Many music scenes revolve around the mixmeisters of the turntables, but the hardcore scene is one that lays itself open to a very different style of entertainer. They are the Masters of the Ceremonies, or MC's as you have come to love to know them as. Many MC's are great at what they do, but for Summit's 3rd Birthday, we are really excited to have the newly crowned champion of chat, MC Whizzkid along fior the party, and we've caught up with him to talk about his current activities, as well as some of his historical influences.

Thanks for taking the time out to talk to us Whizzkid. Now only a few weeks ago, The Hardcore Heaven Awards 2008 saw you being voted for as ‘Best MC’ by the clubbers. What did that mean to you?

It really meant the world to me! When I started as an MC, there were no real awards etc, so it has never been something I have worked towards, I just try and be, all I can be. My opinion is, that just getting to do this for a living is an award in itself. So, when they called my name and the crowd went wild, it nearly brought me to tears. Easily one of the best feelings I have ever encountered in my life.

Besides this, what have been your highlights of 2008 so far?

Well, it's been a huge year for me really, the Australia tour at the beginning of the year was great, HTID in the sun, the Hardcore Heaven Weekender, it's hard to pin point one moment or event, 2008 has generally been a highlight.

What have you been up to in the studio lately?

Loads.. I try to get in as much as I can, doing different styles of music. I work with Hip Hop right round all the genres to Hard Dance. Currently, i've been working on a commercial dance track with popstars Ultrabeat called " Pocket Full Of Love" which is sounding pretty fat. Hardcore wise, im doing something with Joey Riot as we have never worked together on a tune before and have always talked about it, Hard Dance style, after the success of " Music For A Harder Generation" which Technikal and I did, we are together again for a new installment. So, that combined with the cats I normally work with as well, and it's busy busy as usual! I love it.

2009 is just around the corner. What can we be looking forward to from you next year?

Well, I have big plans for next year, most of which you will have to wait and see, in case somebody nicks my idea, lol. As an exclusive, and I havn't spoke about this publically yet, i'm starting a label called "Broken Records." The first release will be out in the coming weeks teamed up with DJ Gammers label Muffin Music. Keep an eye open, and an ear out!

Who were your first inspirations that led you to becoming an MC?

It's hard to say, before i dicovered Hardcore music I was big into Hip Hop, and liked artists like The Fat Boys, Doug E Fresh, Boogie Down, and Public Enemy etc. So the lyrical side of things was always there and something that interested me, on getting into rave music, people like Mad P, Conrad, Scratchmaster Tekno, Ribbz and Robbie Dee were among the many that caught my ear. So a kind of mix of a number of MCs really. I couldn't really say any one person, as I always wanted to be different and put my own spin on things.

When you first started, did you initially set yourself the goal to reach the top?

To be honest, as I said earlier, it's not that I set out to be at the top, I just wanted to give it my all. I never would have believed in a million years that one day, I would do half things I have done, and work with the people I work with, let alone be crowned by the ravers as number one! It all seems like a crazy dream. As cheesey as it may sound, I feel truely humbled and blessed.

At Summit we’ve always been focussed on pushing performers that are at the top of the game as well as giving up and coming talent a chance to show through. Who should clubbers be watching out for as a new up and coming MC, and what do you think they have that’s different from others?

Hmmmn, there is a few that are doing their thing, and moving in the right direction. Some of which have already won the breakthrough award at Hardcore Heaven, and full props to them. But one guy who I think could be big, if he keeps working it right, is a young guy from the Isle Of Wight called MC Skatty. Not only is he hungry for it, and is consistantly writing new lyrics and bombarding me with demos, but I really like his attitude towards the job and the ravers. He definatly has very good potential.

In your years you’ve obviously been around a lot of DJ’s. Have any of their mixing talents rubbed off on you. Is there a secret DJ inside the Whizzkid?

Well, before I became an MC, I was actually a DJ, because i was obsessed with scratching..Now i'm not saying I was any good, in comparrison to todays standards, but I gave it a go! lol. The problem was, every small party I ever blagged a set at, I ended up on the mic. And if the truth be known, enjoyed it more. I eventually got noticed, and more and more parties wanted me to MC. I wasnt complaining. The rest, as they say, is history.

Who are your favourite DJ’s both hardcore and other styles?

In Hardcore I admire loads of DJs for different reasons, Gammer, Darren Styles, Breeze, Dougal, Sy, Hixxy, Recon, Squad E, Unknown etc etc the list goes on and on. They are all doing their thing, and I love them all for it! Hard Dance, I like Andy Whitby as not only is he an entertainer but also has the skills to back it up. Drum and Bass would be either Nicky Blackmarket or Andy C, just because when i hear them I want to dance. Hip Hop, maybe Spinbad or Yoda, because I listen and think, " How the hell did they do that!?" I could go on, through all the genres but I wont bore you!

The best DJ / MC partnership sets are the ones where there’s a connection between the DJ and MC working together to give each other time in the spotlight to do their thing. Which DJ do you partner up with best and why?

Currently, I would say DJ Gammer. Something magical just seems to happen when we are on together, I like working with him, and I know he likes working with me. I also love working with Breeze and Styles, again, something just clicks. Saying that, I feel the same way about Recon and Squad E or Sy and Unknown....Ha Ha.. i'm waffling again...I like to think i'm pretty versatile, so i'll answer with "different DJs at different times." Ha Ha.

Where do you look to, to find motivation for your lyrics, and what do you most like to chat about when you’re performing?

I pull inspiration from anything and everywhere, even a simple conversation. There is no real method. I write about all kinds of things, but I always have, and always will try to put it across in a way that others can relate to, and maybe connect with. It is important to me, that im not just chatting sh#t for the sake of it, I have to be true to myself or what's the point? Most importantly, we as MCs are there to entertain the ravers. If it means holding it down on the rhymes in certain clubs..Then so be it. The next club you go to, they may want you to go non stop. You have to read the crowd, and do your best to enhance their night, not ruin it.

What is your preferred choice of mic and why? Who in your mind makes the best equipment for MC’s?

For me, it's all about the Shure SM58. One of best mics to use at a live event, you can get. Tried, tested and perfected.

Summit’s 3rd Birthday is on the 22nd November at Mass in London. For this, we’ve teamed up with Trackitdown.net to give your current top ten tracks. What are they?

Ok, I had a nosey through what trackitdown.net had to offer, and here they are. A bit of a mixture of old and new on my list, but every one a total slammer!

1) September - Cry for you. ( Darren Styles Club Mix. )

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2) Only For You - ( Sy & Unknown Feat. Grant Paterson. )

3) Cruising - ( Darren Styles Mix )

4) Long Long Way From Home - ( Squad E Mix )

5) Cry - ( ReCon Remix )

6) I Feel Love - ( Breeze & Styles Remix )

7) Faith - ( Dougal & Gammer Remix )

8) Find Your Way - ( Breeze & Styles Mix )

9) Time Bomb - ( Cube : Hard Remix )

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10) Raving Is My Life - ( MC Whizzkid Vs Sy & Unknown )

Outside of the rave, what else might clubbers find you listening to?

Away from Hardcore, at the moment I have been caining an album called " The Signature LP" by a british rapper called Sway. Also still loving " Tha Carter 3" by Lil' Wayne. Gym Class Heroes' " The Quilt" and Pendulums " In Silico" deserve a special mention too.

What do you most enjoy doing to chill out?

Large Sunday roast, collapse on sofa with girlfriend, X-box till bored, then film/TV. My perfect Sunday.

Lastly, give us your favourite tongue twister?

I cant I ate it, I may have the lollypop stick around somewhere? No promises that it has a joke on it though. Sorry.

Whizzkidd will be appearing on Saturday 22nd Novemebr for the MASSIVE Summit III: Clash of the Titans event, where he will perform back to back with the legendary Hixxy.

See below for the rest of this amazing lineup, and you can find all other details on tickets, plus more articles HERE