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Shaq hiphop.ie
What's your label situation?
MJ & E
We are on our own label. it is a bustling independent called Inaudible
Records. It is run by the band and the amazing Capital Wow human being
General Knowledge Shaq hiphop.ie
What are your record sales like?
MJ & E
Very encouraging. we sold 12 trillion
Shaq hiphop.ie
Do you think there is a market for hip hop in Ireland? MJ & E
there isn't an enormous one but there is one nonetheless. there is
a stronghold, a bubble that represents a market. a lot of people in this
country are still into mainly boring safe music and think hip hop is a joke,
which, despite what you see on the television nowadays, is not the case. Hip
hop at it's best (Rakim, Juice Crew, DJ Shadow, Wutang, KRS One, Aesop Rock,
Sage Francis, Edan) can send the invention levels through the roof. There is
a small contingent who are bloody dedicated and respect in abundance goes to
them. However, if one act blew up overseas, you know we will follow suit
over here
Shaq hiphop.ie
Your beats sound pretty different to a lot of the stuff out there,
where do you get the inspiration for your beats?
MJ & E
The Expert gets inspired from everything sonic and audible. (his dog hearing
is not up to scratch yet! )It could be a noise someone makes, a fight with a
friend, somebody's personality reflected in sound right down to the records
he devours everyday that inspire him. I cannot understand the chap's mind
and never want to. He stands out from the crowd because he digs deep for all
samples and he listens to every type of music.....very very carefully. I
think he is listening to Skater Bluegrass Lounge from Chad this week! The
fact that he is an ace keyboardist, a top o the pops aranger and
songwriter and a savage engineer helps too!
Shaq hiphop.ie On what's confusing you? (Check the vision) You said your "objective
is to enlighten" is that still the case? What do you try to enlighten your
listener about? If not, what is your mission as a MC?
MJ & E
My mission is to enlighten my weighing scales. i have put on fierce weight
this past while. no seriously, i want to make people see things in this
world from new angles and use their heads. a lot of musicians have nothing
to say despite talking a lot. my mission as an emcee is to make music that
is good on the ear and the brain. how am i doing? Shaq hiphop.ie
You do some storytelling on some of your songs do you reckon it is
an effective way to get your point across?
MJ & E
Yes. I'm no Enid Blyton but I carry on regardless. Everybody can relate to a
story. Unless David Lynch tells it
Shaq hiphop.ie
What is the idea behind releasing your limited edition EP?
MJ & E
...And Another Thing is a limited edition 10 track EP which contains 5
previous Bsides and 5 brand new tracks. You can snatch a sample at
www.messiahjandtheexpert.com We want to keep our releases constant and to be
prolific and consistently in people's minds. That, combined with the fact
that there's some juicy fruits on there was why we really wanted to bring
it We had three years in the wilderness between our first and seond albums.
Never again so far as we can help it. Consistent quality releases all the
way. ...And Another Thing is exclusively available from www.roadrecs.com and
at MJEX gigs.
Shaq hiphop.ie
What sort of reaction do you get outside Ireland?
MJ & E
Predominantly a very good one. Just last week we played South by Southwest
in Texas to a very healthy crowd. Steve Lamacq, Sage Francis and C Rayz Walz
were all there too. We release NOW THIS I HAVE TO HEAR in the UK this June
and we are hoping and expecting for it to do a bit of damage. I think people
in Europe understand where we are coming from and recognise that we have
something going on that is different to much of what comes out of America
hip hop wise. To most that is refreshing and we have stood out because of
that.
Shaq hiphop.ie
How did your collaboration with C Rayz Walz come about?
MJ & E
He was played our stuff and he dug it. We contacted him through our contact
and the rest was very easy. We recorded separately then combined the parts
to make it as seemless as possible. It was a joy and utterly painless
Shaq hiphop.ie
Anymore collaborations with international artists lined up? Who
would you like to work with?
MJ & E
None lined up. There will be though. In fantasy land we want to make music
with Bjork, Cat Power, Aesop Rock, David Axelrod, Sage Francis, Alex Turner,
Morrissey, Edan, Rakim and Roisin Murphy Shaq hiphop.ie
What MCs/Beat makers/ Producers are you feeling right now?
MJ & E
Timbaland, Blockhead, BOC from The Infomatics, Daedalus, Edan, Sage Francis,
Aesop Rock
Shaq hiphop.ie
Are there any hip hop artists in Ireland you are feeling?
MJ & E
The Infomatics are our favourites. Also Urban Intelligence, Disfunk, Flip,
Whitenoise, Tu Ki, Urban intelligence and a few that evade me get the thumbs
up Shaq hiphop.ie
What advice would give to upcoming artists in Ireland?
MJ & E
Do your own thing. dont give a bollox about what others are doing. Original
music comes from not following the crowd. worry about your own music not
everyone elses. Study the greats - break them down. steal discreetly. do not
wait around to be signed. you make things happen in this life...bring your
own stuff out when it's time unless you have a better offer. never
underestimate the stimuli for ideas - there are films, books and songs
loaded with inspiration. limit internet faffing - it can be lethal and
timewasting. Stick your chest out, be proud and work and write fucking hard
enough until you dont have to listen to jokers like me. For more information on MJ & E see http://www.messiahjandtheexpert.com/ |
