> 03/01/2008
Conrad Watts X EBS
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posted by E.C | 15:02
Conrad Watts X EBS
CW: I’m actually from deepest darkest Dorset! A lot of people think I’m from Bristol because of the Wordsworth Surgery link, so I don’t feel too bad! I lived in Bristol for a few years as well and I guess that’s when things started taking shape musically so people just tend to make the connection. The SFDB link just sort of happened; Secondson got my number of Beans and rang me up to do the album. I can remember when I went up to the recording studio, there was Jehst, Lewis Parker and Humurak D Gritty all in this one room, It felt mad!! These are people I’ve been listening to for years, you know, I think the pressure was good cuz I nailed the tune in one take and was out in 20 minutes! I remember later that night Blade was playing in Cardiff and we all went down. I ended up getting on stage with them all-Secondson saw I held my own and things just sort of progressed from there.
Get To Know..
There are some artists that fly so under the radar that only a select few heads/fanatics get to bask in their musical spender..real high quality tracks unheard by the masses due to the market flood from the big budget high rollers..Conrad Watts is a living example. I chewed the fat with the lyricist as its high time this guy got the props he deserves.
C.Monts: So introduce yourself to the heads
Conrad Watts: Right, the names Conrad Watts, rapper extraordinare and mass collecter of Nike High Tops.
C.M: Have you always been a solo artist? What crews have you been down with?
CW: I’ve been in a few crews in my time, most notable would probably be The Ugly Heroes which consisted of myself and long time rhyme partner Clarity. Then there’s The Wordsworth Surgery, which was again myself, Clarity, Rola from the Numskullz and DJ/Producer Sir Beans OBE. That only lasted one release though, and due to conflict of interests we disbanded and I ended up going solo. Was never something I particularly wanted to do, it just happened, but I guess the freedom you get as a solo artist is one benefit.
CM: describe you sound/style.
CW: Guess that totally depends on who I’m working with, all my SFDB stuff, which has been produced by Secondson, is a mix between your dark and introspective stuff and then your straight up wordplay raps, most of the time its a mix of the two. Think it's Secondson's beats that do that-you got some crazy polish of Swiss string sample then this absolute monster drum break!! I really just go with what I think the beat is telling me or my initial mood when I hear it.
CM: Do you produce? If so, what equipment you using?
CW: Nah, I don’t, I want to focus on my writing for now. Think it's better to be a dope rapper or a dope producer than an average MC/Producer. Maybe when I’ve got nothing else to say I'll start producing!
CM: You’re from Bristol right? How did the hook up with SFDB come about?
CW: I’m actually from deepest darkest Dorset! A lot of people think I’m from Bristol because of the Wordsworth Surgery link, so I don’t feel too bad! I lived in Bristol for a few years as well and I guess that’s when things started taking shape musically so people just tend to make the connection. The SFDB link just sort of happened; Secondson got my number of Beans and rang me up to do the album. I can remember when I went up to the recording studio, there was Jehst, Lewis Parker and Humurak D Gritty all in this one room, It felt mad!! These are people I’ve been listening to for years, you know, I think the pressure was good cuz I nailed the tune in one take and was out in 20 minutes! I remember later that night Blade was playing in Cardiff and we all went down. I ended up getting on stage with them all-Secondson saw I held my own and things just sort of progressed from there.
CM: The last material I cop't from you was the lifetime EP, what you been working on since then? album/EP on the horizon?
CW: I just finished an 8 track EP which is up for free download from my Myspace or www.reverbnation.com/conradwatts, er...done a tune for DJ Parkers album which guests include myself and Rasco, woking on an full length LP, putting a few tunes together with P Xain from the goldielookinchain and I'm thinking of resurrecting the Ugly Heroes. So yeah, keeping busy.
CM: What hip hop you checking for at the moment (if any)
CW: Not a lot man, when your constantly working on tunes and your surrounded by rap music you need a break. I need some Sigur Ros or Arcade Fire or something to chill me out! Only man I really pay any attention to in Hip Hop is LMNO from the visionaries. He kills it every time.
CM: How do you feel about the Grime scene in the UK?
CW: I don’t.
CM: Ever been tempted to cross over?
CW: Nah, it’s not me. I respect it when it’s done well, but again just not my thing.
CM: Any shouts/plugs?
CW: Just to go check my myspace, you can get your hands on all sorts of free stuff, my new EP, Life Time, Way of the Dragon, and Secondson & His Orchestra Vol.1 which features people like Jehst, Sway, Task Force lewis Parker.....! Go cop that shit!!! Shouts to mum,dad,my girl,clarity (we gotta do it man!!)
Go get the 8 track EP..it’s a free download so no money need leave your wallet..download it..grab a pivo and reflect on tracks..I promise you, it will be worth it!
Go get the 8 track EP..it’s a free download so no money need leave your wallet..download it..grab a pivo and reflect on tracks..I promise you, it will be worth it!
C.Monts
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