It's A Rap

The last couple of years has seen the steady progression of homegrown Irish hip hop and electronic music from underground to the mainstream. Dublin rapper Lethal Dialect released two critically-acclaimed albums in 2011, which led to supporting slots alongside Ghostpoet, Action Bronson and, finally, a headline show in Dublin’s Workman’s Club in May. The man behind the beats on both albums was 21-year-old GI, aka Dubliner Christopher Buckley.

A producer and a rapper, Buckley is set to put out his own album, Underworld, on September 28. Making beats since the age of 15, he’s currently studying Music Production in Dún Laoghaire College of Further Education. Why is the current wave of Irish hip hop capturing the public interest? “Paul’s (Lethal Dialect) first album was street-themed,” he begins. “It really reflected what he was thinking at that time, and ignited a spark in people. For people growing up in rough areas...you could relate to it. A lot of hip hop uses the same generic theme – why not show a bit of positivity?” Buckley’s album will be released through independent label Workin’ Class Records. “I want to let other rappers know how lyrical we are, how much meaning there is in our music. It’s intelligently crafted. You can release gimmicky stuff, but that only works for so long.” As well as working on his own album, GI has provided beats for members of Waterford crew Sons Phonetic and Londoner Cyrus Malachi (see below) and also has an EP, a dance album and Lethal Dialect’s third LP in the works. Phew! And though he’s forging a name for himself in the Irish hip hop scene, Buckley is keen to give back to the community in Finglas where he grew up. “I’m going to do a drum ‘n’ bass video soon,” he explains. “I have a concept in mind – really positive, with a community vibe. I’m going to ask my old school if we can do a scene there.” Such positivity certainly wasn’t present at a certain Phoenix Park gig recently. What does Buckley make of the controversial Swedish House Mafia/Snoop Dogg show? Are dance and rap music really to blame for such acute anti-social behaviour and violence? “I wasn’t there myself. From what I’ve heard, it was nuts!”, he replies. “Some people go for the fights and drugs, or to follow a crowd. When you have major artists like Madonna promoting MDMA, you can’t blame dance/rap for people’s actions. The Wu-Tang gig we did [GI and Street Literature supported the US legends in Dublin’s Button Factory this summer] featured much more hardcore music. But there was nothing but mutual respect for the artists. No trouble at all.” Swedish House Mafia fans – listen and learn! For now, GI is kept busy and is happy with his collective’s ethos. “We don’t have to change and adapt. We’re just doing our own thing. I want to make music for people who are struggling. I want to
motivate them”.
In the sunny south-east, meanwhile, Wexford label First Son Records are keeping busy too, having recently put out an album by the aforementioned Cyrus Malachi, featuring beats from GI label manager Ruairi Hartigan. He reflects on the current Irish scene. “Since Sons Phonetic dropped [debut album] Twelve Labours and Lethal Dialect released his stuff, it’s really improved. Music like that showcases the hard work that’s been put in. Some people throw up anything on YouTube. These guys took their time to perfect it.” Going forward, First Son are set to release a full Cyrus Malachi LP later this year, and then a label album which, Hartigan explains, will feature various Irish producers. “It’s great to see,” he smiles, “that the stuff happening in Ireland is getting recognised”.
Up north, Belfast’s Melted Music continues to go from strength to strength too, with releases from Wicklow man Monto and Portadown native SertOne hitting virtual shelves in recent weeks. Label manager Matt Agnew recalls, “I signed SertOne first, then Monto, and basically gave them free rein on what they wanted their releases to sound like. [SertOne’s new EP] Shapes In The Sky is a bit more evolved than his debut. I guess when he started playing at shows and festivals, his music made the transition from something you can listen to on your headphones to something that’s made to be played live.” He continues, “With Monto’s Best Boy EP, I think Ross went back to his hip hop roots, but brought in his new-found influences like electronic, jazz and juke music, and made something entirely new and refreshing.” On Melted’s ethos, he adds, “We consider ourselves a hip hop label but we don’t really have a rule book on how something should sound - if it’s good, we’ll put it out”.
Back in Dublin, and the artist formerly known as Lecs Luther is also making serious musical waves. Rejjie Snow, as he’s now known, shot to fame following the release of ‘Dia Dhuit’ last year. First up, why the name change? “It was spontaneous, I was just messing about,” he laughs, “and liked the sound of Rejjie Snow. I was a bit sick of people calling me Lecs!” A rose by any other name and all that… Following a spell in the UK, Rejjie recently signed with a London management company; “They stumbled across my YouTube and Tumblr,” he explains, “the internet is a great way for people to reach each other.” The worldwide web is also how the rapper came to collaborate with Jitterbug Studios, the animators behind the excellent ‘Meddling Loops’ vid (check it out if you haven’t already). “After I’d done that track, I got an email from this guy saying he wanted to work with me. I checked out his stuff, then we came up with that video”, he says. So what’s next on the agenda? “I’ll be releasing a small EP shortly”, he reveals. “I’m working with a few people – King Krule, Joey Badass, and a couple of guys in New York. It’s awesome for people to appreciate what I’m doing.”
Fellow Dubliner Shola ‘ShoBiz’ Quadri has just unleashed his debut mixtape Better Late Than Never. Born in Nigeria, the rapper moved to Ireland at the age of 12, where he promptly began making music. Citing varying musical influences like Fela Kuti, Gorillaz, Nas and Björk, ShoBiz slices and dices tracks by The xx and The Avalanches on his mixtape, which he gave away for free. He’s also well able to take care of the business side of things, having just finished up a marketing degree in Dublin Business School. “I’m trying to mix my academia with music”, he explains. “You have to pick up the phone, go to venues, network. It’s challenging, but a challenge I’m willing to take on.” The rapper aims to merge different genres on his forthcoming EP, rather than stick strictly to hip hop. “On one track, I use a sample based on Fella Kuti, who defined Afro Beats using jazz, blues and rock,” he explains. “If you listen to that song, it’s not hip hop at all. The reaction at live shows has been really good though.” ShoBiz plans to release the EP early next year, though for now his focus is on getting his name out there.“Between now and then, I want to push my current material and release newer tracks. And get some airplay. I won’t stop ‘til everyone hears my voice!”