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Artist Interviews
Q&A: Cappo
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 31 March 2010
Born and raised in Nottingham, Cappo’s first release was a three track demo in 1998 called ‘First Knight’, which was followed up by a self-produced fifteen track demo album, ‘The Cap Tape Volume One’. This led to an approach from Son Records, who then released a number of Cappo EPs, though it was Zebra Traffic who released his debut album ‘Spaz The World’.
Various other releases and projects followed, including a track on The Herbaliser’s ‘Take London’ album and a number of releases with producer Styly Cee. He’s now back with his second long player, again working with Son. ‘Genghis’ is out on 5 Apr. We caught up with Cappo for a chat.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
I was heavy into graffiti and I would draw constantly after I left school. I had been listening to rap music for a while and used to record freestyles with Labels and Stryder McCloud, who were friends from school. I borrowed my friend The Theorist’s Ensoniq ASR 10 keyboard sampler while he was on holiday and I went to work on the beats. I came up with fifteen tracks and sent the tapes off around the country. It was called ‘The Cap Tape’ and that’s how I hooked up with Son Records, and with my mentor, the legendary Styly Cee.
Q2 What inspired your latest album?
The inspiration for my new album was simply the pure necessity to bring out another solid product, that I would be able to leave as part of my legacy for when I pass on. I was determined that this album would be my best work to date and I’m confident I have achieved that.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
I’ve been working on the MPC 2000XL for over a decade now and I have found out, through trial and error, that I have a formula to producing and writing. My lyric writing process is done in bulk; I write extensively for a certain length of time and compile the verses together after writing more than I will need for a track.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Stage presence-wise I’d say Run-DMC, KRS One, Jay-Z. Production-wise it’s Pete Rock, Vinny Idol, J Dilla, Premo, Hi Tek, Rick Rubin, 9th Wonder. Lyric-wise it has to be PUN, Kool G Rap, Notorious BIG, Rakim, Raekwon, Jada, Kurupt, Outkast, Jay Electronica – the list goes on and on…
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Don’t be alarmed by the nosebleeds, continuous flashbacks and the night terrors. Be prepared to hear real hip hop music with no compromise. Real music full stop.
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
My ambitions are to bring the real music back and to bring a product to the table that has been sorely missed for too long. I hope that certain people will hear my album and know that there is still real hip hop thriving throughout the earth. I made this LP to the best of my ability, so expect to hear lyricism and soundscapes that haven’t been done before. I just want to rhyme while the DJ cuts up the break. Solidified hip hop with no compromise.
MORE>> www.cappo.bandcamp.com
