and having a vibe to it.
Can you tell us what material have you rapped on so far and what artists have you produced for?
I've produced for Cappo, Midnyte, C-Mone, DPF, Mr 45, Scorzayzee, Def Tex, Pitman, Lee Ramsey, Honey Williams, Kool Aid East, Lost Island, Karizma, Quakes. Most of the SON records artists. As an MC I did the odd verse on the Lost Island releases. The Crusoe EP which came out 8 years ago now. Recently joined Cappo on the Unwritten Rule remix where we go back to back all the way, 4 bars each. I've got a few tracks in my secret vault, gonna try and get some of them out there next year.
As well as rap and produce you're also a DJ do you play out anywhere?
Not really, I play out a few times a year, playing Norwich on 27th Nov along with a live set from Cappo. I don't really have a lot of time for that now. If there were better shows happening then I might be more interested I think. I still practice from time to time but that's so I can still do the cuts on my tracks.
Which do you prefer being a rapper, producer or a DJ?
Producer, just the satisfaction when you know you've done a good beat, it's addictive. Plus you can work at your own pace. I just write rhymes now and again, it doesn't excite me that much anymore, plus when you're working with Cappo his work rate is so high that you need to have your side working at full capacity too. That's why I've been focusing on the music side.
You've just released an E.P with Cappo called "The H Bomb E.P" on Son Records where you provide the production and scratchin' how did you go about making the beats? Did you work alongside Cappo or did you just hit him off with the instrumentals?
I had 2 of the beats already done, Unwritten Rule was done while we were recording the others. I just gave Cappo the beats and he came back, laid down his verses then I started on the chorus, scratches and pain.
How would you describe the sound of the E.P?
Crazy taxi, hectic parallels, could encourage eye bleeds, from the Core itself.
It's not for the MTV Base generation put it that way. Hip Hop noise with a purpose. Straight up no-frills Hip Hop Napalm extracts.
Where can people go and buy "The H Bomb E.P"
The http://www.sonrecords.com/ web shop, most good independent record shops by now, iTunes, all the good hip hop online stores.
Will you and Cappo be working on an album at all?
We don't know yet, possibly? We are doing a couple of new tracks, see how it goes. Cappo is finishing his own solo LP first, plus we want to do some more live shows for the H Bomb release.
The E.P is released on limited edition 12" vinyl. Lately a lot of artists have been releasing albums for digital download what is your take on this, do you think it's a good or a bad thing?
I think we are stuck with it to be honest, I still prefer vinyl, cd's for the car, but I understand why people like to download everything, it's quick, easy, very disposable as well. Plus record labels are struggling; no-one does promo whites anymore, its too expensive. I thinks it's good for people to get there music heard too without a major label pulling all your strings. It's free to put your music on ya MySpace. When you buy records you feel like you've got something to show for ya money, the cover art work in ya hand, listen to the album the way and the order it was meant to be listened too. We are stuck with this until something even shitter comes along.
If money wasn't a thing what artist would you like to work with?
I think Nas, Rakim, El da Sensai, MC Lyte, Jill Scott, Omar, Q Tip, Chaka Khan
Any of those, too many.
What projects will you be working on in the new year?
There's a new Pitman compilation coming out with some new tracks and unreleased ones as well as a couple off the 7" singles, for people who enjoy the Pitness, i'll be assisting Al at SON with that. Working on some new beats, doing some scratches on Cappo's LP. more H Bomb shows, plus the Pyramid project.
That wraps up the interview, any last words?
Just to say thanks to all the people that have supported us with this EP, spread the word if you like it, feel it people. Renegades of funk unite for the revival of noise and peace.
Interview by Jai Boo
www.myspace.com/jaiboowolftown
