So Scottish hip hop in your opinion what's it all about?

In my opinion man alot of the artists involved in it are real heads, dudes that are fans of artists and artists themselves. Most of them are just out to gain respect from other artists and some make money, I can’t see dudes makin’ millions but at the same time if their makin’ enough money to keep themselves goin’ it’s all good.

Who are the main players?

Well I was sayin to ma mate the other day that I made a list of 3 dudes.

1. Eastborn - obviously this dude has been doin’ his thing for absolute ages and has major respect from alot of heads including me.

2. Respek BA - Blades Hypeman, and absolutely killed it in the jumpoff battle and my favourite punchline dude of all.

3. Loki - based on the fact this dude has done lotsa stuff and everything he comes out with is relevant. Friendly World in my eyes is hands down the best Scottish album I have heard.

There are more but this is my top 3.

Why do you think Scottish hip hop is really gaining momentum with young Scots?

Alot of the lyricists out there appeal to young kids about all the shite that happens in and around Scotland, whether it be drugs, alcohol, and ned culture it’s all in there.

Do you think it has a world wide appeal?

Definitely, I personally know artists unsigned that are better than all those commercial artists in the charts right now and it annoys me that Scottish artists generate more interest from places other than Scotland I heard somewhere that they were gettin’ major plays in Japan. That is crazy that other people with different languages and cultures can ’feel’ music that isn’t being ’felt’ as much as we would hope in Scotland.

A lot of people probably the old school say that there's to many haters these days everybodies a bedroom hip hop artist, what you take on this?

That’s fair enuff alot of the people are, but that mostly comes down to like their mates not thinkin’ it’s cool, not havin’ cash to pay for studio time, and maybe not even knowing enough or havin’ the confidence to ask about playing venues. Sometimes its just that they do it for a laugh.

Seems to be a strong battling fraternity in Scotland why's that?

Yeh Scotland is a fighting country, you’ve seen the Braveheart film lol. I dont actually see alot of battles personally, I’ve only been to 1 which was good but alot of people didn’t turn up. I think the battles are a way to show what mc’s are made of, and it does. Ba killed it on the jumpoff shit, and freestyle master even gave it a blast. I think the people up here wanna battle just to prove to people in England and the world that although we are a small country we also got a big amount of talent.

You are putting a battle together I believe?

Yes it will be in Glasgow at an unconfirmed venue as of yet but I will keep the peeps updated. It was originally just gonna be an outside event and a wee fun day I suppose, but I thought why not go the full hog, book a venue, get this on the go, I got a few surprises for it too so keep our eyes peeled folks.

You have a mix tape coming out how did it come about?

Well to start with I just wanted to make a mixtape showcasing Scottish artists and I though I’ll only do the one. The first one turned out to be utter shite which I admit too ha ha. But since then I have brushed up my skills and the mix is finished, I’ve just passed the mix onto the host to do his thing, and I’m gettin the artwork done as we speak.

So look out for it early next year.

Who's on it?

Damn alot of artists lol.
I wont mention em all, cos there is 2 tracks with lotsa dudes on it.
but expect to hear:
Eastborn
Loki and the being guys
Shogun
Legion Of Doom
Catch Klick
Lyricol
Awesome Wellz
Dark Rumors
West
Gard Feez and Bluhnt
Scatabrainz
D Team
R.I.P
Synical
and others

I hear DropZone are involved how did that come about?

Basically I mentioned on the Scottish hip hop forum that I was going to get cd's pressed, and Eastborn contacted me about it, so he's helping with the cd’s an shit, and it will be sold on the dropzonerecords site too, the guy is real cool, real helpful and everything

Must be nice having the likes of Eastborn in your corner?

Exactly dude.

What are your influences?

My influences come from like Jazzy Jeff, DJ Shadow, and a whole host of DJ’s who do their thing, Scotland wise my favourite dude is DJ Dema.

I’m really influenced to do theses mixtapes with the talent provided in Scotland, I'm really all about the scene and I wanna help in anyway I can.

What next for Dj Scuba Steve?

I got the Scotland Standup mixtape volume 2 coming out early next year, I’m working with Norwegian and Scottish artists on a release, which with the rate it’s going should be about 10 years yet, I'm doing these battles, and I'm working with artists getting their mixtapes out and about too.

Also can I say check out the Tonak Rhymes Doom Rap mixtape - mixed by me.

Dudes a promising mc and he's doin big things rite now, lookout for his Melancholic Misunderstandings LP.

Keep Supporting Scottish Artists.

Peace

www.dropzonerecords.com

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