| Q1 : How did you get your alias/rap name? |
| It's my actual birth name all joined together |
| Q2 : What year did you first get into hip hop? |
| Tough question. I discovered my love of hip-hop in the late 80s through things like spotting graffiti in my neighbourhood and through things like Herbie Hanckock, RunDMC, Beastie Boys, Malcolm McLaren etc on late night Rage. But I really got into it in grade 8 in 1993, when I started tuning into the Phat Tape Hip Hop show on 4-ZzZ 102.1fm with DJ Katch and Frenzie (at the time). I used to record that shit to cassette every week then listen to it in most classes all week at school. Peace to cassette walkmans and land cruisers. |
| Q3 : Who have been the major influences on your career to date and
how? (musical or other) |
| Far too many really. Feels like I'm overlooking far too many to even begin but I guess DJ Premier, ALC, Evidence/Dilated, Beatnuts, KRS-ONE/BDP... too many rappers and Djs/producers to name, as well as Rock Steady Crew, Rapid Fire/B-Boy All-Stars and just graffiti and crime life in general. |
| Q4 : If you could perform or record with anyone dead or alive - who
would it be and why? |
| That's a tough question too. Well, not that I feel I'm up to the standard, but recording with Sean P would be ill... or maybe Evidence. Again, too many to even get into. |
| Q5 : What countries and cities have you most enjoyed performing in?
Any interesting stories to tell? |
| Well, we're not such a big touring group, but you know, I like performing in Brisbane the most – we get a lot of love here. As for out of town, I like Melbourne. Melbourne's just the illest city out there in my opinion. As for stories from on the road? You know the code. |
| Q6 : Across your career to date, what highlights will you hold onto
till you die? |
| Definitely our Boomtown album launch at the Rev in Brisbane. Shit was crazy. It was packed out like a motherfucker. A great night in general. I think that was one of my “throw up on stage” shows. I haven't thrown up on stage in a while now – I think I'm due. |
| 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 guess it's one of those things. Shit has been digital for some time now, so it's almost like the whole analogue era is just a fond memory now, which is sad too. You know... vinyl and reel to reel and ADAT recording will always be that real hip-hop shit that cats could make in their bedroom... But I guess that's what digital has made it easier to do now. I think as long as there is both, I'll be cool with it. |
| Q8 : What advice do you have for young, aspiring artists
(MCs/DJs/Producers)? |
| 10. Know your history. Listen to the best of every era so you can build a better appreciation for the artform. Don't watch too many music clips. Play your position. Know the ledge. Haha. I don't know... work hard, look, listen and observe. Also, you don't need to release an album. Too many people are releasing albums these days. |
| Q9 : What one thing in your career you would most want to be
remembered for? |
| Damn. Hopefully it hasn't happened ye whatever it is. But if it has, I guess just really being about it. I've grown up fucking with hip-hop, graffiti, electro/breakbeat/b-boying, DJ-ing and producing. It's just stuff that's in me – in all of the Optimen. I'd just want to be remembered as one of the quality Australian hip-hop artists or outfits. |
| Q10 : What other activities do you enjoy doing when you're not making
music, rehearsing or performing? |
| Sketching, record digging, painting, bombing, getting blazed, drinking, hating, loving, riding the train, jerking off, self loathing, thinking about back in the day i.e. living in the past... did I say 'drinking'? |
| Q11 : Why hip hop? |
| I guess it's like the cliché response people give to these kind of questions; as KRS said “rap is something you do. Hip-hop is something you live. It's that whole aspect of it being a whole way of life... which sounds really retarded when you hear you say it yourself, but it basically sums it up. I love beats, raps, breaking and graffiti, and right now it feels like I always will. |
