» Set the scene, a sound proofed studio somewhere in Birmingham. FuZion. A deadly array of questions & a very big MC. The ads are rolling while our brave Dj limbers up to present the very first DCA interview (And not to mention KoolLives' first). Dj FuZion take the controls of one of the internets most prolific stations to find out more about the man behind the mike, the vocals of projects with 3D Mode, Twisted Individual & more.
» You can choose between the audio file, the transcript below or roll with both. So, without anymore hesitation, we bring you... Dj FuZion Vs MC Biggie...
»Show Opening
Sonic - Galaxy Flip, PsiDream - Overcast, 3D Mode - Sherbet Re-Dipped, Chatroom shouts, Small Talk, Crisps etc...
»FuZion
Okay okay. Biggie's gonna be here for the whole show, it ain't gonna be all talk but you know, the bulk is. Anyway coming out of that one, Sherbet Re-Dipped. Deceptive Audio #2. Like I said, once again, we've got MC Biggie here... MC of 2004. This man is gonna be busy this year. He's got projects left right & center. So what we're gonna do it take you on a little history, get where he come from & where he's goin' & what a gwarn in the middle. Q1: What was your journey like?
»Biggie
My journey's not too far from the studio so it was alright.
»FuZion
Ahh, take a walk?
»Biggie
Not a walk, a drive, a little drive
»FuZion
Bit closer than Amsterdam anyway.
»Biggie
Yeah yeah
»FuZion
Tell us Biggie, tell us some history. We know you've been in the scene a looong time. You've been through the Old Skool, the Jungle, the Drum n Bass. Tell us, where d'it begin? Before MCing, before you started.
»Biggie
Okay well, the first first first thing I used to listen to was mainly my dads' music. Y'know what I mean, a bit of Regge, bit of ragga as people know it nowadays. But it was called roots music back then, it's still known as roots but use the name Ragga now. From there I took my step, from the Roots & Culture into Break Dance & what they called BeeBop, which was the first early forms of Hip Hip. Music from the streets. Remember that, this is where people from the streets express themselves. So I went from there to listening to music like Acid. I enjoyed the breaks from the Hip Hip, I enjoyed the sounds from the Acid & Drum n Bass was that element... And that's what got me into Drum n Bass basically.
»FuZion
So what about raves? Where abouts did it go from there? Did you check any?
»Biggie
Well, I'm gonna tell everybody the truth now, I didn't go to raves yeah until I was something like 17-18. Before that it used to be a bedroom thing. I used to listen to a lot of tapes in my house, my cousin used to go to a lot of raves, the raves that corresponded to the tapes we listened to. He used to tell us about them & I used to just always wanna be in it & from school we used to toast on the mike to a bit of Ragga. I loved my Drum n Bass & we jus rollin' from there so I started toastin on Drum n Bass, it sounded good, ya get what I'm sayin, by the time I was 18 I was good in my bedroom so I thought I'd try it in a club.
»FuZion
So, you was workin it in your bedroom, were there any events that followed?
»Biggie
Basically, I've got to give a lot of thanks to Dj Devize. As a DJ, me & him worked together, he stuck by me, I stuck by him, he done a lot of hard work & wanted me as his MC & that inspired me. At that time as well as big raves we had house parties goin' on so I used to do a few house parties with Devize, people liked me from house parties then from there it went to clubs & so on & so on & so on...
»FuZion
I've gotta put my little piece in as well, Devize has done a lot for a lot of people. Including me.
»Biggie
Yeah yeah, he's like a Daddy for Birmingham, the God Father.
»FuZion
Yeah, he's up there with it. So, everybody knows there was a big step in your history, I mean a massive step & that was Kool FM (R.I.P). For all those that used to lock into Kool FM, it was the Daddy. What about the shows? Tell us all about them.
»Biggie
Kool FM was something we all enjoyed u know. A lot of people listening now, know what Kool FM was about & used to enjoy it themself. Devize started on Kool, told the Kool manager he's got an MC... Right, I'm gonna tell everybody this as well, this is the truth. I didn't do a demo tape or nothing & I was let on. I was the first MC ever on Birmingham Kool & I'm still going today. I started off with Devize I was doing just one show & because I was the only MC at the time I ended up doing about three shows on a weekend. So, I kinda got rinsed. It was a good thing in a way because people got to hear who I was, on Friday, Saturday & Sunday so no matter what day you tuned in you can guarantee to get a piece of Biggie. I've done shows with many many different DJs, some of em' only one show with.
I used to a Friday night show with a DJ called Sub Flow. He used to live in Leicester & drive down from Leicester to Birmingham to do a show & drive back to Leicester on the same night. That was the kind of dedication people would puttin' into Kool at the time because it is a big thing. I've done shows with Escape, Hazard, I've done shows with yourself & Surge, that was the longest going show, that was the was the most reputable show. You know what, in all the excitement because I liked Drum n Bass so much, I used like everybody back in the day, at their prime. That was like MC Moose, MC 5ive O, Dett, Skibba, Shabba you name it, Ragga Twins. Y'nah mean? I used to love the whole scene, everybody. I used to go to raves & just buzz. I'd go there & just buzz. At that time I didn't smoke, didn't take no drugs, didn't really drink. Yeah, I was just buzzin on the natural hype.
»FuZion
That's how I started you know when I wanted to start DJin'. It was literally just one rave. I done one rave & I thought, 'That's it, I'm doin' it'.
»Biggie
Okay, so what rave was that? I'll ask you a question
»FuZion
Oh no! Mine was at... It was the first Music First at the Que Club, the first one. I'd only been listening to Drum n Bass hardcore a few months, I just stumbled on it. Heard the events, heard the adverts & what not. I thought I'm gonna give it a go. I stood up there & one tune dropped, it might have been this (Clear Skies is playing under the interview). One tune dropped, you know how it's like a coleseum? I was stood up the back on the seats & the whole dance floor went. It was like a wave, it was like looking at the sea & my stomach turned. I thought, I've gotta do it. I turned to my mate & said 'I've gotta do it'. He went, 'Yeah yeah whatever'. You know, everyone says, 'I wanna be a DJ'. Seeing the ravers reacting to that kind of thing. I thought, I want that power, I want that power. It is all about the buzz man, the scene is bad. It's just electric.
»Biggie
It can't be beaten, cannot be beaten... Right enough about you
»FuZion
Yes, enough enough. We know about.. We got a bit of history there. We don't wanna bore the crew too much with too much talk so we're gonna drop a couple tunes now. We'll come back in a bit with a bit more history on Kool FM because as we've said, it was all about the show with Surge. Surge was the big show. We'll come back & I'm gonna quiz you about that, there was some success story there & I wanna know more. So, without further ado we're gonna take down that. Just take a little background sound down & come into a little dub.
»Snack time
3D Mode Dub - Hard of Hearing, Bollywood - Calibre feat. UK Apache, (Biggies selection) Known:Unknown Remixes - Moving Shadow...
»FuZion
We've just had a little history from Biggie, where he come from, where it started & where it lead & we all know that lead to Kool FM. As we know the one show on Kool that really stood out was basically your show with Surge - Previously known as Splash - Gimmie some background, where did that start?
»Biggie
Well, Basically I was sitting down listening to a few of the demos that had been sent into Kool because we was looking for a new DJ at the time. This one tape was being played & as soon as the first tune came on I said to the management, 'Who's this? Where's he from?' they go, 'Dj Splash from Wolverhampton'. 'Look bring him on & I wanna MC for him', because from the first tune I just knew he was the man. Remember, A DJs first tune is very important, the first & last tune is important. The rest was just slammin'. It got better & better & better right to the end. I took the tape home, I've probably still got the tape now.
»FuZion
So, what do you think was the secret to the success? How come it went so well? How important do you think the understanding is between an MC & a DJ? In that show you know it shone through & there's not always a click between a DJ & MC.
»Biggie
When we got together, I told Surge this story, I told him that I heard his tape & wanted him on with me & then he told me that he used to listen to Kool & wanted to do a show with me so, the connection was already there. We got together & I don't know what happened, it was just electric, we just got together, his mixes were just bang on time with what I was saying, what I was saying was bang on time with his mixes. Everything just flowed & went correct for the whole two hours of the show. We'd try to do things a bit different each & every week... Just all different magical things used to happen when we used to come together in the studio without us even saying anything to each other.
(On the DJ/MC understanding) Yeah, the MCs standing there & everyones looking at him as the man, a bit of ego comes in sometimes & he thinks, 'I'm doin this' they forget about the DJ, they forget it's about the tunes y'nah what I mean. That's what happens. But it's very important to work with the DJ as an MC.
»FuZion
Can you think of any combinations that kinda linked in a way that you & Surge did?
»Biggie
Me & Devize... Me & a lot of DJs, because I understand DJs & I try to work with them best as I can. DJs & the crowd want some workin'. But yeah, me & Surge really did kick if off well. We're still working together up until now. We're still in contact, he comes & checks me, I go & check him. We haven't broke contact at all.
»FuZion
For those that don't know Surge, he made a move; he made a big move. He moved down to the Full Cycle crew & he's ready to cause some serious damage now.
»Biggie
Yeah but even when he was on Kool he was part of the Full Cycle crew but a lot of people didn't know. He had it under wraps. So he's been with them, working with them, in close connection with them a very long while. It was just a matter of gettin' his studio, getting his production together & just showing them that he had the quality & what it takes to work with Full Cycle.
»FuZion
From here word was spreading about MC Biggie, events & bookings were coming all over the place. Where were the first few bookings that came in?
»Biggie
All my bookings started local due to Kool, I was doing a load of the local things like Music First, Dance Factory. Gallery... Snobs... We had a lot of things going on...
»FuZion
Then of course your own little event. For those that don't know it was a little event that Biggie set up called Cream ov da Crop. It was in one of the pubs in town & it was just nice, always about the vibe. The people used to come up, we'd meet the listeners for the first time & we'd be face to face with the people.
»Biggie
What I basically wanted to do, my idea behind that was, I just wanted to get all the DJs together, all the MCs together in Birmingham & surrounding & just get everybody playing in that one club so we could just link up with the listeners, with the people that actually support us. The place had a flood & it took weeks & weeks, months I think it was & by the time we got it back in order the vibe had kinda dropped, people had moved on & got onto bigger & better things. I would like to start it up again. If I could find the right club in the Midlands, not necessarily Birmingham because it's not just a Birmingham thing, I think we've got to get the Midlands together now, make it a bit bigger.
»FuZion
What about out of town?
»Biggie
Out of town started off in Leicester. It started with Sonic Boom with APB, Priceless, Maveric. Also Derby with the Technique Recordings crew, Drumsound, Simon Bassline Smith, I've been down there every month for about 2 & a half years now, same with Leicester. From there I went on to do Accelerated Culture. It just got bigger & bigger & bigger. I went abroad, my first one abroad was with a booking in Germany DSP Promotions.
»FuZion
How did that one come about?
»Biggie
That one came about from Kool FM being on the internet, that got me in Germany. They thought, let me get some Biggie... And Accapello as well, me & Accapello went together & we tore it down, we had to go there & represent 100% to the Maximum. I think the turning point was when I got picked up by Formation. Formation has done a lot for me, I wanna big up SS, Twisted Individual. Also a big turning point was joining UMC agency who now do the majority of my background work for me, get me most of my bookings. Since I've joined Formation, UMC & Accelerated Culture as well things have just rocketed.
»FuZion
Okay. We'll come back to the internationals because we know you've been playing all sorts. Every time I speak to you, I'm goin' this place this weekend or that place this weekend, there's just always something going on. So anyway, we're gonna take that one down & kick in with a couple more tunes.
»Snack 2
Dj Red - Move, Blame - Outer Zone, Twisted Individual feat. MC Biggie - Bus it Tonight...
»Biggie
The track underneath us now is a track produced by Twisted Individual featuring myself. For 2004 I'm gonna be doing a lot of work for Twisted Individual. I got a few tracks comin' out with the man himself Twisted, Surge I got... Okay, I got a few tracks but I won't spoil it. We'll mention them as the show goes on.
»Part 3
Off guard - Here FuZion dropped Biggie in the deep end with a quick fire round
»FuZion
Albums or Singles?
»Biggie
Singles.
»FuZion
Accapella or Instrumental?
»Biggie
Instrumental.
»FuZion
Raver or Performer?
»Biggie
Errmmm... Rrrrr... Performer.
»FuZion
House or Garage?
»Biggie
Errrrmmm..... House.
»FuZion
Vinyl or CD?
»Biggie
CD.
»FuZion
Rewind or Reload?
»Biggie
Reload.
»FuZion
Amen or Apache?
»Biggie
Amen.
»FuZion
DJ or MC?
»Biggie
MC of course.
»FuZion
One hour or One & a half?
»Biggie
Anytime... Hour & a half, the longer the better.
»FuZion
Hazard or Clipz?
»Biggie
Erm.. Ahhh, I don't have to answer that one do it, it's...
»
... What was the answer? What makes Biggie tick? How embarrassed did FuZion get Biggie? Also covered was food, going out, entertainment, more music, clothing, ladies & more. Those that caught the show live will know, the rest need to get downloadin'.
»Until
Around 40 questions later
»Biggie
I'm sorry I have to answer that one that way.
»FuZion
It doesn't matter man.
»Biggie
That was a good one.
»FuZion
You done well, you impresseed me there. Okay, lets get dirty.
»Biggie
Okay.
»Music
Facs & VCA - Incendry, Concord Dawn - Don't Tell Me feat. Tiki, Rollin Thunda - Disconnection.
»FuZion
We'll get some of the listeners questions in after this, it's their turn in a minute. Biggie, tell us a little bit about your production, you just told us & we just heard a little track. Gis some background.
»Biggie
Well, I'm workin' with Twisted, we've come together this year & hopefully we'll be working on something like an E.P. & getting a vocal thing because Twisted you know won best producer for 2002 & 2003 & for 2004 he's just wants to keep on producing but he wants to do it on a better level every time, he's trying progress himself & move himself forward to the next thing he wants to do it vocals me & him have linked up to see if we can get some vocal things working. Something a bit different to what what you're hearing nowadays. I don't wanna just use my lyrics in the clubs & throw them on a track, that's a bit cheesy, any MC can do that at the end of the day, so he's writing his tracks, I'm writing my lyrics & we're gettin' together & putting somthing totally fresh, totally new, I hope the massive are ready for it. I've been working closely with. There's a little 3D Mode release coming out. I don't exactly have the date for that one but Devize is rinsin' it at the
moment & it's doing very, very, well. I ain't gonna mention any names you know, I'm gonna let the people listen out. Listen for the voice, you know Biggies' voice, just listen for the voice on tracks & you'll hear what's going on. There's the Fresh & Funky track which is coming out on Deceptive Audio & is looking at coming out in May, second or third week.
»FuZion
So is there anybody you're looking to work with. No matter how far out of reach you think they are?
»Biggie
I'd like to work with a few American artists like Rizza from Wu Tang, them guys inspire me a lot, the music they're making... I can't believe what they're making, it's impeccable, I do like it & I really would like to talk to them, get into their minds a little bit, spend a little time in the studio, do a little production with them. It seems like it's a long distance away & it could never happen, but it could happen. I once was thinking about bein' an MC & now I'm here telling this story, so anything's possible. Like you said, you was at Music First you seen the ravers ravin & said, I'm gonna get into this & look now. Perseverance, it works every time.
»FuZion
What about your own studio, now I know you've got a little time in the studo. Can you tell us anything at all or is this on lock down?
»Biggie
Well, I'm doing my own production, it's not just Drum n Bass, I've gotta let you know that, it's Hip Hop a little Ragga as well, I've got people who are talented in all different fields of music & their all around me, we all inspire each other. While I'm in the studio & they're in the studio I like to just get them down on a track, get them to a few vocals, they inspire me, I inspire them. That's how we do it. I've got a track... I'm gonna play you a female artist called Cadi based in Birmingham, she's been going for a few years now, worked in a few studios. I wouldn't say she'd unheard of because she's done a few shows which have been on TV. Many people probably haven't heard of her she will be breakin' through soon. I know we don't normally play Hip Hop.
»FuZion
Yeah, so we'll be drawin' that one. We'll be going to some of the listeners questions in a bit, but to just wrap things up. What's the future sayin? What more you got planned?
»Biggie
Bwoy the future is looking very bright for me man. First, before I go into my future do you know what I wanna do? I wanna just say maximum to all the Birmingham massive who have supported me 100% because without the Birmingham massive, Kool FM, without everybody showing the world that Biggie can do it. I wouldn't be here, so I wanna big them up to the maximum. As for future; March I'm going' Miami, I've got Global Gathering coming up, I've got things at Nottingham, Banbury, Bournmouth, I'll be doing Poland, Russia... A lot of things are coming on. Bookings are just getting bigger & better. I've got to also say thanks to Formation crew, Accelerated Culture crew, cause they've supported me, it's all just going bigger & better.
»FuZion
The future's bright, the future's Biggie.
»Biggie
Exactly ... Hear this, the sounds of Cadi. Check this out!
»Exclusive
Cadi - Ease Back
»Biggie
Yeah. Well that was the sounds of Cadi, produced in my studio. The backings were done by me, vocals done by Cadi. Mixed down in my studio & that's just a bit of the work that I'm doing right now FuZion.
»FuZion
Versatility. That's what you're showin me.
»Biggie
It's the key. If you're versatile in what you're doing, you'll be good at it.
»Music
3D Mode feat. MC Biggie - Fresh & Funky, Unknown - Cyba on a Misson, Blueprint (Tech Itch remix)
»FuZion
Okay, while this ones rollin, we're gonna get some of your questions in. First one come from a geeza named JL, from one of the forums: What's your favorite colour?
»Biggie
... I don't know. That's something I'll really really have to think about. I don't think I've got a favorite colour, but I'm just gonna be typical & say blue cuz you know, it's a boys colour. A mans colour, dark blue.
»FuZion
You can come back to it if you wanna think about it... Not pink?
»Biggie
Nah I think it's blue.
»FuZion
I like pink.
»Biggie
Yeah? Okay, stay away from me
»FuZion
I think it looks better on a woman. I like pink ... One for the adults.
»Biggie
»FuZion
Okay. we got a question from Master G. Someone that e-mailed in to Deceptive Audio: Do you believe in ghosts?
»Biggie
Yeah I do.
»FuZion
Why?
»Biggie
I've never seen them myself but I believe in ghosts as in spirits. I believe there are spirits about. Not necessarily taking over peoples bodies but working together.
»FuZion
Like the Ghostbusters?
»Biggie
I'll explain. Everytime I go to call my mum she says. 'I was just going to call you'. That kind of spiritual connection between a mother & a son kind of thing. Not necessarily ghosts as in 'Oooohh', the ghosts are coming, but I believe there's something out there other than us. I explain them as spirits, some people say ghosts.
»FuZion
That's more answer than I thought I'd get out of that one. We got one from Rhythmic Nature: Are you related to Dj Biggs?
»Biggie
No . Dj Biggs from Wolverhampton? I don't think I look like him... Nah, we're not related.
»FuZion
We got a question here from Devize, Mr. 3D Mode: What is your favorite arcade game & why?
»Biggie
Let me think, let me think... My favorite arcade game would have to be Street Fighter. Do you know why? I-kick-ass on Street Fighter. If there's anybody out there who feels they've got the calibre to challenge me on Street Fighter just let me know. Send me an e-mail me on
& I'm willing for any challenge on Street Fighter. Anybody.
»FuZion
If you wanna challenge Biggie. He didn't say which Street Fighter. It could be Street Fighter 1, it could be the latest Street Fighter... Alpha... Majik or whatever they call them.
»Biggie
Any Street Fighter. Street Fighter 3, there's millions of Street Fighters. Bring em come... Even you Devize!
»FuZion
Yo D man. That's a challenge. Don't let him drop them kinda lyrics on ya man... We have got a couple more question but we're just gonna let this tune drop. The last tune. We're runnin a little over but it doesn't mattter.
»Biggie
This one's a little collaboration with Surge working together on a little Full Cycle track so listen out for this one. This one's comin' out in the future. Check it out. Dj Surge, hottest production ever.
»Music
Dj Surge & Mc Biggie - Gimmie the Beats... Reeeewind... Sorry Biggie, I mean, Reeeeload!
»FuZion
You can't drop a tune like that & expect it to stay! YO! MC Biggie & Dj Surge collaboration. Watch this!
»Music
Dj Surge & Mc Biggie - Gimmie the Beats
»FuZion
Okay, while this one's runnin' in the background we're just gonna drop in a couple more questions then we're gone. Gav @ Tempest, local record shop in Birmingham: How do you compare the likes of MCs Conrad, DRS, Cleveland with Skibadee & Fearless etc..?
»Biggie
... Well, it's two different styles isn't it. Everyones got their own talents, their own opinion, their own styles. That's two different styles. I mean you could run them together in a rave. One would be the main part of the rave, the other would be kind of the warm up or you could warm it down in the middle or whatever. But it's two different styles, two different genres of the music.
»FuZion
There's your answer Gav. MC Twitch-E from down under: Do you freestyle?
»Biggie
Yeah, constant. Constant freestyle, I step in the place, I feel the vibes & the vibes give me the lyrics.
»FuZion
That one was followed with: Can we hear some? But people have been asking for lyrics all night.
»Biggie
You know what. The show's supposed to finish at 2, it's now nearly 2:10. If you want lyrics, it's all about Valve Sound next week Friday the 20th of February, it's gonna be my birthday. It's my birthday on the 20th February & it's gonna be live in the Sanctuary, Birmingham, Digbeth. So if you wanna check it out next week. Biggie live with the Valve Sound, birthday bash, birthday celebrations.
»FuZion
Yeah, catch Biggie there. You'll also catch me there, I'm in that room 2 thing. I've got two anonymous questions: Do you find that coming from Birmingham affects your bookings?
»Biggie
It does. I feel that if I was living in London, things would be a lot easier to get the bookings in London.
»FuZion
It was actually someone from Birmingham asking that. Someone that's felt a little hard done by in the past for that reason.
»Biggie
It's what they say, out of sight, out of mind. But if you put more work in, you'll get more out.
»FuZion
Which is what you're seeing. Last question: How does MCing on radio differ from a live arena?
»Biggie
Radio's different, you've got nobody in front of you, you've gotta imagine a crowd, you gotta imagine MCing to someone who's listening in his living room rather than in a rave. That's the difference. In a rave you're vibin' with the people. As I said, I can go in a rave & whatever vibe is going on will give me lyrics. When I'm in a studio it's all about improvisation & trying to imagine what people are doing. Imagine what I would be oing if I was listening to the radio & then kinda working on that vibe.
»FuZion
Okay then... That's the last one you know.
»Biggie
Okay... What we're outta...?
»FuZion
Tunes nearly done man. Nearly home time.
»Biggie
Nah... Nah...
»FuZion
I gotta say a MASSIVE thanks to you Biggie, can I have a firms?
»Biggie
Yeah man, respect!
»FuZion
Serious, I've enjoyed it. You've been in tune to the exclusive Biggie interview.
Hold tight all of you that have been in tune to the whole of the show.
»Biggie
That's right.
»FuZion
It's been ruff man, ruff!
»Biggie
Believe. I just wanna say peace, peace love & unity going out to everybody. Hold tight all the massive in the chatroom right about now. Biggin' you up to the maximum... What's that we're out of here?
»FuZion
I think we're done you know. All the crews, all the people. This is FuZion & all that. I'm here every week. This has been Biggies time. Nice one for tuning in. Until next week. Catch. You. Later. In a bit!
Not a walk, a drive, a little drive