|
Underground Hero Klashnekoff |
|
|
|
Thursday, 08 March 2007 |
 ‘Lionheart: Tussle With The Beast’ is the epic album from two of Britain’s fastest rising hip-hop artists. Hackney based rapper Klashnekoff is already an underground hero thanks to his incendiary previous output and live shows, whilst Nottingham native Joe Buhdha has proved himself as a talented producer to watch out for via his expert beat wizardry. The duo are now poised to take matters to the next level and transcend their grassroots support with this collaborative record - Klashnekoff’s much-anticipated debut, and Joe Buhdha’s first full-length endeavour.
This is another full album from you, what can we expect from it?
It’s good flippin’ hip hop, mate! For people who have heard my past music it’s a more mature side to myself and it’s more structured. It’s not like one chorus then 32 bars, there’s a real format. I think that’s part of the reason why people are taking more notice this time around because it’s more easily digested. The engineering and beats are on par with the American sound.
Do you think it’s more mainstream?
Yeah, it probably is. This isn’t really my Klashnekoff album, this started off between two friends a couple of years ago who wanted to make some money at a time when labels were hollering at us talking a load of waffle. Rather than wasting time with them we started to make our own product and put it out there to make some money. I had to go to Nottingham to record and in the midst of everything we had an argument which prolonged the process by a few months. We set out to make a bunch of good tunes and it’s now turned into something else.
Which labels are you associated with?
Rhythm Killer and Low Life. They’re putting out the record and funding it. I wouldn’t sign to a major at all but I would work out a deal with them. I’ve been independent for too long and I want to get what I’m worth. No label will see my vision so it’s better to do it myself and make my own money which is very nice.
Are enough copies being sold for you to reach the charts?
I’m number 71 in the charts right now. I think it sold 5,000 copies on the release day. For people who don’t know, everything I’ve put out has sold and made money. If I had been signed to a major label and they put my first album out I wouldn’t be having this conversation with you, I’d probably be drugged.
What are the problems that major labels have?
They don’t develop artists and treat music like crack. Hopefully people like me and other people in the industry will start a new thing. These labels could make a lot of money if they knew how to work it. They bang out two singles, then two albums, without building a fan base. Sometimes they get these fake artists so they come to me to feature on their track to make them look more credible. The first time I did that I got duped, they took my vocals and started doing other stuff with it. I’m about credible artists. The industry is fucked right now and they need some new blood.
What don’t you like about A&Rs?
They don’t realise that people spit about real things that happen in their lives. These guys will come into the ‘gateaux’, not ghetto, and try and eat a piece of these kids’ lifestyle. When real artists start displaying some real behaviour that they can’t relate to, they get scared and they drop them. The industry needs a makeover and needs to understand the culture. Ranting over.
Did you hear about Big Brovaz competing to represent the UK at Eurovision?
[Crazy laughter] That’s sick. I’m not disrespecting them but since they made that Favourite Things track I think they lost credibility. I don’t blame them doing this though because what’s going on for them? I even thought they broke up. It looks like they’re trying to survive by any means necessary but the bottom line is I can’t respect their music. About Eurovision, they might surprise us and win it.
Let’s go to something more positive, have you got any good collaborations on this album?
Yeah, we’ve got people like Terra Firma and Mpho Skeef. It’s good, make sure you listen to it!
Website: www.lowliferecords.co.uk
Words By: By Rashmi Shastri
 |
