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..North London artist KI is manking some moves on the UK scene. Tricksta went to find out more...
Where are you from and what’s the Hip-Hop scene/industry like there? My
name is KI and I am from North London. Where I’m from we have quite a
big hip hop scene. We have a lot of Hip Hop radio stations such as Bang
FM, Sensei FM, choice FM and BBC 1 Xtra, we also have tonnes of record
shops, which have an uncountable amount of mix tapes and EPs, regarding
other rappers and DJs, I’m sure you’ve heard of other artists such as
Sway, Foreign beggars, Task force, Chipmunk, Wretch 32, Ironik and
others who all come from around my area.
How did you get into music and what was the first Hip-Hop record you ever brought?
I originally started music at the age of 5, but I didn’t start
writing lyrics until the age of 17. The 1st Hip Hop album I bought was
Wu Tang’s 36 Chambers and this was what inspired me to rap. I used to
perform with my friends (which later became my crew members) a couple
tracks off the 36 chambers album in school shows, school ensembles etc,
that was when I got my taste of the addictive performance high!
What have you released so far and what has the response been like?
My
1st release was an EP called “Enter Norf London”, it had 9 tracks and a
lot of the beats were from local producers, I pushed a few hundred
around my area and the response was good but I knew I could do better.
To me it was unfinished work because I was just getting the grip of how
to record vocals properly, all in all it was alright I guess. My 2nd
release was “Enter North London the Mixtape”, once again, I used the
same producers as my 1st release and to me personally, this mixtape
felt whole. I pushed so many internationally that I had to get them
reprinted, and with no help from distributors, they are in countless
stores around London. To my knowledge, some of my tunes from this
mixtape have even been played by Japanese DJs in Japan. I have been on
Sensei FM, Bang Radio and CSR FM and Choice FM. My 1st video “Represent
Ya Crew” was taken from this mixtape, and was put in the Channel AKA
(when it was called Channel U back in the day) play list. This tune
itself (well this and freedom) was even listen to by TY (the UK rapper)
and received much praise from it! That lighten up my day! And lastly my
latest release, which has had the best feedback of all, “The Ronin’s
Technique.” I can boldly say that everyone who has heard it, radio,
dj’s and promoters have given me honest and positive feedback . . . of
course there are always friends and “others” that give you criticism
but for the better part constructive.
What would say is the most popular track that you have released to date?
That’s
a tough one, it has to be between Represent Ya Crew and Gritty Although
Represent Ya crew had more of an commercial approach and was heard by
more people (including a video), the majority of people that herd
Gritty actually preferred that track, simply because of the X rated
lyrics, catchy flow and overall attitude on the track. Although I don’t
like to admit it, I had constant underground Dj’s messaging me through
text, myspace and even bebo, saying they had played the GRITTY track in
house parties or clubs and that it was a track that got everyone
“hype,” and in a “raving” mood.
What producers, mixtape DJ’s, record labels and rappers do you work with, and label are you signed to?
Well, I’ve started my own independent entertainment company, so I’m
not looking to get just myself signed to a record label. If anything
I’m going to start my own record label and sign artist of that.
Regarding DJ’s I’ve worked with DJ Downlow the most, I couldn’t really
say I’ve worked with other DJ’s seeing ass they have only used my
tracks for their own purpose, however, I’m hoping that will change in
the near by future! I’ve worked with countless amount of rappers such
as my own team Itzblitz, Relentless crew, Sabotage party, Baraka
Shambala, Psalms zills, Myles brown and others, these are all artist
with potential and the ability to bring something different to a track.
Unfortunately, I don’t work with loads and loads of producers. I happen
to work with those that I think will take music seriously, but like I
said before, hopefully things will change in the near future, with the
more I get into the industry and the more contacts I make. The
producers I have worked wit are D.Evils, Norf Key, Cession, Miss
Tofelees, B.a.s.e, Chibba, Eden and Cola de nardi.
Tell us about your latest release, who features, what producers where involved and where you recorded it.
My latest release is “The Ronin Technique” and it is a solo track.
It was produced by dj Downlow and we have just finished shooting a
video for the track, it should be out on you tube and TV within the
next month. It is available to purchase of itunes, amazon, rhapsody,
7digital and napster.
What’s been the most memorable gig and why?
My most memorable gig has to be when I performed in central London
in front of an audience who seldom listens to rap. It wasn’t the fact
that the majority of my audience was middle aged and middle class, it
was the fact that as soon as I performed, I managed to attract people
from the outside bars and clubs to come in. And by the end of my
performance, the whole venue was packed. And then, what topped even
that was, as soon as I finished my performance, and the other act came
on, (who wasn’t rap) the crowd dispersed. That was a humbling feeling.
The only drawback was that my X rated tunes didn’t go down too well
with the audience but the general feedback was positive.
What radio stations in are supporting your music, and how important is radio play in the digital age?
Well until recently I haven’t even thought much about radio, “Enter
Norf London” was all about me selling units and getting money, which in
some ways is good but in most ways bad, so I’ve put all my time and
resources into getting “The Ronin Technique” airplay! Its currently
been played on ram jam radio, bang fm and sensei fm, although its being
played on a lot of the internet underground radio stations as well.
Radio play in the digital age? Well people still listen to radio right?
But in all seriousness, most official radio stations and even the
pirate stations are all converting or support internet radio streaming,
so it’s just as important as it was before the digital age!
You Tube is a massive medium now for worldwide exposure.
Do you have your own channel, and apart from music videos what other
footage do you have?
You tube is bigger than the TV in fact, I think the internet video
streaming is the next best thing in the modern world, nearly almost
everyone has a pc or access to one, so of course I have my own channel.
It’s like asking plumber or an electrician if he brings his tools to
work! Apart from my own music videos I have fan made videos, live shows
and even a few comedy sketches, but lets keep that on the quiet for now
as its still in progress!
As a recording artist or musician how do you hope to
stay earning money in a time where record sales are notoriously bad due
to downloading?
Well unfortunately record sales have fallen from the 90’s era, the
era most of us are from and relate to, so I put my focus on iTunes
(internet downloading), performances and my entertainment company! (I
might even consider ring tones!)
For people who have never checked your music how would you describe your music?
How to describe my music? That’s a tough question to ask to any
artist, maybe emotional? (Not in an emo sense) but the type of music
that brings out an emotion in the listener. Whether the listener
cringes because of a disgusting lyric, or becomes happy, sad, hype or
gains a little bit of knowledge. So I would have to class my music as
emotional and perhaps a little bit inspirational!
Thanks for your time, before you go is there anything you want to add?
The ronin technique video will be out around august/September. My
internet site will be up and running in by mid/end of august. My own
clothing line called “Itzblitz in da mana” t-shirts, bandanas and
hoodies will be out this winter. And lastly in the beginning of next
year I will be releasing comedy sketches. These are all things people
should look out for!
Give us your details - My Space, Facebook, Twitter, Website, etc!
My facebook band page:
And lastly my internet site which will be up soon
Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 August 2009 14:35