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Interviews Music - Hiphop

Interview with Pete Philly & Perquisite

January 11th 2008 02:48

Pete Philly & Perquisite 5 - Dennis Duijnhouwer

Interview with Pete Philly & Perquisite
By B.S.

Hey guys… thanks for taking the time to share with us a little mindstate …
From the sound you guys have created together it seems you have an intimate understanding of how each other works. How did you guys meet and how long have you been collaborating?

We’ve been collaborating for about four to five years now. We met through a mutual friend who thought we should hear each others music..

Did you guys work individually with many other artists before you realized that the two of you were the right combination?

Pete: Well, I used to be in Funk bands, soul bands and drum & bass bands. Before we decided to make an ep together.
Perq: I’ve always released my instrumental solo stuff on my own label Unexpected Records.

Who are some of the artists you played in your first cars? Were any influences from the ‘Golden Era’ of Hip Hop (’93 & ’94) when artists like De La Soul, and A Tribe called Quest were redefining Hip Hop?

We like melodic hip hop so those artists are artists we have listened to. However I think we listen mostly to music outside of the hiphop genre. I (Pete) am really into soul music, rock music, Latin music and broken beat stuff.
Perq: I’m into old stuff like the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, but also MIA. Rght now I’m really into folk music from Chili and Africa. We’re both into Jazz though of course.

Your first two albums, video clips, and virtually everything you have done together carry a completely unique style both musically and fashionably… what is styles relationship with music?

Funny you should say that, cause we’re not really into fashion. But we do want to represent who we really are. We both dress casual with a hint of hip hop in there. We like the fact that the Time Flies cover art for example looks like it’s a classical tune done by a string quartet or something. Our fan base in Europe is really diverse because of these kind of decisions I think (Musically and stylistically).

Pete – without emulating your predecessors; your flow has set a new benchmark for artists to follow, how did you come to find that voice?

Thanks. I believe that as an artist and as a person I’m simply the sum of my experiences and my inspirations. Coming from a Caribbean background (I came to the Netherlands when I was six), going to an American school. Growing up though with a sober Dutch sensibility, combined with the fact that I don’t really feel the need to copy paste the American themes have gave me my own story to tell. I’d like to say I sample the best out of every culture I feel connected to and because of my international upbringing and the multicultural place that is Amsterdam, for me, it’s easy to do.

Perq – you cross over so many styles in your production, what do you use to make the beats in the way of software, instruments, people, etc?

I started making beats when I was about fourteen. I got this tracker program off of a friend of mine and I’ve been making beats with it ever since. I combine it with cool edit pro to record my string arrangements on the cello for example. People tend to think that I use a lot of live instrumentation though this is not the case, other than a guitar or a saxophone solo every now and then. I think 80% of my music is sample based. The way I program things like bass lines some people think it’s being played live, which I guess is a compliment.

Since you dropped your second album Mystery Repeats you guys have been touring a lot. Where have you been traveling and where’s up next? Can we expect to see you in Australia and New Zealand any time soon?

We definitely want to go to Australia and New Zealand! For the next few months our main focus is on Europe and Japan. After that anything should be possible.

What was it like to work with Talib Kweli? Have many artists coming out of Brooklyn had an impact on you over the years?

Well Biggie of course. I think a lot of the older stuff Talib, and Mos did was really exciting. At this point I believe as artists Perq and I are going in another direction than they are. But the older stuff is great. Kweli is a cool dude, he really was impressed to see two young kids with nobody backing them up at the time, making the moves we were making with honest music.

I’ve heard you guys like to step up each others game with a little bit of healthy competition… So who’s cooler?

Hahaha, I think I’m cooler, which probably goes to show that Perq is.
Perq: I think it depends on what situation we’re in. We’re both very different haha..

Both of you are still relatively early in your careers (especially considering your accomplishments). What direction do you think your music will take over the coming 5 - 10 years?

I think we’ll keep writing songs with a hip hop twist while tapping from other genres to keep it interesting. There are so many interesting ways to make music and we’ve barely started exploring them so… Keep checking us out people!

Nice to catch up with you both, your music is so well received in Australasia as it is around the world and we hope to see you performing on our shores soon…

You can check out more from Pete Philly and Perquisite at
www.verygood.com.au
Really Long Link
Really Long Link

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Posted By: Trina - Category: Interviews, Music, Hip Hop

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Interview with Cee-rock 'The Fury' by B.S.

October 15th 2007 13:59

CEE-ROCK "THE FURY" Interview
by B.S.

Firstly, where are you from?

I'm originally born and raised in Queens, New York. I call it the Q*Sector (a name that I came up with many many years ago). If you've ever heard of the famous Linden Blvd., that is the area where I'm from. The Lost Boyz helped put Linden on the map.

So you're in Queens, New York at the moment, it’s an inspirational place to myself and hip-hop fans from around the world releasing artists like Run-DMC, A Tribe Called Quest and LL Cool J just to name a few. What’s it like being a musician in New York?

It's a good look because it is such a renowned place. Like you said, legends came from out of this borough. Can't forget about Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po (from Organized Konfusion), Kool G. Rap, Nas, Kwame, Mikey D (we go way back), Large Professor, Salt & Pepa, Roxanne Shante, MC Shan, Mobb Deep and of course 50 Cent.

What have you heard about the Australasian hip-hop scene from all the way over there in the USA?

I haven't heard much about the Australasian Hip-Hop scene to be honest but I travel all the time and one of the benefits of that is that I get a chance to listen to other cultures of music. Good music is good music (even if I do not speak or understand the language). I've been known to collaborate with people from different countries and languages so it makes me stand out quite a bit from everyone else.

With so many paths to take in life… why music, and why hip hop?

If you had a basketball in your hands when you were very young and you shoot and dribble long enough, you would probably love it forever. You become extremely good at it and eventually it may become your profession. I was exposed to Hip-Hop from the veryearly stages of it and I have an understanding and appreciation of it. I've mastered it and I love the energy you give and recieve from it. When I'm on stage and I'm puttin' in work and the crowd reacts in a positive way and throw their hands and fists as well as their luv back at me, it is a wonderful thing.

You’ve worked with a lot of artists in your career so far, what experience do you think you’ve taken the most away from and enjoyed the most?

You never stop learning about Hip-Hop (even though I say that I mastered it). You can always learn more and experience more. I learn from other cultures and it makes you more complete when you are exposed to such variety. I recently did featured on Veronique Lalouette's album in South Africa when I was on tour there last year. Her alias is 'V'. She was a finalist on IDOLS (that is the South African version of 'American Idol'). She sings and I dropped a verse on it. Things like that are cool for me because it builds up my resume and I get to network on a worldwide level. People ask me to collaborate all the time on their albums and I'm cool with that. However, I am signed and under management so the proper procedures have to take place in order for it to happen. When I finally come to the Australasian territory I hope to work with various outlets there. That goes for record companies, booking agencies, festivals, magaizines, television, radio, media outlets or whatever. Ladies, we can 'network' too!

Throughout your career you have labeled profanity as a cop-out for emcee’s with limited vocabulary and skills. How do people respond to this view?

I stick by my comment but let me elaborate on it a bit......I never said that I wouldn't work with someone who uses profanity. Even Chuck D uses profanity once in a blue moon but Chuck D is not recognized by that. He is recognized by his talent, voice delivery and lyrical content. A highly respected emcee may utilize a curse or two to emphasize a particular point. However, these days, emcees use it out of context and throw it onto a song 'just because'. If it has no validation or purpose to add to the song then why even bother to use it? Radio in the US won't even play it unless you have a radio edit (not talking about outlets such as Sirius Satellite Radio). It sounds really stupid to hear a song on a radio that is played 90% backwards because it is curse-filled throughout. I've heard love songs with emcees spittin' a 16 bar on it with curses on the majority of the verse and the stuff they say has absolutely nothin' to do with the song's concept. What does your verse even have to do with love?!

A lot of emcees have a very limited vocabulary and that is why all their songs and albums sound the same. They sound redundant and repetitive. It's like listening to an entire album with one very loooooong track. You can't even tell the difference! That is why I respect the emcees who put in work and take time to write as well as some high quality thought. For those who don't, you need to recognize and step your game up! This ain't the time to be spittin' and mastering the 'Barney' and 'Telletubby' wordplay delivery. People don't pay good money to go to your shows to hear the alphabet (at least I hope not). Let's upgrade, people!

Your new album “Bringin' Da' Yowzah!!!” is soon to be released in Australia, can we expect any collaborations on it?

I have a few special features on it. I got my dawg Late and 10Shott from West Midlands in the UK (they put in some serious work - big-up to 'Wolftown'). I also have Promoe from 'Looptroop' (he is a keen example of a lyricist who puts in deep thought - I've known him since 1997). Promoe had cursed on the original version of our song together but we had to edit it out [LOL]. I also have the legendary Mikey D (formerly of Main Source) on my album. In case the new generation doesn't know who he is, he's the emcee who took the belt from legendary Grandmaster Melle Mel (of Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five) in the rap battle for world supremecy. He also gave LL Cool J his rap name (newjacks, do your research on it). Last but not least, I have BK's finest emcees, Tah Phrum Duh Bush and Coole High (these are my dawgz right here). I am also part of a rap squad called 3DA which stands for '3 Dyffrent Anglez' (Tah, Coole and myself). That is something you will hear more about in time. We represent our organization 'Flow Federation' (spread the word). Headz who love that true essence of Hip-Hop will truly appreciate the Bringin Da' Yowzah!!! album. It's a good look!

You talk about the pioneer’s who “keep it real, with the mass appeal”. Who were the pioneers that shaped your craft on the way up?

Wow, where do I start? I grew up listening to The Trecherous Three, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Cold Crush Brothers, Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick, Dana Dane, Whodini, Boogie Down Productions (BDP), Run-DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, Finesse & Sequence, The Juice Crew, Kurtis Blow, Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force, Mantronix, Just-Ice, Digital Underground, Mr. Magic, Cipher Sounds, Busy Bee, Sugarhill Gang, Funky Four Plus One More, Oran Juice Jones, MC Lyte, Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde, Full Force, Whistle, T-La Rock and the Fat Boys.

It’s great to catch up with you Fury, before we wind this up… there are so many people in this world with talent and desire to make music, do you have any advice on what separates those from who dream and those who do?

Yeah. Try to stand out and make your own identity. There are so many artists out there who are nothin' but Xerox copies of other Xeroxes who copied from themselves from someone else. Respect the game of Hip-Hop and the game will respect you back. Also, do your best to be a respected artist and master your skilled trade (sometimes a good name is all you have). You may swing a bat in you hands but that doesn't put you in stripes and make you a 'Yankee'!

I wanna give a shoutout to everyone in the Australasian territory, The Very Good Agency and the rest of the planet. All is welcomed to show me some luv by signin' my guestbook at www.ceerockthefury.com as well as posting a comment on my official MySpace page at Really Long Link As long as my 'furyous' rhymes are on the menu - nonstop Hip-Hop will continue. Hip-Hop forever, y'all!

Cool. Thanks for stopping by.

**You can check out more of Cee-Rock "The Fury" at www.verygood.com.au.

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Mixtape: Stan Bravo - Get Accustomed

September 1st 2007 12:11

If you have not already seen him supporting artists like Busta Rhymes, Nelly, Ja Rule, Ashanti and Jin. Or if you have not yet caught him making cameos for Ricki Lee, J-Wess, Camielle or Nino Brown. Then it is time to get acquainted. Allow me to formally introduce you to dear friend ours and a smashing fellow, the right honourable Stan Bravo Esquire. He has put together a new mixtape/album to help us all get to know each other a bit better. It is called Get Accustomed and it is mixed by DJ Peter Gunz.

Download the Split Track version HERE

Or the continuous one track version HERE

You started writing from a young age. You won a few literacy awards as a kiddie. Can you tell us in particular what sort of things you wrote? What was the subject matter of your writing back then?
I used to write a lot of poems and short stories when I was younger. I remember one time I was about 12 and I was going to a real conservative catholic school and I wrote this poem called "why" and in the poem I was talking about issues like prostitution, Drug Dealing, and a lot other f**ked things that were going on in my community. The teacher loved it and wanted to give me an A but the principal told her not too because of the "content". But my teacher loved it so much she entered it in this writing competition and I won. So even as a shorty the content in my writing has always been based on reality as I see it.

Later on you switched to writing rap lyrics. Can you remember your first rhymes what were they like?
Wack! Real corny! I was just saying anything back then trying to make the words rhyme. I had no direction. I didn't know what a 16 was or how to write a hook, so all my songs were just long ass rhymes.

Growing up in Harlem what was the most mischief you got up to as a youngster?
No comment! My momma might be reading this. I love you mom. Seriously though back then I really didn't get into too much BS. Firstly my mother is Haitian and anybody that's ever had a Haitian mother or known somebody with a Haitian mother knows her child knows what's right and what's wrong. Iâ€™m not saying I was an angel but lets just say I feared my mother more than my friends.

Now for the last 7 years you have been living in Australia, repping Blacktown to the fullest. What influence has Blacktown and just Australia in general had on your music ?
I love Blacktown. Shout out too all my b-town residents. Blacktown's the hood. And Hip Hop music was born in the hood so what better place for a rapper to be than the hood? You feel what I'm saying too you? See when your a rapper what you are effectively is a mirror to your world. So when you hear my records you're hearing Blacktown. You're hearing Harlem. You're hearing Australia or America because I've always been greatly influenced by my surroundings.

Now your track "I Can't Let You Go" has been getting some airplay on the Edge. Is this track inspired by anybody in particular?
Yeah she knows who she is. I don't wanna put her on Front Street, but she inspires a lot of my girly songs.

You talk about an intimate evening in this track. What is the most romantic thing that you have done for a lady friend?
To be honest I'm not a real romantic sort a dude. I mean I do little things to my girl to let her know I appreciate her like cook dinner for her or randomly call her to say I love you or I thinking of you. Things like that.

So you have been on quite a few tours including the infamous Ja Rule tour and the Busta Rhymes tour. Can you confirm or deny all the rumours going around about these two artists on these tours?
What rumours you talking about? Am I in them?

Stan the Man

Do you have any interesting backstage stories of your own?
Aight one time backstage on the Nelly tour me and the guys I went on tour with got into a real heated argument and I ended kinda trashing our dressing room. Michael Coppell walked in and told me off. He was like Stan what are you bloody doing? This isn't an 80's rock concert.

So what can we expect from you next?
Well I have a street album/mixtape I put out for free, just for the fans and haters. It's called Get Accustomed vol 1 mixed by the legendary Dj Gunz. The tape to me is some of my best work to date and for anybody that has ever bought a Gunz mixtape you know the guy is serious. So if you're not yet accustomed to the hottest mixtape out right now. You need to get accustomed by downloading it here.

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Posted By: Trina - Category: Interviews, Hip Hop, Mixtapes, MC

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Need dancers, breakdancers, DJs for your event? (Australia)

January 2nd 2007 12:43

If you're looking for Hip Hop dancers, breakers (breakdancers) or DJs for any event, from corporate gigs to bahmitsvas, smaller community events or birthday parties, etc then email trina@hiphop.org.au for all your performer needs (Australia only, for now).

Trina's Snapshot:

Represents and has many affiliates within the Hip Hop and dance community.

Danced with Caramell, Groovesteps (Looze Control 2006 winners).

Co-choreographer and dancer in all girl dance crew The XY Project.

Co-manages SKB (Street Kulture Breakers), the 2007 Australian Bboy (Breakdance) Champions.

Chairperson of Hip Hop Society D2MG (based in the University of New South Wales).

Manages City Studio (Level 8, 88 Liverpool St, Sydney) offering Hip Hop dance classes.

Owner and primary blogger on Hiphop.org.au (this site) and Dancing.net.au.

Loves supporting real artists, groups, events.

Lives and breathes Hip Hop.

Will make friends with your grandma.