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Now this man may well not be your first thought of UK hiphop, but believe me that will soon change. This man has proved himself as being one of the best MC’s in the UK right now by winning the UK Battle Championship. This man has been on the circuit a while now, 2 demos have been released which are both superb, and work on his long awaited EP ‘I Must Not Spit In Class’ is nearly complete ready for its early December release. So without further waffling by me, I introduce to you the UK National Freestyle Champ, Troy Scalpels…
So how did you first get into hip hop? And have you ever felt like giving MCing up?
When I was a kid, I loved writing and all aspects of the English language, so when I first heard some tapes from Kiss FM New York (artists like The Breaks, Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel) I was fascinated how these guys manipulated the rhymes. So then it was a natural progression for me to try that myself. It's been an obsession ever since. So no, I have never considered giving emceeing up.
What has influenced you in what you are doing today, hiphop and non hiphop?
No artist has influenced my style, but Kool G Rap's album "Road to the Riches" was a huge influence - as he's a gifted poet...also Big Daddy Kane and The Genius.
How did you get your name?
Because I am a lyrical surgeon, performing vocal operations for your eardrums.
Your demo (Alex it's not his EP as you mentioned) has some nice tracks mate, "When I'm Peepin" is my favourite. I can totally relate to that song, is that song very much how you feel about women?
No...it's not, but I know its a common male mind state that I wanted to explore. I don't always write from my perspective - I try to write from the perspective of the listener also - coz I'm a street broadcaster presenting accurate reports for headz to lock into.
Why is it all the best women have blokes?
There's someone for everyone... even you man! (Haha, cheers buddy!)
So that track is about a Train fantasy, what is the weirdest fantasy you ever head, or if you
cant disclose such vulgar thoughts, what about the weirdest thing that you ever seen on the
tube?
I don’t get off on fantasy... only reality! The weirdest behaviour seen on the tube is the robotic behaviour, where everyone’s head raises 90 degrees to read inane adverts - just to avoid eye contact.......you can catch that weirdness any time you ride the tube.
Your track "Worlds a Bastard", what has the world thrown at you to make you feel this way?
Its about the plight of unsigned artists struggling to get recognition from the industry....even struggling to eat. There is a determined effort to suppress the voice of UK hip hop and for me and many others - hip hop is a way of life. For anyone to manacle my freedom of expression ... that’s a Bastard in itself!
Have you personally found it hard breaking into the scene?
No.
You enter a lot of battle comps. Who do you rate. And do you feel battling is very important to be an emcee.
I've always been fascinated with the competitive element of poetry as I’ve been freestyling for the past 12 years and writing for the past 15 years. I figure its given me a little experience. I'm not a confrontational emcee and I dont front on anyone...but if someone tries to step into my space with a lyrical attack - its important that I'm ready at all times. I find cyphering a lot more stimulating.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Bringing my creativity to life....spontaneously when freestyling on stage, in a cypher and hopefully in peoples bedrooms. Its nice when you get the heads nodding to your creativity but I prefer it when they shake their head in disbelief.....thinking how did he come up with that one......that’s very satisfying to me.
Right, the state of British hip hop at the moment, what’s it like from your eyes?
There's some great music out there, but I dont think they are doing anything different. Maybe because there isn’t the money to innovate. The artists I’m feeling at the moment are Cappo, Bury Crew and Out da Ville.
You’re a Londoner? Do you have much knowledge of the other scenes in the UK?
It's an exciting time for UK hip hop wherever you are. I've been in my own little world for a long time now - just pursuing my own shit and setting up my label Personal Records, so its been difficult to absorb as much of the other scenes as I would like to... but that's something I hope to catch up on in the future... we must support each other.
You gits in London don’t know how lucky you are with all the radio stations, pirate radio stations, do you think that needs to spread over the country more?
If popular radio were to include just a quarter of some of the dope music created on the underground, our music would penetrate homes that don’t even know that it exists currently. In the meantime there can never be enough exposure and I have an enormous amount of respect for those who see it as their job to play our music...they should keep keeping on.
Who’s getting heavy rotation on your stereo at the moment?
On the rare occasion that I'm not writing, practising or creating music - I prefer to see the live shit more, so that I can connect with the artist in person. Right now I’m feeling Black L.I.B. out of the Bronx, they were just over here last month, Bury Crew, Social Misfits and Out da Ville. Social Misfits and Out da Ville both put on hot shows at the recent Hip Hop Awards at Subterania.
You got many political views, like what do you think about all this GM food stuff?
If you fuck about with what Gods put here naturally - all in the name of profit, you cant think you're not going to incur his wrath. We've brought it on ourselves.
What do you think the internet can bring to UK hip hop?
I have been surprised by the number of sites dedicated to UK hip hop and obviously its all good. Networking is vital and the internet makes the world a much smaller place. When I set up my label (Personal Records) most of the initial contacts etc. were and to a certain degree still are being made over the net. We were contacted by Listen.com (San Francisco based internet music site) earlier this year, and invited to have "When I'm Peepin" included on their hip hop compilation CD, with artists like Del The Funky Homosapien, Non Phixion and Rob Swift already confirmed. 40,000 units were pressed and distributed by Vibe Street Team on both the East and West coasts, at the X Games, various shows and conferences. So I guess that speaks for itself.
What footy team do you support and why?
I don’t support any team, I find football intensely boring.
Your new material will be out in a few months, what can we expect?
My debut EP "I Must Not Spit in Class" will be released on Personal Records early December 2000. Heads can expect a serious lyrical treat. Tunes you can listen to when you need a dose of that science. No gun bullshit or self indulgent money oriented bollocks - just straight up lyricisim.
I hear that Rawkus are interested in your talents, can you tell us a bit more?
My Manager sent an unsolicited demo to Black Shawn, Rawkus New York office and they pulled it… requested more material and we are still in negotiations.
What do you think that would do for the UK scene?
It would bring more exposure cos of the US connection, but that’s about it - after all I'm signed to Personal Records already!! That’s not to say I wouldn’t work with Rawkus but I wouldn’t set myself up to be owned by them.
Any final words you want to get a message across of just big up some people?
I think people will find my message in the music - I want to big up every person who lives their life against the soundtrack of hip hop. Every person who knows me, will know that I big them up whether I'm saying it or not.
If want to hear some of Troy’s songs then visit www.peoplesound.com/artists/troyscalpels
© ukhh.com 2000
Troy Scalpels Interview
interview 0041 added 22.11.00 words 2-Hip
...No gun bullshit or self indulgent money oriented bollocks - just straight up lyricisim...
If you would in anyway like to get in contact with Troy and his Record label then, tel 020 8543 6788 or email contact@personalrecords.co.uk for details.
All that is left to say is Thanks to Scalpels and a huge thanks to Trees!!!
