|
  Scorzayzee Interview
interview 0602 added 13.01.10 words:
Chris Byrne
technical:
Spoon
It really seemed as though hip hop in the UK was worse off when the rapper known as Scorzayzee was said to have retired around 2004. He first came to prominence with the now defunct Nottingham super group Out Da Ville alongside artists such as C-Mone, Lee Ramsey and Karizma. He left the music scene for a while (due to personal issues which he details in his new single 'Luv Me') but is now back with a starring role in the Shane Meadows music 'mocumentary' film 'Le Donk & Scor-Zay-Zee' and his debut album 'Peace to the Puzzle' due in 2010. He is a part of the crew based at the Community Recording Studio (CRS) at Russell Youth Centre in St Ann's, Nottingham. I caught up with him to see where he's at now...
 Who are you rating out of the new generation of UK MC's?
I really like some of the grime spitters such as Shifty (from Manchester), Devlin and Ghetto. To me they really represent a high level of skill. I also really like Lowkey, J.Eye and Jah Digga from Notts, I also think one of the biggest up and coming emcees is Remus from London. There's also a young emcee from called Danger - he's got really intelligent lyrics. There's loads of others as well - the scene is blossoming good!
Will your new music be available on Spotify? This is great way to introduce yourself to a worldwide audience.
I will definitely look into new outlets to spread my music, so Spotify definitely. I just want to throw a few mixtapes out for free. I think the people deserve to get a few tunes for free - it works both ways so if they a get a good 10-12 tracks for free then I hope they do the same and pay for a artists album.
Why was your music not very prominent in 'Le Donk...'?
The thing about Le Donk is at the end of the day I was Donk's sidekick, so the film was about introducing the character 'Le Donk' to people. I love the fact that Shane Meadows used my tunes for the opening and end credits. I just gave him a old CD and he picked "Rupert Brown" and "Picasso", so thanks to Shane! At the time I didn't have much new material because of my break from writing, but the bit where I was on stage with Donk will just be a nice memory and its amazing. It will be etched in stone for years cos it was in the film.
Please tell us more about the deal you signed with Universal in the past.
Basically we licensed a track to Universal to be released in line with the Donk DVD release. It wasn't a big deal. The tune is gonna be on the CD version of The Starter mixtape. Due to communication problems and sample clearances issues, it never really lifted off the ground. It was a shame cos people like Edith Bowman thought it was a brilliant track. I admit it was a commercial tune but still with a comedy twist. I don't want to put the blame on anyone its just one of them things man! You never know I might get a call from Universal to release it once I get a buzz going again with my music! It's a good learning experience cos I know how hard it is to break through and get support, even after you have signed an agreement with a massive corporation like Universal. I understand A&Rs are very busy cos they always seem to be on holiday! That's all I got to say on that really!
 Why do you think many of your peers hold your skills in high esteem?
Its good to get respect from other emcees and artists. It's nice when other rappers support you. I remember when I was listening Sarah Love on BBC 1Xtra and she said Chester P was bigging me up saying he thought I was one of the best. That made me feel so proud cos personally he is one of my favourite emcees ever - he's just so real and soulful. Sometimes I don't know why people like me! I hope its cos I try to change flows and ideas on each track - sometimes its boring when rappers are the same on every beat.
What do make of the decline of the UK's ('urban') print music magazines generally?
I think information is so easily accessed nowadays with technology, but I think it's not the same of holding something in your hand when you buy it. It was a good feeling seeing myself in a magazine cos I could give it to my family, and they could laminate it and stick on the front of the fridge! With digital information it exists only on your screen, so it's sad but if companies can't afford to keep their mags running then I cant blame them for going online. Money's hard to come by.
What is the hip hop scene like in Notts at the moment?
The Notts scene is flourishing right now - there's so many spitters at CRS and mixtapes flying about all over. I recently bought Wariko's mixtape 'Double Time Poet' and the artwork just was amazing. Every area has got bout 50 emcees so its nice to see.
Who are your favourite authors / writers?
I like Roald Dahl - I read his books as a kid. I like David Icke's books - so much information and many interesting ideas. I also own a very good book called 'Spiritual Diseases of the Heart' by a Muslim brother called Hamza Yusuf. One of my favourite books is 'Monster', by former gang member Monster Kody. It's a about a former LA gang member's life and his time in prison. It's probably the realest book I've ever read. Sometimes we think life is hard but when you read of other peoples struggles you see life is easy for some. I also like investigative journalist John Pilger - his books tell the truth.
 Can you explain briefly the work Trevor Rose and his colleagues do with young people in St Anns?
Trevor Rose has been a youth worker and has run a local community recording studio for a very long time. I've never met a individual who is so dedicated to his work than Trevor. He is the first to arrive in the morning and last one to leave at night! The studio is part of a youth club, and a lot of youngsters use the studio and learn sound engineering and different skills . It is where I started when I was 13. A lot of people owe credit to Trevor and Nick Sterret (aka Nick Stez).
If anyone should get an OBE from the queen its Trevor.
Anything you'd like to add?
Watch out for the Black History CD "Travelling True Time". It's a project accomplished at the studio and has got some bangers thanks to Trevor, Nick and all the artists at CRS. I hope the organisation can be an inspiration to other communities. I hope they can be studios like CRS in every area cos young people can be very creative and positive, and not just troublesome as they are sometimes portrayed. Its all love - make the dream a reality. Peace.
the album Peace To The Puzzle is dropping in February, 'the starter' mixtape is available now from getnottz.co.uk and a single 'Luv Me' is doing the rounds now. 'Le Donk & Scor-Zay-Zee' is available on DVD now
-
Chris Byrne
Related Links:
 
|
