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Vadim Interview
interview
0118 added 01.09.02 words
Kobi
With a schedule that was literally becoming more and more hectic by the
minute, DJ Vadim, Mr. Russian Percussion himself, took a little time out to answer UKHH's computerized darts. Read on people, and familiarize yourself with a man who has done more for British relations on the continent than the last 3 governments. Oh, and you hadn't heard about the Grammy nomination?...
UKHH: Seeing that you seem to have your own unique approach to making music is there anyone you especially looked up to when you started making music? What equipment did you use to make your albums
 Vadim: Everyone who has their own individual sound and is doing something new and different. So back in the day that was Rick Rubin. Shit, he was tight. Prince Paul, Marley Marl, Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Ice T..., in the 90's it was Pete Rock, Premier, Muggs was rocking in 93/94. Rza with all the first Wu-Tang and solo LP's from Raekwon and Ghostface and The Genuis, DJ Krush... in 2000's its Neptunes and Timbaland all the way. Madlib is nice as is Jay Dee (Slum Village), Dre is back with the club hits. I like Mark B (he used to be my neighbour!), Dark Circle are tearing shit up. Solo Los Solo, Portishead and a lot of jungle, ragga, reggae. In terms of equipment, its all done on a Mac G4 Cubase VST 5 with loads of compressors, eq's, valve stuff, MPC 3000, SP1200, AKAI 3000xl. Loads of keyboards like Clav, Rhodes, Wurly, Mini Moog, Nord lead, Oberheim DBX, Hammond b3, guitar pedals and Kaos pads.
UKHH: Having worked with groups from the continent (Jupiter Jam, TTC, 7
Notas 7 Colores) is there anything that you notice acts or the scene
doing that we do not do over here?
 Vadim: It's not that they are doing something we are not but that it is important for me to connect the dots with people in Europe. I got to be involved in the French scene, German, Swedish, Polish, Spanish... all the big European hip hop scenes.
UKHH: You recently had some controversy with "Your Revolution" in the States. The FCC banned the song on the grounds of its "unmistakable
patently offensive sexual references". How did you feel about that when you first heard it and what has happened since?
Vadim: It really is something that can and could only happen in USA. I think this action by the FCC speaks the real truth on the supposed freedom of speech you have in USA and what Bush is on about. I have DJ'd there so many times and the inconsistency in society is mind-boggling. I think if you challenge the status quo in USA, then they try to shut you down and perhaps, making a song to make 'black' women strong in USA is not really to the advantage of the authorities cos strong women means strong men. People who have opinions and that really ain't advocated there.
UKHH: On your new album you had 17 guest artists (On the CD Version) contributing and even though each tune has its own vibe they all seem to fit well together. Is there any one artist or group who you could not have made the album without?
 Vadim: I think Yarah Bravo was a key pin. She has helped me really so much with the LP, the sound, direction etc. Also John Ellis the keyboard player (Cinematic Orchestra) as well. He played a lot of keys and helped me musically not only with playing but in many conversations. Amazing keyboard player.
UKHH: You recently had a radio program (BBC World Service's "Around the World in 80 Relays") in which you traveled to 7 different countries
to collect the sounds from native instruments to make a song. Which
country did you enjoy traveling to the most and which musician did you enjoy working with the most?
Vadim: They were all special in their own and different ways. For each visit there is a funny story like the time I touched the Japanese flute players flute (I wanted to move it out the way) and by doing so 'offended' him because unknowingly he was playing and using it for a 'spiritual purpose'
UKHH: Jazz Fudge has gone from strength to strength through the years. You have had worked with two of the most popular British acts in Phi Life Cypher and Killa Kela. Is there anyone else out there at the moment who you would like to sign?
Vadim: I think Task Force are heavy. They need to be heard as does Skinnyman. Thats the baddest 3 people in the UK for me right now. PLC, Task Force and Skinnyman. I love Roots Manuva, Blak Twang, Jehst, Richochet is heavy as is Kyza, Out Da Ville, Est'elle, Rodney P... too many to mention. Yeah and of course Kela is an incredible entertainer. a must watch. Also Plus One, First Rate, Mr Thing, Ritchie Rufftone, Woody, Skully... in fact I think the UK is one of the healthiest scenes around. There is so much talent, creativity, energy, passion, which for me far outweighs 99.9% of US product.
UKHH: How do you rate your chances at the Grammies?
 Vadim: Well, I was nominated as part of 77 for Best Latin Hip Hop group. So that's cool.
UKHH: Is there anyone out there that you still want to work with in any type of music?
Vadim: Yousson N'Dour, Eugene McDaniels, too many people to mention. I got to be carefull. I am trying to create my own music, my own sound. I ain't just doing a DJ Clue rent-a-rapper thing. So of course I love Beatnuts, KRS etc but I don't want to rely on big names to sell my records. I want people to peep them 'cos I produced them
UKHH: A certain monthly hip-hop publication vilified you in the late 90's for dissing Biggie and daring to say that Pete Rock and CL
Smooth's "They Reminisce Over You" was not necessarily the greatest hip-hop tune ever made. In your opinion what is the best hip-hop tune ever made?
Vadim: Well that was a dark period in my life! Anyway, any song off the first BDP LP, Critical Beatdown LP, 2nd and 3rd ATCQ LP's, Raising Hell (well nostalgia!), Stetsasonic's first lp, Daily Operation LP, Raekwon debut LP, DJ Krush Meiso LP. So many...plus I am crap at remembering things. Manifesto by Talib Kweli - wicked lyrics, music, concept...
UKHH: Can you name a tune in any type of music that you wished you had written?
 Vadim: Anything by Minnie Ripperton or Roy Ayers prior to 1980! I wish I was Leon Ware and could write songs for Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Minnie Ripperton.
UKHH: Any shout outs?
Vadim: Shout outs to every artist in the UK who struggles to make your music and to get heard. Keep ya head up. It took me a long time to get here and don't get disheartened.
"You know we have to shame those children. We have DMX and Jay Z and them, they're not taking you to the higher heights so that you can grow and be. It gets to be kind of outrageous because all they are doing is finding more ways to capitalize off other people. Nothing is sacred to this society and those who are running it. You know, when Harriet Tubman and the folk singers were singing "Wade in the waters" they weren't trying to take you to take a path under the moonlight, they were saying, "let's get out of here, and by way of the water." So like Harriet we have to begin recognizing that we need liberating from this society. We must realize that our music, our words, our
lyrics, everything that we do must be a message for liberation."
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Abiodun Oyewole - the Last Poets - blu magazin.
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Kobi
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