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Mar
13
2007
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Lethal B Takes On David Cameron |
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Tuesday, 13 March 2007 |
  For a man that’s performed at Bob Geldof’s ‘Live 8’ and has had highly publicised verbal battles with the likes of Roll Deep’s lead-man Wiley to Conservative leader David Cameron it seems like Lethal Bizzle is definitely one to break the stereotypical mould that the grime scene had once made for him. With the impending release of his sophomore effort ‘Back 2 Bizznizz’ he promises to turn heads and open ears with a few unique collaborations and a wide range of musical content.
Where the new album boasts production from the usual suspects such as Dexplicit (‘Pow’, ‘Mind You Head’, ‘Mr’) and Statik (‘Boy’ and ’22 Grand Job’), he weighs it up evenly with some notable contributions from the likes of Mr. Hudson and Akira the Don, “I tried to think outside of the box on this second album and not try and do the same thing I did on the first album.” said Lethal. “I’ve incorporated a lot of stuff that I like listening to on this album rather than just a straight grime album but of course there is the usual Bizzle-style, raw energy style” he added.
With over 45,000 units sold on his debut album (‘Against All Oddz’) which was propelled by such hits as ‘No’ and ‘Fire’ he still feels he’s got a point to prove on this album, “I wanted to get my artistic side across even more because I know I’ve been stereotyped for making these big club songs which is all good but there is another side to me that people need to see. I realize that I’m in a position where people are watching me so I’ve got to try and say something positive.” stated the 24-year old.
2004 saw Lethal Bizzle take part in an infamous lyrical joust with grime pioneer Wiley which helped to solidify their status’ as top dogs in the scene, there was never really a clear winner with both parties throwing some killer jabs.
In early 2007 Wiley came out and announced his retirement from the microphone and has since resulted in masses of underground chatter as to whether the ‘Godfather’ will actually walk away from the forefront of the scene that he help build, “Wiley’s one of those people who’s just addicted to the game, he’s just got to be involved in some way, shape or form. I reckon in six months he’ll be bored and say he’s changed his mind but I don’t think he’s gone now, I don’t believe that” Lethal says of his adversary.
Breaking onto the scene from More Fire Crew fame with their cult smash ‘Oi’ Lethal Bizzle is a seasoned veteran in a scene known for its innovation and with his new video ‘Mr.’ featuring Fire Camp member 2-Face he has raised the bar once again with some tantalizing visuals, “I think that the whole grime scene has gotten so dark over the years so I really wanted to bring back the fun and glamorous side to the video. For me I think it’s one of the closest videos to that whole So Solid era; the whole look and image, it wasn’t just man on the road” recalls Lethal.
Leading a collective of MC’s known as Fire Camp who have featured on such underground smashes as ‘No’ and ‘Forward 2’ Lethal hopes that they can help launch his Lethal Bizzle Records imprint to the masses later on this year, “For grime in general I don’t think 2006 was really a good year. For the level I wanted to take it [the album] to there wasn’t really many outlets, there were no club nights and the pirates were really dying down. There’s only really like 1xtra and Logan’s show (Kiss 100) and those two were really not enough for me, I really wanted sell at least 10,000 albums. So I thought let me hold it back until my album comes out and then I can release this one off the heat of mine” Lethal explained.
Being in the top four list of the signed grime artists Lethal Bizzle is as anxious as the fans to hear what Dizzee Rascal, Kano and Wiley all have planned for their upcoming LP’s, “I think a lot of people think that I wouldn’t have come back with a track like ‘Mr.’ because I was doing a lot of collaborations with indie bands and I think a lot of people thought I’d just spin off over there. That’s why I kinda purposely did ‘Mr.’ to let people know that I’m always going to be doing this kind of music. So that’s what I’m waiting for from the other guys; I don’t know if Kano is going to come out with another ‘Ps and Q’s’ or Dizzee come with another ‘Stand Up Tall’. With Wiley I think he’s probably gonna come and do his usual Eski /Gangster kinda stuff.”
With his biggest tune to date (‘Forward Riddim’) consisting of ten MC it’s clear to see that he’s one for collaborating and sharing ideas with other artists. Having made tunes with indie artists like The Rakes and Pete Docherty, Lethal Bizzle has recently featured on Def Jam UK’s latest signing Mr Hudson’s remix of ‘Too Late’ with the Newham Generals, “He’s a cool guy, he’s bringing something different to the game. You need to keep being inspired and not try and do the same thing and grow with the music because I’ve really grown a lot, I‘m 24, I’m a big man now, I need to start portraying my age a lot more. I’m not the same Lethal B, More Fire Crew, Avirex Jacket from a few years back."
Never one to shy away from speaking out on injustices Lethal Bizzle infamously had a political war of words with Tory leader David Cameron over the content of Radio 1 Rap DJ’s Tim Westwood weekly show in 2006, “I’ve got a couple uppercuts for him [David Cameron] on my album. These man just chat shit, he just wants to be the prime minister.”
It seems as though that was the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Lethal and the whole political structure of the UK, “It’s like if you work a normal job everything you make goes back into the system, no matter what you buy. I can see why certain people have gotta do what they gotta do, you can’t be rich and just be in the system. If you wanna be rich you have do something naughty or come up with a master plan or being in a rich family. They don’t want the lower class people to be rich they just want them to be on council estate and get a job and they’ll take 20 percent out of your wages, it just fuckery” Lethal exclaimed.
The recent shootings in South London have sent shockwaves through the country and London especially with the number of teenagers from so-called ‘urban’ backgrounds being the focus of Operation Trident’s attention. Having grown up in London it seems as though the gun culture is something that Lethal and a lot of the other influential figures in the UK scene feel strongly about, “Guns are coming into the country and I’m just thinking how are they getting in here. It’s not us bringing them in, they [The Government] want us to kill each other, its all part of the plan, they don’t give a shit. They can stop guns from coming into the country; if they can find Sadaam Hussein in a hole in Iraq they can stop guns from coming into the country, but at the end of the day their all involved, their all getting a piece of the money here and there” said a pensive Lethal Bizzle.
Lethal Bizzle - Moving With The Times (Part II) to follow soon…
For more Lethal B check out: www.myspace.com/lethalbizzle and www.lethalbizzle.co.uk L
Lethal Bizzle’s new album “Back To Bizznizz” is out early May 2007.
Words By: Dane Bradshaw
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Batman here, just wanted to inform you that my lawler will be issuing you a copywrite infrigement letter to complain about you use of the words 'Pow Pow Pow' , I think you'll find that I used these words with Robin before you and therefore I have the right to sue you. I also own the copyright to 'Holy Jeepers Batman' so don't bother using that on your next single either !.
Love.
Batman.