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  Souljah Clique Interview
interview 0422 added
02.06.06 words:
Safesoul
technical:
QED
Souljah Clique have been on the game for many, many
years now
and have worked with artists from KNERS to Phi Life
Cypher. These guys aren't signed, but don’t need to be, they don’t want
to be ‘fast food’ and they sure ain’t. Check out what they had to say to
Safesoul...
“...Rodney
said to me "in this game, stay approachable"...”
Safesoul: Firstly,
when did you fall in love with Hip Hop?
Kelz: From day one.
 Trz: Since I first heard it, never found nothing like it.
Safesoul: Who or
what are your main influences?
Kelz: Kool Keith and Rodney P not just for their staying power but that
they have evolved in flows and content.
Trz: Music in general, the history of musicians and artists in all
cultures from Lennon to Marley, from Debussy to Mathis, Pharoahe and
beyond.
Safesoul: You guys
are unsigned, is that through choice or not having found the right deal?
Kelz: We don’t just want to become fast food.
Trz: There’s no real need to be signed anymore either, because of
computers we can move the music faster, contact the people you need to
and do everything a label would yourself. It just takes more time and
effort, but you get to keep it authentic.
Safesoul: Do you
think it is harder for Hip Hop acts outside of London to make it in the
UK Hip Hop business?
Kelz: Don’t get me started on that. UK Hip Hop is UK. Therefore it
should be represented by the UK and not just the capital.
Safesoul: What makes
you guys different to other UK Hip Hop artists?
Kelz: Group dynamics, authenticity and maintaining a message even if
were talking shit.
Trz: We update and change, it’s like now it’s harder to pigeonhole.
“...Bristol’s
got too many artists with not enough support or promotion...”
Safesoul: You guys
have been working in the industry for years now and worked with artists
such as Kners and Klashnekoff, what keeps you motivated?
Kelz: Knowing that were not going to make it (starts to laugh) being
from outside the capital.
Trz: No matter what now, it’s a part of our lives, you can’t stop living
your life ‘til its over!
Safesoul: Bristol is
renewed for its Drum&Bass, how do you think Hip Hop can be more known in
Bristol music culture?
 Kelz: It is, its foundation going back to Wildbunch days in the early
80's. being a kid seeing this was my first introduction to hip hop live
by local artists and not American. Wildbunch were the first of a new
wave in the South West of England.
Trz: I think it should be getting more coverage in the UK in general.
There’s not much promotion for English music really, unless it’s owned
by rich companies who can afford the ridiculous prices of marketing and
promotion. Independents only have a chance because of the Internet
thing.
Safesoul: Who do you
feel are the main players of Bristol Hip Hop and Hip Hop around the
world?
Kelz: Smith and Mighty because they were foundation to a lot of
musicians and Souljah Clique is a branch of a seed that was planted
years ago so it’s authentic.
Trz: Bristol’s got too many artists with not enough support or
promotion.
Safesoul: Finally
what advice would you give to a Bristolian trying to make it in the UK
Hip Hop industry?
Kelz: Years ago in Amsterdam London posse played in a club and I blagged
my way in because I was from England, hooked up with them inside and
they showed me pure love. I said in a conversation with Rodney P I
didn’t think they would be so safe after seeing the video of 'how's life
in London' and Rodney said to me "in this game, stay approachable". So I
would say stay approachable especially if you’re making hardcore Hip
Hop.
Trz: Be prepared to make some serious sacrifices and keep collaborating
to maintain a community in Hip Hop.
“...Don’t
get me started on that. UK Hip Hop is UK. Therefore it should be
represented by the UK and not just the capital...”
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-
Safesoul
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