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LATE has been rapping and releasing music for as long as I can remember. When I first really got into UK Rap around 1997 there wasn’t much that much UK Hip-Hop that impressed me. Then came along LATE with his group Villains and totally changed my view on the UK scene. Now in 2010 LATE drops his new album ‘UK Rapscallion’ which sees him go in over 12 Tricksta produced cuts and collaborate with of the UK’s most cutting edge artists such as Genesis Elijah, TBear, Supar Novar, Iron Braydz, Manny Moscow, Cyclonious, Serocee and many more. I just had to hook up with this UK Rap legend to find out more…
You’ve been recording and releasing music now for over two decades and in that time a lot has changed, but for you what are the key differences in the way the Hip-Hop scene has changed?
I think the whole digital format has been the biggest change and the way that major labels have near enough stopped signing real Hip Hop artists. People are quick to say Hip Hop has changed but I think there are still lots of real music out there you just have to know where to look. I think mainstream Hip Hop has peaked, its going full circle now like it was in the late 80 and early 90’s. It’s gone back underground but now we have the internet, everything just keeps moving forward the games the same it’s just the players change.
You’ve always remained consistent in your releases. What elements do you think are needed to be a consistent artist?
I think it’s constantly having something to say and wanting to express yourself and being in this for the right reason. If it’s purely for the money there is no longevity in that, you might make a lot of money in short space of time but that’s its. But I’m not going to knock that, if you can do it, do it. Get that money...
So let’s talk about the new album ‘UK Rapscallion’. It seems to be getting some positive feedback. What are the main differences between this album and your 2008 album ‘Below Street Level’?
Below Street Level I managed to work with some real rap legends like Willie D of the Geto Boys, K-Rino, KB DA Kidnappa, JT The Bigga Figga to name a few. On the UK Rapscallion album I’ve kept it all UK guests, originally it was going to be a UK Runnings release but the project grew that big, we decided to release it as a full length album
On the album you talk on lots of different topics and it seems to be mature in its thinking with some quality, uplifting music. How would you describe this album both lyrically and musically?
I’m just being myself and expressing myself, no one tells me what to make and I don’t make party tunes. I’m getting older and wiser so I have more to say. I’ve been releasing records 11 years and like anything you do in life you get better at what you do. If you look at most underground artists in any genre of music their new album is usually better than their last. Tricksta’s production is the same he knows exactly what sort of beats I like.
You’ve already dropped two videos from the project. Do you plan to film any more?
Hopefully yes, we want to get more into this. As a lot of music video stations are only playing dance rap videos so more and more artists are making more videos that they put on YouTube themselves. That way they can be more creative then the typical guys rapping in a club with some girls dancing in the videos.
Out of the twelve tracks on the album, what would say the real highlights are and what are the tracks that seem to be getting good feedback?
If think the title track UK Rapscallion is getting a lot of love it dropped just at the right time a lot of people are getting fed up of the more dance pop style rap and this song shows there is real Hip Hop is still out here. It’s that is not just a load of words that rhyme and will make you nod your head. I think its one of those album where if you like the first track you will like the whole album there are no fillers on here just 12 quality tracks.
Do you have a personal favourite on the album?
Some of my favourites are the title track UK Rapscallion, Real, Definition, Grey Skies, Hoodlife, I’m Sill Here, Locked & Loaded, Headbanger, Worldwide Promotion, Elevate, Stick With me and Mic Controller. I think I’ve got carried away! That’s all of them, but the last week or so I’ve had Elevate on repeat while I’ve been driving round
What’s interesting is that you have also dropped an instrumental version of the album. Is this something you plan to do again and why did you do this?
I just thought I’d try it. There are loads of instrumental mixtapes out there but not many albums and the thing with the mixtape instrumentals you never really get the full song. With this you have the full instrumental so if you’re a DJ, an up and coming MC, or a film maker; whatever you can check this out. If the people like this then I might do some more.
There are some great UK collaborations on this album with some well known UK names featuring. How did you go about choosing people to collaborate with?
Like I said this project was originally going to be a UK Runnings release so Tricksta hooked up nearly all the collaborations. He was asking people if they wanted to jump on a track with me and most people said yeah that’s why the project was turned into the album it just came together so well
So with this new album out on iTunes and on CD where is the best place to buy it from?
The best place to buy the CD like with any independent artist is their actual website that way you’re supporting the artist 100%. So yeah www.wolftownrecordings.net.
So what’s next for LATE as an artist will you are releasing anything else this year?
I’ve got a digital release called “From The Vaults” it’s a collection of underground tracks we’ve had sitting in the vaults, so I’ve got that and I’ve also got an EP coming as well.
And what about your label Wolftown Recordings any other artists or albums due in the near future?
The next big release really is going to be the Tricksta album that is going to be a massive project for us so be on the lookout for that it’s going to feature all the real UK Hip Hop heads. Also we are going to be unleashing Manyy Moscow's debut album too. Just keep checking www.wolftownrecordings.net for all the latest releases.
Please make sure you check out…
www.youtube.com/lordlate
www.myspace.com/latewolftown
www.reverbnation.com/latewolftown
www.wolftownrecordings.net
Please join the LATE’s Facebook Group.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=184615&id=100000682915976#!/pages/LATE/127851320558827?ref=mf
Interview by Brendan Deane
www.ragomagazine.com
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