Illterviews: Producers

Friday, 6 July 2012

Illterviews - Wizard Interview

Wizard

Illterviews – Wizard

Wizard is a Producer and Rapper who has worked with many of the UK's top Hip Hop artists. We catch up with him to talk about diversity, sampling, who he's worked with and much more!

Wizard, introduce yourself; How did you get your name, how long have you been producing & rapping?

Wizard aka Big Wiz got my name from my magic wand disappearing down girls throats, been making beats for around 5 years, rapping longer but i’m semi retired now from that!

What projects have you put out in the past? How have they been received?

I've put out loads of instrumental projects including the chill pill series (1, 2, 3), dutty gash face music, 808’s and protein shakes, lobster music vol.1 (with my dude scizzahz) also albums featuring artists from the uk and us ‘ear to the beat’ and‘ that work’ plus my collaboration album with jack flash called ‘progression’ all been received very very well...obviously!

You're beats are very diverse, personally I wouldn't say there is just one strict sound to your instrumentals. Is this something you're conscious of, and do you think it benefits you?

Yeah, cheers! I don't have a certain sound at all i make the chilled stuff to the smack your nans face with a carp type beats and yeah it benefits me a lot!

Which producers have influenced you and why?

There are too many to mention, but the main ones are Madlib and DJ Khalil!

Do you think sampling is still of extremely high importance in Hip Hop today? Is it something you incorporate yourself?

It ain't important at all, i do it sometimes whenever i feel it, if you can do both non sample and sample you’re good!

What other artists have you worked with in the scene?

Sonnyjim, Foreign Beggars, Ill Bill, Ramson Badbonez, Lunar C, Pace Won, Oh No, Jack Flash, Stig Of The Dump, Tex Kidd, Wordsworth & tons more!

Who would you like to work with in the future?

50 Cent & MMG!

What are you working on at the moment, any mixtapes or EPs etc? When can we expect them to come out?

Yeah, a new album with Jack Flash (out later in the year), EP with Sonnyjim (out later in the year), Chill Pill 4 (august time) and Lobster Music 2 with Scizzahz (later in the year).

Any shout outs?

KFC

Let us know where to get in touch with you, and any links you want to promote!

twitter.com/wizardbeats

wizardbeats.bandcamp.com

wizardbeats@gmail.com (to purchase beats from me)

Interview By Precinct Phantom

@TheRealPP

Monday, 2 July 2012

Illterviews - Scizzahz Interview

Scizzahz

Illterviews – Scizzahz

Scizzahz is an MC & Producer from Hastings. We catch up with him to talk about Lobster Music, his work with Wizard, the Brighton hip hop scene and more!

Scizzahz, introduce yourself; How did you get your name, how long have you been rapping?

I’m Scizzahz, a 27 year old sound engineer who also raps and produces.

What projects have you put out in the past? How have they been received?

I have put out quite a few mixtapes and albums including I Will Work Harder, Mizaree Loves Company, Sausages For Shoes, I Still Work Harder and most recently Lobster Music with Wizard. Albums have been well received, I don’t get much time to promote my music because I work long hours in London. I just love making music and would still do it if I knew no one would ever hear it. My most recent album was quite an updated sound from most UK Hip Hop, trying to steer clear of the same old boom bap sound, for that reason a few people hated but it's all good, I'd rather divide opinion than just be boring.

You're from Hastings, and also heavily involved in the healthy Brighton Hip Hop scene. How does that help you when making music?

I have lived in Brighton for 6 years now, it’s a great place to live if you are a musician, there are always promoters putting on shows, always people looking to make music or just cypher. It's very healthy in B Town, I don’t think there is any other place in the UK that has the same atmosphere and creativity that Brighton has.

You're also relatively active on the battle scene, a familiar face to Don't Flop fans. What's your opinion on the battle scene, and how do you use it to your advantage?

I have always loved the battle format in Hip Hop and I got involved with Don’t Flop from the very beginning, its grown so much its amazing really. For me I just see battling as a hobby, I still love battling but it can’t be a full time job so therefore I don’t take it too seriously. The moment I feel I'm not enjoying it anymore I’ll call it a day.

Your solo work, especially the I Still Work Harder has a certain sound to it. You're also in OSB'z, a group with Wizard, which is a bit more tongue in cheek. Is it good to have the outlet there to just have some fun with making music?

Without a doubt. When me and Wiz make music its just a big joke really, we do it for a laugh, the lyrics are so ridiculous you have to take it with a handful of salt. Its nice to make music that you don’t care about, any music I do make though I always have to enjoy it.

What other artists have you worked with in the scene?

Sonnyjim, Dr Syntax, Beat Butcha, Joey G-Zus, Lowkey even got a few old joints with Rizzle from Rizzle Kicks, to be fair they are pretty ropey though so may never see the light of day.

Who would you like to work with in the future?

I wanna get some beats to K Koke, Giggs, Dot Rotten, fuck it, even Rick Ross, that’s the shit I listen to and me and Wiz’s beats are definitely at that level now.

What are you working on at the moment, any mixtapes or EPs etc? When can we expect them to come out?

Me and Wiz are continuing our Lobster Music instrumental series, Volume 1 has just been released and is doing extremely well. Doing a few solo tracks here and there but nothing solid in the way of a solo album. You can find Lobster Music here:

http://www.gotinstrumentals.com/mixtapes/LobsterMusic-12125.html