
Shine
Cyclonious the Interview with BCA
BCA: UK hip hop has well and truly been put on the map and is on the rise with a
healthy number of polished performers, rappers and producers doing their thing
and now their starting to get the recognition that their art form deserves. BCA
caught back up with Cyclonious, who BCA worked with back in 2006 on a artist
development programme that was offering young and talented musical artist the
opportunity to find out a bit more about the music industry and how they could
make the next positive steps in their careers. Cyclonious was one of three acts
out of 20 who was selected to get a music video produced by BCA for his “Rise To
The Top” track, which quickly became a UK Hip Hop anthem and remains on many
young peoples ring tones and play lists. Writing and rapping since he was eleven
CYC is a seasoned UK Hip Hop Veteran and is definitely a rapper who can tell a
story and get his message across to the listener.
BCA: So Cyclonious it’s good to catch up with you, and I know you’ve been locked
away in the studio recently, so it’s a bit of a coo that were are able to get
this interview with you. I‘ve got lots of questions to ask you that the people
want to know, but let me just start by asking, what’s been happening with you
since the “Rise To The Top” video shoot?
C: since the rise to the top video shoot which was actually a track of the rise to the top e.p., I’ve been working on a mix-tape called “Hero’s for hire ”which was a collaboration between me and Mofius, who done all the productions and also my 4th album called the revival.
Q: I’ve just been listening to the “Hero’s 4 Hire” mix-tape and found it to be a refreshing approach to a UK mix-tape. I have heard many mix-tapes but this one is a bit of escapism and with the use of a clever voice over to set the scene and link all the tracks together. Hero’s 4 hire takes the listener on a fictional journey and was well thought out and put together, was your intension to take the listener on a fictional journey?
C: The weird thing about this mix tape was there was not that much thought put behind it, you know it just came to us. We just went through some potential beats for the cd and then started recording when we got to the 7th track we decided to do it as a comic book and “Hero’s 4 Hire” was the outcome.
Q: So you put it together as a comic book, thats interesting because it did take me on that journey of a kind of comic book hero. So the comic book format, is it something that you may use again?
C: Yeah, me and Mofius do plan to do a volume 2, but the narration can be used for other projects, it was just a good way to link it all together.
Q: You say you have also been working on your 4th album and seen as you have worked together so well on Hero’s 4 hire will you and Mofius being working together again on the album and has it got a concept?
C: Mofius has produced 2 tracks on the album, and the concept is me attempting to revive Hip Hop and take it back to the days when it first started i.e. 2 turntables and a microphone, block parties and break-dancing.
Q: Do you feel that Hip Hop has lost its way or are you just reflecting on the past.
C: A mixture of both really, Hip Hop still has the original essence running through it, there are still artists who keep it real, not so much to leave it the way it was because everything has a progression but as I said the essence is still there.
What you find these days, major record labels only want to pick up artists talking about how much money they have got and that they are better than the next man or woman, but that’s never been what hip hop is about. From a person coming up through Hip Hop, we always try to listen to the subject matter, style and delivery also the message and poetry.
Q: How do you feel that UK HIP HOP/ music scene is being represented?
C: I feel that the scene is developing really well, with the use of the internet you get to hear a lot more artists than was possible before and that has been a major factor to the recent giant steps forward.
Q: Your forthcoming album is a good example of an artist networking to good effect, as you have got a number of good artists on it, when will be able to get our hands on a copy?
C: I’m looking to drop the album in Jan 09 but the date may change as I’m talking to a few distributors at the moment trying to negotiate a deal, and depending how that develops will determine the release date.
Q: Cyclonious, nuff respect for taking the time out to speak to BCA and good luck with everything in the future.
Peace
C: Keep grafting and big up all at Hi8us and beatz camera action.
www.myspace.com/cyclonious