Tell us how you were introduced to music and how hip hop in particular became your chosen art?

Well, music and performance came at an early age, I guess. I used to listen to mum's band practise and thought that was pretty cool. People would say I 'm a bit of a natural performer from an early age - loved drama and the like. My first exposure to hip hop was friends who knew more about it than me. It was pretty simple really. I liked it and became more interested.


You've had plenty of experience MCing over all sorts of styles including D'n'B and an array of Jamaican music. How has this experience influenced your hip hop?

I guess its given my hip hop (some of it anyway) a noticeable sing jay sound or Jamaican flavour. I enjoy layering harmonies and adding something different, although hip hop and reggae/dancehall are close cousins. It's a taste thing, I suppose. The dancehall sound appeals to me.


Bootleg Mixtape Vol. 2 is about to hit the streets. In what way will it be different to Vol. 1?

'Suits, Beats and Block Letter tee's' has four original beats on it; two from Tim Webb from Vanadis, one from Miso in Auckland (High stakes records) and one from Dunedin's own J Gunnz from IMC. I suppose I hope this release will be better sounding as far as the mixing of the tracks and in terms of the vocal delivery. It's also featuring Max Dad E and Esdee - both on Dudstown Recordings as well as Switch from Sunshine Soundsystem.


Dudstown Clothing - give us the lowdown.

Basically at the end of last year we started printing T-shirts to promote "The Bootleg Mixtape Vol. 1. That's now grown into a full clothing line. The T-shirts we stocked at Bellebird (fashion Boutique) were received really well. I've been collaborating with a friend of mine Shelley Tiplady who owns Bellebird and is a well recognised NZ
designer (Akimbo), as well as graph artist/photographer Nigel Roberts and street art guru Sean Duffell. The range is what some might describe as high-end street-wear. But it's fun at the same time. Emphasis is on big prints, over-sized garments and colour.


Having gigged with some pretty big names, what are the most memorable gigs you've played?

Being able to provide support for Lee Scratch Perry was really cool, eh? Thats some real history. There's been some awesome gigs with Fat Freddys and Ladi 6 and some bangers with the uUpbeats more recently. I've been really lucky to have some awesome memories.


Related artists: MC BEAU, Mr J, DJ Shan

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