Over the past few years,
North London MC Skrein has been making a name
for himself as part of the Foreign Beggars.
Sporting a genuinely good humoured and refreshing
outlook on the scene with the lyricism and
mic skills to match, the self proclaimed 'Hiphops
Keith Chegwin' is going to be huge...
How's it all going at the moment?
I' m feeling good about everything. I've put
myself under a bit of pressure this year to
polish off all the releases I've got started.
It's hard, I just want to write, record, then
start the next one but it is important to
focus my creativity to make sure there is
something solid at the end of it. As opposed
to what it feels like sometimes, which is
having 100 tracks but no release structure,
if you know what I'm saying? Now I'm just
seeing what works together, what fits and
sort 'em out into separate releases, you know?
So what you got in the pipeline?
The next project will be the CD release 'The
Scene Stealers' with Dr Syntax, that's gonna
be dropping on Dented records featuring some
of the best rappers around - Dubbledge, Verb
T, Farma G (Task force) and Metropolis (Foreign
Beggars), with some of the best producers
too - Dag Nabbitt, Beat Butcher, Chemo, Stevie
Ebola and Ghosttown. But it don't stop there,
we got cuts from the best DJs in the game
too, with DJ IQ, DJ Scully, DJ No Names and
DJ Colombo Majic so watch out for that, it's
gonna be heavy. Dr Syntax is one of my favourite
rappers around and a 'thoroughly lovely chap'
as my dad might say.
After that, I'll be releasing my mixtape which
is about 50% completed but I've got some real
creative ideas for that so hang in there,
star! And on top of that, I'm just finishing
off my solo album as we speak; getting some
singers and live instruments down. I'm trying
to be patient with the album. I really want
to be proud of it when it's finished so I
want to give it everything I can.
Lastly, look out the Films For The Blind/Easily
Led Project with Plan B, an internet monthly
download with an ongoing story, kinda like
Eastenders meets Shallow Grave meets two of
the sickest imaginations out there. People
may have heard the first part of the story,
a song called 'Hows It Feel' which was on
B's Mix CD on the front cover of HHC. Peep
it, it's some crazy shit. I'm really looking
forward to that project.
I saw you a few months ago in Fabric
with Foreign Beggars, you seemed to be enjoying
yourself?
Oh Boy!!! I was. I think I should firstly
take this time to apologise to the stage manager
of the main stage for trashing the stage with
vodka and water. If you're reading this, I
am truly sorry for any messed up equipment.
I was just having fun, you know? I just got
a bit out of control that night. I was in
world cup mode and was, lets say, a little
excitable. Mid way through the set I was escorted
out by 4 Ivan Drago-looking Russian bouncers
and kicked out. At the time I thought it was
brilliant but the next morning, I woke up
and felt like a cunt - but I think the crowd
enjoyed it!
How much of a testament to the success
of UK hip hop do you think it is to
be able to hold down a night in such a popular
venue?
To be honest, I think we deserve it. Fabric
is a great venue, one of my favourites, but
we've played Glastonbury, Jazz Cafe, Scala
and had some really great receptions and I
think people really do want to see a live
show full of energy, vibes and fun really.
I think that's what bores me about a lot of
Hip Hop sets, both UK and US. They stand up
there, swan around like their shit don't stink,
tell us how great they are, then fuck off.
I'd rather see an acoustic folk set, or get
in the vibe of some death metal than see some
boring, mediocre set that never kicks off.
We love performing and I think the crowd feels
that. We give you love, you give us love,
it's all love!!
Who do you most admire in the UK scene
at the moment?
Simple. KELAKOVSKI. I hear you saying "who?"
But watch, he's the dogs bollocks and he's
gonna be recognised soon. He is a producer
from Birmingham who got in contact with me
on myspace. As soon as I heard the beats,
I was like rare, this guy's special, you know?
Any how, we done one track you can hear on
www.myspace/skrein
called 'Happy Dayz' and I was like fuck it,
send me every beat you have, I want them all,
I need them all! He sent me like 15 and we've
already got 5 tracks. His drums are so heavy
and the funny thing is he makes them on fruity
loops with his keyboard. I can't believe it.
I know guys who have the best mpc, the best
compressors and samplers but make beats that
sound like my granny farting. He does his
drums on the keyboard and they sound dope!
I guess it's about how well you know your
equipment - and he knows how to get the best
out of a little. Watch this space, me and
kelakovski gonna fuck shit up!!
Step-On Snowboard Magazine 1999 - 2006 - All rights
reserved - On Media Ltd
All material including text, images, and graphics, are
property of step-on magazine. The reproduction of any
material on this website is prohibited without written
permission from the editors
