hiphoplifeandtimes

Supar Novar is one of the UK’s most respected MC’s. He was an original member of Skinnyman’s Mud Family crew, came out as a solo artist on Kemet Entertainment the label that put Klashnekoff on, as well as winning awards and supporting some of Hip-Hop’s biggest names. Its no secret that Supar Novar is indeed one of Tricksta’s favourite rappers of all time, so we got him to interview his boy. Check out this exclusive interview…

You’ve just dropped you new album ‘No Favours’ that is produced entirely by yourself. What was the reason for this and you explain why the album is called ‘No Favours’?

I got a few reasons but mainly it’s about me doing a project by myself without the need of relying of anyone else’s help. In the past I was always waiting on other people to mix stuff down for me or free up studio time for me to record. So I started uni a couple years back and completed a foundation degree in music production and business, which I got a first in. This gave me the skills I needed to be self-sufficient. Also I felt like I been in the game so long and I done so many favours for people, like featuring on projects for free, some that have even been really successful and I rarely seen anything back for it. On a couple occasions I’ve even hollered them same artists to return the favours and they been on a long ting. I done this album as well to say, cool, man don’t need you anyway.

So what was the main reason for doing the whole album all by yourself, was this something you’ve wanted to do for a long time or a new concept?

I been making beats for years and I always wanted to do a project that I’d fully produced myself and I think certain times when producers had took ages to mix stuff and even given me beats that they’d given to other people and I didn’t end up getting to use I came up with the title ‘No Favours’. As soon as I felt ready to produce a whole project I hooked up with Ragz Sweet Jones and produced his album ‘Music 4 Miss Peaches’. After that I thought it was about time I got ‘No Favours’ done so I started picking out tracks I already had, then recording new ones and I made it happen.

What would you say are the stand out tracks on the album and what are your personal favourites?

The whole project is really personal to me, it’s like my baby and I’m proud of it through and through, but I’d say ‘Ghetto Man’ is a favourite. I got much more into making emotional music over the last few years and that one stands out for me. Also ‘My Little Girl’ which is probably one of the most emotional tracks for me as a father getting to express my feelings for my child through music. Then I’d say ‘Penny For My Thoughts’ which actually features my daughter so I kinda lied about the no features part. Haha. But she is me at the end of the day so it doesn’t really count. I was tryna make a beat one day when she was really fighting to get my attention so I thought rather than either stopping the beat or leaving her to feel left out I could just get her involved. I told her to go get this little wooden percussion set that my dad bought her and she actually played a load of sounds on that track as well as performing the chorus at 3 years old.

Your production sounds nice on this album, have you been producing for any other artists lately?

Thanks man, yeah I haven’t really had the time to get on the beats as much as I’d like recently. I did the Ragz Sweet Jones album that I mentioned, plus a few tracks with my boy Armaniarno and I been producing stuff for the forthcoming F.L.I.P project, but apart from that I need to get back to work. I really wanna produce for a lot of people at some point.

You’ve been making music no for ten years, or possibly longer. What do you the secret is to longevity in Hip-Hop?

It’s a difficult one cos I think there’s two ways of doing it. Either you gotta stick to what you know and hold onto a core fan base that love you for your original sound or you gotta move with the times. I don’t mean copy what’s going on either, still make sure you do your own thing but you gotta find a way to stay relevant in the current scheme of things. It’s not an easy task as you get older either cos it’s a young mans game in a lot of ways. You gotta let the youngens do their thing cos you can’t ever beat them at that but you gotta find a way to fit in at the same time and school them to what your about.

So how are you viewing Hip-Hop at the moment? Do you like much new music at the moment, if so what have you been bumping?

Yeah I always love Hip-Hop in all of it’s many forms, I never been a guy that only listened to just conscious rappers, or just gangster rap or any specific sub-genre. I’m into underground stuff and commercial stuff as well and other types of music. Right now what I’m bumping is the new Ragz and Tony Mahoney album ‘A Zombie Cannot Live By Flesh Alone’, that shits a certified classic right there and on a non-Hip-Hop ting I been bumping that Frank Ocean ‘Nostalgia’ album.

You’re a main force in the crew F.L.I.P. so can you tell us exactly who all the members are and what makes F.L.I.P different to any other crews out there?

Well there’s loads of people who are down with the fam but the main members we focused on with the projects coming right now are myself, Big Ben, Ragz, Danny Bones, King Response and Wordsmith. I’d say the first thing that makes us different than other crews is that we so much better than them. Haha. And most importantly we’re all real friends. The core members who been here from the start all went primary school together and anyone who joined along the way got involved because of friendships not cos we recruited anyone. I think that connection makes us work much better together and creates an energy that a lot of groups don’t have. It’s funny cos the underground rap scene in the UK hate the mainstream so much but half of the groups are as manufactures as the spice girls. Haha.

Tell us more about F.L.I.P TV and the thinking behind the whole TV Channel. 

I just copped a camera so we could make our own videos and on a ‘No Favours’ tip again didn’t need to holla other youtube channels to do that for us. Me and Bones started shooting and editing the videos and I’ve got really into it as an art form. The channel is not just about us either; we do videos for other artists, plus interviews, freestyles and other stuff. We got Dead Prez on there, AZ, Termanology, Jaja Soze, Skinnyman, Stylah and the list goes on.

Your next release is an EP right? Can you tell us more about that please?

Yeah the next one is an EP all produced by Show N Prove called ‘Forever’. Its kind of an album really with I think 13 tracks but the last few are remixes and are listed as bonus tracks. The project is absolutely huge. I wanted to follow up ‘No Favours’ with this cos I done the full solo ting and now it’s time to drop a load of collabs. Aside from myself Show N Prove is my favourite producer to work with and I got a load of big features on this one as well. So far we got Dappy from N-Dubz, Neon Hitch, Big Ben, Barry Knight, Stylah, Genesis Elijah, MCD, Dash Gambino and I’m waiting on verses from Logic, Pesci and Terra Slim. I shouldn’t really put them names out till it’s done but fuck it. Once them tracks are finished it’s a wrap and we gonna be dropping it as a FREE download for Christmas. Haha.

And finally, can you give us an update on the Supar Novar & MCD album? When will that be dropping?

Yeah that’s basically done, we just need to get a verse from Danny Bones that he should actually be recording that tonight and then I’m gonna link D to start mixing it tomorrow. The album is 14 tracks long with me and MCD producing 7 each. We got features from Big Ben, Mr Ti2bs, Pesci, Steelo One, Poni, Paris 1, Paradise (57th Dynasty), Nocturnal (Bury Crew), Ragz Sweet Jones plus a few others. It’s a massive project that it’s just been an honour to be able to make. Once we finished it in the next week or so we gonna work out how we gonna put it out. Honestly it really deserves a proper release so we probably gonna be looking for someone to release it for us and get it the right distribution, so labels holla. Haha.

Interview by Tricksta

With Mr. 13’s new release ‘Firts Featuring’ now doing the rounds, as well as a new music video featuring Supar Novar & Big Frizzle, as well as working some of the UK’s most respected producers such as 7th Dan, Beat Butcha, Deadman Walkn, Nutty P, Jabba Tha Kut and more, everything’s go for this London rapper. We had to get this interview.

Easy Firts, thanks for doing this interview. So how’s it going with the album? It looks like the response has been good!

My pleasure, thanks for your time. Yea I’m very happy with the feedback the album has got from my peers, and well respected people in the UK Hip Hop scene such as yourself. I’m still trying to get it out to as many of the listening public as possible, and will continue to do so for the rest of the year, as I think a project with this much underground talent on it should be a must have in anyone’s UK Hip Hop collection.

There’s loads of guests on the album (hence the name of the title) and a lot of talent on there. Did this mean it took a long time to make?

I’d say it took roughly 6 months to complete in it’s entirety. Which isn’t bad I guess given there is 20 MC’s featured on the project and 9 Producers. There where some stressful times as the deadline for it’s Friday the 13th of May release date, but I want to thank everyone who took time out to be involved with the project.
 
7th Dan’s production is all over this and he smashes it. How did you hook up with him?

I have been working with 7th for a couple of years now. We met originally through a mutual friend on Facebook. 7th also mixed and mastered the project, and in my eyes is a top UK Hip Hop Producer and Engineer. I’m definitely looking to work with a lot of different talented Producers, but 7th Dan will always be featured on my future work.

Good to see Cons & Cobane up on there too, I’m feeling The Colony and what they do. Have you known Cons long and how did you meet?

I agree, The Colony definitely have a lot of good music on their C.V. I’ve known Cons probably a little over a year. 7th Dan has worked with him throughout his career, and he introduced us at a studio session one time. I’m a person who goes with my gut feeling about people when I meet/work with them, and Cons has always come across as one of the most genuine people I’ve met in the ‘game’. Cobane is very good peoples as well so it was only natural for me to reach out to them for Firts Featuring.

There’s a whole help of rappers on the project like Loudmouth Melvin, Big Cakes, Cyclonious, Phoenix Da Icefire, Iron Braydz, Supar Novar, Pyro Barz, etc, but out of all the tracks on there, which one do you think come out the best?

Ooooh, your putting me on the spot here haha. I’d say different tracks suit different moods for me, but my overall favourites would have to be ‘Let It Rain Ft Supar Novar & Big Frizzle Prod By Wizard’, and ‘Flow Fitness Ft Loudmouth Melvin & Pyro Barz Prod By Wizard’. ‘Let It Rain’ is the type of track I love making. There’s a reflective type of vibe to it that really inspires me to write about very real issues that I think a lot of people can relate to. ‘Flow Fitness’ is just so fun to listen to for me! Loudmouth Melvin and Pyro Barz are definitely 2 of my favourite MC’s right now and they have a good chemistry on tracks. So for me to add a little something to that, and for it to just blend in nicely, it was a happy moment for me.

Loving the new video with Supar Novar & Big Frizzle. That video came out real nice man; you must be chuffed with it?!

Thank you! Yea I was extremely happy with the video. All credit to GlobalFaction for their great work on the Directing/Editing. For me they are 1 of the best youtube channels promoting positive UK Hip Hop right now, and it was a pleasure to work with someone so professional.

How important are videos to artists these days do you think?

I think it’s very important to put a face to your name if you want people to buy into what your doing. Plus these days so many people treat Youtube like a jukebox. All of the music they listen to comes through that website, so if you haven’t got a strong presence on there it’s east to slip under a lot of people’s radar.

So as well as a rapper, you’re also a radio deejay too right? Tell us more about that.

Yes I am. My show alongside DJ Bones promoting UK Hip Hop has definitely helped me build up some great contacts throughout the UK scene, and I’d like to think people know myself and DJ Bones for promoting up and coming artists without any politics or hidden agenda’s. You can listen to our show on http://www.WeAreBANG.com or 103.6fm every Thursday night 10pm-1am. Radio is something I really enjoy doing and has always been a great way to get my voice heard. It can sometimes be hard balancing trying to promote my career as an MC, and promoting a hole genre, but for the most part to two jobs can run in tandem and benefit each other.

Don’t you also host and interview people for a You Tube channel too?

Yes myself and DJ Bones are also know as ‘2 Skinny Guys And A Camera’. We have got over 200 videos on our channel, and have had the pleasure of catching up with some of the most talented Hip Hop artists the country has to offer. Please stop by http://www.youtube.com/djbonesandmr13 to see me interview the likes of Wretch 32, K Koke, Lowkey, Akala, Mic Righteous, Mystro, Rodney P, and many many more. We have also interviewed international artists such as, J.Cole, Joell Ortiz, Saigon, Homeboy Sandman, and more.

So how long have you been releasing music now and what have you released to date?

Well my 1st release was ‘My Life Life Rhymes’ on 13/4/08. Since then I’ve released ‘Head Rush’, ‘Smokers C.O.F.’, ‘Boiling Point’, ‘Firts Featuring”, ‘Best Of Firts’ and my latest release as part of a collective ‘Red Tape’.

Are these titles still available to get?

The 1st few can be downloaded for free at http://www.mediafire.com/mr13 the latest projects can be found at http://www.mr13.bandcamp.com
 
You play live to quite a lot, any gigs coming up?

Not in the very near future, but I’m sure there will be towards to end of the year. I need to get back into the studio and start working on my next release for now.

Okay before you go, do you wanna shout out anyone?

Well firstly yourself for continuing to promote good UK Hip Hop artists. My family for always being there for me. My boy DJ Bones for always giving me an honest opinion and believing in our vision. Dr Psycho for always giving me a kick up the arse to work harder. Everyone who contributed their time and/or free beats to Firts Featuring. Everyone that has taken the time out to go and download it. All the people that did what they could to spread to word on the project when it dropped. Thanks to the top UK MC’s who have taken the time to let me know they like what I’m doing. Lastly thanks to all the Blogs who have supported my work this year.

Interview by Tricksta

Download all of Mr. 13’s music from:
www.mr13.bandcamp.com

Follow Mr.13 on Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/firts

Northwest London artist AC doesn’t really need an introduction if you know you’re UK Hip-Hop, but those who are unfortunate enough to have not heard his music then maybe now is a good time to start! A.C speaks the truth, raps with precision flows whatever the tempo and above all is one of the UK’s most hard working entertainers.

Easy fam, hope your good. First up big up on the ‘Prophecy For Profit EP’, loving every track on there to be honest! Good food! You must have been happy with how it came out yeh?

Thanks, glad you like it! Yeah i like how it turned out, thanks to all the people involved too like Deadman Walkn, June 25th, Grand Central, Mantis and SP the engineers.

Deadman Walkn kills it with the beats I must say. How long you known him and what’s he like to work with?

Yeah Deadman is a serious beatmaker, i met him in 2009 i think through Genesis Elijah and he passed me the beat for Allow That, then I said let’s do an EP and he was cool with it. Deadman’s cool to work with, he lets you do your thing with the beat which is cool.

The other producer on the EP June 25th is a man I don’t really know that much about. Can you school me (lol)?

I met June a couple of years ago when i played at Glastonbury, he came down with us and then later sent me some nice beats. He is from Leicester and has worked with alot of American rappers.

So on the EP you talk on various issues, but I thought it had a very positive vibe throughout it which I found quite uplifting to be honest. How important do you think it is to try and give out a positive message?

I didn’t really set out to make it positive or negative I just wrote what the beats made me feel like, I think it is a mix of positive and negative , but that’s cool if you find it uplifting and positive because that is what is needed right now i think! The world is in a bad state right now so if anything makes you feel better that’s a bonus! I think that music reflects what the artist is feeling because of the environment they are in mentally or physically: it can go either way. I don’t think it has to be positive as some of the best stuff written is negative in attitude or responding to negative aspects of society . I just represent whatever i am feeling at the time, so you might hear a negative track from me or a positive. But if its a negative track I do put some energy and humour in it as otherwise it just would be depressing.

So there’s been EP’s and loads of features & collaborations, but can you tell us will we be getting a full length A.C album one day soon? If so is there anything exclusive you can tell us about it?

Yeah the album is all recorded and my engineer Mantis is just finishing off mixing the last three tracks. I have seen a few labels about it but have not been feeling the contracts they offered so we’ll see what happens as I am not an idiot, like many industry types want you to treat you like. The album is gonna be called ‘Keep it Together’ and describes the journey from a very negative way of thinking to a positive mindset and all the obstacles along the way. Also I got an EP ready to go out that i did with Ill Thought Process, and have almost finished another EP with Otee the Scoundrel.

Outside of your own music you also emcee at jungle and dubstep raves. That must be great fun bro! How did that come about?

Yeah i started doing drum n bass mcing at raves all over London before i was doing hiphop or grime so that was always there, but when i was doing alot of hiphop shows i didn’t have time to do drum n bass raves. last year though i had time to do a drum n bass mix cd with DJ Kinzy from Wales, and that resulted in me getting residencies at some clubs over UK, so my next Drum n bass raves are ‘Show me your Bassface’ at Mass in brixton 21st october, Paradox at Wahoo in southampton 22nd october, and the Random Concept Innovation in the dam warmup at Roadmender in Northampton. I have now done a mix cd with fellow random concept resident DJ Blackley and am distributing that at raves and on the streets. I like mcing to DnB as the beat pattern and tempo are cool to flow on and when you have a big soundsystem the basslines and buildups in the tracks just get you hyped. Also the ravers are all going mad so it is a good vibe to perform in.

It says in your official press release that you’ve shifted over 40,000 units. Is this something you’re making up or is this honestly real? Can you explain this for other people who might think its all PR hype?

Yeah that’s real, it is more than that now, like 49,000, as i had sold 40,000 when i put the New Day EP with Jabbathakut out.  When Terra and I were making our first tracks I was selling the Jay Series RNB and Hiphop compilation cds on the streets, then i met Execution Squodd selling their own cd on Oxford Street in london. This was like 2003 or 4. I wanted to make music that was what I wanted to do, not what any label person or industry type tries to get you to make in order to get ‘sales’. The only way to make good money off it was to sell it ourselves as the independent shops like Mr Bongo’s and Deal Real didn’t seem to wanna push our stuff as they did not understand our sense of humour or energy levelson the songs. Its weird as they would understand Big L’s humour which was like our’s, but looked down on our’s so we said fuck all these people and did like Execution Squodd. People who were not involved in the music industry were loving our stuff though, and within the first week we’d outsold most UK HIPHOP artists who put their vinyl or cds in shops the traditional route. Then the same snobs from shops were asking us to sell their backpack rapper cds for them! If you go out everyday like we did and sell your cd and you are a good salesman then you will also achieve sales like these. Mike GLC and his street team sold thousands of cds as did Mr Drastick , Stylah, D21, D Raw, Final Element, Genesis Elijah, Lexus Dutty, Kosha, Predator and many other rappers but most media magazines ignore it as they are not earning any money from us as we are self sufficient. Now sales figures for cd selling on the street are less, as illegal downloading is the trend so other hustles must be employed, but at the time Terra and I were selling our cds ‘Human Trash!!’ and ‘Youthansia: Escape from the Land of the Wastemen’, the money was nice.

You seem to have a flair for all things creative and I saw that you do a You Tube series called C U Next Tuesday, as well as appearing in a film right? Tell us about the acting.

Thanks yeah I do all my own artwork so I thought i might aswell film my own videos too. So i started filming my own videos and dropped em on youtube every tuesday. This has resulted in a few offers for a current affairs rant show on youtube and some other acting-roles . I acted in a theatre play called Popcorn, where i played a lunatic serial killer in LA who holds a Quentin Tarantino-like director and his family hostage. That was cool to do as we did a little tour of the play and it got good reviews and full houses. I am gonna be acting in some online dramas coming up so watch this space!

So music wise what are you listening to at the moment? Any quality Hip-Hop out that you think people should check?

I am listening to alot of rap music from Texas, like Z-RO, J Dawg, Trae the Truth. Also the old stuff from the 90s from America. I also liked Lil B’s tune ‘I hate myself’ I thought that was a deep track.

Okay good luck in the future bro and feel free to plug what you need now before you go! Lol.

Thanks Tricksta good luck to you and Rago magazine too, check out my clothing label on www.aceshighclothing.com  , facebook.com/acthemc , twitter.com/acthemc , soundcloud.com/acthemc , youtube.com/acandterra, acthemc.bandcamp.com

Interview by Tricksta