First video from the self-titled debut LP by Magnum K.I. (Ismaila, Kutdown, Rob Crooks). Album out now on Foultone!

foultone.com

Magnum K.I. – “No Way” video is a post from: UGSMAG.COM.

[MP3: View post to listen]
[MP3: View post to listen]

Frek Sho vets Ismaila and Kutdown have just released their long awaited self-titled debut full length. Now joined by an official third group member, song-writer/producer Rob Crooks, Magnum K.I. are at the top of their game. Led by Ismaila’s infectious rapping and singing, the trio have managed to create an impressive album, deliberately balanced with hard hitting hip hop alongside reggae/80′s pop influenced songs.

Check out the newly re-launched foultone.com for more info!

Magnum K.I. (Ismaila, DJ Kutdown & Rob Crooks) is a post from: UGSMAG.COM.

[MP3: View post to listen]
[MP3: View post to listen]
[MP3: View post to listen]

Frek Sho’s Gumball has resurfaced with a new name and a debut self-produced solo album. If Gumball didn’t first email to say he was sending us a copy of his album and had changed his name to Reefill, there’s a good chance this CD would have ended up in the probably-never-going-to-listen-to-it promo pile based on the horrible cover and song titles alone. Strangely, the press-sheet, liner-notes, etc… make no mention at all of Frek Sho or his former Gumball alias. From writing, recording, producing, and designing the cover art, Reefill did everything on this album. Beat wise, its very simple and actually at times unexpectedly similar to Frek Sho’s old stripped down production. Reefill can rap, but conceptually a lot of the tracks just sound too dated — multiple songs about weed are not what I want to hear in 2009. However, tracks like “Bubble Bursting” and the fun “Big Man Rap” make me happy to have had a the chance to listen to the album. The press-sheet mentions its an “album unsoiled by intervention” but i think Reefill would have been better served to have some rap homies to bounce things off of.

Tracklisting
01. Born to Kill
02. Drop it
03. 4 Tha Blunt-d 1′z
04. Elemental
05. Don’t You Tell Me To Smile
06. Big Man Rap
07. Spicy
08. Roaches
09. Bubble Bursting
10. Beautiful Vice

For more info, audio, and to purchase the CD check out myspace.com/reefill

Reefill fka Gumball (Frek Sho) is a post from: UGSMAG.COM.

Together known as Magnum K.I, Winnipeg vets Ismaila and Kutdown have been working together since the Frek Sho days, writing and recording a seemingly never ending mountain of songs for their forthcoming album. Gun Shy is a great ep released to help raise money for an ailing homie L-Rock, who contributes with a mix of unreleased tracks by the aforementioned rap duo. Check out their myspace to preview a couple tracks from the ep.

Buy it now from Phonographique for only $6.99

Tracklisitng
01. Tired
02. Gun Shy
03. Sleep
04. Speaker
05. Radio Killed
06. Mint Condition
07. Tommorrow my Friend

Bonus Ep Mixed By L-Rock and Dj Kutdown
08. To Whom
09. Massacre
10. Mirror Image
11. Where I come from
12. Day in, Day out
13. Magnum K.I.
14. Curbside Professor
15. Bad Apple
16. Madman

Ismaila & DJ Kutdown – Magnum K.I: Gun Shy is a post from: UGSMAG.COM.

Introduce yourself, crews, affiliations, etc…

Hey hey, Mushinski Family, Frek Sho/Lolo Alumni, and Polar Bear Productions Team.

After the release of the Twisted Spirits/Frek Sho cassette and Patience 12” why did you follow up with the Mocean album and not a Frek Sho crew record?

At that time, Mocean (now Ismaila) was the writing the most songs, had the best stage presence and vocal capability for me to invest money in and put the first CD out in Manitoba history. Its one thing to hang as a crew of like 10 guys… but when it comes to business its tough to make it happen. I was itching to start my small business/label and that was my vision for a first release.

How important were the Patience 12” and the video? Thinking back what could you have done differently to capitalize off of that momentum?

More money and marketing. Marketing a release is more important then anything. We thought we were good, but we just ran out of money to push it hard. It did justice, because I feel it’s a classic Canadian video… people remember that over the 10 videofacts some artists receive. I would have released it with a CD and distro behind it. Being from Winnipeg, there was no infrastructure and no one is listening to your ideas in Toronto, where the industry was; so it is what it was.

There were rumors of you guys signing with a major in those days. Any truth to that and if so what went down?

I personally know that there was one promotions dude that I talked to for months; he was about to be promoted to A&R and wanted us to be his first signee. I won’t name names, but this label would have been perfect cause they were affiliated with all our favorites at the time, Cypress Hill, Funkdoobiest, etc. Eventually, like most major imprints in the U.S., they fizzle away and artists get dropped and new ones of interest are not even an issue.

You were part of one the first few groups to tour Canada on the Rap City tour what was that experience like?

Awesome. We hustled more than anyone, to survive. Sold tons of product and were not even allowed to be mentioned on the bill. Our manager at the time told us we were on the tour… we drove to Ottawa, to find out we are nobodies and we aren’t on the tour… so we basically bum-rushed our way onto the bill. We performed in every city pretty much, without anyone except the fans acknowledging we were part of the tour. It was an eye opener being able to experience hitting all those different cities.

What is the craziest thing you have experienced as a hip hop artist?

Watching my boys being booed for 3 songs.. and the promoter telling me to shut the mini disc off. I didn’t shut it off… the crowd was sticking the finger at us and booeing… and my boys were performing like kings… not caring. Finally after we performed K-Os hit the stage and the same people in the crowd jumped the stage to go after him. Basically the crowd was their to go after him personally cause of some issue, and we received some of the bullshit cause we opened. We found out later, it had nothing to do with us. Other than that, performing in Toronto once and watching the Dream Warriors (my favorite group) come from the back to the front to give us props.

Is it fair to say Frek Sho is the Canadian Wu-Tang Clan? What would you say are the similarities and differences?

Lets be honest… Wu-Tang is the shit. U.S. grimy rappers are not even close to Canadian prairie rappers. But we had a tight lyrical crew that probably had better stage presence and ideas on the stage then they had. Shazzam and Sunil were doing shit with acting before anyone was doing shit like that. It started with Shadows and eventually got props and other members involved. We were original in our own right, but Wu-tang is by far, the best crew ever and I can’t compare us to them… except the size.

Why did Frek Sho not enjoy the success that it should have?

Timing, its all timing.. the Canadian industry is like 10-15 years behind the USA and we just spent our money at the wrong time. We had things in place, but the industry wasn’t set up for us to be successful at the time. Street teams etc. were just starting. Some of us got married and had kids, which can change the whole process also. If you look there is only one crew I feel, Swollen members, who did what we would have liked to do. They ran shit and got shit done for a good amount of years independently. Their whole business concept was genius and I feel they are the only ones that made it work in Canada. Everyone else didn’t really thrive in the Canadian industry.

How did the dynamics of the crew change over the years and what lead to the premature demise of the crew?

Kids had kids. So basically you have to be a man and take care of your responsibilities. Artists grew and started to like different styles of hip-hop, so that many members can’t mesh forever. Everyone had a separate reason why we probably couldn’t do it forever. The whole crew shit is fine when you hustle and your young. Once you start having a family and you need a day job, everything changes… at least it did for me, I won’t speak for everyone.

Will we ever see another Frek Sho record?

Probably never a crew album, solo albums for sure.

You have always been a guy who has worked hard behind the scenes looking after the manufacturing of music, the servicing/promo etc. What is one thing you know now that would have been extremely helpful back then?

Marketing is everything if you want to release your music and sell it. Everyone can rap and produce good beats now because its so cheap to have a studio. If you want to be a player in the industry it’s a whole different ball game. Like I said, there is only one crew I have seen that really ran shit. Mostly everyone else answered to people that don’t care about the music. If you can find a happy medium and money then you can survive.

How frustrating is the Business of music?

Its not frustrating… its only frustrating if you don’t have cash to play with.

Is a Canadian hip hop industry futile?

It’s very broad and diverse, and the people listening are usually making the music, so they won’t go buy someone else’s music 9/10 times unless you’re a tight U.S. rapper. Reality to me is we spend too much time copying the U.S. style and not enough time buying our own music.

If you could change one thing throughout you’re your musical career what would it be?

Find lots of money first, then do it all as a hobby. Like be a lawyer, and then do it on the side for fun.

“I work, go home, eat supper, hang with kids, coach b-ball. Sorry, but that’s friggin boring to rap about and no one will buy that.”

I heard the rough demo version of what was to be your solo record with mcenroe. Why has that record never seen the light of day?

I honestly hate to rap now. I think it’s a young man’s sport, I have an 11-year-old boy that listens to rap. I think you should rap about what you do. I work, go home, eat supper, hang with kids, coach b-ball. Sorry, but that’s friggin boring to rap about and no one will buy that. Rap is crazy and risky and always on the edge for the youth, that’s what people want to hear. I would rather just listen and be involved behind the scenes.

What was the key to Frek Sho’s live performance and why has it now become something of folklore?

Original, wild and unique. The people involved were some of the most unique, popular, groundbreaking artists ever to be raised in Manitoba, and it was reflected on stage. We really practiced and tried to do mind blowing things on stage… it was a mission.

How would you describe the footprint Frek Sho left on Canadian Hip Hop? In essence what is the legacy?

Premier stage show and the original Prairie sound.

You are a great story teller and have experienced a lot of highs and lows and opened the doors for the scene’s we have today. Any plans to write a book?

Sure, if someone paid me… hahhah

Any last words, stories, shoutouts etc?

Please listen to the 80’s and 90’s hip-hop before your mind gets messed up with today’s rap. Its okay to like today’s rap, but you must know the roots first. A wise man told me that those that diss Kanye for wearing faggy clothes or colorful shit, etc… don’t know rap. Rap started out with unique styles and over the top shit… that is rap. Watch Beat Street and how they dressed, and the dude walking around with a brief case… that’s hip-hop. Hip-Hop is not wearing the same clothes as everyone else. Hip-hop is doing shit different whether it be clothes or music or djing, or graffiti. When you see the same shit, that’s the business. When you see difference than that’s the culture. Shout out to everyone who pushes positive shit.

The Gallivanting Spoof is a post from: UGSMAG.COM.

Live Canadian Rap is where we feature classic live performance footage. If you used to bring a video camera to rap shows back in the day and have some old footage you’d like to share, please contact us.

Frek Sho – “Patience” is a post from: UGSMAG.COM.

Sunil from Frek Sho is a post from: UGSMAG.COM.

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.

Micill Shazzam Write is a post from: UGSMAG.COM.

Chaps: Introduce yourself, crew affiliations etc.

Ira Lee: My name is Ira Lee, Frek Sho and dead can’t bounce.

How does a kid from Regina become a member of the legendary Frek Sho crew? What form did this journey take?

Remember Roxy? Master T’s Keyboard on whatever that show he used to host on Much music was (X-tendamix)? I liked that keyboard a lot. It was so shiny and the vocoder effects sounded so feminine.

Would you say growing up in an isolated prairie city helped or hindered you hip hop aspirations?

You can buy Gangstarr Records everywhere.

How would you describe your style?

Somewhere between drowning at a Pentecostal baptism and strawberry marshmallows.

What is the significance behind the name of the new dead can’t bounce album I ain’t afraid of no ghost?

None to succumb to. A lot of things Bill Murray says are genius.

What was the course of action that lead to you and Def 3 creating the group dead can’t bounce?

I get jealous of Danny sometimes because he’s an amazing person. Everyone wants to be like their favorite rappers.

How did you come up with the name dead can’t bounce?

If you we’re to drop a dead animal carcass on the floor in front of you it wouldn’t bounce. Unless their was a trampoline underneath you. You shouldn’t play with decrepid wild animals while recreating. If you say dead cat bounce and replace the word cat with can’t, Girls that go to the bar ‘to dance’ are lying to themselves and you, it’s an ego gratification complex, I get the visual of a thirteen year old girl with huge hoop earrings and peacock blue eye makeup. We’re all disintegrating slowly, everyday. Sorry. Until the world blows up or the sun dies.

What is the next move for Ira Lee and dead can’t bounce?

Forward. Preferably.

If I said the new dead can’t bounce album was wack how would you describe it to change my mind otherwise?

I try really hard. I’m proud of what I will become, unless I die. God forbid and bless. Thank you with a big hug.

Who produced the new album and are there any guest spots?

I produced 5 tracks, Kutdown produced 3, No How Produced 1, Merk Produced 2 and Soso produced 1. Guest spots are Ismailla, Hollow tips, Brad Basik, Saratonin and No How.

How would you describe the hip hop scene in your home town growing up?

Shitty Deals.

What makes Ira Lee, Ira Lee?

Ira Lee.

At what point as a listener did you decide to make the transition to contributer and progressor of the art form known as mc’ing?

When you love something too much, passion fools you into believing you have the same importance to it, that it does you. It’s a privilege to occupy valuable space with my insignificance.

What is your earliest hip hop moment?

Dancing at Camp Tawasi in Hammer pants to DU’s humpty hump while my favourite camp counselor Birdoc laughed his ass off. Driving around Regina in Dj Sets’s parents Tempo pumping Thuggish Ruggish Bone on the way to high school parties.

What is your most memorable hip hop moment?

Almost seeing James Brown Live.

Who do you want to work with in the future as far as producers and mc’s?

Gruf, Dj Moves, Epic, Soso, EL-P, Vex Cobo, Busdriver, Mad Lib, Stewart Copeland, Bjork, Timbaland, Esthero, Maki, Nobs, Sinead O’connor, Alanis Morissette, Ben Harper, Trent Reznor.

What is the biggest obstacle facing independent hip hop groups in Canada?

Dj Fresh

What is your favourite hip hop group? Has it changed over the years or stayed the same?

Ummm.

What other artists are you feeling lately?

Sting and the fucking Police Man. Phil Collins, Annie Lenox, Sinead O’Connor, White Stripes, Duran Duran, Pre haircut Metallica, Kyuss, Jay Z, Yy and Gum, Elton John, L.S.

Has the hip hop market become oversaturated or is there enough room and ample niche markets for everyone?

I make Rap. Mothafuckaz!

How would you describe Def 3′s style?

Lyrically speaking.

Do you have any crazy stories that you would like to share with the fans out there?

I went to a party with my Lebanese Godfather once and this guy was hunched in the corner with both hands covering his stomach screaming, or more like squelching, ‘help me.’ He had been attacked blindly by a second assailant during a drug deal gone bad with a fishing blade and his stomach was split wide open from side to side leaking entrails on the rug. He was screaming so loud I had to cover my ears while I ran.

Ira Lee is a post from: UGSMAG.COM.

The first time I met Kutdown he showed up at my door at about 10:30 pm in the summer of 2000 with Epic and a buddy of his. He needed a place to stay and I let him and his friend crash there. I left for work the next morning at 5:30 am without even considering that I really didn’t know the guy. I returned and everything was good, actually it was probably cleaner then when I left. Kutdown has returned the favour since and is probably one of the nicest, funny guys that you will ever meet. I hope this sheds some light into the man they call Kutdown.

Chaps: Introduce yourself, crew affiliations etc:

I go by Kutdown from Frek Sho/Dead Can’t Bounce.

What were your earliest memories of hip hop and how did a kid from Thunder Bay get to were you are today?

My last memory is I think I was in grade 9 maybe 10, It was early in The morn 7ish, it was crazy cold in the middle of winter. I was at a bus stop on my way to school listening to The Genius – Liquid Swords. I just remember I was totally taken by it. Nothing mattered, the cold, the fact I was tired, nothing, that music had the ability to take me completely away from whatever was around me.

What do your production, recording and skratching credits include?

Production:
“The Library” – Milch and Allagra Ep
“Enida Watts” – Satchel Paige Lp
Shazzam LP – 8 songs (out soon.)
dead can’t bounce – 2 songs
Frek Sho – Papercuts CD/12″
Ismaila Lp – 12 songs so far (out soon)
Frek Sho Presents Stepwriter – The Dollar Bin Vol. 1

Scratching:
“Enida Watts” – Satchel Paige Lp
Shazzam LP – 6 songs (out soon.)
Epic – Heater in My truck – 2 songs
Yy Ep – 1 song
dead can’t bounce – 2 songs
Ismaila LP – 12 songs (out soon)
The Gumshoe Strut new LP – 5 songs (out in the future)
Frek Sho Presents Stepwriter – The Dollar Bin Vol. 1

I think that’s it for now.

What sparked you interest in producing?

I love skratching, that’s my first love. Then it came to the point where I wanted to kut over my own beats.

What do you use to make your Beats?

MPC 2000xl drum machine with 8 outs
EPS-16+ sampling keyboard
Mackie CR1604 16 channel mixing board.
2 vestax PDX2000 turntables
1 Rane TTM-56 mixer
JBL monitor speaker
Computer for final mix, adding kuts and vocals and records

Explain what Stepwriter is? Is it an alter ego or a production name or something entirely different?

Umm stepwriter is just a production name, I use here and there.

How did you come up with the names Kutdown and Stepwriter?

I came up with that name when I was a battle Dj, I just thought it sounded good, and would stick. As for Stepwriter, I think I matured a lot since being a battle dj, and I needed something that more or less described me a bit better. “Stepwriter” is a word play from the word “Stepwriting”. Stepwriting is just a term used in music production. One-day soso and I were relaxing in my apt. Soso yelled out “that’d be a dope name for a producer”. Weeks later I decided to use it for my LP.

How would you explain Frek Sho Presents: StepWriter – The Dollar Bin Vol.1 to someone that was unsure if they should purchase it?

This LP is a project put together of beats for people to use as a tool. Whether it be a dj a Mc, B boy or radio personal. When I was putting the final track list together I was thinking about skratch djs mostly, thinkin what would I like to skratch to. I made sure the project had a variety of different tempos for different people. 6 or so these beats were made more then 3 years ago, the rest pretty are recent. As for guest I did all the production myself. I have Dj Influence on one of the tracks Killing it on the kut. This is definitely just a the 1st of a series, this project was completed over a year ago. I am 70% done Vol.2.

Your Bio says that you are the main man behind the boards of the legendary Frek Sho crew. How did this relationship materialize?

Spoof expressed interested in my sound, given the freksho history and status it made sense for us both to combine our visions, and make some explosive music.

What are you currently working on?

Just finished a Shazzam LP, Dead Cant Bounce LP, Now I’m just finishing up Ismaila’s LP. Then whenever I get a chance I work on my new upcoming LP.

What is your favourite hip hop recording of all time and why?

Anything from 93-96, cause its renaissance Chaps.

How would you describe the Winnipeg Hip hop scene and why did you choose to locate there?

Winnipeg has everything man , Culture, Diversity, CRAZY talent, and originality. I really think it’s ahead of its time musically. I mean all my favorite music is my friends.

What advice do you wish you had when you were getting started that you would give to someone starting out today?

Starting is life long process. Being persistent is all I have going for me.

How would you describe your production style? What is the approach you take to making a beat?

I always start with Drums, I love drums, it’s all about the drums. Loops are a dime a dozen. Everyone is a producer, everyone has dope samples (loops). Drums. Drums. Drums.

What is the hardest obstacle blocking you from getting to were you want to be?

Were do you want to be? MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY, I have none. I want to be able to make music and have money.

What would you change about hip hop if you could?

I just wish I had more time to express myself to her.

Do you work outside of music or do you live off of your craft?

hahahahahahah fuck you Chaps! I work like a slave, and hate every second I put effort into something other than what I love.

Is it viable for Canadian independent artists to live off music?

Very possible for a MC. As for a producer, I got mad debts due to equipment, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

How do you think things have changed from when you got started to people getting started now?

Way easier, the Internet can help you out so much as a marketing tool. www.stepwriter.com

Do you think that the hip hop market is over saturated or is there room for everyone to make music?

Nah.

Who would you like to work with in the future?

soso, dead can’t bounce, Grubbs, and all my friends.

What does the future hold for Kutdown/Stepwriter?

I think in the near future I’m really gonna find out what all this hip hop shit is really about.

Do you have any stories that you would like to share with the people that would provide some insight into what makes Kutdown tick? Or just a crazy story?

Hermits don’t have stories. But I’ll put money on it you could tell us a really good story.

DJ Kutdown is a post from: UGSMAG.COM.