One To Watch: SlickMouth

Slickmouth was born in London before moving to Nigeria and then on to Los Angeles where he spent most of his teenage years. He is now living back in London, writing, creating and perfecting his style over the last three years. This is maybe the secret to his music, as it is also well traveled and has that international worldwide appeal.

The Slickmouth sound is something unique, something refreshing and above all it’s entertaining as twists up soulful grooves with poetically soothing lyrics, while always being exciting and forward-thinking in his approach.

1. What’s happening and how are things going?

Wudup Bro!...im chilling as always...just hit pause on the Daniel Merriweather album playing the background...im good g! ha!

2. What was the idea behind your second album release ‘Superstar’, can you give us a little insight on what we will be expecting from it and how different the album will be in comparison to your 2008 release ‘And There She Was’?

The Superstar Album is basically a compilation of my feelings, moods , and everything I am going through as an aspiring ‘SUPERSTAR’ from my moments of doubt to facing and overcoming obstacles, to moments of upliftment and gratification..it’s all reflected through the choice of beats and concepts which define the sound of the Album. This album is very personal as its my most Introspective work to date...it’s got a very modern feel to it..but yet perfectly infusing the Foundation of hip hop music...i.e the soulful cuts....the boom baps and real lyrics etc..

‘And there she was’ on the other hand was my first mixtape, a lot more Raw and less structured ..just a young Naive rapper putting good bars together for a project...while SUPERSTAR is a lot more structured and tells a story from beginning to end.

3. How are you feeling about your latest single ‘I Made It’ and what comments/feedback have you received so far?

The song ‘I made it’ is one of my personal favourites...it’s been getting quite a good reception from specialist DJ’s, promoters , and most importantly the audience...it seems to be the show starter...at the point when I drop this song in a performance the whole crowd’s up on their feet either clapping or bopping..so it’s a very gratifying feeling.
I had a Dj tell me once..’it’s that feel good vibe that the music industry has been lacking for a while’...so good vibes all around.

4. Can you explain why you decided to chose ‘Superstar’ as the title for the new album?

The title perfectly reflected the image and concept I was trying to get across at this stage in my career. I am a nobody and my aim is beyond the sky ..so the title ‘SUPERSTAR’ best depicts my ambition and the album details what I am going through as an artist in order to make it to a viable stage in my career..with tracks like ‘ Bare Your soul’ and ‘Music’ Talking about the Ills of the music industry, and how as a credible artist you find yourself having to make decisions which would either mean you sell out or stay credible.

While tracks like ‘I made it’ and ‘Top Of The World’ depict the optimistic spirit and emotions I am going through, feeling like I am getting respect and love from the fans and people around the world based on my music..which makes me feel on top of the world.

5. Let’s talk about the production, what was your creative control like and what type of sound did you want the album to have?

For this ‘SUPERSTAR’ album..i had total creative control of every process ..from choosing the beats to writing the lyrics and handpicking the few features I have on specific songs.The album has an overall modern synth feel ,quite soulful , very musical and most of all enjoyable...so after the listener has followed my journey throughout the whole album...they are left with a positive vibe...inspiring words and motivation to pursue whatever path in life they may have dreams for.

6. Did the feedback from your recent album give you any extra inspiration on what direction you wanted go with the new album?

As this is my first album...and as they always say, you take your whole life to make your first album...i just wanted to be as real as possible..to be me and let the listeners walk with me for a few months in my life...that was the only direction I had...so I just let the feedback from my first mixtape gear me on to be very focussed and most of all be very strict with my decision making on the album to ensure my aim is to deliver an undoubtably solid body of work.

7. Working with other UK artists such as Dexplicit, A-Tola and Triple Darkness, have these collaborations giving you more insight into the UK Hip Hop scene?

Well...Kinda, but not really cos each of these various artists are very different so it wasn’t a specific UK sound they all had..They were just individual artist..Not defined by Just being UK. Dexplicit has a very dinstinct sound and anywhere you here his drums you would know it was a Dex beat..but it wasn’t just Uk sounding..

8. Your clothing line ‘Universoul Clothing’, how did this idea come about?

The idea of the clothing was based on a song I did for the ‘SUPERSTAR’ album called ‘UNIVERSAL SOUL MUSIC’ which basically talks about the perception that people have about hip hop being mainly catered to those in the streets, or ex cons in the hood etc...and most people feel like they have to conform to such image to be part of the hip hop culture...which shouldn’t be so.

Hence the birth of the idea UNIVERSOUL which represents various characters such as Nerds, Indie Kids, Skateboarders, Soul Sisters, etc all of alternative cultures under one umbrella of Universoul..which signifies unity i.e bringing together people from various walks of life to represent a specific brand.

9. What do you think of the UK music scene and are there any particular artists over here that have caught your attention?

I was Born in London and Have been back here for the past 7 years...i’ve just been away in the states for 9years and also Nigeria for a few years...so I am no novice to the UK scene. I am an Avid follower of Yolanda brown..her talent is very unique and she’s a very humble artist...so hopefully a collaboration in the future..also like a few other singers such as Bluey Robinson..Shean Williams and Cynthia Erivo.

10. Which artist/producer would you say has impressed you this year and whose new album release are you looking forward to?

Definitely was impressed by the Daniel Merryweather Album..absolutely beautiful...Mark Ronson’s productions where near flawless...also the Raekwon’s OB4CL2 was a nice treat...i am heavily anticipating the Lupe Fiasco’s Laser album.

11. Are we going to be expecting any new video releases from you anytime soon?

Yes in a few weeks there would be 1 or 2 video treats floating around the online world and on Tv..so yeas keep your eyes peeled people..

12. What’s the plan for 2009\10, can you give us a low down on what projects you will be working on?

Totol Domination..even this sounds like an understatement..haha! but my plan is to saturate the scene with my music..clothing..features..poetry...Motivational speaking and all I can possibly get involved with...

I have a Mixtape getting release by the end of November titled ‘The Travelling Star’ , the Universoul clothing launch event early next year, the ‘SUPERSTAR’ release early next year and hopefully a poetry book by the Summer of next year....

13. Any shout outs?

First I wanna shout out my Mum...My management....nah im kidding...haha!i’ve always wanted to do that..on a reals...I wanna thank everyone that has been supporting me from the beginning...every one that has taken the time out to tell me how inspiring my music has been to them...to my family...my Girlfirend and my Executive producer...Emman....and you man..Thanks for the love..peace!

www.myspace.com/slickmouth22
www.twitter.com/slickmouth
www.youtube.com/slickmouthsuperstar

Jammer - New Party Animal Video

At last the Murkle Man returns and he's jumping! Jammer has been a fixture, pioneer and founding father of the Grime scene since its inception. Now signed to Big Dada Recordings, the Leytonstone MC and producer has teamed up with Toddla T and the resulting track is pure energy!!

Filmed by up-and-coming director Jay K over the course of a long day, 'Party Animal' sees Jammer imprisoned in a very large and futuristic block of flats where every door leads into yet another party. Featuring dons of the scene like C-Gritz, Lil D, Blacks and Jammin, plus giant speaker stacks, Jammer looking dapper and various ladies looking lovely, the results are fast, funny and slick!

The Scene Magazine Special Feature: Bulldog

The Scene Magazine is once again providing you with more fashion/beauty news for those of you who have already started Christmas shopping!

Bulldog, the UK’s first natural skincare brand for men, has launched a new Anti-Ageing Moisturiser at a retail price of £8.99 specifically for male skin. This latest addition to the award winning range is dermatologically tested and has a non-greasy formula designed to target wrinkles and fine lines. It contains natural ingredients including tannic acid from oak apple, botanical silicon from millet seed, vitamin E and a unique blend of five essential oils, which combine to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and deliver younger looking skin in four weeks.

With Christmas right around the corner, this will be a perfect gift for the men of the family who need to update their male grooming kits!

Check out more of the Bulldog range in the magazine links below!:

Review: Bulldog Skincare range

The Scene Magazine Interviews: Mr Midas

The Scene Mag caught up with Mr Midas on the phone to see what he has been up to since we last spoke to him in 2007. He has just finished his new album 'It only takes one moment' and the single titled 'Midas' feat David B is now out on iTunes with the video now making its rounds on all online media and on music TV stations such as Flava TV, Footlocker TV and Channel aka.

Check out the interview below!

1. Last time we spoke was back in 2007 a good 2 years back so whats been happening and whats new?

"Difficult question, but everything has been happening, Ive been working on this album for the last year and a half. The albums titled 'It only takes one moment'. What the plan was with the album is Ive always wanted to bring out a product that im happy with and expresses Mr Midas 110% and I didnt want it to be a reflection of what a record company wanted it to be or what this person whats it to be. I always said that im going to put the album together myself, im very good at networking and ive got good relationships with other people in the scene. I spoke to different producers via traveling and networking and hoping to finish off the album very soon.

Also, I was the number 1 downloaded artist off the Choice FM website which was crazy! So crazy that when I found out, I thought it was a mistake so I contacted Choice FM to double check that it was that amount. It felt good that 100,000 people wanted to listen to my material, that was huge and incredible. Ive got a few endoresment deals, im now the ambassador for the Literacy Trust ive been up and down the country with them. So mainly just that, plus working on my sound, shows and collaborations really."

2. When is the official release date for the album?

"I wanted to put the album together myself, but I do want to start shopping it around. So I released the first 2 singles independantly. I released 'Wile Out' on promo and iTunes and 'Midas' which is out now which was also released on promo and on iTunes. So im literally just finishing off the album and negotitiating around looking for the best deal."

3. Why has it taken a year and a half to finish off this album, was it you wanting to perfect it or looking at various production techniques?

"I think your first album is a reflection of your whole life. The first album for an artist is the most important. Like if you look at Nas or any other big artist, their first album is like wow, its like you take your whole life to make that first album. If im kinda dictating the whole what Mr Midas is, the sound, the reflection, growth in myself, id rather take some time and make a product which I think is great instead releasing an album which will get people saying "yea its ok' or"its not bad"

Mr Midas on the set filming single 'Midas' with David B

4. What sounds will your album have cause I know you and more or less everyone have been hearing the debatable topic of the grime scene being "dead" and UK Funky is the new genre that is up and coming. Have these changes ammended your sound or has this been an idea for you to go into something new?

"I dont think it has changed my sound because to me the sound of Mr Midas is very important. I think what it has done is it has enabled me to work with lots of different producers who use different kind of sounds so thats kind of changed how all my sounds come together.

For example, I still class myself as a dancehall artist and ive got production from people like Sticky who has worked alongside Ms Dynamite. I worked with Sticky on a dancehall track which has that funky sort of sound, but its still very Mr Midas and it was funny because when I was in the studio with Sticky, me and him were going at it saying 'no its got to go like this' and 'no it has to sound like that' because im very hands on when it comes to what I should sound like.

I dont want people to listening to my album saying "that sound does not suit him", when you listen to every song on my album there may be tracks on there that may be a bit different to what I normally do, but I still want it to sound like me."

5. Your new single 'Midas' what was the idea behind it and are we going to be expecting a video anytime soon?

"The video for the track is out now and its currently being aired on Flava TV, Channel aka and it will be shown on Footlocker TV in a few weeks will also be aired in every Footlocker store up and down the country. Its also being shown on loads of online media. The track was produced by JD aka Dready he has been working with artists such as Busta Rhymes and Estelle.

It was a track to let people know that Midas is still here. I recorded the track not so long ago funnily enough and I really liked it. I had to collect all the data from JD which was a bit of a nightmare cause he is always flying in and out of New York he must be clocking up the biggest airmiles on Virgin! haha.

So I had to work with another sound engineer and re-configure the data and re-vocal plus re-vamp the track. Then I was contacted by label called The Big Band Record Company which is an independant label who have known about me for quite a while and I told them about the project I wanted to do and they paid for the whole video. I also worked with a director called Sheridan Myers he is a really big director. He has done alot of big videos...the main one that comes to mind is Megaman and the Goodfellas video 'Getaway'. So he has that glossy sort of look in his videos that was something I wanted to incorporate in mines."

Mr Midas on the set filming club scene

6. Obviously, Dready..So Solid...What was it like working with him?

"To be honest with you it was crazy, how I first got in contact with Dready was through an artist called Baby Blue. I was doing some work with her, plus her and JD are quite tight. So she said that any artist that Dready wants to work with will have to send over a demo CD. Once I got it sent over, I did not hear anything for a long while so I didnt think anything of it. Then a few months later I got a phone call and picked up and a voice on the phone said it was JD which was a suprise although I did not recognise who it was on the phone straight away which was quite funny!

Ive got so much love for him cause he is one of the first big producers in the game that worked with me and took me to real shoot studios, he wasnt really caring about me not having a name, he was more focused on the talent. It crazy as well because his family is from the same place my family is from in Birmingham and he used to work in a record shop with my uncle and our families all know each other. But I did not want him to work with me on that route, but it was good that we realised that we more or less knOw the same people and mine and his family are connected. I know his mum and everything so it was like working with a family member."

7. The collaborations on your album, can you give us a run down of who will be featuring on your latest release?

"To be honest, it not too much based on the artist. But my album will feature Snakeyman, Blemish Blackstorm and quite a few singers. I worked with a new singer called Heather Jane...she is doing alot in the game. I didnt really want big name artists, although I do have quite a few big producers featuring on the album such as Sticky, JD, Self Talk, Richie Rich, Thomas Delaney who produces Shaun Paul and Ive got producers from Puffys label Bad Boy records. The beats that I have and the producers I hooked up with are crazy. They have all got strong names behind them, but I did not want it to be about the biggest artists you can get on the album. I personally dont think you should didtate your career based on who can make you been seen."

8. Will tonight be the last time your laying a track down in the studio for a while or have you got more hidden tracks to record?!

"It will never be the last day in the studio for now, the last day in the studio will be the day Im not longer on this earth (laughs). Ive got people cussing me saying 'blud, you aint listened to my beat yet!'. Ive got a collaboration that will be happing very soon which im very happy about which will be myself, Baby Blue and Clue from Goodfellas. Ive got songs coming out my ears that ive got to write to. But right now, my main focus is on the album, generating as much promo for the single and distinguishing and getting my fan base strong and allowing people to appreciate what Mr Midas is about."

9. ok cool, what do you think of the direction of dancehall in the UK, I know last year it was pretty big. What do you think about the direction its going in now, do you still think its still fresh?

"I think its weird cause the dancehall scene in the UK has always been a strange thing. I think we have had 2 dancehall scenes in the UK. We have like the main dancehall scene which is sort of underground that is all set via the raving scene and you have another scene which is more UK based on it. Its weird as I have always called myself a dancehall artist and I represent the dancehall music all day.

But i am not in the dancehall scene, Im not in either dancehall scene and I never have been. Ive never been in the underground deep dancehall scene, the biggest artists in that scene will be acts such as Tuggawar or Gappy Ranks. Then you have the commercial dancehall scene where you have acts like Maxwell D and Doctor thats because its more based on the funky sound.

For me it works perfectly, cause thats not my fan base as much as people in that scene appreciate me because technically what you can do is put me up against any MC and we will go bar for bar. No one can take my skill away, I am just as good as any other dancehall artist out there, but thats not where my fan base is because for me its all about songs thats all im interested in and thats why I have worked so hard on my album interested of throwing any song out there."

10. Who would you like to collaborate most within the UK music scene?

"I would like to work with Davinche, we have done a little something together but we havent worked together properly. Id also like to work with Sway, Ive very much about people energy as much as their talent. Ive worked with so much people in the scne. Id like to work with someone different as well, I would like to do a little collaboration with Coldplay and acts like that as I like all this transition music that is currently happening.

The title song of my album 'It only takes one moment' the chorus was done by an artist that was in the Musicool TV show with me called Darren Michelangelo Smith and he is straight indie and the song is amazing and I love that kind of transition music. I think thats what takes people forward."

11. Finally any shout out, is there anyone you would like to thank?

"Yep, everyone who has supported me throughout my career so far. I say so far cause what im doing now is all baby steps. Make sure everyone checks out my blog 'mrmidasonline.blogspot.com', make sure all of you follow me on Twitter which is 'http://twitter.com/mrmidasmusic'.

Big up The Scene Mag who has been supporting me throughout my career. Everyone just get involved and check out all the online medias, request my tracks on Flava TV and just keep showing the love and support! Peace!!"

The Scene Magazine Interviews: Karl Hinds

Karl Hinds reigns from the talents of British Hip Hop and is considered to be one of the most influential entrepreneurs within the UK. Having pursued his musical interest from the tender age of 15, Karl had and still remains with his sights set high and began his venture by setting up his own label, Assassin Records.

His third album, ‘The Need To Be Heard’, set for release later this year will reflect a clearer definition as to why Karl remains a respectable icon within the new generation of UK music.


1. Other than preparing for you new album release, what’s happening and how are things going so far?

Things are really good right now u know, the last few years I’ve had would have buried most artists or so called hustlers but if anything I’ve proved to my doubters that they need to stop it, I’m here and I’ll always make money in this game.

2. Being considered as one of the most influential entrepreneurs within the UK, how does it feel being granted with this form of recognition?

It’s humbling to receive that type of recognition because it shows that the work I put in behind the scenes is being appreciated.

3. Your new album ‘The Need to Be Heard’ is due for release soon, how are you feeling about this latest project and what are we going to expect from the album production wise?

Well all the production is done by me as usual, the difference is that on this album I included some tracks with samples in them. I also feel that my Album may not sound so ahead of its time in terms of beats as the game as a whole has caught up with me now and its not so unusual now to hear original melodies.

4. What kind of topics do you touch on in your new album and how did you come up with new ideas for it?

The new album is about the consequences you face hustling. Most rappers when talking about hustling never talk about losing, and claim constant success. That’s impossible if you really hustle then at some point you must lose, even if you’re a constant winner then its human nature for you to feel invincible, become arrogant, sloppy and lose heavily. The album captures a hustler’s life at that point and talks about the mentality needed to recover, and how that struggle effects your relationships. The idea came from recent struggles of mine.

5. Did the feedback from your recent projects give you any extra inspiration on what direction you wanted go with the new album?

Nah not really, the direction came from my life’s recent journey. I just went through some real sh** that stretched my perception of my self to the limit. I just felt tested on every level, lost a lot of money, had people in my corner trying to sabotage my reputation and career, and the strength it took to come through that inspired this album.


6. Since being on the UK music scene from the age of 15, what do you think about the UK music scene and what do you think about the influx of new acts starting to appear on the scene?

Bruv I don’t have any opinion on sh**, coz once you get into complaining about how things should be you end up in this club of has been’s, turn around and your careers over coz you sat there bitching. The scene is what it is, if you’re a true hustler you should be able to handle competition as nothing stays the same. The new kids seem to only care about the money so their music is super Pop, and that’s cool but when that scene changes their f*****.

7. Did you ever imagine you’d have such a strong influence on the sound of UK Hip Hop?

Every true artist hopes to leave some influence on the game, but what I didn’t know is how changing the game for the new era could create such resistance. I knew that the UK Hip Hop sound was stuck, and if it didn’t get over it’s love affair with that 90’s sound it would die a horrible death. Then Grime came and exposed how out of date UK Hip Hop was, my influence was to define our sound as British underground artists and I also help define UK Hip Hop’s new sound, which pissed off those that didn’t want things to change but I did for Hip Hop in the U.K. to survive.

8. Can you give us a low down on the artists currently signed to your record label ‘Illflava Records’?

Yeah the next to blow is gonna be Jeff3 who features on the first single “Fella” from my new album. This dude is talent personified he also produces and is a superb vocal arranger. We have a producer in the camp called Baby Ray so the beats that are coming out the camp are crazy. We have a couple other acts that are coming but it’s a bit to soon to speak on those projects right now, but the labels in the best position its ever been in, real talk.

9. You have worked with a number of artists in the UK music scene, is there anyone left that you still want to work with?

Yeah there’s loads, I’ve never worked with K-lash-neck-off I think that him and I on a track would be fire. I’m feeling Giggs right now. A couple people have tried to get Wiley and I in the same studio, if that was to happen that would sound big. I just came across a UK singer called Natalie Williams, I had never heard of her until I heard her track on some chicks profile I think her voice is beautiful.

10. What kind of advice would you like to give to other aspiring rappers trying to make it into the hip hop game?

Don’t do it for the money, but if you do, choose something else other than Hip Hop. Make sure your about something so your music has meaning, so people will want to hear your thoughts for longer then two albums. And know the rules of the game

11. What’s the plan for 2009\10, can you give us a low down on what projects you will be working on?

Yeah I’m currently Co-Executive Producing an Album with Knew Rulz, which will be coming out on Ill Flava featuring rappers like, Terminology, Mystro, Joell Ortiz, myself (Karl Hinds) M.C. Theme, General Levy, Lady Shan etc, which will drop after my Album. We’ve just started work on Jeff3’s project and that sound’s incredible and should be dropping in 2010.

12. Any shout outs?

Yeah I must shout out Baby Ray & Digital Dreamspace, Nina Carmela from Rhythmic Visions and Jenny Francis.