You have told us about a lot of stuff that is complete, what other projects are you working on if any?

We got so many tunes its just sad that money governs our output to the streets on a shop level. Still tho, my next plan is the Intent To supply 12” EP, followed by a solo project called the National Fruit EP on Deprogrammed Productions, which is again finished and I the mix down phase with Blood at the wheel. Joe Rizzle presents The Gnow is complete and features the entire set of production from Rizzle himself, with all tracks being written by Reggiimental and Phil Bigga with features from both Semantix and Ryall as well as Blood and Sonny Jim, tracks from the Gnow include ‘What The Rahz,’ ‘Skullduggery’ and ‘Raw Vibe’ of which were all featured on the ‘Gnow Promo Sampler’ as distributed by Disorda on a limited basis only. Gnostix group projects in the pipeline are the ‘Effects From The XXX’ mix tape and also the new Gnostix album, which is long overdue and still yet untitled. I could go on but as I say money governs when these projects get to actually see the light of day.

Are you a straight up MC, or do you dabble in production as well? What areas are you looking to develop into?

In a straight up MC man, I don’t play with production at all. (I get stressed out enough with the writing), still though I dabbled once back in the day, but it ain't me man, plus I got producers working hard to give me the best work that they can produce.

Can you talk us through how you would go about writing a verse? Would it stem from a freestyle, or would you start with a specific theme or topic in mind, or do you get beats off people and write something that fits into the music?

I tend to write rhymes from inspiration, which is usually how I am feeling at the time. I get provided wit beats and can usually grasp a feel for a beat before I attempt to write an accompanying lyric. The first line can often come very easily and from there you can follow a rhyme scheme, or even vary it from the second line to form a pattern that you may choose to follow, (or maybe not). Sometimes I can struggle with finding the right line to say and may dwell on a line for a good time or not move further than two bars on the light that I should be coming back to look at the line again until the right formation of words comes to me. As far as freestyle goes, I tend not to do this as I am a big fan of written and insightful work that shows thought rather than quick thinking in an aim to match the beat. No doubt this can change from beat to beat as I have written verses whilst watching TV instead of listening to the beat, which I don’t tend to do, but have done in the past.

What have you learned from your recording, performing and business experiences so far? What advice would you have for anyone trying to get out there now?

On the real man, if an artist is serious about a career in recording, they should look into setting up a designated recording area with some equipment that will enable you to catch a good sound recording. This in itself will enable you to carry out your ideas to a certain level, in turn saving you money on studio time. With the product that your looking to promote, make some effort and aim to match the sound quality to one of your favourite albums to capture a feeling that you are looking for. Also make sure that your quality control is tight with the intention that the first time somebody will be hearing your song, it will sound, as it should do.

I ask everyone about politics, because I think it is important that we have knowledge of what is going on, but most current Hip Hop heads decline to answer. I guess they don’t want to upset anyone. Do you have anything to say on that? Any issues you think people need to open their eyes too?

The asylum seeker issue has only just come to my attention by the amount of people that I find hanging out on street corners in the middle of the day like they ain't got no where to go. Its not that people are taking our jobs (it irritates me when people say that) but the government has missed out the point that not all asylum seekers are legit and they have no intention to work but are in fact using the system like a sponge worst than the original dole dossers and benefit fraud artists. The whole business with student fees don’t really bother me as there are so many students who are just fucking around and going to the May Ball, Drinking and partying before they even realise that they got fees to pay. Its all madness man. If I say anymore I probably get into trouble and end up in some debate that goes full circles before any party realises that its either pointless or turns out to be inevitable.

Did any of you vote in the last election and why?

Yeah I voted because some geezers came round to my house and practically gave me the low-down to what each party proposal was. I am lost with politics as there are some many avenues that are often left out of campaign proposals, and even the important parts to campaigns can seem so fake that even the winning party often have to contradict themselves and end up going back on their word. Sad way to make people listen but the truth is that if you cannot do anything good for this country then you are wasting time and money in putting your campaign on the road. The small print isn’t even available to read and to be honest; I really have little concern for most of the headings that are addressed by each campaign proposal.

Why do you think the urban youth and people in general are so pissed off with the government?

When it seems like there is no hope, people look at someone to blame and this can often point to the people who seem to be making the rules. Some things are blatantly the fault of the government but other things are simply a product of the money based business environment that we live in today. Many urban youth simply need to look into getting a job or some education, whilst others simply need to look at themselves and figure out why that opportunities have to be created and so many people have only themselves to rely on to create these opportunities.

What do you make of the so called ‘War of Terrorism’ that the US and the UK are perpetrating on some of the poorest people in the world? Do you think this is legitimate after what happened on September 11th or is it total overkill?

Its hard to justify anything without knowing the full story and that the truth. Too much has been hidden or distorted from the view of the pubic, making it hard to see what is real.

If you could change something about society, what would it be and why?

Id legalise that green shit as well as making more room in the national curriculum for students to explore and research their ideal career, which would not have to be of the academic variety, but could include more creative arts and practical works.

UK Hip Hop is still getting some press, and this has been good for the last couple of years, but yet our home grown music rarely breaks the charts and many people purely check for US material. What are the reasons for this and how can the situation be remedied?

The UK need to make more songs rather than lyric busting productions. The use of gimmicks and catchy hooks does go on but artists should not be afraid to turn into Blazing Squad to break the chain of UKHH falling second best to the antics of 50 Cent and Jay-Z. I cant hate on Blazing Squad because they are doing things I could never imagine doing, which in turn creates a new market of which people can class as a part of UKHH, in turn putting young fans onto the long term real and dedicated artists in the ever increasing UK industry.

Outside your crew who are the UK artists you listen to and admire? What is it about them you like?

I am a big Taskforce fan; I really like to hear their soldier attitudes giving large on a nice production. They really do paint pictures of London Council Estate Kids with such seriousness in their characteristics. I know people can find them boring but I admire their commitment to doing what they do best in rhyme. I also appreciate the local sounds from people like Yogi and Moorish Delta 7, as they themselves are not moving huge units, driving flash cars or rocking joker jewellery on some pimped out shit. Their music commitment and live show can be something special as I saw at the Derby leg of their self organised Underworld Tour which saw crowds coming to see the mans from all over the country with support from More Fire, Tubby T, Hoodz underground, Jehst and more.

Who or what are you other influences? What do you do when you are not doing Hip Hop stuff?

I admire insightful songs with feeling and I must say that I like any music as long as it’s good. Music is about feeling and without that we have nothing. A lot if 70’s Motown is heart-felt and I do aim to write classics that can be more than just listened to, but felt and then appreciated. My Uncle is the Sax player Dean Frazer who has played with Bob Marley as well as big reggae names like Luciano and Maxi Priest. I admire his work as he still remains down to earth and is respected across the board for his commitment to Jamaica and its musical heritage. When not doing Hip Hop stuff, I sleep, eat and shit as well as smoke, drink and fuck, whilst trying to get back to study, holding down a job and trying to turn off from Hip Hop.

Who would you like to work with in the future? Would collaborating with a big US name interest you? Even if it doesn’t, if the opportunity came along it could be a good way to get you name out further a field couldn’t it?

I have plans to work with Yogi and also Hoodz Underground on my new album. People that I would like to work with include Taskforce, Skinnyman and Klasnekoff as well as a whole heap of MCs that I respect for their style on the Mic. The question about a big US name collabo, for real man, I'd be privileged to work with almost any artist although I would love to do as Skinnyman did for Rza and shine on of his productions. No doubt it can get you in their ears of so many other listeners and its agreeable that turning down opportunities like this would not be wise in the slightest.

Where can people hear your stuff?

The website is connected to an FTP site that runs directly from my Home Server HDD. If you visit the site and look in the media section there are links to each and every release as well as links to videos and exclusives from the G.N.O camp. No doubt there are audio samples located at www.suspect-packages.com with other samples can be found in various places on the web including www.towerrecords.co.uk and www.soundclick.com. Soulseek users can find me online with the username www.gnostix.co.uk, again with all the released available free for your listening pleasure.

Ok, you have alluded to it, where can people pick up your stuff?

http://www.suspect-packages.com
www.towerrecords.co.uk
www.gnostix.co.uk
www.cdbaby.com

What do you make of the internet? You have the www.gnostix.co.uk website which seems to be a work in progress. What can people expect to get there?

The website is the central point of contact with the ability to get in touch with each and every affiliate within the Gnostix / Splattahouse and Urban City setup. The media section contains both audio and video with free downloads for all products. Although this is going against the selling of records trade, this is in order to gain exposure, recognition and to create a fan base for future releases. I feel that people will buy the album or EP if they really want to, but three is a different market of online listeners who definitely ain't out to spend any money.

Do you have any plans for your own online presence?

I have been working on updating the Gnostix website to contain reviews of other underground product, but otherwise it is basically myself behind www.gnostix.co.uk. I will be featured on the web site www.ontheone.net as an artist, which will be my next step in expanding my online presence.

OK. To wind this up, what is going to be keeping you busy over the next few months?

W.F.T.R promotion, Gigs and My final year at University (damn!!). If I manage to win this BBC 1XTRA thing and get a video out of them mans (fingers crossed) that will be keeping me busy also. Writing is always a big part of my daily basis so I will no doubt be working on new material as a general rule to keep myself ready with the pen.

What are your longer term plans and objectives?

Simply to create as big a fan base as possible in oppose to becoming famous. I also want a supermodel missus and some groupie love man!! That shits just rock and roll!

Is there anything else you would like to mention?

Yeah, The Prince of Thieves, his effort was nice but no doubt we don’t bow down to amateurs trying to make a name for themselves by using our name in vain, no, no, no, ey –
Nuffin’ changed (Reply to Notts City) …. Coming soon…….

Finally is there anyone else you would like to mention?

Yeh, my mans www.4thfront.com who are also doing some productions for me as well as all my mans working at this all the time, never give up and to all in the game, I wish you well. Also biggup to all who have written insightful reviews of the material.

Thank you for your time.

Thanks for your time also, It is appreciated very much that people are prepared to take time out for the cause. Biggup QED & UKHH.

Back to Part One

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http://www.gnostix.co.uk :: http://www.4thfront.com :: http://www.deprogrammed.co.uk
 

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