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Mar
07
2008
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Lil Rascals Following Street Fashion |
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Friday, 07 March 2008 |
  The youth of the UK have found a new fashion and everybody who’s anybody is following this new found trend, music. Everybody want’s to be an MC or bang beats through a home set up of music production tools, but is this healthy for the UK ‘urban’ scene? Back in the day aspiring music artists could only reach potential music avenues through writing to the Def Jam fan club, or attend a concert with a banner stating ‘I’m an artist please sign me’! But these days it seems like industry avenues are too easy to reach and music videos that look like a recording from a mobile phone are broadcast on TV music channels. Pirate/internet radio stations are dominated by aspiring DJ’s which means they’re playing their ‘bredrins’ tunes no matter how rubbish they are! Then you’ve got the likes of myspace acting as a powerful tool in building up fan bases which without a doubt is a very positive promotional outlet, but it’s pumping egos and this type of confidence seems to be rewarding an unprofessional approach. How many times do you think Jay-Z has received a myspace message begging for friendship because they think they ‘Roc’? How many promoters, writers etc… receive messages like ‘Yeah, ima MC init, chek mi tunes init I’m big blood, u shud work wit mi init, we cud make big P’z init. Safe, bless’ Wouldn’t it be funny if industry professionals have access to recording conversations on myspace? It would definitely make an interesting study on the professionalism on UK music artists, producers and DJ’s! Putting aside the above, there are some great talents aspiring but this music trend is over shadowing them. There doesn’t seem to be a balance and that’s why only a handful of British artists are signed to majors, in fact, how many MC’s do you know signed to a major? So with this study doesn’t this conclude the answer to the question as to why the UK doesn’t have a steady market? In fact, is there a market at all? Lil Rascals are a more commercialised Hip-Hop collective currently causing a buzz throughout the scene with their current single ‘Bang You Headz’ rotating on Channel U. The trio consist of Merker who’s 12 years old, Shiz and Tempar both 13 and have been on tour with the likes of Suga Babes and Jamelia whilst working with a Hip-Hop group before forming their own. Now under management and releasing records through GFUK Records/Defenders LOS are continuing to promote their projects after the success of their debut single, ‘New Era’, last year. But is this age group too young to be working within a music scene which doesn’t even have a positive market? Here’s what Lil Rascal’s had to say…
When did you’re musical interests start and how did you begin to pursue them?
Tempar: Shizz got me interested in writing bars when I was about 11-12 years. Shizz started a couple years before and I know Merks started around the same age.
What’s the story behind the Lil Rascals forming as a collective?
Merkar: We were all doing music before on our endz when the three of us got spotted by a management company called GFUK Media Ent (Ghet’O Fabulous baby) lol!
Who’s inspired your musical ambitions?
Merkar; First time round it was my elder cousin ‘Villain the Vandal’ then guys like Dizzie Kano, and anyone big in the game
You’re all very young so music business knowledge must be limited, how have you been promoting your projects?
Shizz: Our management company GFUK handle business and we use things like myspace, bebo piczo kinda thing
How would you describe your music?
Tempar; Rap, versatile, with a lot of different flavas and influences
How have you been balancing school and music?
Shizz: School comes first right now and our management finds a way to work around that
And what about your social lives, is it affected from all these commitments?
Merkar: Sometimes but this is what we want to do. So sometimes you got to make those sacrifices
What do your family and friends think of your movement?
Tempar: Their generally cool about and give us nuff support and encouragement
What’s it been like supporting acts on stage such as Jamelia and Suga Babes?
Shizz: Its cool we’ve been on the same bill as some other big acts as well. So it’s all experience
Do you ever feel star struck from the attention you get from celebrities?
Merkar: Nah! It’s all-good. Its cool when people show you love for what we do.
Any plans to work with any high profiled artists and producers?
Not yet but there is quite a few artists out there that we would all like to work with
Do you write your own lyrics?
Tempar: Yep, always. We also work with different co writers big up Stylo G
What are your views on UK music to date? How will you create a positive impact to the scene?
Shizz: From what we see and from what my elder show me We’re still builin game over here raising levels. We want help raise those levels and show the world that we have got talent like us here
You’ve just released your debut single ‘New Era’ along with a music video currently rotated on Channel U, how does it feel to hear your song on radio and seeing yourselves on TV?
Tempar: It feels good but we’ve got a long way to go still and nuff more hard work. The new single is ‘Bang Your Heads’ ‘New Era’ was one of our first singles and you can cop all of them on any good online store. Support the cause! No free downloads.
What’s next on the musical agenda?
Merkar: Finish the album; get that big money deal, TV, world domination!!! Lol!!! We hopez
Being at such young ages and the UK Hip Hop market hardly existing, do you not think that pursuing an ambition this early could lead to a short lived career?
Tempar: Nah. We are very versatile and if anything we’re building knowledge early so by the time we reach 18+ we’ll know much more about the business than your average goon
What are you enjoying the most within music?
Shizz: Everything! Love studio, manz love performing
Where would you like to see yourselves 2 years from now?
Shizz: On top needing some binoculars to see the ground. Lol!
Merkar: To be very successful would be bless
Convinced? Only time will tell what the future holds for Lil Rascal’s and their industry peers. For further information and updates on Lil Rascals please check out www.myspace.com/lilrascalsuk
Interview by Nina Carmela
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i love ur songz xx there sick 
