New one from brothers Menace and Blaze collectively known as Brotherhood. As two of the leading conscious voices on the rise in the UK scene, both lyricists approach to content and flow have clearly taken a few leaves out of the book of Lowkey. Collaboration was an inevitability really. The first link up occurred in Jan 2021 when the brother’s featured on Lowkey’s ‘McDonald Trump Remix’, following up already with the dope ‘Messiah Complex’.
Lowkey is back to dropping revolutionary knowledge with frequent collaborator Mai Khalil. A genuine overdose of food for thought here. Big respect to the poisonous poet as always.
Did someone say summer? As we embrace with wide open arms the joys that come hand-in-hand with the British population’s best loved, most highly-anticipated season, team UKHH are preparing to do rounds of some of most exciting festivals the UK (and beyond) have to offer. In April we announced some of the antics we’ve got planned for Nozstock—thefirst strand of this years UKHH Summer Sickness—and now we’re proud to say we’re adding the mad universe that is Boomtown Fair to the roster.
Undeniably one of the strongest branches of the UK’s festival tree, Boomtown boasts the most impressive, all-genre encompassing lineup going—and best believe that includes a whole load of hip hop. While huge names such as Ms. Lauryn Hill and The Streets will be seen headlining on the Lions Den stage, a mad mix of hip hop-and-rap based acts will be making appearances across various districts.
While the lineup proudly dons some exciting artists who’ll be flying overseas to perform this year, it should come as no surprise that it also boasts a tasty portion of the bounties of talent from right here in the UK.
Last year saw performances ranging between likes of heavy weight Lowkey, to the UK hip hop get-about that is Dr Syntax, through to Lost Scroll Records’ Creatures of Habit comprised of none other than Sean Peng, Eric the Red, and Illinformed. (We even shot visuals on site for Peng and Illinformed’s track ‘Third Eye’, which you can check below).
Boomtown have stayed true to that pattern of showcasing a range of UK talent and this year we’re especially gassed to see sets from man of the moment slowthai, the ever-rising star Little Simz (a personal favourite here at UKHH), a High Focus takeover which is sure to pop off, and of course, a tonne of other heads that’ll be showing face across the festival.
Stay locked over the coming weeks for our full length guide of what Boomtown has on offer for hip hop heads this year. We’ll also be speaking in depth with the team at Poco Loco, the main venue for hip hop and its associate genres, about what antics they’ve got in store this year, and what goes into making the magic happen.
This one flew under our radar a few days back. A follow up to the title track of 2011’s Soundtrack To The Struggle, the second instalment see’s Lowkey substitute the guest voice of Dancehall legend Mavado on the original version for an intro and outro featuring the words of Philosopher and kindred activist, Noam Chomsky. With topic matter re-framing the symptoms of the struggle for 2019,’Soundtrack To The Struggle II’ can be added to the growing list of evidence that Lowkey’s voice is needed now more than ever. Sick apocalyptic production by Sandhill.
New Lowkey is HARD! Back to the kind of relentless flows that bodied that first Fire in the Booth, the 7.38 minute long return of the poisonous poet is a jumbo-sized juggernaut of a video. With new album Soundtrack To The Struggle 2 and a hefty tour announced, its looking like Lowkey is back to stay.
Last week marked the year anniversary of the Grenfell fire. A year on, it’s tragically unsurprising that the government’s response to helping survivors in many ways has been as incompetent and negligent as the causes of the fire in the first place. While thousands marched last week in protest and the sentiment that those who suffered the loss of their homes, friends and family should be properly assisted is held by anyone with a beating heart… Initial promises from Downing Street are nowhere close to being met.
A year later, the majority of families who have dealt with immense trauma are still waiting to be housed, with 15 households still staying in hotels and only 82 of the 203 households in new permanent accommodation. Not only has work barely started on refitting similar blocks nationwide that are deemed high risk, but building regulations presently still allow for combustible cladding. Panels like the ones that adorned Grenfell are still on sale.
With the most basic provision of a place to live for the fire’s victims still seemingly far off, let alone justice (if any) from an enquiry expected to run into 2020 for the 72 people who lost their lives, there is a very understandable level of anger and disbelief still building for many. Since it’s not unreasonable to assume the government will do anything it can to absolve itself from direct responsibility and that pledges to prevent this happening again will not be met without continued pressure, it’s a fortunate thing that so many voices are continuing to speak out and demand action.
As hip hop has been a part of that voice since the start… Below are three cutting perspectives from the community we’ve listened to over the last week.
Si Phili – 24 Storeys of Pain
Serving as a reminder of the horrific experiences endured by residents of the tower on the night of the fire by recounting the personal story of survivor Oluwaseun Talabi, Si Phili puts himself in the shoes of a family trying to escape with ‘24 Storeys of Pain’. The track is available to stream or download now on bandcamp.
Potent Whisper – You’ll Never Edit Grenfell
‘You’ll Never Edit Grenfell’ takes the angle of tearing apart a bullshit narrative of the disasters aftermath published in Andrew O’Hagan’s ‘The Tower’. In typically analytical fashion Potent Whisper lays bare the contrast between the realities of the victims’ human experiences and the sort of callous and outright bigoted perspectives of those so far removed from the suffering that dehumanising it is possible. Potent is on point.
For more from Potent Whisper on the topic read/listen to ‘Grenfell Britain’ from his collection of poetry The Rhyming Guide to Grenfell Britain.
Lowkey ft Kaia – Ghosts of Grenfell 2
Last summer in response to the tragedy, rapper/activist Lowkey released the video for ‘Ghosts of Grenfell’ that was part protest and part tribute to those lost and those grieving. Taking the same powerful visual format, with his words spoken through the mouths of locals and survivors, ‘Ghosts of Grenfell 2’ revisits the disaster a year on. Highlighting the neglect of a response that has failed the survivors and bringing to the foreground how fresh the wounds of the fire still are, it’s a moving reminder that the road to justice for victims and acceptable assistance for those rebuilding their lives still seems to be at its beginning.
To show support for housing survivors and continue to apply pressure on the Government for justice and delivered promises; join the Grenfell United campaign. For details on how you get involved with marches and activism join the mailing list at supportgrenfellunited.org.
UKHH are mad excited to announce the third of our UKHH Summer Sickness festival recommendations… The mighty Boomtown Fair!
Although it officially sold out in February, Limited resale tickets are now available! To grab the last ones while there’s still time… simply click HERE!
Now in its tenth year and tenth chapter of its evolving story line, Boomtown has a history of putting on an impressive array of hip hop talent since its beginnings. Label takeovers by the likes of High Focus and genre bending spectacles (such as 2014’s ‘Original Fever’ UK Hip Hop Reggae Showcase on the Lion’s Den stage with Daddy Skitz, Rodney P and friends) have become the stuff of legend. Talent to have graced their stages over the years (to name but a few not appearing this time round) include everything from international legends like Cypress Hill, Pharoahe Monch and Jungle Brothers, to a diverse spectrum of UK heroes encompassing everything between Ocean Wisdom and Dizraeli and the Small Gods.
For a pretty good summary of what vibe to expect… The bulk of the footage for the above video for ‘Weed & Ale’ featuring Jman, Dr Syntax, Eva Lazarus and Pete Cannon (all of whom are reappearing this year) was shot way back at Boomtown 2013. Boomtown has continued to grow with expanding crowds, districts, stages and hundreds more acts but the rowdy spirit of hedonism and positive vibes have remained the same.
No surprises then that this year’s line-up has an absolute tonne of talent for the discerning hip hop hunter to uncover!
As festivals can be confusing places to navigate for the soberest of brains and pouring over every act on every stage is a tiring process that most probably can’t be arsed with, UKHH have done all that painstaking leg work for you in order to provide our detailed guide to all the hip hop popping off at this year’s Boomtown…
One of the things that makes Boomtown so sick, beyond the debaucherously immersive city that all the madness takes place in, is the sheer diversity of musical styles peppered across the site at any given time. While each district and stage has its own stylistic focus, so mega-fans of a particular genre could be tempted to get settled, it’s a sure fire bet that doing so would result in missing something dope happening somewhere completely unexpected.
Case in point: Whistlers Green (a district renowned for Jazz, Funk, Soul, World Music fusion, talks and a host of chilled out/holistic activities) boasts a surprising array of sick hip hop influences on it’s Windmill Stage. Out of my personal must-see acts at the whole festival, the multi-influenced Ghanaian/Glaswegian producer and lyricist Kobi Onyame is towards the top of the list. Check out his most recent album Gold for an idea of the kind of triumphant afro-rhythm infused hip hop to expect from him. Seriously ill.
Also on the stage for anyone with instrumental leanings… Bilal; the hip hop influenced soul/jazz artist with notable collaborative efforts on releases from the likes of Common and Talib Kweli who scooped a Grammy for his input on seminal Kendrick Lamar album To Pimp a Butterfly, as well as boom bap jazzers Blue Lab Beats, mixing golden era hip hop influences with jazz instrumentalism and samples.
Keeping the curve balls coming, Rocks Foe, the highly charged and lyrically deep MC known to straddle grime and hip hop and informed by a further range of diverse influences is present as part of a takeover by Bristol label Black Acre. Also, embodying a truly international sound that’s impossible to pin down (I thought she was UK when I first heard her) with Zambian and Botswanan roots but now based in Australia, Sampa the Great is well worth a check. If you haven’t already heard her, think African rhythms, jazz, hip hop and a powerful voice phasing between neo soul melodies and conscious lyricism.
The roots-heavy Lion’s Den stage also sees some hip hop vibes blending their way into the mix with UKHH long time favourites Rodney P and Illaman taking the stage as part of the Spragga Benz and Friends set. Other highlights for heads are likely to include live trip-hop/lounge band Morceeba, and genre defying super-group Gorillaz in a headline slot that’s sure to include more than a few meanders into the territory of hip hop bars and beats. Switch districts and head over to Paradise Heights and you’ll find bass-heavy party starters Too Many T’s rocking the Hotel Paradiso venue.
Even hidden amongst the stellar line-up of broader dubby soundsystem hecticness that populates Boomtown’s woodland parties there are a couple of UK names for rap treasure hunters to track down. Prolific with the festival performances this year, Gardna can be found performing as part of the Wonka-Vision Forest Takeover and Skitz and Joe Burn are set to play the Tangled Roots stage where its safe to expect they’ll be providing a stomping soundtrack to the forest setting, fusing hip hop and Jamaican influenced basslines.
All this said… Unsurprisingly, although there are abundant MCs and DJs worth searching Boomtown’s myriad districts for, the bulk of our UKHH recommended acts can be found dominating the Barrio Loco District!
This year’s line up on the flagship stage Poco Loco is something fierce. For fans with a taste for grimier flavours, bill-toppers Ghetts, Lady please-answer-my-fan-mail-and-marry-me-already Leshurr, Foreign Beggars, Nadia Rose and Big Zuu will be providing unrelenting party vibes. Another artist to go heavy on the festival rounds this year is the ever unpigeon-holeable Kojey Radical. With a hard earned and steadily expanding following now aware of his varied and poetically raw body of work, the crowd are likely to go off for this one.
The suplex that the North has applied to the UK Hip Hop game in the last few years is suitably apparent in the presence of its multiple super-crews/collectives taking the stage at this years Boomtown. LEVELZ, The Mouse Outfit (ft Ellis Meade, Dubbul O and Berry Blac for their Poco Loco performance) and Cult of The Damned have all proved themselves to be serious threats. With fluid rosters and cross over between MCs (e.g. Black Josh is affiliated with all three) each entity reflects a distinctly different facet of a stylistically diverse, collaborative community. C.O.T.D. bring a lazy, fuck-everything rawness comparable to being the UK’s answer to Odd Future. In Contrast The Mouse Outfit bring positive, funk infused smooth grooves, with their recent album Jagged Tooth Crook sounding like distilled summertime. LEVELZ bring the rave.
For fans focused on live instrumentation… Poco Loco also provides. Taking it way back, in a salute to one of the all-time undisputed masters of production, the 18 piece Abstract Orchestra will be performing a musical tribute to the late J Dilla. Scene legends (and one of the original trip hop bands) The Herbaliser will also be taking the stage. Producer and MC duo, Makola, have developed their combination of afrobeat hip hop to include a live band and brass section that should have fans of Fela Kuti and UK rap alike moving in unison. It goes without saying that all of the above might be something special.
For a masterclasses on control of the decks: With a list of influences and collaborations as long as a life-size Stretch Armstrong’s arms, DJ Vadim will be tearing things up and no doubt have some surprises up his sleeves. Mixing global influences including hip hop, trip hop and a heavy pinch of sub-dub L’Entourloop will no doubt be providing a marching soundtrack to skank out to when they take the stage with Troy Berkley and N’Zeng. Kicking the party up a gear, festival and rave scene regulars, The Nextmen, will also be supplying the grooves with an extended family of Gentlemans Dub Club, Garnda, Kiko Bun, Eva Lazarus, and Jman.
Also on a hype tip, the infinitely danceable 808INK will be ensuring a steady stream of cleverly infectious bars and vibes to keep the rave moving and Babylon Dead will be capitalising on energetic support for their dissident ragga-meets-hip hop style and tearing the roof clean off. Another act to balance double time spits, basslines and politics, scene veteran and activist/rapper Lowkey will be in attendance to serve up heavy bars with some food for thought on the side.
For sure fire hits with UK hip hop fans, acts bringing that pure UK underground sound include Children of Zeus, Dr Syntax & Pete Cannon and Coops. C.O.Z. have been on a serious rise lately, with mellow, summery vibes aplenty, an RnB edge to their hooks and raps that sound both very Golden Era and very UK. Long-time collaborators Syntax and Cannon have a catalogue of material built up since the beginning of the century and (as probably the funniest lyricist in the UK scene) crowds can expect Syntax to entertain and hype in equal measure. Finally, High Focus Records’ most recent signing Jordan Cooper AKA Coops, will be showcasing his dope new album, No Brainer, and evidencing why he’s currently one of the UK’s fastest risers.
And that’s just the hip hop… For anyone who fancies diversifying, you’ll be able to catch pretty much everything else under the sun at any moment. With a huge array of districts that each sport their own immersive worlds and more hidden side shows, hi-jinks and mini venues than you could shake a stick at, Boomtown ensures an experience that’s likely to fly by in a messy, technicolor blur. Come join us going tits up to our recommended acts, shooting some exclusive on-site bars, rolling round with a boombox on a music video flex and most probably at points getting completely side-tracked and lost amongst the carnage.
The final surge of resale tickets are very limited and will sell out fast, so to get involved with the 10th anniversary celebrations get yours now!
It’s fair to say the US has always claimed the spotlight in terms of hip hop in the decades since it’s inception despite Britain repping since almost day. To celebrate the much deserved recognition that artists this side of the Atlantic still lack gloablly, we took a look at 10 times the yanks tipped their hat towards our shores. Results below in no particular order.
Copywrite ‘Royal Flush’ ft.Genesis Elijah, Mystro & Iron Braydz
First up is the straight up bar fest that is ‘Royal Flush’ by Copywrite featuring Mysdiggi FKA Mystro, Da Flyy Hooligan FKA Iron Braydz and Genesis Elijah (always known as Genesis Elijah but back when he had dreads). Don’t think this appears on any album, but was released in the run up to Copywrite’s 2012 album God Save the King… It’s worth noting we could’ve populated over half this list from the Proper English Version. Well worth checking out.
Dutch Mob ‘One Percent’ ft Edo G
Something more recent, lifted from last year’s dope Passport EP, Dutch Mob (Res One & Mista Fire) enlisted the services of Boston’s Ed O.G for ‘One Percent’, which takes aim at the political and corporate elite over an Illinformed beat.
Phoenix Da Icefire ‘Do My Ting’ ft Cormega
Someone I definitely feel deserves more shine Phoenix Da Icefire aka Solar Black has been consistently putting out dope music for years, whether by himself, with his brother or as part of the supercrew Triple Darkness, his energy shines through on everything he drops. Notable mention to ‘The Point of No Return’ lifted off The Quantam Leap feat Klash and Keith Murray, we opted to include ‘Do My Ting’ ft the mighty Cormega due to the dope visual shot by Global faction.
Brothers of the Stone ‘Meditation’ ft Vinnie Paz
Brothers of the Stone‘s debut self titled album was something special, and so was the list of features. Entirely produced by Illinformed, with bars by Leaf Dog and BVA, this still gets regular rotation. Fittingly for a Vinnie Paz feature, Illinformed seems to have taken a leaf out of the book of JMT on the instrumental for ‘Meditation’. Other features from across the pond on the LP come in the form of Beast1333, KRS One and Reef the Lost Cauze.
Iron Braydz ‘Firey Red’ ft Sean Price
Braydz & ‘The brokest rapper you know’, The late Sean P ‘Verbal Swardz’ had to make the list, anyone who knows Braydz/Da Flyy hooligan‘s music will know these two were tight, this is evident his tribute track ‘Sean Price’ lifted off S.C.U.M.
‘We dont need to have a manager to ask Ruck to make a track i came through played the song over the phone and he was feeling that… simple as‘ – Iron Braydz ft Sean Price ‘Hammer’
DJ Supreme ‘Arctic II’ ft Ice-T & The Icepick
Ice-T is no stranger to the UK hip hop scene, having signed Hijack to his label Rhyme Syndicate back in the late 80s, although this is his first collaboration with UK artists. Arctic II as the name suggests is the remix of DJ Supreme’s previously released track of the same name, also featuring The Icepick.
Stig of the Dump ‘Braindead’ ft R.A. The Rugged Man
It doesn’t get more gully than this. Stig of the Dump aka King Grizzly teams up with New York’s R.A The Rugged Man, pure filth. The result is the absolutely headbanging Braindead. Lifted from Stig’s ‘Moodswings’
Rhyme Asylum ‘Attitude Problem’ ft Copywrite
Lifted off the debut 2008 release ‘State of Lunacy’ Rhyme Asylum teamed up with Copywrite on this one ‘Attitude Problem’. Other notable mentions include Event Horizon ft. Crooked I & Open Mic Surgery ft DarkStar & Ill Bill ,both lifted off ‘Solitary Confinement’. Unfortunately the London group are no longer making music together, but definitely worth checking the couple of albums they did put out if you’ve not done so.
Lowkey ‘Voices of the Voiceless’ ft Immortal Technique
Probably the most obvious pairing on the list, two of the most of politically minded emcees from either side of the pond teamed up for Voices of the Voiceless. Lifted off Lowkey‘s The Soundtrack to the Struggle. A collaboration that had to happen.
Mark B & Blade ‘Split Personalities’ Ft Al Tariq
‘The Unknown’ – the seminal record by Blade and the Late Mark B is definitely high on our list of UK records that stood the test of time, and still gets regular rotation at the UKHH camp. The nostalgia inflicted by this album is up there with ‘Council Estate of Mind’. Split Personalities featuring Al’ Tariq, formerly of The Beatnuts had to make the list. Rest in Piece Mark B.
Obviously we’re aware there are a bunch more UK US collabs that could’ve made the cut, so we’ll be putting out a follow up list at some point. Hit us up with straight up fire that you think should make the second list.
Kareem Denis was 17 when he first silenced us in 2003 on the airwaves from Radio 1. At that moment as he laced those few bars with Doc Brown we were introduced to the formidable talent known as Lowkey. Since then he’s blessed us with a string of goodness ‘Key to the Game’ vol 1, 2, and 3 ,the last of which had the heartfelt ‘Bars for my Brother’, and his work as part of the rhyming heavyweights Poisonous Poets…
I’ve changed hugely since those days. I think then I was just rapping just for the hype at that age, as other people do. Now what I’m trying to do is leave a legacy, where every song has to be 100% from the heart. Now I’m striving to think more as a musician does, to make music that after I’m dead people can look back and get a unique picture of who I am.
Benjamin Zephaniah has called him ‘one the best lyricists in the Western Hemisphere’ and sure there are not many fans of UK HipHop or indeed MC’s, so many of which he’s collaborated with, that could have disputed his talent or potential. But after the last instalment of Key to the Game a cloud lingered over his work and Lowkey suffered a writer’s block
I’d made a lot of songs. And I think after while it gets to the point where you’re trying to better yourself and you write something down and you think that’s no good. I can do better. Sometimes you get to a stage where you feel you can’t get any further.
But thankfully a corner was turned, and in 2008 Lowkey got back to writing.
Just getting out and experiencing more life, I think it’s very dangerous in this society that we live in to become a weed smoking hermit. More UK legends have been ruined by weed then anything else in the world, and if they’re honest they’d tell you themselves. I’m glad I don’t smoke weed anymore. I gave up on the 1st of January 2005. I just got to the stage that when my brother died if I kept doing this I’m either gonna go crazy or I’m just gonna die
Although he will deny he ever went away, the London lyricist is back lyrically braver and stronger then ever before with a new solo album ‘Dear Listener’ and the collaboration album ‘Better Than Heavy’ under his exciting new band ‘Mongrel’ a partnership he’s itching to explain.
John McClure from Reverend and The Makers got a hold of two of my mix CD’s and liked them a lot and wanted to meet me. So I went down to the studio one day to meet him and it just so happened that same day he was in the studio with Mat from the Arctic Monkeys, Andy Nicolson that used to be in the Arctic Monkeys, Drew from Babyshambles making a record. That day we formulated the idea of the band, I met him, we filmed a little video of the birth of Mongrel which is on YouTube and came back and recorded some tracks….that was in April 2008.
Like yourself John McClure is known for being outspoken. Were there any clashes personality wise?
Yeah, we’ve had plenty of disagreements and arguments along the way in the course of this album but you know at the end of the day I’ve got love for him regardless because he’s done something that he didn’t have to do, it’s born outta of love, it’s born out of wanting to help a situation and the end of the day we both have distinct ideas of what we want to do.
Like the thing is with this album you are not gonna hear anything that’s similar to a Reverend and the Makers album, anything that’s similar to Lowkey’s album, it’s literally a meeting of minds it’s a mongrel!
Is it continuous or a one album project?
It’s continuous. The second album we are going to Venezuela to record with Venezuelan musicians and Hugo Chavez, we are gonna go on Hola Presidente and see Chavez.
Rappers have collaborated with indie heads before, what would you say makes this project different?
What makes it different is the scope, because I think if you look at other people that have done it in the past, i.e. Gorillaz, and that’s not to take it away from them because it’s great, but you’re dealing with so many facts and ingredients with Mongrel. Like Arctic Monkeys and Babyshambles are involved and these are completely different bands and sound completely different from each other. So it’s the birth of something new.
Tor and Skinnyman also appear on ‘Better then Heavy’, was it always clear for Mongrel to work with other UK rappers?
The way it came about was ‘Alphabet Assassin’ my track. The guys from the band wanted to record the original, but nah I’d rather record a remix with all my favourite rappers. And so yeah man, there’s Wretch 32, Kyza, Poisonous on there, Purple, Mike Wright, Righteous. Loads of them. I just thought at the end of the day this album is gonna have far more reaching potential than any of the albums I’ve been involved in and albums I’ve made thus far. And I don’t really want to eat alone I want to bring the people through because at best I want my career to act as a bridge that people can cross. I don’t just want to go through the door and shut it because that’s not real success.
Recently you’ve gained a lot of media exposure and with a heavy tour schedule set over the next couple of months how do feel about the increased workload and publicity?
Yeah, I mean it’s a privilege being in the position that one minute I can be going to meet the president of a country and next to go on tour. We’re doing the snowbombing festival where they are gonna teach us to ski and snowboard, I’ve never been skiing or snowboarding so its just stuff like that, that’s opening doors for me.
The album itself was given away on the front cover of the Independent on 7th March. 1/4 of million albums sold first day, it’s free with the newspaper but it’s a huge statement. I thought if I’m gonna have that level of exposure I want all my friends to have that level of exposure too.
To think middle class Briton will be exposed to the talent of great UK rappers and Mongrel’s rebellious sound over their morning munch is enough to crack a smile with any Hip-Hop enthusiast.
It’s true that Andy Nicholson and John McClure in their previous respective bands have been able to sell more records then even the most established UK rappers can dream off, but it’s that reputation of the other members in the group and the ability of the group to place Lowkey on a stronger platform that is so interesting.
Professionally do you think it’s taken a collaboration like this to really exposure who Lowkey is on a professional note?
Umm…yeah maybe. It’s true that Indie is a dominant force in this country, but the thing is about this album is that it’s trying to get away from that quality which is so inherent in this country’s music industry. It is ridiculous. An Indie band on an Indie label that flops sells more than the most successful UK Hip-Hop artist. And that’s just terrible and I think that comes down to the taste makers, the people making the decision who to invest in.
There’s no prototype of the British MC. Now you have Dizzee Rascal and Mike Skinner that is a positive thing, but I think in general they are very reluctant to invest because there has been no humungous exception to the rule. Before Eminem came out right, white rappers were something that major labels would never invest in. Their last example of that was Vanilla Ice and he was a flop because people didn’t think he was credible
Now it didn’t take a major label to invest in Eminem It took Dr Dre. He was the biggest exception to the rule there has ever been. He’s gone into areas that other rappers have never even dreamt off. It’s interesting it’s always the artist that has to introduce the exception to the rule.
You are also known for your strong political lyrics. Where does this voice stem from?
Just me bruv, from me as a human being there are certain things that I can’t abide by. And at the end of the day I don’t know how people expect me to look at the world. One side of my family is British the other side is Arab. I’m never gonna be able to look at the world in a simple view. I have to choose where I stand on these things because they affect me in my life.
You’ve recently voiced your strong protest at the atrocities in Gaza. Why do you feel such an attachment to the people of Palestine?
Because I think they’ve been so wildly and grossly oppressed for the last 60-70 years and what really bothers me about it is that how a citizen of this country I’m complicit to their oppression. Complicit to things that take place through my money because at the end of the day money talks. You and me could sit here and rant all day about our feelings about it, but our money, where is our money going? Our money is going to Israel. That’s something that makes me sick to my stomach.
I have so many Jewish brothers and sisters that stand with me when it’s time to protest, and are exactly on the same stance as me. Certain sections of the media have a certain interest in making it out to appear as something that it’s not. They have an interest in slandering certain things about you.
That’s something you carry going to Palestine right?
Yes, well basically I’m going out there and I’m part of a project called Project Hip-Hop for Palestine. It’s a tour taking place from the 27th February to the 3rd March. On the 28th March we are doing three shows in Ramallah. The next day we are doing two shows, the next two more and the next one show. If it all goes to plan we will break the Guinness Book of World Records for most live performance shows in an area where travel is restricted.
Are you worried?
I am, I’m not gonna lie, I am.
At the end of the day what is meant to be will be and what happens will happen. It’s bigger then me, it’s more important then me. Their plight was around before I was born and will probably be around after I die.
It’s something that individual feelings are neither here nor there, you don’t really have time to be sentimental about these things. The whole world is against them, literally.
Do you think Obama can change anything?
When it comes to Obama, he’s a move towards the left away from the Republicans…everyone knows that. But at the same time he pandered heavily to aid the Israeli lobby before he came into power. He promised them an extra 30 billion over the next 10 years which is an increase in aid to what George Bush was giving them. On average what Bush was giving them was 6 million per day American aid.
Now when you compare that to the fact 75% of Palestinian live on less than 1 pound sterling a day, this is ridiculous. We are taking about a country that is the size of Wales.
I look at him in a similar way I regard someone like Clinton. He talks very positive things, and generally he’s more likable then George Bush, and his domestic policies are good. But I think at the end of the day someone who is gonna hand over to the Israel lobby is not a friend of mine, and I know he wouldn’t have been able to get into the presidency if he hadn’t done that but I still look very sceptical upon him.
I’d rather be the pessimistic fool proved wrong then the optimistic idiot proved wrong.
Lowkey the politician?
I do believe music isn’t the ‘be and end all’ of what I’d like to do with my life. There are bigger things and bigger fish to fry. But I think everything right now is a bonus, whether its poetry or play writing or music or political activism. Anything I can get involved in and do something positive in some way then I’m there.
Moving away from politics, with your new LP ‘Dear Listener’ and the track ‘I’m back’ you clearly address your return. Was it a hard album to write?
I think it was slightly rushed. It could have been stronger as a whole piece. Unlike Key to the Game vol. 3 it’s more of a collection of songs. Making a complete album is like making a complete picture where every song is a corner of that picture. Where as that was a collection of songs the next album I’m making is a complete picture. I’ve got about five tracks done so far, and I’m toying with two different names. It has more of a beginning, middle and end and for an album to be classic it has to be that.
So what can we expect from that new album production wise?
The new album’s beats are already made, but I’m gonna get them replayed by live instruments because I think that is very valuable especially for live performance. I want an album that I can tour and take to Glastonbury not an album that I can take to Cargo.
The scene isn’t what it used to be and I just wanna make an album that can stand up to people like the Beatles. I think being around a different type of musician I‘ve seen how production in Hip-Hop is ridiculed.
If you can pay 700 quid for a studio, or over a grand and half a day for musicians so obviously the sound is gonna be sonically different. Something I’m gonna try and achieve now.
And that’s where you see the maturity and influence gained by Lowkey now working in different circles. Wether it’s a new found artistic confidence that was always there or that has been nurtured by his peers you can’t help but feel that 2009 is Lowkey’s time to shine.
As Lowkey takes a brief pause from past projects he’s clear that it’s not the end to his and Logic’s Peoples Army or work with Stylah and Doc Brown in Poisonous poets.
I have to answer the doors that are knocking now, and those knocking are Mongrel and Long Live Palestine. I’d be foolish to go down those avenues when these other ones are wide open right now.
Now and ‘til May it’s just shows and promotion…I’m writing songs but I’m not sitting down in one place long enough to get studio time. I’m gonna try and record some stuff before I go Palestine and Venezuela cos I might die (laughs nervously)
A smile that has often been elusive over the years returns as the interview draws to a close and we wish him luck, but what about being contentment professionally?
I’m working harder with less return…it’s not good to feel broke but you know…I feel like I’ve got more on my plate, and that’s a good thing.
I think I’m more focused, slightly more driven and my mind is more broad then it was before. I think I’m closer to giving an entirely honest representation of myself and what’s in my head. Artistic fulfillment is a constant struggle and that is the life long battle of a musician but I’d say now I’m closer to that
Words By Ali Raymond