You tend to work with a lot of the older icons in Hip-Hop. Is that a deliberate choice since they bring something in their raps none of the younger cats bring? Or do you feel none of the younger rappers can do your beats justice?
Yes, I do feel that younger rappers can. Problem is the real dope cats are few and far between. I’d like to work with Joey Bada$$. He’s got some nice stuff. I definitely do work with a lot of the vets as they bring out the best in my music. It’s just something about they delivery and flow that most of the young cats just can’t do!!
How has moving to NYC from the UK helped influence your sound? Does the street meat help at all?
Yes, especially with the break side of things. I have been diggin’ more for drums than anything and am definitely getting that influence adding more rawness to the drums and still keeping things updated.
What about NYC inspires your music so heavily?
The hood and going out to the events and the clubs. Going out has been proper sick; some nights we can go out and end up [meeting up] with Grandmaster Caz, Grand Puba & Jazzy Jay. This just isn’t the same anywhere else! Also Brooklyn is a big inspiration. Just everything that goes on each day; something always happens and I have had some great artists come down to the studio and put in work with me. Cats such as Immortal Technique, Easy Mo Bee, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Ruste Juxx, Big D, Poison Pen, Tragedy Khadafi, Bankai Fam & more have all been down to collab.
Do you ever revisit beats and re-imagine/remix them?
Yes, I’m actually doing that at the moment for my new album. It’s on a song with Tragedy Khadafi & Skanks the Rap Martyr. The beat came out on another project on No Cure Records but this is getting the remix & re do treatment.
What’s the plan for Terminal Illness Vol. 3?
It’s going to prob drop in 2015. I want to have 5 or 6 main emcees on that album to complete the trilogy and do tours with an amazing full live show. I’m about 50% into my new album though [not Terminal 3]. It’s going to drop late spring 2014. Def look out for that and another 2 collab projects next year!
You have an extensive list of accomplishments as a producer (first UK artist to sign a deal with Duck Down, performed at WNYU and at Fat Beats, worked with so many of the greats, etc.). What’s left to do for you?
Well I am working on more collaboration albums with newer artists. People such as Skanks [Bankai Fam] & Fame Labs from East NYC. I also want to start working on more placements and reaching a wider audience with different artists on that side of things.
Are there any other producers in the game right now, young or old, that you’re really rocking with? Or is it just lonely at the top for you?
Myself, Bronze Nazareth & Kevlaar 7 have talked about a collab production album but it’s always been put back due to our own schedules. They are my fam and will always rock. I’m gonna try get out to the D in the new year. Other producers I respect are Audible Doctor, Marco Polo, Kyo Itchaci, 7th Dan & the P Brothers.
Look out for our interview with Marco Polo tomorrow!
Bryan Hahn (@notupstate)