Introduce yourself and your crew and affiliations.

Tom: What’s up? My name’s Tom from Cavemen Speak, a group I formed in 2000 in Belgium with the Homesick Nomad & Danzil Bearskin. Together with them I dropped 4 full-lengths and we’re working on a fifth. All three of us are handling production and raps. We worked with artists like Brad Hamers, Josh Martinez, Kunga 219, Boat People and more. I also started shadowanimals, a collective that brings together several groups…and off course I rap with my homie Marcus in The World After 4/02, who we just dropped an album with.

Marcus: Hi, how are you? My name is Marcus, holdin’ it down for Stacs of Stamina & the sideshow family. I’ve been doing this shit since ‘96 but not really serious before we dropped the ‘cashew fenny EP’ in 2001. We’ve got 2 albums dropping this year, including a full-length version of ‘cashew fenny’ on uncommon records. We’re also working with artists such as Mike Ladd, K-the-L and TTC, and off course I rap with my homepiss Siaz in The World After 4/02.

What have you done in the past and what can people expect in the future?

Tom: Well… this last year has been all about touring. After we dropped shadowanimalssolos with Cavemen Speak in spring 2003 we’ve been all around Europe with The world after 4/02 while recording this first album together in the meanwhile.

Marcus: Yeah, actually we just started the ‘vikings & waffles’ eurotour, promoting The World After 4/02, together with Stacs of Stamina. We’ve got shows with beans, The Shapeshifters and DJ Vadim; it’s wild! We’re also trying to get to Canada, probably this summer. The future is all about pushing the album and the way its going it will eventually be out on vinyl as well.

Tom: And since we’re still touring, fresh ideas come up every now and then during the long hours in trains or during the shows we play. Its fun, and as long as it stays that way people can expect lots more from us.

What is the meaning behind the group The World After 4/02?

Tom: Haha… man, we talked about that and we need to come up with a strategy for this question. It keeps coming back to us.

Marcus: Actually, I’m only gonna say this one time: It’s the birthday of the stunningly beautiful Alice Cooper and the shock rocker Natalie Imbruglia… or was it the other way around?

Tom: Charles Lindbergh was also born on that day… he was the century’s first hero and also an indirect cause for the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Big Bopper on the same day in 1959 and that is 44 years ago… coincidence?

Who handles the beats and who handles the raps?

Tom: Me and Marcus are both rapping on this record. We have a bunch of great producers behind us like soso (can), Thelse (fin), Zel (b), Xczircles (us) and plenty more. The variety of beats kinda made us try new stuff out compared to what we do with our homebands… that was the whole plan. For the future stuff I will do some more production probably because it starts itching again.

What makes The World After 4/02 worth checking out for the average fan?

Marcus: The World After 4/02 is the result of two totally different styles coming together to one eclectic super group, which is pretty unique. Cavemen Speak and Stacs of Stamina have totally different styles and this project had the intention not to be going into the direction of one of the two.

Tom: Exactly… we tried to get out of the somewhat dark atmospheres we are creating with the homebands and check out other ways to approach the music we wanna make… its fun.

Who have you worked with in the past and who would you like to work with in the future?

Marcus: I’m pretty happy with the collaborations on ‘vikings & waffles’, having worked with such talented artists as soso, Brad Hamers and Ahmuse. You have to keep in mind that we worked with seven different producers on the album which gives it a versatile feeling indeed.

Tom: I also got to mention that my man Thelse absolutely rules on this album. He made the five first songs Marcus and I did together and these pieces gave it all a fresh feel.

What do you hope to accomplish with your music?

Marcus: Basically I just hope that as many groupies as possible fall in love with me, in that way, it will be easier for me to pick a wife when I wanna settle down.

Tom: What he said.

Do you think living on a different continent has helped or hindered you?

Marcus: I don’t really think about it, I mean, if you love the music it doesn’t matter where you’re from. But I don’t think it hinders us at all seeing that we are both from different countries and now we are doing shows all over Europe. And eventually we’re slowly taking over the whole world, world domination baby… be prepared.

Tom: Yeah you heard the man… canananada is ours!

Which has been more influential American or Canadian hip hop?

Marcus: Personally I have to say American… that’s what I grew up with. Back then I wasn’t even aware of that Canada had a hip hop scene. I started listening to Beastie Boys around 93’. I was the only one in my town pumping Wu-Tang and Black Moon… people were actually afraid of me.

Tom: Wu-Tang and BDP was the shit I listened to when I was twelve. Canada only came into the picture for me two years ago or something: Buck65, Sixtoo and off course Josh Martinez. Anyway, big up to the Canadian scene but if they are influential… hmm… hard to tell.

How is the European scene and how does it differ from the rest of the world?

Marcus: According to other artists who come here from overseas it seems like European acts can push the limits a little bit more… like we are not afraid to do whatever we feel like, if we feel like mixing hip hop and disco tunes from the eighties we’ll do it. There is no right or wrong… if you think like that you’re never gonna get you’re demo tapes out the basement. There are already way too many acts out there. If we are all gonna come out and sound the same we might as well play racquetball instead.

Tom: The racquetball scene we are creating out here in west of Europe is as fucked up as anywhere… and just as dangerous. No for real… I don’t know the answer to this question: been to France on tour last week and the crowds where the best we ever had… maybe Germany will top that?

What makes your music unique?

Marcus: Me

Tom: Marcus, definitely Marcus.

What is your first hip hop memory and what made you go from fan to contributor?

Marcus: I can’t really remember… I got a mixtape of a friend when I was 12 or 13 with beastie boys, Digital Underground and stuff like that. I got into graffiti around the same time but it wasn’t until I was 17 when I started writing rhymes.

Tom: Television… and indirectly my sister. I saw the first Fresh Prince episode when I was 12 and I was solved. Will Smith was the muthafucka back then… so was ODB and so was my friend Gusto… his rhymes didn’t even rhyme but what the heck… that’s how it went.

What are the biggest obstacles facing European hip hopers?

Marcus: The rebirth of euro disco.

Who is your favourite hip hop artist and what is your favourite album?

Marcus: Cavemen Speak - Wooden Cast, why? Because I’m featured on it… and I guess Mike Ladd ‘Welcome to the Afterfuture’ wasn’t all that bad.

Tom: Few of them… Mike Ladd indeed, Saul Williams’ album, Sonic Sums’ first one, soso’s Birthday Songs… and then off course all the oldies that I’m not thinking about right now.

What do you enjoy doing besides hip hop?

Tom: playing videogames with the homies. Picking fights with bums in Marseille. Watching Bob Saget in ‘Dumb & Dumberer’, especially the part where he goes ‘ow my god, there’s shit all over the place’… besides that… I live, eat and breathe hip hop because that’s just the man I grew up to be.

Marcus: Watching game shows with my grandma, like Jeopardy. She kills me every time. It makes me wonder how the hell an 80 year old lady from Estonia is able to kick my ass in “movie titles”.

What are you listening to these days?

Marcus: Guns’n’Roses, Pink Floyd, Yazoo.

Tom: Admit it, some Phil Collins.

Marcus: Yeah well have you hear the soundtrack to the Lion King? That shit made me cry. Besides that some mellow shit like Murcof, Air, Via Tania and when I feel like partying Dizzee Rascal, Bigg Jus and Ludacris.

Tom: On the train I mostly listen to mixtapes my man Dense Voi sends me… some Mark Morrison, some Venga Boys, some Nickelback.

Marcus: Hey aren’t those ugly farts from Canada by the way?

Tom: Besides that Sum41, Avril Lavigne & Celine Dion.

With the release of Shazzam’s solo debut album “Micill Shazzam Write”; I thought it would be a perfect time to interview a prairie hip hop legend. I have had the opportunity to build a friendship with Shazzam over the past seven or so years and I really wanted listeners to share in a glimpse of a man I respect and admire. Here is what transpired…

Introduce yourself, crews, affiliations, etc…

Micill Shazzam Write representing Frek Sho

How is Micill Shazzam Write different from Shazzam and why the extended name now?

The name has always been there (since People in your Neighborhood), but because it is now my time I wanted all who may not know to know. In 1995 I had a freak accident. After writing one of my lyrics, I got up to get a drink of water, tripped, and the pencil I was holding stabbed me in the arm. After little success taking out the lead, it melted in my blood stream. This caused a serious problem for me. Now, as I started to rap my lyrics, my vocals would change and I would tend to use more sarcastic punch lines when delivering my message. To make a long and complex story short, I learnt how to deal with this disease after many years of fighting it. I’ve accepted this outcome, finding a balance between the two mentalities.

Why has it taken so many years for a Shazzam album to surface?

I felt I had to pay some dues. I worked on Frek Sho projects and I was fortunate to be asked by other artists to do some tracks with them. As all of this was taking place I was writing my first solo album. It has taken me seven years to put together this album.

What does it mean to you to be in Frek Sho and how has this affected your musical career?

I am Frek Sho because I am one of the founders of the movement along with Sunil and Gumball. This movement has taught me about responsibility in my own life and has given me the strength and guidance to create anything I want when doing Hip-Hop cultural music.

How did Frek Sho and Shazzam come to be what they are today?

Ten years of trust, settling differences, and the fight to preserve Hip-Hop culture and Canadian Hip-Hop culture.

What are the biggest changes from the first time I saw Frek Sho in 97 to 04?

Sunil has moved to India, and we’ve aged 7 years.

What happened to the elaborate and fun live performances that used to be so captivating?

For example all the members of Frek Sho wearing masks on stage like a wax museum and coming to life when it was their turn to rap or the crazy wrestling moves. Those Sho’s I still do. You didn’t have a chance to see my complete show because it was in a small coffee shop. My theatrical shows I usually do on the big stage.

If you could change anything that has happened over the past 7 years what would you change?

Nothing, it was all meant to be.

The new album has what I would call a classic Frek Sho sound what would you say to that?

I think the reason it sounds classic is because some of the songs are 5 to 6 years old (i.e. Count Angloblackson, Murderher). Some of the beats are old Sunil beats and Kutdown’s production helped fit the sound I was looking for. It does exist.

What are your likes and dislikes?

I like an honest effort and I don’t like selfish people who believe in their own hype.

How would you describe yourself to the average hip hop fan?

To the Hip-Hop fan I am a small example of what used to take place during the mid 80’s and early 90’s. Many poets separated their personal life from their art. They stepped into to their B-boy shoes and transformed in to something totally different to who they were outside of the culture. Not all Hip-Hoppers did this, but I enjoyed the ones who did.

What is it that you truly love about hip hop and what inspires/motivates you to keep rapping?

I love the whole B-boy mentality. This is something you can create for yourself and feel good about. What keeps me writing is the ability to paint pictures using words then sending the information to the listener so they can envision your vision.

How many Sunil beats do you guys have left?

Lots. He is coming home to make more.

Is he moving back or is he just coming back for a visit?

Coming to visit

You have a track on the new album called history, that traces some of your lyrical stylings over the past decade or so how would you describe the journey?

It’s a growing process. When you start you sound one way and as you continue to develop you begin to steadily master what you are trying to send to the public.

My favourite song on the new album, Micill Shazzam Write, is Man (trusted by millions) featuring Gruf the Druid. What is your favourite track and why?

I love all my work. When I completed the album I listened to Living Hell a lot, then I played Micill Shazzam Write a lot because the message is personal, then I bumped Lip Bomb because the lines are the bomb to me. Trusted by Millions is an excellent track. I planned it with Gruf about 5 years ago.

The cover of your album is very interesting!! What does this picture say about Shazzam?

It’s for you to see in many ways. I think it complements the music. The oil & being positioned under the car represents Shazzam and the writing shows the concentration by Micill Write. In the end it is just a visual presentation of my art.

We have had some interesting conversations over the years, a couple that stick out in my mind are the one we had about Common and his show changes. Another one is about seeing your boy hood heroes rap ten years after the fact and having the experience rip your heart out. Would you care to shed some light on these conversations for the readers?

I saw a well respected poet from New York take the stage one evening. He had the crowd at his mercy because of his status and the way he was rocking the mic, but then on a couple of songs he started dancing (the shoulder dance) This kicked me in the nuts because I have never seen this guy dance in all of the years I followed his career. He was always cool, calm, and collective in his videos. I was shocked! I guess because I wanted to see what I grew up watching when this rapper showcased his Hip-Hop.

If I said you were a Canadian Murs or Murs was an American Shazzam what would you say?

I have never heard this man’s music before, but I do remember you telling me about him.

You definitely have to check him out! There is a similarity in your music and personality.

What is the largest problem facing Canadian hip hop artists in the prairies and beyond?

Money, Money, Money. And the lack of Canadian listeners listening to Canadian Hip-Hop.

I know we both grew up playing hockey and played at the AAA midget level, the only differences were I was a white defense men and you were a black goalie. I quit hockey to start djing. Why did you quit and what affect did this have on your hip hop career? What was that experience like? What would it have been like if we both played on the same team and I got beat on a 1 on 1 and the player scored the winning goal in the Air Canada cup?

I quit do to the race issue. Not that it was verbal but how it was done silently. Being the top goal tender in Manitoba at my age was something I worked hard for all my life. Being replaced in my first year junior for no apparent reason was enough for me to leave the game. I worked hard during my career and gained a lot of respect from players, fans, and the hockey community. I decided to take a year off to start Frek Sho, but in the end that one year never ended. I now play for fun with my old AAA and childhood buddies.

My answer to the second question is: If you were to get beat, I would stop him from scoring. We would win the game 3-1 (the third goal scored on the empty net. And you assisting on the second goal off a beautiful pass from the point to the right winger busting to post for the tip.) I am the last Purolator Cup Champion. 1991 Winnipeg Monarch’s. Losing big games came like snow in July.

Who is your favourite hip hop artist and why?

I have lots of favourites. I love Busta because he could drop on a new track and sound totally different from the last time you heard him.

What is your favourite hip hop song and why?

I love a trillion songs. Ahhh… Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos by P.E., High Rollers by Ice-T, 20 Minute City by Frek Sho and many more.

What makes Shazzam happy?

Myself and watching kids dance.

You have toured this country extensively. Is it still the same as it was when you first started out? If not, how has it changed?

It’s a little of the same because underground Canadian Hip-Hop is not something everyone is willing to take the time and go see. The only change I’ve seen is the faces, different time different crowd, and now everyone has a rap group.

What is the craziest thing that has happened on tour?

On the Hip-Hop explosion tour in Kelowna, BC. Sunil had too much to drink before the show. When we hit the stage he was over the top when all of a sudden he turned his head away from the mic and threw-up on the stage. It was the best shit ever!

I heard that the jacket that Ismalia is wearing in the Patience video was stolen from a store in Thunder Bay while on the Rap city hip hop explosion tour. Is this fact or hip hop folklore?

Call it Hip-Hop folklore.

Who would you like to work with in the future and what does it hold for Shazzam?

I’m not sure about who I would like to work with right now, but I do know that I have a couple of albums I want to do in the future. They are already planned.

What happened to Gumball?

Gum is low to the ground. He is working on his own production.

What is the best city to play in Canada?

All the places I’ve seen are cool, but I have a crush on Vancouver.

Does hip hop rule or what?

At its purest form-it is a god given stimulation.

How many records have you signed for me? (This is the bonus question)

I remember two, I think Patience and Papercuts.

If you have any last words shout em out now or save them till the next time we talk!

Thanks man! It was a pleasure answering these well written questions.

Named after the only black Muppet; Roosevelt Franklin is the dynamic duo of Kimani (formerly of The Masterminds) and Mr. Len (formerly of Company Flow). It would not be a shock to them if you have yet to hear their underrated debut album, Something’s Gotta Give. But, you would be doing a huge disservice to your ears by not picking it up and moshing around your mom’s basement to “Kurt Loder.” You owe your ears better then to neglect this underdog.

I sat down with Kimani and Len while they were on tour to talk about the album, their history and most importantly-Muppet Love with Britney Spears.

Mr. Len: What’s up? This is Mr. Len. I hang out with Kimani. That makes me cool.

So Len, do you stay in contact with El-p and (Big) Jus?

Len: I haven’t given them their deals yet. I’m gonna wait for them to be really down and out before I offer them their deals on Smacks Records.

Nah, they’re both chilling. I speak to them both somewhat regularly; as much as friends that live in different states speak. But, now with this Verizon anytime plan. I can call them anytime I like for one cheap, low price! Sponsorship note. Mr. Len. Smacks Records…ding.

So, is there any possibility of a Co Flow reunion?

Len: No, I don’t really see any.

What about the Last Show DVD? Will that ever be released?

Len: You know, Def Jux actually paid somebody. So, I have to wait for them to actually finish with it. Then, I’ll get my hands on it to do what I have to do with it. All I know is… if they release it; ohhh yeah PAY ME! But, no they are good with that and would never try and cheat me. Because I know where everybody lives. Remember that when it comes to paying me for Something’s Gotta Give, Kimani. (in a creepy serial killer voice) I know where you live.

So let’s talk about Roosevelt Franklin, When did you guys meet?

Len: I told somebody this yesterday. True story: I remember meeting Kimani because he was the first person to ever interview me. He was helping somebody out with an interview for a school paper. Kimani actually asked me questions and I was actually like shit, somebody actually gives a fuck what I think.

After that I would see him around, like when he released the Masterminds records, but I didn’t know he was in the Masterminds. I finally put two and two together.

Kimani: and got 5

Len: I’m sorry; I didn’t know it was you. I still would have played it though… well maybe not.

Kimani: Since he’s forgetting big parts of the story, I’ll finish up. In 1999, we did this record called the Live From Area 51 EP. I called El to get Len’s number. He hooked me up and called Len and said, “Yo Len, would you mind doing cuts on this thing?” He was like yeah cool and that’s how Len and I made our first record.

Len: The only reason he didn’t have my number was because, while I thought he was cool, I wasn’t sure if I wanted someone that smelled like that calling my house.

Kimani: I used to have some problems

Len: So, take that!

What made you quit rhyming?

Kimani: Well, we were supposed to be promoting the Masterminds records. So, it was like me doing shows by myself and it got to be really boring doing the same songs over and over again.

Len: and doing half the verses.

Kimani: Yeah, so I got frustrated with rapping in general and decided I was going to spend most of my time running this record label instead of actually being an artist. But, that lasted for like 3 or 4 months. Then, I just got inspired.

Soon, after Jam Master Jay died I called up Len and we had this conversation about the state of the world and how people are fucked up. You know its kinda like, lots of rappers dying, but JMJ was somebody I grew up listening to. When Biggie and Tupac died they had only been out for like 4 years. I didn’t know JMJ but I grew up on him since I was 8. So, like I felt it was fucked up.

I felt I had to balance the world in some way and what better way then to make a record that nobody bought. Right?

Len: Yeah, that’s basically how it happened. In your own head you want to get your sense of equilibrium, you don’t want to feel like everything is one sided and negative. So, you know, you work with someone that is like minded and positive. Kimani, as much as I make fun of him…

Kimani: Which is all the time.

Len: It’s only because it’s obvious that 1. He’s intelligent and I can respect his opinion. It’s not that much different than mine and when they are different, its usually rooted logic and not just talking to someone that wants to argue.

And if you tell anyone….ANYONE, that I said nice things about you. God help you brother…. God help you.

What was it like working with Britney Spears on the Bootleg EP?

Kimani: Yo, check this out! Some dude called me the other day for some magazine. He was like, “so how did you guys get together with Britney Spears?” So, I was about to give him a joking sarcastic response of “well my people know her people.” Then, it kinda hit me that he didn’t know I was joking. I was like, “dude we don’t know Britney Spears. Why would he put her on a record we made 50 copies of and sold it for $5 on sandbox (automatic.com)?” That shit was on Punk’d. I was watching Punk’d, I saw the shit. I said it would be funny

This morning I watched the new Britney video, “Toxic”, dissing Justin Timberlake. I really wish we did do a song with Britney.

Len: Did you ever think you would see the day when pop stars are dissing each other?

Kimani: No.

Len: How bad is that? Everybody wants to get in on this hip hop shit. It’s ours cockmongers! Haha! I bet you Justin never gets shot.

Kimani: He probably wants to.

Len: C’mon man. You can’t pop that guy with a rubber band without him bitching up.

Did you see that guys face when Britney and Madonna kissed?

Len: He looked like somebody shit in his cereal. That was a morose looking motherfucker.

How does it feel to have Entertainment Weekly put your song “I’m so Rich” up on their website?

Kimani: Yeah, that was kinda stupid.

Len: I thought it was a great choice because it shows that people aren’t actually listening. It just shows that they go for what’s obvious. “I’m rich”, that’s what they say at the end of that show; these guys are fucking incredible. Yes! We are gonna love these guys. When they totally missed the obvious big song, “Muppet Love.”

Kimani: The fucking 8 country large platinum hit!

Len, name your top 5 people deserving of a Dummy Smack.

Len: You know what I’ve never actually sat down and thought of it before. OK, let’s go with the obvious.

1. George Bush- it’s very very obvious.
2. Al Gore for not getting backing from Clinton. That’s like making a funk record and you don’t want George Clinton and the Parliament on there.
3. The guy that used to be the GM of the Knicks for letting go of Latrell Sprewell and getting Keith Van Horn in his place – Dickhead.
4. My man Peyton Manning for throwing 8 gazillion interceptions. Yo, what happened dog? I wouldn’t even have to give him that smack. He took care of that for himself.
5. Whoever is responsible for synchronized thug dancing in rap videos? I don’t know who it is but when we find them, they’re smacked.

What?

Len: It’s when you watch a video and you notice all the thugs in the video are dancing together in the same two-step or they might even have a whole choreographed routine. They’re dancing like an R&B video, but they all have on baggy pants and bandanas. It started with “Beat It” from Michael Jackson when he had the gang members dancing

Kimani: Well, actually that’s just West Side Story.

Len: Yeah, but you know what. West Side Story—there is no way you could believe those guys were fucking gangsters.

Kimani: Neither could you in “Beat It.” C’mon B! The dude with the white jacket on and the earring! He was not tough!

Len: You mean the guy who was trying to swallow banana? Yeah, I didn’t believe he was very gangster.

Do you think with groups like Def Jux and Atmosphere getting television time that music on the verge of a revolution or change of the guards? Or is it just trendy to be different now?

Kimani: I think it’s trendy to like underground records now. It’s been packaged and marketed in a way that’s it’s on some shit.

Len: I’m gonna call it what it is. It’s trendy to have a really great fucking publicist. Be Real. Cats’ publicists get them into these spots. More power to them that is what you pay them for. But, when our time comes… You gonna hate me. The underground—they’re gonna hate me. “He changed.” “Look at him on TV, look at him smiling.”

I need to see more people smiling on TV.

Len: Rappers in general don’t smile. You know when they smile… when they’re on Cribs.

Then they are on the cover of the source with a mean mug.

Kimani: Shit is real man. Shit is serious. Shit is not sweet, what do people smile for?

Len: For real, motherfuckers live syrupy lives. I’ve seen’em. They start off fucked up but once they get that first check, they get 400- 500 dollars—they’re moving.

Kimani: Yo, man I’m never leaving the projects I’m gonna stay here forever.

I heard you guys wanted to do an album with Slug and (Mr.) Dibbs, is there any possibility of that?

Len: You know what would be really cool? If he would have shared that with me.

Kimani: It all came from an idea from a post on Len’s Board. They said they really loved the first beat we made together. They said it sounded like something Mr. Dibbs would have done. First it was interesting because really I made the beat.

Len: I just did the baseline and added an echo.

Kimani: Then we did “Insomnia 411.”

Len: I didn’t do that beat either. You know what’s really funny, if it was remotely strange or weird, it was me. But, if it was strange it was Kimani. Because I don’t do them shits. My beats are really fucking normal.

Kimani: Are you saying my beats are weird?

Len: Yeah like the beat for “To the Pain.” It wasn’t even fucking me!

Kimani: I played that shit on guitar.

Len: You see! This guy sits around his house dropping

mushrooms and E, makes a beat and all the kids are blaming me for it. “Yo, I really liked it, it was weird son!” People say shit to me and I don’t even know what they are talking about.

Kimani: Anyhow, the end of the story was, I thought it would be a good idea.

Len: Lucky for him I’m friends with Slug and Dibbs, cuz if he were to team up with people I don’t like…

Kimani: Like the Bush Babees for example.

You don’t like the Bush Babees?

Len: I like them as people, but when they’re stuff came out I never listened to it.

Me neither.

Len: See! Kimani is their biggest fan. He’s got all their pubic hair taped to his wall. He picked it out of his teeth. Hahaha! That was just wrong. I’m sorry Kimani.

Kimani: I might just murder you in your sleep.

What’s the best thing about making music for a living?

Kimani: The money!

Len: Sex! Woooo!

Kimani: Naw really, the best part about making music is being able to perform it. The most enjoyable shit about doing a tour is the 45 minutes while you’re on stage. It’s a lot of sitting around and waiting around to get on stage.

Len: That’s a well thought out answer.

Introduce yourself, your crew and your affiliations.

I am Pip Skid. From Peanuts and Corn Records. I am part of a crew called Break Bread which is mcenroe, John Smith, DJ Hunnicutt, Gruf, and Yy. Plus all the dope rapalot company that I keep like Skratch Bastid, Gumshoe Strut, Shazzam, Satchel Page, Birdapres, Kunga 219, and so on. We love to make rap.

What is the meaning behind the title Funny Farm and what does it say about Pip Skid?

To me Funny Farm is place where they send the lunatics that are beyond help. The Funny Farm is almost like a zoo of sorts. Where the public can come and at a safe distance observe madness and lunacy. It is not the place where Chevy Chase bought a farm or whatever the fuck he did in that shitty movie. What it says about Pipi? Shit, I guess that he’s a fuckin’ nutjob.

If you had to describe your album in one word what would you say and why?

Insane. Why? Well a couple good listens could tell you that.

If I were to say that no one rocks harder that Pip Skid what would you say?

I would say that you’re full of shit. Not that I don’t try but I’d still say that you’re full of shit.

What is the defining moment in your life were you decided to rap?

There would be two. 1) Hearing LL Cool J rapping BAD stopped me dead in my tracks. It flattened me and was one of the most profound moments of my youth. Hearing LL tear through that beat made more sense than anything I’d ever heard or seen up to that point. 2) Next was NWA’s FUCK THE POLICE. That song to me symbolizes all that hip hop should and can be. The voice of the voiceless. I use to have this dream where I would have a nice car with a real nice stereo and I would keep a cassette of FUCK THE POLICE beside the tape deck at all times. So if a fuckin’ cop ever pulled up beside me at a red light I would pop the cassette in and blast it. That song is very responsible for me being a rapper with such attitude.

If I said you were one of the best mc’s in Canada or the best what would you say?

Maybe one of the best, yeah sure, but not the best. I take this shit very serious and it means a lot to me. I work hard as fuck at this. But “best” nah.

Why does it bother you so much when white guys besides Gordski were their hats backwards?

Just one of those pet peeves. Maybe from growing up in Brandon and being around a bunch of dumb ass white guys with backwards hats on. Gordski is exempt from this because of his rural upbringing and outstanding personality. I also am annoyed by people that don’t walk on escalators…..you know they just stand there and block your way.

Was it hard to make the transition from writing for The Hip Hop Wieners to Funny Farm?

No not at all. The beauty of the two is that I can write on how I’m feeling at whatever time and chances are if it don’t fit with Pip’s steez it’ll work with the Hip Hop Wieners or with Fermented. I also spend a lot of time alone so it’s quite natural that I’d write a lot of solo songs.

Is Funny Farm the defining album for Pip Skid?

No but it is getting closer to that point. I can see that LP coming in the future.

Is the hip hop world ready for Funny Farm or will this album be under appreciated only to be rediscovered and heralded years later?

I don’t think it’ll blow up but like all P&C albums it’ll likely be slept on and yea maybe found years from and held up for all to see like some fucking strange unfrozen dinosaur lawyer or something.

Is Funny Farm your proudest accomplishment to date musically?

It’s hard to say. I do feel that it’s my strongest LP and I am very proud of it. So yea sure, why not.

What do you want to get in return from music and what will it take to get it?

I’m looking at getting a chance to see the world while traveling with my friends. Getting a chance to live off my creativity. Make a little money. Have a lot of fun. And make a lot of good records. I’ve been doing this for a long time now and if it all ended tomorrow I would still feel so blessed to have got the opportunity to have done all this and seen all this. I love to make rap.

It takes so much hard work. There are so many roadblocks and so many tricky puzzles that you have to crack in order to take these baby steps towards “being successful”. It’s been enough to make a lot of people quit long ago. Not P&C though, we keep trooping on and on. I got a lot of songs left to write.

If I had only heard of Farm Fresh, how would you describe the album to me so that I would pick it up?

I’d tell you that it only cost ten bucks and to quit being such a cheap cocksucker.

Who would you like to work with realistically and fictitiously?

Right now I’m working with the folks I want to. John Smith, mcenroe, Hunnicutt, Skratch Bastid, and Gruf these are the dudes I wanna work with. I don’t really think about people I’d like to work with cause I’ve been so spoiled with getting to make music with so many talented people that are good friends. There’s nothing like that. But if I had to I’d say Brother J, Willie D (Geto Boys), Devin the Dude, Otis Redding, Awesome Dre, and MOP.

So, what kind of stuff do you like?

I like good food, rap music, soul, blues, beck’s beer, dancing to good rap, watching Sopranos, a good cup of coffee with a nice cigar, having hot sex, touring, buying records, buying shoes, good conversations, rapping live and in the studio. That’s some of what I like.

What makes Pip Skid angry?

Lots of shit, although I have calmed down a lot.

Cops, shitty laws, rich assholes, cockblockers, breaking a glass in the sink, people bumping into me in public places, George Bush, Paul Martin, and a whole slew of other shit.

Do you consider yourself to be a political/socially conscious rapper or are those terms bullshit and you just rap how you rap?

Yea for the most part I just rap the way I rap. To me that’s what rap is. It’s saying something without being preachy. Hip Hop is political and is conscious in its very nature. So I just live by that code. I rap and I rap HARD. To me there ain’t much to rap unless it’s hard or real smart.

Who would win in a fight Cass from Camobear Records or Myself, Chaps from Side Road Records ? PS Thanks for not letting this go down!

I’d have to say with your secret army training and covert knowledge of hard rap you would likely take the match. But it wouldn’t be an easy victory, Cass is a big tuff man.

What is your most treasured hip hop item?

Well my P&C collection I’m really happy to own. My Scarface “THE DIARY” hockey jersey, the Hip Hop board game, my RAP ATTACK and MTV RAPS card collection, my RAP-A-LOT CD collection, the 1st Freddie Fox LP “the Master” play copy, the Buffalo Soldier “if I had a penny” 12’. And a bunch of other bullshit no one cares about.

Who in your opinion is the best rapper and why?

I don’t have a best rapper. Some of the best to me are…. Scarface, Cee Lo, Cormega, Jay-Z, Ghostface, 2Pac. And that’s not even a top 5 or anything, just off the top of my head. Those are some dope rappers.

What is the best city in Canada to play in?

I love playing in Winnipeg for the obvious reasons. Saskatoon has always been really fun for me. Calgary is real good to us. Halifax is amazing. London is fuckin’ insane in a “good” way. Vancouver is cool. Even Brandon is pretty fun.

What pisses you off the most about hip hop and people involved in hip hop?

Oh man there’s so much fuckin’ bullshit in the music industry. But sadly enough it’s all part of the job, to deal with that garbage. Hip hop is a beautiful thing but anything can make so much dough will attract some real fuckin’ dickweeds. I’m at an age now though that these things don’t bother me as much. I’m more focused on what I wanna accomplish and I’m just brushing off my shoulders side stepping all these numbnuts.

What would you change about hip hop and life if you could?

I’d change the fact that we get slept on and that so many people constantly get fucked by this world for no reason.

Who is a better rapper Pip Skid or Charlie Brown from Leaders of the New School?

Well shit man…Charlie Brown can rap but I haven’t heard nothing from him in a long minute. So I can’t call it.

How awesome would a group consisting of Pip Skid and MC Ren be?

I think it’d be hilarious but I’m sure MC Ren could give 2 shits about me. We could make some crazy ass songs though.

What is you favourite hip hop cassette?

I don’t have a favourite anything but I’m always grabbing Ghostface - Ironman, EMPD - Strictly Business, Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt and so on.

I personally loved Friends Forever!! It is pure genius!! What would you say about that statement and can we be friends forever?

I’d say you’re fuckin’crazy. And yeah as long as you don’t try and fuck my girl or something then we can kick until the end of time.

Will Bruce Willis strike again?

Always will. You gotta watch that cocksucker.

What is the underlining message behind Funny Farm?

The search for the truth I guess.

What does Pip Skid stand for and what do you stand against?

I stand for truth, good hip hop, freedom, and Killerpeg Murdertoba! Among a host of other things. I stand against lies, wack hip hop, oppression, and Tampa Bay winning the Stanley Cup. Along with a gang of other things.

If John Smith is a man of the people what is Pip Skid?

I’m the Beer Monster just laying in the cut. In behind the scenes.

If Funny Farm were your last album would you be content?

Nope. And good thing it ain’t the last as John Smith and I just finished recording a new LP with Skratch Bastid, JoRun, and Gordski(of THE GOODS).And its dope as fuck! I will never stop, even I ain’t rapping at some point I’ll be singing, DJ’ing drawing or something. NEVER STOP!

What is next for Pip Skid and when can people expect to see you again live?

Well the LP with Bastid and Smitty. mcenroe and I will be touring in Europe in the fall. Bastid and I should be touring in late summer. Hunnicutt and I will here and there. I’m tryin to be all over the place.

How was your tour through the West Coast of the United States? Are there any other North of the border tours planned?

That tour was incredible. It was so fun to be down in southern Cali. I met so many great people and had such a great time. I can’t wait to get back there. Like I said I hope to be on tour most of the time soon.

Who in your opinion is holdin’ it down in Canada?

In Canada outside of P+C I’m feeling Skratch Bastid, The Goods (whose new LP is outta control), Tachichi, Birdapres, Kalib Simmonds, Shazzam Micill Write (Frek Sho), CEE!, epic, and some others.

If I ever part with my hip hop tape collection you can have them!! What do you think about that?

I like the sound of that. The other day at work this dude was tripping cause he said he hadn’t seen a walkman in years. I really like the sound of that. I want those DJ Screw tapes.

How come the vinyl never drops the same time as the CD? Should the LP not drop before the CD? That shit pisses me off!!!

Well it looks like FUNNY FARM may not have a vinyl companion cause of money. The 2xlp’s cost so much and so we decided to put the money into marketing this time around and hopefully it will pay off. It sucks but you gotta make these sacrifices when you’re putting out a shit load of albums and only got so much $$.

What are you going to write on the LP when I get you to sign it?

Shit I’ll have to write on a BG the Price of Rap 12” or some shit and pretend its FUNNY FARM.

Any last words, insights, stories or shout outs?

I just wanna thank all the people that continue to support us through all these years. We love you all. And big up to ugsmag and Chaps!

peep us at peanutsandcorn.com and pipskid@peanutsandcorn.com

Introduce yourself, your crew , affiliations etc…

What up, my name’s Royal-T, Royal-T(reatment) for copyright purposes, some dude from San Diego already has the name and has put out a few albums haha. My crew is Muthatrukaz out of Thunder Bay, Ontario featuring Maddpsyense, Arc, Webster Death, MC One Eyed, Rogue, L Viscious, and several affiliates. Also I have a couple groups… Yes Men which is myself and Nevamind the Damage Dun who handled a lot of the production on my debut solo, and DJ Ghost on the cuts, Ghost is too nice. There’s a Yes Men album dropping in May, it’s all done and I like it a lot better than my album haha. The other group is Jacks Of All Trades which is myself, Intelev, Arc and DJ Dystrakted. We’re putting out a vinyl EP in the summer, we’ve got a buncha tracks done and we’ve been performing them lots, this EP will be most definitely the best material too date that I’ve been involved with. It’s on some crazy rapping back and forth between 3 people tip. Exchanging line for line and even word for word at times. Really fun to do.

When most people read this, they are going to ask “Who is Royal-T?”, so who is he?

I’m just a rapper who lives in Thunder Bay who’s trying to get my shit out there. I eat breath and sleep hip hop and have for quite some time.

What does the title, “Weirdo Music for Elitist Aliens” mean?

Hahaha the thing is that it actually means nothing at all in terms of deeper meaning etc… It’s just a mock on all the avante garde type stuff that’s been coming out as of late. I’m not hating on it or anything I even like some but some is way too out there and my album’s name is just an exaggeration of that. Also I was having trouble naming my album so I thought why not just throw it off and call it something that has absolutely nothing to with the album itself haha.

How would you describe your album to a kid on the street you wanted to sell your CD to?

I would probably describe it by first asking if they dig fast rap, if not they most likely would not even like my album because a lot of it’s on the fast rapping tip. And if they said they enjoy fast rapping then I’d say it’s 17 tracks of diverse content ranging from politics to battle rap to the way I see the world around me. I’d also have to mention that it’s chalked full of nice beats from producers all over the place and if they were into the technical side of rapping they’d almost surely enjoy it.

The first track “Frozen on a Bay of Thunder” is pure heat and my favourite song. What is your favourite song on the album and why?

That seems to be everyone’s choice for favorite track haha. It’s hard for me to choose a favorite because I worked hard on all of them, but if I had to pick a favorite it would probably be “Chaos” and not because I made the beat either haha I just spent more time on that track then any track, it was sort of a challenge to me because I wanted to rhyme full lines matching up syllable per syllable which is hard to do without talking gibberish so in order to not be just rhyming lots for the sake of rhyming and making no sense I spent an extra long time on it making sure I was sticking to the subject matter and I was happy with the result. But also I really like “Some Now Shit” featuring my man Maddpsyense because his verse is dope as hell and his adlibbing between my verse and his is too funny, that guy is a true comedian.

You had a lot of help with this album from mc’s, dj’s and producers. Who are they, where are they from and how did you hook up with them?

Whoa this one’s gonna be a long response. I guess it would be easiest to do this in list form. Note: there are only guest mc’s on 3 of 17 tracks hahaha the majority are producers and a few DJ’s.

Nevamind The Damage Dun - A really good friend that I chill with all the time and make music with. He’s made more beats than anyone I’ve ever met so it was only right that he handled a lot of the production on my album. He’s also a very dope rapper and my fellow Yes Men partner. He lives in Thunder Bay. He handles all the production and half the rapping on the Yes Men album with myself which is dropping May.

Maddpsyense- Another good friend from Thunder Bay. He’s been putting it down in this city for a while. Before I even moved here. He was the first mc I met here when I came and he’s been a good friend since. We do an insane amount of shows together. Syense is dropping his second solo this year. He’s a sick mc.

Fatchicano - Cool cat from Halifax currently living in Vancouver. Makes some amazing beats. His drums are some of my favorite out there, he has a distinct production style that I love, I’ll be working with him lots in the future for sure. He’s also skilled with the mic. He and D Vice have an album coning out soon.

Intelev - My actual brother. He’s dope and he’s young and will be putting it down for years to come. He’s got an EP coming out soon with production from Nevamind The Damage Dun. And he’s on the Jacks Of All Trades 12” coming out this summer.

Arit Harvanko - Truth is I don’t even really know this guy well but he makes great beats, he provided arguably the best beat on my album in Baron Wasteland…. and he’s hooking me up with more beats soon for my next solo effort. He heard some of music on the net and got at me with a very nice beat to so what I could do with it. He’s out of Minneapolis.

Syntactic - Very knowledgeable B-boy/head from Vancouver. He’s been into hip hop for a looooong time and puts it down in several diff elements. Knows his stuff. We’ll be working on tracks in the future.

D-Rec - Syntactic’s roommate. Has done production for numerous Van city rappers. He makes heaters. I’ve got a few D-rec produced tracks waiting to be recorded right now that are hot.

DJ Arc - My radio show partner and one of my best friends. Super good guy and fellow 40 drinker haha. It’s a shame I didn’t have him rapping on my album because he’s one of the sickest rappers I know, me and him have battled so many times it’s getting ridiculous. He’s from London, Ontario but resides in Thunder Bay now. He’s on Jacks Of All Trades Vinyl also he’s dropping and EP this year where he handles all the cuts and the raps. If I didn’t know this guy and peeped him at a show I’d be an instant fan.

DJ Dystrakted - Another good friend that lives here in T Bay. He’s been doing his thing for a while here, he had a cut album last year and he’s gonna be on Jacks Of All Trades doing cuts. He’s been dj’ing for years and keeps getting better and better. He’s a battle DJ also, DMC’s and the like.

AFP - Chill guy from Florida. Unique production style that I totally dig, it’s fresh. I’m sitting on a bunch of tracks over his beats that still need to be recorded that are heat. Recently did an album with Mikal Khill out of North Carolina. We have plans to do a full album one day.

Prizm - Newcomer to the Vancouver scene, dropped a solo album a few months back, really ambitious guy, putting out another solo soon. Produces for a load of diff people. This cat really puts in work and I can see him rocking videos on much in a few years haha.

Dr. Destructo - He owns the studio I recorded the majority of the album at and he owns a punk/metal label here in the city. He plays like 10 diff instruments, really talented guy. The beat he made on the album was made on the spot with him playing all the instruments because I went to the studio one day to record a track with Webster Death and Webster couldn’t make it and I didn’t bring any other beats so he made one on the spot and it was hot so I threw older lyrics over it and wrote a chorus on the spot and it hella exceeded my expectations and eventually made it onto the album as the closing track.

What the story behind the track called “Fatchicano”?

Well I’m a total pedestrian, I walk everywhere no matter how cold it is outside or how long of a walk it is and this track is just a summary of the typical thoughts that roll through my head on my walks. I do a lot of thinking and freestyling when I walk. On this particular day I was sorta of angry at everything because I was in the middle of a streak of bad luck so I just sorta put that to paper when I got home. I was in a very “disgusted at society’s guidelines you’re supposed to follow to achieve the general population’s definition of success” type of mood hahaha.

What was the largest obstacle you had to overcome in order to put out your freshman debut?

Money. Plain and simple. I’m a broke ass who works a minimum way wage bullshit job in order to make my music. If I had funds to put out my shit I would be pumping out albums like crazy because I never stop making music, everyday I make music and it’s what I love to do and all I wanna do.

What would you change about that process if you could do it again?

What I’m changing is my means of recording. It’s such a hassle to get to where I have to go to record and to set up time etc…. I’m in the process of building up my own studio for me and my boys to record at. I literally have over a hundred tracks that need to be recorded haha.

What is something you learned putting out this album that you wish someone would have told you before you put it out?

That you should never announce a solid release date. I must have pushed my release date back about 5 times haha. This album was in the making for a long time.

How has Thunder Bay influenced you?

This place is a great influence on me. It really builds character living here, especially when you don’t have a car. The weather gets unbearable at times and the city is just naturally grimy looking, it’s got a really inspiring atmosphere for rhyming I think. It’s a rugged city. I hated it at first but it’s grown on me and all the things I used to hate I like now and find inspiration from. Even the cold, I like the fact that I have to wake up every morning and walk a half hour to work in weather that most wouldn’t even consider walking, it puts me in this mind frame in which I’m positive I can tough anything out if needed. I just wake up bundle up, walk out the door and freestyle till I get to my destination, its dope. I’m glad I’ve had the experience of living here I’d hate to grow up with an easy ride through things.

Has it been a curse or a blessing making music in Thunder Bay?

It’s been a blessing without a doubt. Ever since I moved here and connected with my crew I’ve done and insane amount of shows. If not every week, we rock shows every other week. We’ve opened for a lot of dope acts including some hip hop legends, and I’ve met a lot of excellent people and good friends through making music here. I’m due for a move, but I’ll never forget this place and my people here. Even when I move from here I’ll be sure to come back often for shows and to chill with my people.

What is a typical day like for Royal-T?

Wake up, put on my clothes, walk to work, endure 7 hours of shitty work, walk home, go on the net for a bit before supper, get supper, walk to the liquor store to grab some forties (old english hahaha), go to arc’s or nevaminds and drink forties, get baked and make music till it’s time to walk home, then walk home, eat, go to bed and not sleep long enough at all and repeat cycle. Oh and often it’ll change if we have a show. And if it’s the weekend I’ll do the same thing minus work, so I’ll sleep longer and work longer on music. And I do my radio show Saturdays.

How did you get the name Royal-T and what does it mean?

I got it from thinking I was clever when I was like 13 and living in St. John’s, NF. My real name is Travis so it was Royal-Travis hahaha. I used to freestyle lots with my friends and we’d write really frontin’ ass tracks and I called myself Royal-T for those and just kept it and when I moved to BC when I was 16 I found out there were others that went by that which was definitely disappointing for me at the time so I tried a few other names but decided to keep it Royal-T after all. And recently a homie from here called me Royal-Treatment and I laughed and decided to put that on releases for copyright purposes.

What is you favourite hip hop experience?

It’s pretty hard to choose. Off the top of my head I’d say opening for Naughty By Nature last June because of the size of the show and how responsive the crowd was. But a show we did in October was up there as well cause it was us headlining and we drew 600+ people and the crowd was hella rowdy and wilin the fuck out.

Do you think Epic served you last summer at Peg City Holla with his line “your fast raps are half ass” or did he just win because he had more homies around or do you think you served him?

HAHAHAHA nice. That was a good line for sure. As for serving me nah… I didn’t even take it as an actual battle we were just having fun at a show outside the club. I treated it as more of a cipher than anything. Definitely didn’t serve him. I had fun freestyling with epic. Funny that you brought that up hahaha good times that was at pegcity holla.

Do you battle a lot and what do you think of battling?

I battle a lot yes. I think battling is dope. One of my favorite things to do and witness. I’ve won several battles, but haven’t gotten around much to them. Won a lot of battles locally, it seems me and my boy Arc end up meeting in the finals of just about all of them haha it almost seems rigged, he brings it too, we’re 4-4 in organized battles and probably 344-344 in non organized battles haha. But yeah man I love to battle, I’ll battle anyone, anytime. I want to make it out to some bigger battles soon. I’m definitely gonna hit up scribble jam but most likely not until 2005 because I have a lot of stuff going on this summer that I need to spend my savings on. On the battle topic though, there’s nothing like a parking lot/street corner battle, when it comes to organized battles those shit’s need to be judged! Crowd reaction is fine if it’s an unbiased crowd, but that’s never the case… someone will always have more boys in the crowd, if some out of towner comes and beats your city’s favorite rapper the crowd is still gonna be a home town crowd, whoever has the most friends in the audience win those kinda battles which is weak. Battles need to be judges by true heads you can trust, ideally actual MC’s who know what’s really going on and can follow it better.

Who would win a battle, Royal-T or Phife Dog from A Tribe Called Quest?

Oh man! I’m not gonna touch this one. I love Phife yet I’m not gonna sell myself short. That’s almost asking for blasphemous response hahaha. Long live tribe.

What can people expect when they see Royal-T live?

Energy. I try to pour my heart out on stage every performance and I move around a whole lot haha. I like to work all angles of the stage and put my all into my rhymes and get the crowd into it. I try to perform the way I like to see people perform, which is high energy.

What do you have planned for future releases and when can we expect to hear them?

I like this question.

1. Yes Men- myself and Nevamind the Damages with DJ Ghost on the cuts. By May 1st maybe even sooner. 9 tracks produced by nevamind and rhymed over by myself and nevamind, also 6 bonus cuts of random collabos I’ve done with people. This is gonna be a cheap album 5 bucks…on cd-r it’ll be all done up and printed and such but it’s a cd-r release, we’re only pressing 200 copies. It’s gonna be a solid album, better than my solo in my opinion, nevamind’s best beats and he kills it on the mic, he’s got a Pharaoh Monch type delivery which is off the hook.
2. Jacks Of All Trades- myself, Intelev, Arc, and DJ Dystrakted. Coming out sometime in the summer, no set release date or anything but it’s looking like early summer so far. It’s gonna be a Vinyl EP with a bonus cd-r LP. Myself, Arc, and Intelev doing back and forth type rap over sick beats exchanging line for line and even word for word at times, it gets crazy. The story telling tracks are where it’s at on this one.
3. My next solo LP- Aiming for late this year/early next year. I’ve got a bunch of songs waiting, I’m gonna record about 50 tracks and narrow it down to the best 15. As for production look for re appearances from some producers from my last album and a maybe some fresh ones, who knows, I’m not gonna stick with one producer because I get way too many good producers getting at me with sick beats all the time and I wanna do them all justice.

Who would you like to work with in the future?

Man there’s so many people I’d like to work with its crazy. Most of them are really really unrealistic though hahahaha cats like Souls Of Mischief, MF Doom, Nas, Ghostface, Sage Francis, haha way too many. In terms of Canadian rappers there’s a whole bunch too some again quite unrealistic but yeah. See question below, all of the rappers names there are dope to me and people I’d like to work with.

Who do you think is really bringing it in Canada?

I consider myself somewhat of a Canadian hip hop connoisseur. Here’s a list haha.

Bookworm, John Smith, Kaboom, Noah 23, Emotionz, Sixtoo, Epic, Jesse Dangerously, Theology 3, Fatchicano, Rels 1, Pip Skid, Birdapres, The Verbals, Baracuda 72, Kunga 219, Gruf, Jay Bizzy, Selfhelp, J-Starrrrrr, D-Sissive, ILL Seer, Mindbender, Shylow, Vangel, Nish Rawks, Prevail, Shazaam, Gumshoe Strut, Thes Wrex, Yy, Shrimp(agape) and Boya D from Isosceles, Josh Martinez, Ismailia, SnidleyWhiplash, The Verbals, Wordburglar, Black cat and Cory Deez from IRS.

There’s actually a bunch more I’m feeling too. That’s long enough for now though. I love Canadian rap.

What are your favourite hip hop song, album and artist?

Song- way to hard to choose….I have like a hundred favs here’s one off the top: “Oakland Blackouts”- Opio and Del.
Album- Nas- “Illmatic”
Artist- man I hate choosing hahahaha. I’ll just choose a group instead: Souls of Mischief

What inspired you to start rapping?

One year, 3 albums: Wu-tang- 36 chambers, Nas- Illmatic, Cypress Hill- Black Sunday

What continues to inspire you?

Everything inspires me. From dope hip hop to the amount of snow on the ground, to buddah, to the way someone looked at me etc….Everything I see everything I do, one thing I will never run out of is inspiration, I’m more worried about not getting to write about everything I want to before I die than I am of not having something to write about. I’m always inspired by something, I always have something to say, to get off my mind.

What do you do when you don’t rap?

I don’t mean to sound like the stereotypical rapper but drinking and smoking weed is up there on my hobby list. I don’t like to not be productive though so if I have free time, even whilst getting drunk and baked it’s usually spent on hip hop related ish whether writing, freestyling with boys, business related ish, or just checking out new hip hop for my radio show.

Give the readers the 411 on your radio show!

My radio show rules. It’s so fun to do because I’m a head first and foremost which leads to a sick music collection so it’s always good stuff. I’ve had nothing but positive feedback on the track listings show after show for the past 2 years. It’s myself and Dj Arc, from 8-11 Ontario time every second Saturday night (recently changed to bi weekly due to our hectic schedules at times) on luradio (local university radio, www.luradio.ca). We’ve been the top rated show on the station for 2 years running and its good times. We play the dopest of hip hop take phone calls do interviews and do lots of ciphering, and there’s always an open battle invitation for anyone who ants to call in and have a friendly battle against either myself or arc.

What is the largest obstacle facing independent Canadian rappers?

Man I don’t even know. I guess exposure but truth is if you ain’t in it for the love you’re in it for all the wrong reasons. And myself and most other indy Canadian artists that I’ve met are in it for the love so really I see no obstacles, it would be nice to make a living off the music and there are definitely obstacles in the way of that but if I can’t make a living off the music I’ll still be doing what I’m doing now, as would many others. We do it for the love not the money and that’s why the scene is so special up here, the real underground scene of the north is one of the freshest scenes around there’s little to no materialistic bullshit involved.

Why should people check for Royal-T?

Because I’m bringing something fresh to the table while at the same time making HIP HOP rather than avante garde or hippy rap or whatever tip most underground white dudes are on these days. I stick to strictly hip hop while at the same time doing something unique in the way of technical rapping with a wide range of topics and styles.

On the cover of your cd you are holding a 40oz of Malt liquor. How has booze helped or hindered your mc’ing?

I’m actually straight edge, that pic was a marketing scheme to get drinkers to think I’m cool and buy my album. Truthfully though I couldn’t say if it hinders or helps…. I drink a whole lot, way more than I should, 5 times week usually, sometimes more haha. The thing is though I don’t go out to clubs and drink and dance around and accomplish nothing. I usually grab a couple Old English and head to a friends pad to drink, get baked and make music all night. Basically I go about my everyday activities whilst under the influence come 9:30-10pm hahaha so I wouldn’t say it hinders anything because I’m at my most productive as far as writing and such while I’m drinking but as far as helping it I can’t see how it’s a help either. I’m just glad a 40 of OE costs under 4 bucks and that I’ve developed a tolerance for the taste, I even like the taste after all these years.

What does that picture say about you?

It says I’m a fool who drinks too much and gets photos taken at my graffing stomping grounds.

Next time I see you we have to get torn up!!! What do you think about that?

If torn up means what I think it means DEFINETLY. Is that Saskatoon slang?

When can people expect to see Royal-T in their community?

Well that depends on where they live… a lot of places: NEVER. Canadian cities: I’m doing a tour this year haven’t decided on for sure dates yet but I plan on heading west to Vancouver Island to kick it off and moving back east to thunder bay with as many stops in between as possible. I have 6 for sure stops and I’m working on networking with folks to get some more on lock before I start organizing the whole thing. You can look for that anytime between late summer and November…. I’ll be touring with Jacks Of All Trades and maybe one or 2 other people who I won’t disclose until shit’s set up for sure just so I don’t make an ass of myself if they don’t end up doing it.

What is the craziest thing you have experienced as a result of you participation in Canadian hip hop culture?

Once someone from Winnipeg messaged me on msn because he got my contact off some hip hop message board and he sent me one of my old tracks that I thought no one had haha one that I was sorta happy I thought no one heard because it totally wasn’t up to par. It was odd, he didn’t know I was the same person in the track he sent me he just happened to send it and say “check this guy out, what you think of him” when I told him it was me he didn’t believe me until I sent him like 10 tracks of mine haha.

Any last words, shout outs or stories you want to share?

Definitely don’t wanna give shout outs because I always forget people and not just people who I sorta wanna shout out like my best friends and important people to me hahaha my memory only works for the strangest things that don’t need to be remembered so shout outs to all my people and all my extended people etc. Holy shit I ramble too much even when I don’t have time too. Stories huh? Last year right around the time our crew was getting known around town myself and Arc went out tagging after a show where the soundman fucked us over badly so we were hella angry and very drunk and rowdy ready to do as many throw ups as we could on buildings in plain view and main streets etc….just stupid shit. Anyways all we had for paint was 2 cans and one was an ugly orange color but being the stupid drunk I was decided that was OK and to go ahead with plans. So we went out and tagged up whole blocks in plain view and luckily didn’t get caught but the throwups were butt ugly due to the nasty color of paint and our intense level of intoxication hahaha. They were everywhere on a main strip in ugly orange and read Royal-T which was super stunned of me to write and very heatscore hahaha. The next day arc said he walked by our ugly tags and there were cops peeping them and taking notes hahahaha. We never did catch any heat for it which was dope but to this day some of those ugly works of drunken anger still haven’t been covered up. Hahaha there’s a story. I always see interviews with a similar closing question and hardly anyone ever opts for the story part so there it is. Peace. Thanks for the opportunity to speak my piece.

Introduce yourself your crew afiliations etc.

the gumshoe Strut (emcee/producer/label runner for Your Brothers Records). I started out with a crew called Your Brother In My BackPack, it was me, Yy, Satchel Paige, John Smith and Dj General Gyst.

Your Brother has since taken a hiatus to support our individual eneavors, but we’ll be back. Believe that!

What have you done in the past? (Discography)

2000 - Pip Skid - Friends 4 ever (1 track emcee)
2000 - Epic - 8:30 in Newfoundland (2 tracks emcee, 1 track producer)
2000 - John Smith - Blunderbus…or, in transit (1 tack emcee/producer)
2000 - milch & allegra e.p. - the gumshoe Stut, Yy and General Gyst.
2001 - Peanuts & Corn - Factory Seconds (3 tracks emcee/producer)
2002 - the gumshoe Strut - Clock/Works (All tracks emceee/producer)
2003 - Frek Sho - Papercuts ep (1 track producer)
2003 - Hip Hop Wieners - All beef, No chicken (1 track emcee)
2003 - Satchel Paige - Guy, I,m from here! (9 tracks producer)
2003 - Yy - Hold the Fort Down (1 track emcee, 4 tracks producer)
2003 - the gumshoe Strut - Lets get dangerous (All tracks emcee/producer)

How do you think you have progressed production and mc wise from Clock/Works to Let’s Get Dangerous?

I think I have progressed naturally. On “Clock/Works”, my rhymes were pretty vague, so I made a concious effort on “Lets get dangerous” to be more clear and descriptive. As far as production, well….the album “Lets get dangerous” wasn’t as complete as “Clock/Works”, but the quality of the individual beats were indeed a step forward for me.

Do you like mcing or producing better?

I’ll call it in the air!

Which did you start with and why?

I started with emceeing, because it was accesible. In 95, Odario (Mood Ruff), Roddy Rod and Dj Hunnicut (Farm Fresh) all use to work at Sam the Record Man in the Park to the Polo. Me and my friends would go there, because they always had the dope hip hop tapes/cd’s. After a while I started giving demo tapes of my shitty ass raps to Odario and Hunnicut, just to see what they thought. Hunnicut was the first person to break down some science for me. He was the one that explained bars and lines to me.

How would you describe your style as an mc and as a producer?

Directly indirect. I’m all in your grill, when your not looking!

Honestly, I am an artist who will never claim to be without fault. I am confident in my abilities, but I know where I’m at and where I can get to. This is a part of my personality that has played a signifigant role in shaping me as a artist, period.

How has Winnipeg shaped or influenced your sound?

In every way I can allow. We (Winnipeg), are spoiled rotten. Since 1994, there has been a steady output of quality product. There were things happening before, but in 1994, Mood Ruff, Frek Sho, Farm Fresh were all putting out these tapes. These tapes are considered classic to me. I want to be able to help carry the torch in any way i can.

Who has been you greatest influence?

Personally, my Mom. Musically, everyone that makes quality music by my standards.

How long have you been rapping and producing?

Rapping 8 years, producing 6.

What inspires you to write or produce?

I get inspired after: watching a dope movie, listening to a dope album, spending time with someone important in my life, playing a good game of ball, going to a good rap show, going to a good Hunnicutt/Co-op dance party and countless other things.

If you could do things over would you change anything?

Not really.

How did you get the name the gumshoe Srut and what does it mean?

I have always enjoyed the art of name making upping. If you break it down, the gum-shoe strut is a action.

gum + shoe + strut = walking funny

Who have you worked with in the past and who would you like to work with in the future?

I have actually worked with most of the people I have wanted to work with. Pipi Skid and Gruf the Druid were both on top of my list, and I have worked with both individually. What i am really excited for is the Turn the Gun/Fermented collabo on the up-coming Turn the Gun album. Fermented 4 life! That’s one of my favorite rap groups.

What is one of your earliest hip hop memories growing up?

Getting my first rap records. I was at some rock festival when I was about 11 or 12 and this dude was giving people free shit out of the back of his van. I went over and he said take what you want, so I grabbed a Ice T 12”, a King T 12”, and a West Coast rap All Stars “We’re all in the same gang” 12”.

What would you change about the Western Canadian, Canadian and Winnipeg hip hop scenes if you could?

Try and squish the city’s closer together so a drive form Winnipeg to Calgary doesn’t take 14 hours. It would be dope to tour and only have to drive in a small shitty car for 5 hours at a time, tops.

Has being in Winnipeg helped or hindered you as an artist?

I wouldn’t know otherwise. Most of the people making moves in Winnipeg have had to do it on their own, and build from the ground up. So, I guess you can say being in a smaller hip hop community presents less bigger opportunities.

How would you describe the Winnipeg scene to the rest of Canada?

Hot and cold. It’s weird, Winnipeg is very picky about what they support. You could have Aceyalone hit Winnipeg and draw 75-100 people and the next week have Anti-Pop Consortium play and draw 400-500.

What inspired the video “Stairaway” on your newest cd? What is the meaning of it? Am I trying to read more into it or is it really just Gumeshoe rappin without a shirt driving the ladies crazy?

The only real inspiration for doing that video was having fun. Mainly, I just wanted to try my hand at editing. My girlfriend did all the camera work, and the part with my shirt off makes her sick. I guess you could say it drives her crazy, but it ain’t doing me any favours.

It was shot and edited in about 5 hours total.

If you could move somewhere were would it be and why?

Saskatoon, because thems my people’s. Since this is a hip hop interview, and I have had all my best hip hop experiences in Saskatoon (aside from Winnipeg). That would make the Stoon the next best place to make music and have fun.

What’s next for the gumshoe?

Me and Yy are gonna Turn the Gun. Since Your Brother has been inactive as a crew for a little while, Yy and myself decided it was time to go full circle and follow up the milch & allegra ep.

What are you listening to these days?

In no particular order: Breeze Evaflowin, Cee lo Green, dead prez, Kanye West, Mikah Nine, Pipi Skid, John Smith and anything else dope I can get my hands on.

Who is your favourite hip hop artist and what is your favourite hip hop album?

I can’t answer that question. it’s too hard.

What is Turn The Gun all about?

Turn The Gun is the gumshoe Strut, Yy and Kutdown. We have a 12” split with Grubbs coming in mid summer and a full length CD to follow in late summer.

What do you enjoy most about hip hop?

I enjoy everything. I guess, on a personal level, I enjoy having the opportunity to be involved in hip hop. But, in terms of the music itself, I enjoy the feeling you get when you discover your new favourite album. I still got that initial hunger.

What do you hate the most about hip hop?

Ego’s! Everybody says that being a rapper is all about ego and confidence, and in order to be a rapper you’ve got to rep yourself to the fullest at all times. I call bullshit!

Why do you hate bosses so much and have you ever been a boss yourself?

I hate people telling me what to do, and they tend to do it the best. I have never been a boss, but I am starting a new job where I will be right away. Although, I work in community development, so its not about turning a profit.

Why did the police steal your bmx?

Because they were mad at me for not agreeing with them. Actually, they charged me with Assualt with a weapon on a police officer, and my bike’s handle bar was the weapon. They said it was evidence.

What is your favourite thing about playing shows in other cities?

When you play a jam in anoher city, you know damn well that those people have no obligation to you or your hip hop scene. They are their because they want to support you or somebody else on the bill and they are willing to pay money and attention.

After playing shows in Winnipeg at least once a month for the past four years, people get pretty used to you and so easier to pass on a jam like that.

What is a typical day in the life of the GS like?

I either/or work, make beats, write raps, hang out with my favorite gal, ride my bike, listen to music, play basketball, watch basketball (season permitting), read something, watch wrestling, smoke weed, drink beer, get crunk! Sometimes all of the above.

What is the best book you have read and how has it influenced/inspired you?

Its hard to nail down one book, I am a sucker for stories dealing with racial tension. The most recent book I read that had me actually on the edge of my seat was “Black Boy” by Richard Wright. I read that about 2 years ago and I haven’t read anything that has touched that book since.

Do you have any regrets about anything?

Tons, but fuck em. Musically, my biggest regret has been not getting in battles and open mics when I was younger. I feel like I missed out on an important time, time that I could have used to help me develop as an emcee.

If I was a hip hop genie and could grant you three hip hop wishes what would you wish for?

1. I would wish that all my freinds that have been working at this for so long, started making some real money for that hard work.
2. I had enough $$$ too build a fucking mega studio.
3. Peace on Earth! Isn’t that always the third wish?

Do you have an interesting hip hop related story you would like to share or anything else you want to say?

As I look into my crystal ball, I would like to warn everybody that Turn the Gun is cocked and loaded and gonna blow you away.

peace

Introduce yourself, crew, affiliations etc.

Epic, Beatcomber DJ Crew, Clothes Horse Records, also affiliated with Up In Arms studios, Edmonton, AB.

You just released your sophomore album called “Local Only”. What does the title mean?

I’m content in rapping in the 6 prairie cities forever. I’ve already achieved my goals in rapping. I set new ones, but they all relate to getting bigger in these 6 cities. I love these people. Though I try and make it out to BC and London Ontario every second year.

What has changed or stayed the same from the last album?

This album I planned out more than the last one. The last one I made up as I went along, not knowing what to expect. soso pieced it together so it made sense. I had more input in this one as to how it would sound. I rejected some pretty dope Maki and soso beats. This album has really amazing beats. 8:30 was written in a time of turmoil. This album was written from a settled down into my destiny perspective. But i’m the same rapper who earns his respect cipher by cipher.

Who chased you out of Saskatoon to a land of greater opportunity?

Up until my 30th birthday I tried to be a successful person. I was 29 working midnight shifts in a kitchen, university educated. This is what chased me from town. I love Saskatoon, but It has so many dirty secrets. Winnipeg was the murder capital last year; though Saskatoon was in 2002, 2001, 1999 and 1998.

Why are you and others always running back to Saskatoon?

I go back for friends, family, rap shows, and to visit my little brother. Same reasons Joni Mitchell goes back.

You have a song on your CD that talks about old guys rockin’ the mic but on another song you are quite animate about only liking rap. Could you explain?

It sucks when successful rappers turn there back on the Canadian Indy scene. The Canadian indy rap scene supports people when everyone else could really give a fuck. I love rap and that’s 95% of what I listen too.

What is it like being a “middle aged white guy” in Canadian hip hop?

Its cool, people look to me for perspective. I had a talk with DJ Dice of DGC. He was down in Edmonton here before I was. He talked to me about the old Edmonton scene, E-Dot and everyone, It was great. I hope a lot of knowledge doesn’t get lost.

People are always asking about the mystery of Epic’s grey hair. Is it from stress, drugs or genetics?

A little bit of all 3 I guess. “Hey Richard, 2 minutes for looking so good”

How has Canadian hip hop changed since you first started making music? Is it better or worse now?

Better, we sure did a lot here. built healthy scenes in many cities, developed a network. Though, we don’t support our DJ’s like we use to. Support them mix tapes. What is really important is distro. mcenroe hooked alot of people up. We need to keep control of our distro. Once we lose that, then shit gets unpredictable. Buy from Canadian distro. Bug your indie rock stores to carry that.

Who are the best and worst Canadian MC’s in Canada?

Best Canadian rapper - Kunga 219 on Tharpa’s Transcripts, Pip Skid on Fermented Reptile. Worst - I use to be able to criticize and diss rappers back in the day without repercussions. Now every time I diss someone, it gets back to them. Kyprios I guess, just based on his one radio song and his gay slam poetry.

Who is your favourite mc?

Best rapper - Volume 10

Why do you feel the need to be the king of the streets and rip people’s posters?

Any so called gangsters who wanna diss. Put up your rap show posters, I guarantee they will be gone by the morning.

Why do you hate tow truck drivers?

They towed my vehicle

Did someone really steal your autographed picture of Milt Steagal?

Yeah, right out of my vehicle

What does the future hold for Epic “The Grand Wizard of the North’?

I want to do a CD with Ira lee, Maki and Kutdown. We got 3 songs already. Do another album with soso 3 years from now hopefully. Rap with Touch and Ben.e.

You have a few songs on your album that are produced by Maki. How did you guys hook up and are you two working on any future projects?

I think I emailed Maki about getting his mix CD. Next thing I know I’m in Kamloops for a show, chilled there with IP and Nigel. Shrimpy and Boya were there but they were too rock starred out to hang. We ended up clicking, his djing is really something else, he puts out the best mix cds I have ever heard. My next CD will be with all Maki beats. We managed to get together quite a bit. He will roll here or I will roll there.

The track “Strictly for the Masses” has a name taken out at the end. What name is that and why was it taken out on the record?

That’s a secret. Khari called out someone. Maki doesn’t like him though.

Are you and Conspiracy ever going to work together in the future?

Yes, but Khari has his own way of going about stuff. His birthday party was real fun. When I first moved to Edmonton I rented a room in this house with real sketchy parties and people. Conspiracy would go to sleep at like 11 pm in my room while the party was on. I didn’t have to worry about people fucking with my shit. I think khari wants to do stuff with Max Prime.

What are your future hip hop plans?

I plan on spending my 30s rapping. As I get older, I think its about contributing to the community. I never want to move to the suburbs, fuck that. I know where I am from. Effect positive changes somehow; maybe volunteer to help people get off the street or something. I talk a good game but haven’t really done anything big to help people. though I think I let my opinion hang on stuff and direct people where necessary.

The bonus song on your album “Blood Money” featuring soso is my favourite track what is yours and why?

“It ain’t easy.” I love the beat, performing it live. This song was written after coming home from out east and going to scribble jam and all that. This song would fit in nicely with the shit Ira and I are doing. I’m on that local Saskatchewan perspective shit. There are lots of reflection songs out there in rap, but this is just so original in my opinion. If you check what i’m saying and the structure, this song is pretty crazy when you think about it. When they played it on the Sook Yin Lee show on national CBC radio, I was so moved, that is one of my proudest moments. They picked the same song I like. This song is about my experiences in hip hop, but is really universal. This song is about being an underdog and my people being underdogs.

How do you manage to balance hip hop politics and humour in your music?

Same way I do in my life. I believe in all 3, at least I believe in the first two so much than when i put humour in, it lightens the first two up. I don’t consciously try to balance.

What is a typical day like for Epic?

Get up, go to work, work, sometimes run into Conspiracy at the mall downtown and rap, go back to the office, go home, listen to music, watch CBC news at 10 then in bed at 10:30.

How many midnight moves have you pulled?

2, one a year ago. The crasiest in Saskatoon in 93. I didnt pay rent. These 2 goons showed up who couldn’t speak much english. They were like, you have 1 hour to leave. these fuckers meant business. In Saskatoon, 3 companies own all the buildings. Some have specialists that go around evicting people. Packed my stuff pissed in the sink and bounced. On midnight move, my original line was “and I pulled out my dink and pissed in the sink,” instead of burning bridges. I thought that shit was immature and am not proud of it, so I changed my lines.

Anything else you would like to share?

Yeah, if you are thinking of signing me, fuck off. I don’t need your slimy shit.