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  Interview
interview 0548 added 20.12.07 words:
Mr. Phlo
technical:
Spoon
You would be forgiven if you never thought of Macclesfield as a hotbed of hip hop talent but you’d be right, one act however has been looking to change that recently. Beit Nun (pronounced bet nun) has been working the local circuit into a veritable fever with energetic performances and a realistic yet professional business perspective of what can be achieved. Mr Phlo caught up with him recently and allowed him to pop his interview cherry...
For those who don't know then, introduce yourself....
Hi, my name is Beit Nun, I am an MC based in Macclesfield in the North West. Been around for a while now, but been on the low until now. I have just the one release under my belt which I dropped in 2005 which was a demo E.P. titled Cheap As Chips.
And how did that do?
Yeah, I thought it did well considering we had no help whatsoever in PR or distribution. It was basically put out for me myself to test the water, and see for myself how many units I could realistically shift on my own terms. I managed to sell over 400 hand to hand, so yeah.. it served its purpose.
Seen, so what separates you from seemingly everybody else who is a fan/artist/DJ/breaker etc in the UK hip hop 'movement'? Why should I give you my fiver rather than MC Next-Man?
I like to think my music varies quite a bit from track to track. I find quite often that tracks are very similar to one another on many Hip-Hop releases, and not many people tend to be adventurous enough with their overall sound regarding beats, topics and the flow/rhyme structure. With my music I try to come across as honest as possible, as well as switching the style from track to track. My latest release sees tracks that range from the usual battle shit, to very personal/deep tracks on beats from 75bpm upwards.. Quite varied, yet I think it flows very consistently.
Ok, so for people not familiar with your style then (prob most of us) which rapper are you closest to on a consistent level and which are you furthest away from?
Right, well I'd say my style was more Braintax/Verb T in terms of content, good honest Hip-Hop, and I tend to make a lot of visual observations that inspire my music, so you won't hear me talking about how hard I've got it in the ghetto. If you're into the hardcore, grimey stuff then I might not be your thing, and although I'd love to appeal to everyone, I wouldn't feel right not being real with myself, and that's the reason I got into this, and the reason I still do it. My feelings on track. So yeah, I'm probably least like Manage/Syanyde etc. As much as I love listenin to that kind of shit.. It’s not what you'd expect to hear from me.
So on the subject of being real, how important do you think it is in hip hop? I mean when Prince sang Purple Rain nobody was calling into question whether he actually did hurt anyone and was repentful, They could just relate so why do you think its such an issue when rappers start spitting about ice and cash if they don't have it?
I don't have a problem with it at all, after all it's entertainment and as your reference to Prince proves, some of the best music is written not necessarily reflecting the artist's direct views or persona. But for me personally as an artist; I get most inspiration from my own views, opinions, observations and outlook on life; and from that I get the most satisfaction from my music.
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My music is like a diary of current moods and thoughts and I’d like my discography to act as an album to document that
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So we won't hear a beit nun track about bullshit just to sell records? Aerosmith once said sometimes you need to give the people what they want to give you the opportunity to let them hear what you want
Yeah I guess that's a good theory, but for me, my music is like a diary of my current moods and thoughts and I'd like my discography to act as an album to document that. Don't get me wrong though, my music isn't always ME ME ME.. like I say there’s often observations of British life/Culture, as well as the good old battle tracks etc.
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The scene is thriving at the minute, yet the industry is in a state worse than it’s been in ages
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Ok, moving the interview on then....are you much of a battler? who do you rate?
I'm not big on live battling, no.. but I'm well into watching people get verbally assaulted on stages haha. Nationally, I think Respek, Stig, Sonnyjim are holding it down on the battle front, but without sounding biased I've gotta say that I'm most blown away by some of the more local acts I'm down with. Chris L is a fine example of this.. he's been battling for time now and I don't think I've ever seen him lose a live battle, he recently won UK Takeover. Also I've got to plug Filthy Rich... I don't think he battles as much as he should, but for freestlying he's able to just go at the drop of a hat. A live 40-minute freestyle isn't an uncommon occurrence at his gigs.
Ah, Filthy Rich...without mentioning names and subject he’s been the focus of a little internet debate recently as has the whole Chester P/Adam anonymous thing. What’s your take on internet forums as a form of promotion/vilification?
Hmmm, well to be honest the internet is a huge communication tool, and I don't think it influences people wanting to name and shame someone.. people love having power, and they will use it to their advantage whether it means using the internet or not. It's just with the internet (especially specialist forums); you can make more people aware, and whether that promotes you in the process is dependable. I've been reading into the Chester P/Adam Anonymous thing and there has been some interesting points. I don't wanna get involved in all that, but whether Chester P is using this to promote or not, I stand by a lot of what this was about (regardless of HHC/Adam Anonymous), the scene is thriving at the minute, yet the industry is in a state worse than it's been in ages.
so sum up the scene right now as you see it and where you see it heading in 2008
I see the scene going really strong now, with artists bringing a more unique sound to UK Hip-Hop. I've been checking some really strong and more diverse Hip-Hop that’s been coming through, especially from Brighton which i see is really bringing a lot to the table now and really creating a nice form of Hip-Hop. This year (2007) has seen some really strong releases from the usual bigger names, plus some really exciting new names. 2008 I think (and hope) will be more of the same and I think the scene has a very exciting not-to-distant future. Would be great if there was more of an ''industry'' though, as it seems no-one's really buying much at the minute.. but yeah, I think it's looking very positive as a scene.
why don't you think people buy much? do you think its music wide or more central to so called urban music?
I think music-wide, and I have to say I think it's due to the internet, with people opting to download the releases rather than buying the product. Filesharing programs such as Limewire are really what's making the industry suffer. There's still money to be made in MP3's as that's the way to go, but without fans getting a material product (sleevenotes etc), then there's going to be no difference to them whether they purchase it, or bootleg it. But there's still many die-hard music fans out there, wanting to support the artists and they're basically what's keeping it alive right now. With UK Hip-Hop being as independent as it is, I think it's a genre which has fans who appreciate the artists more and so maybe they feel they should support more. This genre relies on die-hard fans, whereas other genres can maybe take the hit on the release sales due to other marketing ploys they have the money and means to execute
seen, any shout outs you want to give?
Yeah, first off I'd like to thank you for interviewing me... it's been emotional. Shouts to Chris L, Ben B, R.O.B, Jut, Ants & Matt R (Gouki Productions), Benny E, Pedigree Chumps, EdXL, Ganggreen, Filthy Rich & all the other North West heads.. OJB, Dan Bull, Demac, 777 and anyone else i've missed.. thanks a lot for all the support everyone and look out for my forthcoming compilation CD 'Where The Art Is (Volume 1)' coming soon.. Thanks again, Peace.
So there we have it, Beit Nun will no doubt be appearing at all good hip hop jams near you (and some rubbish ones) as he starts promoting his new CD which you can cop in February 08. Distribution is yet to be confirmed but this guy will leave nothing to chance so you’re bound to hear about it!
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Mr Phlo
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