*****Interview with Up and Coming MC

MC Orion*****


ANDY C & MC GQ / SHARKEY - MAY 9TH @ BAZOOKA @ Matisse in Pembrokeshire

www.myspace.com/orion_mc
www.bebo.com/mcorion
www.dontstayin.com/groups/orions onions

1. Well hellooooo! First of all who exactly are you?

Well my real name is Derek Smith, but most people know me as either Del or Orion.

2. Derek is an old mans name :-P What are you Vitals? (age, height, cup size, how many teeth are your own)?

Yea, that’s why I shortened Derek to Del ;)

Age: in-between 25 & 35 ;)
Height: 5 ft 3in
Build: Slightly overweight
Cup Size: I like builders cups of tea, so they gotta be big.
Teeth: Their getting less and less, but they all mine :)

3. A man should never lie about his age! These days we assume if you're a hardcore dj/mc/producer/raver, which that is all you like. What other music styles tickle your fancy?

Apart from hardcore i like hard house, trance, hardstyle, early D&B, rock, 80's & club classics

4. When would you say you first "found" hardcore, and what about it made you want to follow this scene?

I first found it, (or did it find me.....?) when a mate gave me a tape to listen to in late 1991. I still have it, not sure on the event, but it was Ratty, not sure of the MC either but there was just so much energy in that tape I played it loud all the time. Until my parents gave me some money to go n get some more!! Then I then started collecting the flyers from the local shop (jingo's) as well as tapes. I couldn’t get enough of the music, then in 1992, a mate asked me if I would like to go to a rave that they were going to. I was a little worried about my age, but managed to buy the ticket and get into the event. The event in question was - "fantazia -one step beyond"

After that, my life changed, it was hardcore/jungle all the way, whenever I could get money together and I could get to the events I was there! But back then they were few and far between.

5. You say they were few and far between... these days there are raves wherever you go. Do you feel like quality has slipped since raves have become more widespread, or has it moved on to something better?

The split in the scene when D&B went one way and hardcore went the other was a shame, as I loved the mixed events and sets you used to get. Now though, the scene is stronger; there are a lot more events than there used to be ( although this can be a problem when you run an event at a club and then you have another 5/6 promoters all wanting to do the same type of event at the club, and the quality may tend to slip - which in turn give problems for the ravers as it can be difficult for ravers to choose between the events they want to go to and the events they can go to, and become quiet competitive.

But all in all, the scene has got stronger from the late 90's, which is great! There are promoters who do it for the love, but there has been a few events and promoters that are in it for the money - thankfully, these promoters have been shown the door!

I also feel that the whole scene needs to look to the new talent coming through, there are so many decent DJ's & MC's who play out and will probably never get the chance to get on in the scene due to not getting enough exposure. Luckily there are a lot of promoters who do believe in the new talent and are bringing them through.

6. Bigger raves can be a bit samey... but how do you feel about the competition for new blood? There are up and coming mcs/djs/producers coming at the scene in all directions... how do you compare?

As you said some of the big events can feel a bit samey, but I think that’s due to the fact that sometimes the DJ's tend play there own tunes a lot more as a showcase of what they are doing. In the past you would find that DJ's would play a range of tunes from different producers that I think helped with the atmosphere of those events. That’s why I feel that some of the smaller events with lesser-known DJ's are some of the best events this country has to offer.

With regards to all the new blood that is coming into the scene sometimes you do feel that everywhere you look there are MC's and DJ's in all directions. In a way this is good for the scene, as there are people who are willing to get out there and give something back to the scene they are part of. Unfortunately there are DJ's and MC's that are out there who want to try and be or copy some of the more well known DJ's& MC's, does pull the scene down and contribute to making it “samey”. You have to be original otherwise you stagnant.

I don’t try to compare myself with the big names, I do what I do. If the ravers like what I do then I’m happy! I’m not there to be bigger than the DJ, I’m there to accompany the DJ and make sure the ravers have fun during that set, to keep them going whlie the DJ whips them into a frenzy.

7. So what is it about you that makes you stand out from the rest, what is your “thing”?

That’s hard, very hard....

I know I’m there to be part of the music, and accompany the DJ during the set, not to overpower him/her. I am original in my rhymes and try to keep the ravers going throughout the set. I have a good stage presence and believe that I interact with the ravers well.

I always try to have fun whilst on the stage, and have a laugh, as that’s what this scene is all about – fun!! I have a good personality to be doing what I do.

8. Who is your favourite/who has been your favourite DJ to MC for? What makes a DJ and MC a good coupling?

I have a few favourite DJ's , in no order:

#Seduction
#Slipmatt
#Breeze (allegedly i look like him)
#Vibes


To be honest each DJ I have MC'd for over the years has always been great, from the new blood that are residents right up to the main big name DJ.

As for a good DJ & MC coupling, so long as they both do the job they are booked for then that should be enough. Most DJ's & MC's go well together anyway. There are exceptions mind you. SY & Storm however; those 2 just gel!! I’ve always loved their sets.

9. So we know who your fav DJs are, but who were your idols in the MC-ing field in the hardcore scene during your first years?

Within the MC field, there are always people you look up to and I’m the same. There was always a few MC's that I looked up to. These were the MC's that knew how to work the stage, the music and the crowd, and when I first started I use to listen to these MC's and watch them for inspiration and guidance.

The MC's I’ve always thought were and probably still are top of their fields are, in no order:

# Robbie-D
# Sharkey
# Storm
# Stevie Hyper D
# Whizzkid
# Wotsee

10. You talk about working the stage; what does this involve? What was it about the MCs on stage that made you want to do the same?

Working the stage = Being aware of what’s happening around you (be it with the DJ or the crowd) hyping the crowd up from the stage and most of all, making sure the ravers are enjoying themselves. I always try to get eye contact with a few of the ravers in front of me along the stage and chat directly to them as well as all the others behind them.

I first started MC'ing a few years ago now (2001ish). I was living in Kington on the welsh borders, and used to go to Spunky most weeks. I’d enjoy watching the MC's that the promoter (DJ Mayhem) booked as well as the other residents, such as Moon ,Unity & Kp, as well as the resident beat boxer called Murf. I used to watch these and think “wonder if I could do that”. At the time I had got a set of decks (citronic direct drives) and was attempting to DJ, with the help of some of the local lads from Kington.

I went to a after party that was hosted by a friend from the town after one of the nights. During this party I was mixing with one of the other lads, and he had brought a mic along, so in my "drunken" state I grabbed hold of it and started to shout out some rhymes. (I’ll admit now they were not my own ;) ) After that, I spoke to mate from near Worcester, who gave me a few pointers and also helped me with doing some demos and structure of my rhymes. all in the safety of his house. After that I went to Mayhem and asked if I could MC on either Barnee or Frooty's sets, which I did.

At the same time I was still going to events and as well as stomping around all night, I used to stand on the side of the stage and watch the MC's, and how they acted and worked the stage, lyrics and how they interacted with the music being played. This was both in the hardcore arena and the D&B arena. It all added up!

11. Being an MC to a hardcore set can bring a mixed reaction, and although in the minority, some feel an MC “ruins” a DJs set… what are your thoughts on this?

I can see where they are coming from - there are certain sets I’ve heard over the years that have had an mc on it which has spoilt the set and completely ruined the whole vibe which was going on at the time. I do feel however, that an MC can enhance a set and make that night something special.

12. What advise would you give someone considering taking up mc-ing or just starting to get their face in the crowd? What did you do to promote yourself?

To keep at it, keep doing what they do, watch and listen to other MC's but more importantly - make sure you have your own style! Get the demos out to all the promoters, take demos with you to events you go to, hand them out to promoters and ravers alike. If you have a local event, go there and speak to the promoter, give them a demo and keep pushing.
That’s what I did, and it worked for me, but keep going and never give up.

13. Hardcore and DnB have had, and probably always will have, a very love/hate relationship. What do you think of this?

Its a shame. I like the old type of D&B from back in the middle 90's, and to have seen the scene split as it has done over the years is quite sad.

14. If there were one thing you could add, and one thing you could take away from the scene, what would it be?

Add to the scene - Bigger events, like on the scale of nightmare in Rotterdam, that be summat to see and be part of.
Take away form the scene - The idiotic so called ravers who just come to cause trouble, we don’t need them.

15. To close up then give us a run down of some of the best events you've played at? What events are you going to be playing at in the future?

Some of the best events I’ve played at.........

The Fruit club - Swindon
Missing in Manchester - Manchester
Hardcore Heaven - Bristol
Hardcore Paradise - Cardiff

Those are some of the biggest and best events I have had the pleasure to MC at. The Events where I’m am a resident now (Spunky,Totally Ardcore & Bazooka) are absolutely storming events, I always love going to them as I know when you walk in, the event will be going off from start to finish – you certainly cant fault the promoters of those events.

Future events I’m playing at in the coming months are:

Bazooka - HaverfordWest - May 30th (10pm-12am)
Totally Hardcore - Bristol - May 30th (3am-6am)
Spunky - Hereford - May 31st
Infected Hardcore - Camarthen - July 4th
Full Throttle - Gloucester - July 17th
Relentless Ravers - Portsmouth - July 26th

As well as the residencies at:
Spunky - Hereford
Bazooka - Haverfordwest & Knighton
Totally Ardcore – Bristol

16. Any final words?

I want to thank all the promoters who have booked me over the years, and some shouts to:

Mayhem, Jeopardy, Frooty, Barn-E (&Jess), Unity, Gazy-J, Scotti-B, Kerion (Kp), Tones, Topspin, Tommi -T, Matt, Denver, Phil(Friction), Scott(Smiley), Barno, Wotsee, Breeze, Cruze, Hixxy, Whizzkid, Storm, Ribbz, Si the Sigh, Robbie-D, Rude, Seduction, Vibes & Livelee, Kevin Energy, Sharkey, Brisk, Scott Brown, Sc@r & Uplift, Naughty (& all the Full Throttle ravers), Ben(& all the boys/Girls at Bazooka), Centry MC, Miss Special K (& all the Totally Ardcore regulars)

All the Spunky regulars,

The H.T.I.D forum,

And all the rest of the hardcore family, big yerselves up an stay hardcore :)

Nice interview Del.

Trust he is one of the nicest blokes you will ever meet. Also one of my fav MC's too. Always a pleasure having him on my sets.

Big Up the Onion!!

ooo first R2tG interview lol

Naughty (& all the Full Throttle ravers)

Oi Oi!!

ooo first R2tG interview lol

and another one to follow... a DJ... but no1 can know yet (except the mods obv!) lol!

Yeah Del was very nice to interview ;)

add ur buds peeps!!

Great read & thanks for the shout Del :)

and another one to follow... a DJ... but no1 can know yet (except the mods obv!) lol!

Ooh, i know nothing of this?!

I text u sam and clazz when they text me about above interview lol! If not il text u again :-P

Yeah Cruze I enjoyed it too!!

Yep, text meh nooooow!

I think we should do an interview with me, i'm great fun.

...................

Good interview, Lou. Nice to see something different in the forum.

SORRY TO BE A BURDEN....... BUT (( NOT JUST POINTED AT ORION CUZ FAIR PLAY))

BUT WEN DOES MC NOT BE A UP AND COMER........ MCING FOR 7 YEARS DOES NOT MAKE ANY MC A UP AND COMER............

THATS JUST A MC ISNT IT??

IVE DONE IT SINCE LAST MAY AND CLASS MYSELF AS A UP AND COMER..... BUT IN 5 YEARS TIME I WOULDNT CALL MYSELF A UP AND COMER......

Good interview, Lou. Nice to see something different in the forum.

Your turn next, ghetto kid.

Your turn next, ghetto

uh-huh!! got a DJ interview to put up next week.

Although i was thinking of Austin next month for the funny factor ;-P

BUT WEN DOES MC NOT BE A UP AND COMER........ MCING FOR 7 YEARS DOES NOT MAKE ANY MC A UP AND COMER............

its just something il always refered to mc's getting loads of bookings but not well known enough to be an named MC. if it insults him or he doesnt like it i'll remove it! =)

BUT WEN DOES MC NOT BE A UP AND COMER........ MCING FOR 7 YEARS DOES NOT MAKE ANY MC A UP AND COMER............

I think after a few years and you're established you're a "up and running" MC as opposed to a "up and coming" MC like you and myself, Jon. Anyway, stop being a negetive nancy, see you Saturday. :-)

Your turn next, ghetto

uh-huh!! got a DJ interview to put up next week.

Although i was thinking of Austin next month for the funny factor ;-P

Glad to see I'm being taken so seriously, Lou.

im only playing with ya :-) anyways, iv only seen u on the stage once and it'd be nice to know more about ya. seein as i've known you what, 3 years??????

its just something il always refered to mc's getting loads of bookings but not well known enough to be an named MC. if it insults him or he doesnt like it i'll remove it! =)

Dont worry bout it, In my eyes im still up and coming as im getting bookings, but not that many to be a "named" MC.


I think after a few years and you're established you're a "up and running" MC as opposed to a "up and coming" MC like you and myself

Up and running.........I like that :D


Once again, loops, thanks for interviewing me, was a pleasure and an honour to do it and be the first of many to do an interview for R2TG.

:D

i get 10 bookins a month but i still wouldnt call myself a top mc............ but fair play nice to get ur veiws and points across. keep it up.

We can even have some of those True Hardcore 'esque' pictures of you shooting hoops and shizzle, Alex.