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  KNERS Interview
interview 0417 added
02.06.06 words:
Safesoul
technical:
QED
Safesoul met up with KNERS in a local pub for
a chat about Bristol City or should I
say Cristal City. This guy is being played regularly on 1xtra with firm
support from Rodney P & Skitz, Semtex and of course Nesha! (The host of
his Mix tape, I AM KNERS). Along with holding down a 9-5, KNERS is
working hard to put Bristol on the map for more than Drum&Bass and
Massive Attack.
“...The
video was shown on Channel U and at the time it was the first of its
kind...”
Safesoul: So what
got you started in Hip Hop?
 KNERS: I fell in love with Hip Hop washing dishes when Nas, It A’int
Hard To Tell, came on the radio. I was already on the Ragga scene but at
the time this wasn‘t as big over here as it was in America, I then
decided to write Hip Hop as I could be more vocal.
Safesoul: Who or
what are your main influences?
KNERS: General life experiences. Artists like Talib Kweli, Jay Z, Roots
Manuva, TY, Skinnyman, Klashnekoff, Rodney P the list goes on.
Safesoul: You’ve
been played on 1xtra, how does that feel?
KNERS: Rodney P & Skitz first started playing my Mixtape, Cristal City EP
a while back. Semtex got hold of it and started playing tracks from it.
When I look at the track listings for his show I see my track being a
played next to a Jay Z track, it shows that UK Hip Hop does have a party
vibe to it.
Safesoul: What was
it like working with Klashnekoff?
KNERS: Klashnekoff is a deep brother. He saw me on a Dark and Cold DVD
performing my Mama track. He must have liked it because we linked to do
the Hectic Remix. The video was shown on Channel U and at the time it
was the first of its kind.
Safesoul: There are
a lot of references to Bristol in your raps, do you feel that you got to
rep Bristol unless people will think you’re just the usual MC from
London?
KNERS: It is very important for you to rep from where you’re from. I
feel that Bristol isn’t getting represented on forums, websites and
Channel U. I’m the first artist that has made the transition. I’ve
articles in Touch, Hip Hop Connection, The Guardian and The Observer.
Its not just Hip Hop magazines that are liking my stuff, I got
broadsheets liking my stuff too.
“...The
mentality is if your not from London, your not saying anything. I think
I'm the exception to the rule...”
Safesoul: Tell us
about Cristal City:
KNERS: Cristal City is me and One Mike, we do it all ourselves, the
product, the marketing. One Mike makes all the beats, he has a real rock
influence and you can hear this in some of the tracks. SRC a record
label from America who have Akon and Terror Squad on their books wanted
to sign me, but just me not Cristal City. I can only sign if they want
Cristal City too.
Safesoul: What new
material have you got coming out?
 KNERS: For the next album I have been working with Massive Attack, they
have produced the majority of the tracks as well as One Mike. It’ll be
out hopefully in summer, but I don't want to put a date on it, but its
looking hot. Before you do an album you got to put three months
preparation into it.
Safesoul: Who else
do you think is doing it for Bristol at the moment?
KNERS: Sir Plus is doing is doing his thing at the moment and is one of
the big names in Bristol. People just need to take it to the next level,
with a good product, the right marketing and PR to promote themselves.
This is the only way to get recognised. It is harder for artists to make
it outside of London, because there are more opportunities in London. If
you put the work in, get up to London and promote yourself. The
mentality is if your not from London, your not saying anything. I think
I'm the exception to the rule.
Safesoul: Bristol is
renowned for its Drum and Bass, do you think Hip-Hop can become more
noticed in Bristol’s music culture?
KNERS: Alot of people think it is the Drum and Bass based but I feel
that I am the first to come with the Hip Hop style. I’ve sold 5000
albums and 1000 mix tapes in the city, people are loving it. Drum and
Bass put highlight on the city but Hip Hop is getting bigger.
Safesoul: Finally,
what advice would you give a ‘Bristolian’ trying to make it on the Hip
Hop scene?
KNERS: Keep doing your thing and don’t keep your lyrics to yourself.
Don’t just think your going to make it. You’ve got to work hard and get
yourself heard. Put out a good product and get media attention.
“...Its
not just Hip Hop magazines that are liking my stuff, I got broadsheets
liking my stuff too...”
-
Safesoul
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