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 Awekid of Fauna Crew Interview
interview 0271 added 10.01.05 words: Chris Byrne
technical:
QED
Reading in Berkshire seems to be one of
many UK towns with a flourishing hip hop scene.
The Fauna Crew’s 2003 12” 'EXTRA EXTRA / YOU MIGHT SEE ME' is
yet another example that hip hop culture has crystalised in this
country – the hip hop generation is coming of age. I caught up
with producer Awekid for some hiphopinionated views:
Where is the best
place for UK hip hop at the mo’?
 My favourite spot has to be Brighton right now. There's a really
good vibe to the place. I studied down there for two years and
there's a really healthy scene. ‘Nuff clubs, loads of humans
into UK hip hop and shitloads of independent record shops
considering the size of the place. Big up Harry and James at
52recs!
"...For
so long the focus has been on London but spots have been
bubbling around the country for a long time now..."
How come the
Surrey / Hants / Berks borders scene seems to be flourishing at
the mo’?
I reckon it's a country wide thing. For so long the focus has
been on London but spots have been bubbling around the country
for a long time now. I guess local scenes and the UK scene in
general has just progressed to a level where it can support
lesser known and more "rural" acts long enough for them to break
through.
How did you come
to found the Fauna Crew?
The mighty Virgo is actually FAUNA's founding father. Virgo was
part of the "360 Physicals" crew back in the day with Kela and
Koaste. Virgo started FAUNA with an emcee called Essence after
360 split. I used to do tunes with Virgo and Essence about three
or four years ago before I went to college in Brighton. Virgo
recruited Lumes and Drif and they asked me to join about 2 years
ago now, around the same time we discovered the magical Mikey T.
"...I've
met so many young creative people with talent and ideas but
nothing to focus on..."
Do you feel a
little out of the swing of things being based in Reading?
There'd be so much more exposure and opportunities to promote
ourselves in places like London or Brighton. So many more people
into what we're doing. The scene in Reading is definitely
growing and there's loads of talent coming through with
crews like DSM and Coalition. There's a few promoters building
the live scene up again like gRhyme and Loudmouth Records who
are booking bigger acts like Taskforce and Jehst alongside the
newer acts like us and The Disablists which is essential to
build a healthy scene. Reading also just recently got its
own hiphop magazine which is a huge boost for everyone involved.
Big up Taxie Rank (www.taxie-rank.co.uk).
How would you
characterise the life of young people in the South East of
England?
Numbed by 9-5 jobs, East Enders and chain pubs. I've met so many
young creative people with talent and ideas but nothing to focus
on. Instead of teaching kids how to pass exams at school we
should be teaching them how to focus their energy and talent -
how to pull projects together. We should be inspiring them but
so many young adults have no ambition or dreams. Somewhere along
the way their drive seems to get sucked out of them. That's why
UK hip hop can be such a positive thing to young people. It's
all about self expression and DIY.
"...Instead
of teaching kids how to pass exams at school we should be
teaching them how to focus their energy and talent..."
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Mixed Emotions (Snippet) Mikey T & Awekid
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Do you ever go for
a night out in Aldershot?
No. Not yet. I'm saving myself.
Anything you would
like to add?
Shouts to the FAUNA CREW - Drif, Mikey T, Lumes, Virgo, the
Error/Es-Nine Collective and CHAN10. Howdy to my partners Marvin
and Lance.
Ejectorseat Records / Fauna Crew have a new record coming out
early March. It is a 12" "Mixed Emotions" - Mikey T,
produced by Awekid and featuring cuts from DJ Muzzell b/w
"Barefoot" - Fauna produced by Drif and Awekid. Look out for it...
-
Chris Byrne
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