| Q1 : How did you get your alias/rap name? |
| Kwest and I and hoard of other half-drunken misfits were rapping at 4zZz’s Phat Tape show in about ’98. Kristoff finished his verse with the line ‘…I make a good case like Sammsonite’. I didn’t know about luggage brand names, but I was the next rapper in line – so I assumed the alias then and there. |
| Q2 : What year did you first get into hip hop? |
| Who knows? 1990-something. These things are so hard to remember. I can tell you I heard NWA when I was 8 and liked swearing. I think I can honestly say I got serious about liking hiphop when Gravediggaz bought out 6ft Deep in ’94 or ’95. |
| Q3 : Who have been the major influences on your career to date and
how? (musical or other) |
| DJ Premier, Prince Paul, Madlib, JayDilla, ALC, Hieroglyphics crew, Big Daddy Kane, Swollen Members, Monch, Phat Tape Radio, Lazy Grey, Masta Ace. All of these artists have had repeat plays on the tape deck/cd/mp3 player. They are all born to do what they do. |
| Q4 : If you could perform or record with anyone dead or alive - who
would it be and why? |
| John Lennon and George Martin. Together these fellas completely revolutionized music production – in such a way that every artists I sample copies their production techniques and song-writing prowess. |
| Q5 : What countries and cities have you most enjoyed performing in?
Any interesting stories to tell? |
| Melbourne is second best to Boomtown. Melbourne is good. Melbourne people are kind of like Brisbane people. Less bullshit and easy to get along with. |
| Q6 : Across your career to date, what highlights will you hold onto
till you die? |
| HA! It hasn’t happened yet. |
| Q7 : Vinyl and analog have played such a massive part of the
development of hip hop, how do you feel about the shift to digital? |
| I am very disappointed by digital forms. Mp3’s make me weep. After spending weeks perfecting a mix – some dude slaps it on his ipod at 128kbps. Booo! |
| Q8 : What advice do you have for young, aspiring artists
(MCs/DJs/Producers)? |
| Work on your drums. Get them sounding really good. Don’t make beats like that T-Pain might dig. |
| Q9 : What one thing in your career you would most want to be
remembered for? |
| My magical flow. My golden tonsils. And my tireless self-promotion. None of these things. |
| Q10 : What other activities do you enjoy doing when you're not making
music, rehearsing or performing? |
| Philosophy of eastern origin, Boozing of Coopers origin and The Brisbane Lions of Brisbane Bear/Fitzroy Lions origin. |
| Q11 : Why hip hop? |
| Hmmmmm. I wish I knew. Maybe if I got into Planets and Star Wars like everyone else I’d be an accountant, |
