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  Late Interview
interview 0573 added 05.08.08 words:
Nina Carmela
technical:
Spoon
1995 two of the most prominent aspiring businessmen founded the UK based label Wolftown Recordings, many great years later this empire is one of the leading independent music establishments running strong in the UK. With the infamous mix tape series UK Runnings, international PR company Park Street PR and Rago Magazine, Tricksta and Late have such an incomparable portfolio laced within the music industry they put major record businesses to shame.
 ‘Two Thousand & Late’ is the current project of ‘08 and although Late has established himself as an artist, he’s an all round entertainer and businessman which will never go unnoticed. The project includes the exclusive single ‘Day In Day Out’ produced by Wolftown’s very own Tricksta, followed by features from the likes of JT The Bigga Figga, Cee-Rock, Murder One, Thugstar, KB Da Kidnappa and US artists Lo-Keys, Brick Saavy, Stress, Famoso & Mokeout plus many more.
UKHH doesn’t miss a ‘tricksta’ and talks to Late about his musical affairs to date.
You’ve been flirting with music industry for quite sometime now, how did you begin to pursue your interests in music?
I got into hip hop around 1983 when I saw the video for Malcolm McLaren “Buffalo Girls” and the next day I started tagging and started working on pieces, my friend High Timez had family in New York and used to have electro tapes by 1984/5 break dancing and hip hop was massive at our school everyone was into it except the squares, We used to watch movies like Beat Street over and over, if there was a programme that was on TV that had any thing hip hop in it we used to tape it and watch it over and over. My self and Tricksta started buying records seriously around 87 then in 89 we both started DJ’ing in clubs and on radio we put on events then around 95 Tricksta started making beats and I started writing lyrics in 1999 we released our first single “UK Sound” under the name Villains and have been releasing music ever since. I’m proud to say I have been involved in all the elements of hip hop.
Who’s inspired your movement and why?
Labels like Rap A Lot Records, No Limit, Suave House and Big Tyme Records where a big influence to me as they where strictly independent but had good distribution deals. I liked the way all their artists used to collaborate with each other doing big posse tracks, and the way they used to market themselves really influenced me by having big bold artwork that stands out.
How have you seen yourself develop as an artist, DJ and businessman since you first started?
I think when you come into the game you have big dreams and plans but after a few years the reality of making music especially hip-hop music in the UK sets in and you know how it all works and you just get on with it constantly moving forward trying to better yourself on each release. Going out to Houston and working with a lot of USA artists was a good look for me, making tracks with artists I came up listening to is an honour for me.
You’re one of the leading pioneers of independent label Wolftown Recordings, what are the advantages and disadvantages of being independent?
The advantages are total artistic freedom not having to deal with all the major politics being able to work with who ever you want. The disadvantages are competing in a saturated market with not that much of a budget and the constant work effort that comes with working for yourself.
The mix tape culture has expanded immensely over the last few years in the UK in aim to raise musical profiles yet Hip Hop artists still don’t have contracts with the major labels. What’s your intake on the UK Hip Hop scene and will it ever become as highly established as the US?
I would like to feel so, but I think urban music has a glass ceiling in this country at the moment. Hopefully in the future this will change.
How do you and your business movements create a positive impact within the industry?
I just started making music as a form of expression and to this day that’s what I do just putting my feelings, emotions and vibes into music for you to enjoy. If you don’t like my music that’s fine move on find someone you like and enjoy that. I don’t waste energy on hating on music, there is enough music out there to suit all tastes and its there to be enjoyed… its entertainment, be entertained and just enjoy life!
You’re currently promoting the ‘Day In Day Out’ single taken from your forthcoming mix tape ‘Two Thousand And LATE’, what should we expect from this project?
All aspects, I’ve got solo tracks on there as well as Wolftown artist collaborations on there, some USA collaborations on there with East Coast MC’s and some Southern collaborations on there too and its all mixed together by the UK’s number one hop-hip deejay - TRICKSTA
What is the concept of the mix tape and what has inspired you to record it?
It’s a collection of tracks that I had in the vault, and tracks I’ve featured on and some underground tracks and some remix tracks all mixed together by Tricksta. It’s basically a teaser for the forthcoming album. The mixtape features KB DA KIDNAPPA from the group STREET MILATRY, JT THE BIGGA FIGGA, JON CONNERS, BRICK SAAVY, LO–KEYS, STRESS, FAMOSO, MOKEOUT, JAI-BOO, SIZE8, RICKY LEE, CONMAN, CEE-ROCK “THE FURY”, NUT-RAGEOUS, PANAMA, JAK DANIELS, and S.P.C rappers THUGSTAR, MURDER ONE & KUWAIT. There is also a bonus chopped n screwed track on there by DJ LOON. I’m just finishing of my album “BELOW STREET LEVEL” so this is a perfect underground CD to keep you going until the full length album is released.
 Which tracks on this project stand out the most for you and why?
Tracks like “Ghetto Life” featuring KB DA KIDNAPPA from Houston as we rolled together for the day and he showed me where he grew up and I met his family so that track is close to me. Also “Surviving” because that features SIZE8 & JAI BOO that track just came together nice, “Worldwide Speakers” I love that track and “Surviving” cause on that track I talk about losing a lot of the family members that raised me and it was good to unleash my feeling on that.
What promotional tactics are planned for the project?
I’ve got worldwide distribution on that so just to get it out there, blast the internet, go through all the usual channels when I release a CD, I’ve also filmed a advert for the CD you check that out at youtube
You have a large catalogue of projects including features on projects outside your own, what’s been your personal favourites and why?
I am lucky to have featured on so many projects but one of my big achievements was featuring on a compilation that BUSHWICK BILL of the Geto Boys put together which was an honour as I’m a big fan of his music, also working with K-RINO as I grew up listening to him and his crew/organisation SPC (South Park Coalition) as well. He’s featured on a lot of my new tracks for my new album “Below Street Level” BUT when he asked me to feature on his new album K-RINO - Triple Darkness Coalition Ambush that was a total honour for me.
Who’s been the most inspiring artist/producer to work with and why?
Definitely Tricksta as he has been the only producer who has understood what I want to do, and K- Rino cause he is one of the most lyrical mc’s out there and he brings the best out of me lyrically to me. He is the godfather of Houston rap who has been actively releasing music for over 20 years
Distribution outlets have been dropping in sales quite dramatically over the last few years due to the popular increase in digital downloads, which in effect has reduced product profit for record labels. How could you use this to your advantage whilst being independent and are major record labels being pushed out by independent business’?
To succeed in business you always have to move with the times. Our first releases were on vinyl and we used to give away snippet tapes on cassette, times change you just have to adapt the money you used to spend on pressing up vinyl which was very expensive you just used to promote your release.
What musical obstacles have you faced and how have you overcome them?
When we first came out people thought we would put out a few albums then disappear because we wasn’t the traditional UK hip hop and nobody would be into us but we proved them wrong and still here while them people have just faded away. I think also when your not from London some people don’t take you as serious, but we never came out just to make music for the UK market we got a worldwide fan base now that is slowly building and I’m focusing on building that at the moment trying to open the doors a bit just like we did in 1999 showing people there is talent out there in places like the Midlands and up north.
What’s been your biggest musical achievement?
I feel blessed just to have the chance to put out my feelings and lyrics out there and to be heard but also going out to Houston being on the radio out there with some of the biggest mc’s in the game. Kool Herc was on the same show as me and working with some of my musical influences also being asked by K-RINO to me be official SPC- UK, Ive also just recorded a track for my new album with WILLIE D from the Geto Boys.
What’s on your agenda for the remaining of 2008?
I’ve got “Two Thousand & LATE” being released in July. Then the first Single from my new album which is called “I’m A Saint, I’m A Sinner” featuring K-RINO & KB DA KIDNAPPA then I’m going to release the album “BELOW STREET LEVEL” and then two other singles from the album. We also have a load of releases coming on Wolftown check the website for more info wolftownrecordings.com.
What is your ultimate musical goal and how do you plan to set out and achieve them?
Just to work with people whose music I like and just to keep putting out good music and to be like them old rock stars who are in their 60’s still putting out music, but the hip hop version LOL!! (hahaha!!!)
Last words?
I just want to big up UKHH.Com for all their support over the nine years Wolftown Recordings has been going. They showed me love from day one, so massive thanks! Also check out the websites in the links…
And to all the real Hip-Hop music lovers out there please keep supporting independent Hip-Hop and buy their CD’s and downloads so our music can survive! Major thanks to Nina to for the opportunity to do this interview!
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Nina Carmela
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