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Matt G has a full and frank discussion with MSI's Bandit - a man on a mission...
Matt G
© ukhh.com 2002
interview 0103 added
27.04.02 words Matt G
MG: To begin, could you give us a rundown on the Wireless Nation 'Letter to Tony Blair' campaign for all the headz who don't know?
B: The 'Letter To Tony Blair' campaign is basically a move to legislate 40% playlisting for British Origin Music on all national and regional radio stations. We have raised awareness about the campaign via signature cards, radio, mags, word of mouth and the " A Wireless Nation Volume 1" album out now. We believe the campaign will stimulate change in a D.I.Y British music culture encouraging British labels, production houses, publishing houses to sign British acts because of the amount of music out there. Five major labels own 80% of the music pie, publishing included and we are proposing to guarantee some of that pie is rightfully shared among the British acts in this territory (very important).
MG: ...So what's the latest news on the project?
B: Stage one of the campaign is well on the way which is to raise
awareness, you can probably see many changes and doors opening over the last eighteen months..... more British rap, garage, etc being played. Now we are not saying we are directly responsible for that but I am sure the big wigs know about the campaign and the pressures we've been applying. We have a number of MP's on the case who will be submitting the text to parliament in May.....that is stage two. The CD is not selling as well as we thought it would, that's due to a combination of September the 11th, Xmas release and finally not enough of us going out there to support it. We will continue to keep it on the market and give it the chance it deserves to pick up over the next few months. If anyone wants to know where you can get it go to
www.pinnacle-entertainment.co.uk.
MG: Is there anyway headz interested in the campaign can get involved?
B: Go to www.mediaaccesstrust.org.uk to register your comments and find out more about the campaign or contact me at Bandit@grankru.freeserve.co.uk...
MG: What influenced you to embark on such a huge task as getting the legislation passed through parliament?
B: Numerous reasons. The primary reason was going to France in '99 with MSI and Asylum; we admired how the French took care of business in terms of organisation, available funds, professionalism, etc. We got speaking to promoters, producers, rappers, etc and it all came back to the legislation that was passed in France seven or eight years ago which stipulated all radio stations had to play 40% French speaking music. This allowed the increase of a publishing, record sales and touring income stream into the French market especially the urban market. The secondary reason was having to hear years upon years of whinging (and rightfully so) from my peers and fans alike about how our music is not supported in all areas. This legislation if passed could change the face of music in this country and finally lend support to a richly talented market.
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This legislation if passed could change the face of music in this country and finally lend support to a richly talented market..'
MG: Do you think you would have embarked on such a project if homegrown hip-hop was getting the recognition it deserves? I mean, is the campaign really about British music in general or just hip-hop?
B: To be honest probably not because it is true hip-hop is where my heart lies. Having said that it would not be politically correct or effective to only pursue legislation for British hip-hop - that is too bias and doesn't carry enough weight for the campaign. Therefore we have to be tactful in putting our point across and make an argument for the music in general as well as point out economic growth that can come out of this campaign which unfortunately is only what most politicians understand.
MG: Do you think the BBC's new 'Network X' station offers a chance for more British hip-hop artists to get airplay?
B: Yes it does, but it is still not enough.... We are seeking maximum exposure - we require a share of the playlisting which allows the buying public accessibility. Everyone is always banging on about how British hip-hop won't sell but it really hasn't been given the chance in its purest form because there are always obstacles created to prevent this from happening.
MG: From your own personal view, can the hating of Tim Westwood by a faction hip-hop fans in the UK really be justified?
B: No it cannot. I've known Tim since 1981 and I know for a fact most of the badgering comes from individuals who weren't even born then. Westwood's been playing hip-hop for twenty odd years at a time when it wasn't cool. If he is not playing British hip-hop it means his listening audience of 2million is not ready for it yet because remember he is only a DJ and I don't believe in telling a DJ what to play - that is why we are going after the playlisting... We have to show we support our own which means a change in popular conscience and attitude. Once we change then he will have to. Some could argue he can have a major hand in that but you have to realise he has done his part to support British acts he feels are good artists such as Rodney P, London Posse, Funky DL, MSI, etc.
MG: If British hip-hop was to 'blow up' and get regular Radio 1 & MTV prime time, do you fear it would run the risk of becoming too commercial and diluted like its American counterpart?
B: I don't fear it and there's no risk because that's inevitable,
otherwise there wouldn't be a point in creating an industry. Commercial success can mean feeding your kids off this, opening other avenues for prosperity and generations to come, alleviating basic problems in order to progress the art form and so on. As long as the initial income falls in the right hands we'll be OK because the British market is probably one of the realist, underground markets in the world.
MG: You spent eight years over in the USA, how does the American
underground hip-hop scene compare to the British scene?
B: Yes I did and I see the same struggles happening here as it was in the USA back in the late eighties. The US is still having problems with airplay because of what your previous question suggested regarding commercialism - it's controlled by a few individuals. On a global level it is difficult for Americans to push the art form in its purest form. The comparison is purity of the art form being pushed all the way but at different levels - our problem is more national which creates licensing problems. I believe we are in position to secure the realness of hip-hop for when it blows, I know a lot of these guys at top level in this game and they are true to it but we'll have to wait and see. I'm sure we are not far now but it's in our own hands as it was in the US.
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I've known Tim since 1981 and I know for a fact most of the badgering comes from individuals who weren't even born then ..'
MG: Would you agree that the fact we share the same language as Americans is a major reason why we don't notice the influx of their music as much as say the French do?
B: I don't know about not noticing... I think most of us do but we are powerless in what we can do about it. Remember, we've been bombarded by Americanism since the post war era. It's not just hip-hop you've got McDonalds, TV, soaps, culture, art, language...fucking Oprah for god's sake! Even in war we are standing shoulder to shoulder with the modern day Romans because it suits and safeguards our economy. The French has a strong sense of nationalism against Anglo-American culture and language because of their linguistic history with the two countries amongst other issues. American music thrives here because of the "we'll scratch your back if you scratch ours" business practices - In other words the UK cannot make enough money in it's own territory therefore we have to think globally and that's where America comes in what with them being our closest cousins and biggest market... which is ironic because it is difficult for any British act to break the US. It's all about corporate music now, can you imagine Taskforce starring in a Hollywood blockbuster? Well that's we're the whole industry is heading if where being serious about this.
MG: The 'Wireless Nation Volume 1' features a variety of top-notch
artists, which is your favourite track on the album?
B: It has to be Krispy's "Bored To Death" because it sums up the whole issue in four minutes, even the title hits the nail on its head. Of course I love MSI's as well, I have to say that because I'm in the crew.
MG: You've recently been doing the Wireless Nation tour, do you find that headz just come out to enjoy the music or are they interested more in the political side?
B: Both. They come to have a good time but they realise it's for a good cause....themselves!!
MG: How does the Wireless Nation tour compare to MSI & Asylum's impressive history of live performances with DJ Noize, The Arsonists, Wu-Tang Clan, Redman etc etc?
B: here's a different vibe obviously because one is for a cause and the other is for fun and enjoyment 100%. MSI is all about niceness on stage, perfecting lyrical skills in a professional way. My favourite show would have to be when we headlined in Holland in front of 1300 MSI fans. The show was jammed from the stage down to the box office with about 300 people outside who couldn't get in..... heavy!! Our best show with an American act without a doubt was Mobb Deep - 2000 hardcore fans who didn't give a fuck.
MG: What's the word on MSI & Asylum - when is the next lot of material coming out?
B: We're still recording in the studio as we speak. The next album won't be on our imprint GranKru Records, we will be seeking a licensing deal. The beats are more innovative and well thought out because we have more time to work on them in our own facility GranKru Studio.
MG: ...And what direction will you be taking the new work in?
B: The direction is still for the heads out there with a touch of mass appeal topics. Ranx is producing some different ground breaking shit believe me - we're just hoping these labels we approach get it because there's nothing else like it out there at the moment.
MG: Finally, what's your assessment of British hip-hop in April 2002?
B: Well, I think it's healthy at the moment. It could be better but I'm not complaining - Blak Twang's doing well, Mr Hektik is getting played on Radio One, Roots Manuva has done 55,000 units, Mark B & Blade has done 40,000 units, Rodney P is about to blow, New Flesh is making moves, 57th is going strong, Fallacy just got signed by Source/Virgin, Skinny Man is on Talking Loud/Def Jam and MSI is coming with their third banger......... I think we're moving in the right direction....don't you?
MG: No doubt. A full-scale invasion of the overground is imminent.
A big thumbs up to Bandit for taking the time to answer the questions and more importantly, for having the courage to stand up to the established order on the British hip-hop scene's behalf.
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