Brapp Artist Highlight: Konchis 141
Scotland might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of Hip Hop and Grime, but over the last few decades the scene has evolved from a devoted underground subculture to a hotbed for emerging artists and producers looking to stake their claim on the international circuit.
Pioneering the way in the late 80’s, groups like II Tone Committee, Dope Inc and Ritchie Ruftone, (along with other UK groups such as London Posse, Gunshot and Killa Instinct) helped cultivate that early British Hip Hop sound and identity from which we can largely attribute the cementing of the UK Hip Hop scene. Fast forward to today, we have the likes of Rustie, Young Fathers, Madhat McGore, Jackmaster and Hudson Mowhawke whom through their contributions to the game and dedication to their craft have risen the ranks to international acclaim.
Today we’re talking to Konchis 141, a 24 year old DJ and producer rapidly gaining attention for his unique style and versatility when it comes to crafting beats. He’s part of Scotland’s notorious hip hop crew “The Being” and also writes electronic/synth/bass music under the alias Jetsam. Being the son of Mr. Defy, from the critically acclaimed II Tone Committee, Konchis 141 has had music in his blood from birth. His production skills vary from classic boom-bap to psychedelic and everything in between.
He’s releasing his debut album ’Yugen’ on August 12th, described as “taking you through a world of soundscapes which you can almost visualise.”
How did you get into music?
“I got in to music from a young age through my dad who was/is an MC in Glasgow crew II Tone Committee. We used to go to breaker jams, graff jams and free gigs and I even spent some time in the studio while they were laying down tracks. Seeing all the elements from early and meeting so many creative people who did different things, but who were from exactly the same background, was really inspiring and totally changed music for me. There was always some form of hip-hop, reggae, jungle, ska, soul and even electro playing in the house too so naturally that’s the sort of stuff I gravitated to and felt at home with. I started beatboxing and scratching when I was about 9–10 because there were decks just about everywhere we went and beatboxing’s free haha. Had my first taste of remixing and making songs on the old Sony Ericsson music DJ app and MTV Generator 2 for PS2, started MCing when I was 12–13 and moved on to Acid Pro for making admittedly terrible tunes. As I progressed with the rapping I was dying to lay down some original songs but couldn’t get beats, so I got a cracked version of FL 5 and set about learning it.”
What are you working on at the moment?
“Currently focusing on the promo for my new album ‘Yugen’ coming out on Soom T’s label Renegade Masters under my electronic/synth/bass alias Jetsam. Available 12th August on digital and 12". Also working on an EP with my girl who’s really into singing, it’s a really strange mix of influences but it’s culminated in some really cool music, we’ll be releasing that in a few months time via heavyweight Glasgow cassette label Handpicked.”
Who’s ur inspiration?
“There’s so many dope artists and music out there that it’d be hard to pin it down to a few cause I’m into a lot of stuff but what I will say is the people I’ve met through making music are probably my biggest inspiration, it’s been a mad one so far. Shouts to the artists I looked up to when I was younger who became family, probably my biggest inspiration of all.”
Who are you listening to now?
“Right now I’m on holiday so listening to a lot of Protoje, Geotheory, Alina Baraz, Herzeloyde, Sam Gellaitry, Dead Players, Riko Dan, Losco, Spor, Doja Cat, Graves, Lakim, Eureka, Sango, Mr Carmack, J-Louis and Abraham Blue.”
What‘s your take on Brapp?
“It feels like the logical next step for artists and feels like the thing we’ve been missing. To be able to work with each other regardless of location is a godsend, particularly in Scotland where most folks think we all play bagpipes haha. The fact that bigger names are in amongst it as well is really cool, cause now you’ve got the potential for up and coming producers to get them on beats and vice versa for the up and coming MCs.”
Have you connected/worked with anyone through Brapp?
“I’ve had some of my favourite UK artists rinsin’ on my beats through it, which is really cool. Such a mad feeling to check your notifications and there’s a video of a dude you’ve been listening to for years rapping over your beats and shouting you out. I’ve had vids from Orifice Vulgatron of Foreign Beggars, Datkid of Split Prophets, Bil Next of Split Prophets, Logic, Gizmo, Stormin MC and Illaman to name a few.”
Can you name any artist(s) you would like to collaborate with?
“I’d love to do a full-length album with Jam Baxter and some stuff with Foreign Beggars. And the legends like Taskforce, Gunshot, Blak Twang, Rodney P etc. but reckon that’s a bit more wishful thinking. Got a tune with General Levy though so if that can happen I’m sure anything can haha”
Can you suggest an artist/producer on Brapp we should follow?
“Gonna shamelessly shout out my Glasgow heads and say follow the brother-man @physiks, we came up in this together and he’s insanely effortless with the rhymes and more recently the beats too. Also @gasp, this guy is a whole law unto himself and his back catalogue puts most to shame, penned more than a few classic Glasgow tracks and his ability as a story teller is untouchable. On the production side, get at @andymartin90 and @buntybeats for that raw, dusty Boom Bap. They’ve both been holding it down big style for Glasgow DJing at most hip-hop gigs up here and their beats are sick.”
You can hear and perform on his beats at brapp.tv/konchis141 and support him here:
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Brapp® is an app that puts a powerful studio in your pocket. Producers can upload beats and anyone can record 1 minute videos on top, mix down the audio with powerful studio effects, add video filters and instantly share with their followers.
