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 Insane Macbeth Interview
interview 0037 added 26.10.00 words Riz
Insane Macbeth has been on the scene for years, working away on various projects, as an Engineer/Producer he has amassed a hell of a track list with much more to continue. Himself a veteran of the UK Hip Hop scene, Insane Macbeth has a few stories to tell...and a few things to put straight...curious? .... so were we, The Message armed with a question or two went to find out....
Tell the readers who may not have heard of you a bit about yourself?
The history of Insane Macbeth is that basically I am first generation UK Old Skool. I got into hip-hop in 1982. I got into hip-hop through listening to Westwood, who was a pirate radio Deejay on LWR. He used to play session tapes of people such as DJ Streets Ahead, who was a bad scratch Deejay. He was known for cutting up a break called 'visage' by Pleasure Boys. Westwood also used to play tapes of a Deejay Crew called The Deckmasters, which consisted of Mastermix, 'Sweet mix' junior, DJ Crunski, DJ Untouchable, and Dazzle Fresh, who also used to Deejay for the Cookie Crew. I also used to listen to Max 'n' Dave (former Kiss FM DJ's), when they were on another pirate radio station called Radio Invicta. They used to play Whiz Kid and Afrika Islam tapes, basically old school Bronx tapes. In 1983, I started going to hip-hop jams. By around middle '84, I started getting familiar with the names of Emcees and Deejays. I used to watch people like Cool Cash C., Freshki, The Dynamic 3, and Family Quest. I used to watch DJ Pogo at Jubilee Hall, Covent Garden. I also knew this Old Skool Deejay called Imperial Mixer, who had a crew which consisted of himself, Cuttin' Kay and Cutmaster Swift. In September, I met two more Old Skool legends, Crazy Noddy and DJ Fingers, who later became the Sindecut.
What's the concept of your album "The Retardation Project"?
The concept of my album "The Retardation Project" is that after releasing Kinetic Effect's 'Man bites dog' single, and recording his album 'The Mortis Experiments' (which hasn't been released yet!!!), I felt the need to retard i.e. commercialise my sound. I needed to make my sound more accessible or understandable to people. You see, in South London, which is where I'm from, people called my sound the 'Dungeon Sound'. The Icepick invented that term to describe 'The effect of fear'. He later recorded a track called 'Dungeon Funk'. Don't get me wrong! The music still reflects what I am about, but for some reason people are into this project more than my previous works. I also wanted to record a project that reflects all sides of my personality. I'm known for either having this really dark persona, or for being a really deep thinker with weird, abstract thoughts. Therefore, I wanted to do a project which showed that as well being dark or abstract, Insane Macbeth is also street.... that Insane Macbeth has socio-political ideas....that Insane Macbeth is a capitalist.....that Insane Macbeth does in fact have a sense of humour. Essentially, the album is an autobiography of Insane Macbeth, which shows all aspects of my personality.
So how did you get all those on the one album?
All of the artists except Ripper, I've known for a number of years. I used to hang with Crazy Noddy from the Sindecut from 1986-1990. Around 1990, the Sindecut signed to Virgin Records for a six-figure deal, so Crazy Noddy was very busy at this time. I was also known for my association with the HQ Squad. I was close to Shaka Shazzam and the Icepick from around 1989. I was there when they recorded 'Burial proceedings.....' As for Grizzly, we went to the same school, so I've known him since I was 12. He was a year above me in school. I've always been
close to and respected Huntkillbury Finn from his days in Katch 22. When I put together the pre-production for Kinetic Effect's 'borderin' insanity/beyond the Parameters of amateurs' single at Marga's (former Katch 22 producer)’s house, I heard the pre-production to the 'diary of a black man' LP. Because of the history between myself and all the emcees, it was natural for me to use them for this project. Kamanchi Sly of Hijack was the first emcee I approached for this project. He wrote and recited a track called 'Master of the Arts'. The lyrics were in the same vein as 'Hold no hostage'. Unfortunately, we never managed to record that track, as K-Sly has changed direction musically. as for Ripper, he was doing some music with a schoolmate of mine called Apollo Belladonna. Anyway, the group dissolved, so I thought I'd give him a forum to shine.
...I do feel that there are no real lyricists coming out of Britain at the moment...
How do you rate UK Hip Hop today?
For me personally, the best period in UK Hip-Hop history was the Old Skool days, between 1982-1986. However, if you're talking in terms of recorded material, then I would say between 1988-1993. I would like to state as well that South London artists, particularly from Brixton and the surrounding areas, have always made the best records. Hijack's 'Hold no hostage/Doomsday of rap' and 'Badman is robbin' singles were phenomenal. Hardnoise's 'Mice in the presence of the Lion' was incredible. The HQ's 'Burial proceedings in the coarse of Three Knights' blew away every record in sight. Kinetic Effect's 'Borderin' Insanity/Beyond the Parameters of Amateurs' buried every crew that was in the scene when it came out. I think the reason why we were able to make strong records is because the vibe in Brixton was, and still is, so competitive. All of the acts named were very much into dissing and competition heightens your skills. In the other parts of London and in places like Bristol, all of the acts are friends, so there is no emphasis on competition. The acts are not trying to out-do each other!
So which artists do you rate today?
Right now, the only new artists I rate really is Task Force. I've worked with those guys, and Chester P and Farma G are very talented. I feel that Cappo has some potential which needs to be nurtured. I also like Wildflower's vibe. However, I do feel that there are no real lyricists coming out of Britain at the moment. You see, I come from an era of listening to Rakim, Kool G. Rap, Ultramagnetic Mcs, Kamanchi Sly, TLP.1 and Kinetic Effect. Currently in the USA, you have new lyricists such as Canibus, Ras Kass, Chino XL and Eminem. But where are the lyricists that are coming through in the UK?
What does the future hold in terms of releases and projects for yourself?
After I release "The 'Retardation' Project" on Insane Recordings, I will finally release Kinetic Effect's 'The Mortis Experiments' LP! The project was recorded and mixed a number of years ago. However, I will press up a limited edition 500 copies and just sell them on the street. Only a few perspective record stores will stock this record. Afterwards, I'm going to release a project called 'Hip Hop Owes Us Money' by the Avengers! The Avengers are Marga, former Katch 22 producer, and myself. Two tracks have already been recorded - one called 'Opposite Directions', which features the Bury Cru', Mud Family, and Task Force. The second track is called 'Loose Talk', which has Grizzly and Shaka Shazzam from the HQ Squad. I have also started producing tracks for my second LP called the 'Going All Out' Project. Cappo will feature, as well as Gemini (ex-Hard Noise member). I am also speaking to Wildflower's management about her doing a cut for the album. I will be showcasing a lot more of Ripper as well, with him contributing four songs. This project will be the last project to be released on Insane Recordings, and will be CD only.
A little birdie tells me you have beef with a few people, care to elaborate?
I do not have a beef with anyone on the scene! However, I will say that Blade is a devil, and he is a bitch as well! Do you know why he is a bitch? Because only a woman tries to make themselves look innocent when they've done something wrong, to gain sympathy. So he's telling the white fraternity of the hip-hop scene, "Insane Macbeth beat me up!" But he's not telling people 'why I beat him up!' but it's cool though, because right now, my soul is at peace with itself, and I thank Allah every day for the opportunity to breathe oxygen into my lungs. I thank Allah every day for my life, and my life is good right now! I have helped and influenced a lot of people on the scene, and right now, I'm just doing my thing!
So who ya wanna Big Up?
I just want to big up anyone who bought the Kinetic Effect singles and the Huntkillbury Finn EP on Son Records (I produced 'U-XB.', and 'Bad enough'). I also want to big up everyone who contributed to the making of "The 'Retardation' Project". I want to big up Westwood, who has played everything I've produced. Finally, I want to big up yourself, Riz, of "The Message" & ukhh.com, for interviewing me. I hope you are happy with the interview.
Any Last Words?
People can get "The 'Retardation' Project" at Mr. Bongo's, Deal Real, Major Flavas, Black Market Records and Uptown Records in London. I will be putting some records in Assassin Records in Cambridge. Also, check out good mail-order stockists such as Dave 'the Ruf' at Ruf Beats. Soul Trader will be distributing the album. You can e-mail me at insanemacbeth@aol.com
What can I saw I always thought the interview was going to be sceptical but there you go. I have had the opportunity to have heard the album and believe it will go down as another classic UK release. I reckon you better check it or you may have the man himself knocking down your door to see why not!
Release due in early November 2000
 
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