My next guest in the Fusion hot seat is the pinnacle of next generation MC’ing; if the bar has been set for the future of microphone led hype masters, then he is the face of it. From his beginnings in Bournemouth via working with some of the South Coast’s most promising young producers and the Hardcore industries biggest promoters; this man has made his journey from the South Coast’s stages to the big room sound of the goliath that is Westfest. You will have definitely seen him grace a stage near you if you’re Hardcore in the South Coast and if you’ve bought a tape pack in the last six months there’s an element of assurance that he’ll be on there somewhere.

He’s been helping those who have been slamming vinyl keep their crowds bonkers right across the Hardcore nation, hey... he even worked with a Vagabond and was guided partly through the industry by a Stormtrooper; but admits it was a Fusion of talented people that helped guide him become a supreme MC and there’s not many that can own up to that. He’s one of my favourite people to interview and an absolute gentleman to know and he recently picked up Best Newcomer as an MC at the 2006 Hardcore Heaven Awards.

Read on… for the one and only MC Casper.

So man... here you are, Best Newcomer fresh from the Hardcore Heaven Awards, was it an amazing feeling when they called out your name? Did you think you would take it or did you feel that you had very tough competition?

“2006 has been an amazing year for me; I’ve been all over the UK from coast to coast with one intention, to rock the mic. When my name was read out at WestFest I was so pleased, it’s the first time I’ve ever won anything in my life. I did feel though that I had a good chance of winning the award as I’ve had a lot of main room sets over the last year and have appeared on several tape packs which are the best way of getting heard.”

Has it been a very difficult transition from sort of bedroom MC if you will to main room host as it would seem now? Has it been an overnight success or a long and hard road?

“I’ve been at it now for six years, it’s taken a lot of hard work, but it’s all been worth it. I’ve been lucky though due to friends I’ve met on the way, people like MC Marley, Vagabond, Robbie Long, Stormtrooper, Devastate & Jedi. They have taken me along to parties and I’ve ended up doing sets with them. I’ve been sampled on several tunes on the next generation label, some of which have featured on Bonkers albums and the Hardcore Nation series. All these things have helped me along the way.”

Where did you grow up; as a child was MC’ing something you always want to do or did you discover it later on down the line?

“I‘ve always lived in Bournemouth and MC’ing was something I picked up when I hit my twenties. I used to like making silly rhymes up to my mates but I had never even considered being an MC, it just happened.”

I imagine being an MC can be quite a hard job, a lot of people think it’s just spouting words into a microphone, but it’s actually very lyrical isn’t it – very creative, what’s the art to it?

“It is definitely a lot harder than people think, I’m forever being asked by random ravers for a go on the mic, they come up and want to rhyme in your ear and they all think they’re the next MC Storm…. don’t be fooled; a lot of them freeze as soon as they hold the mic. For me being an MC is to hype the crowd and get them going mental. In the last six years or so Hardcore MC’ing has changed a lot and lyrics have become a major part. There is nothing like having a crowd chant your rhymes back at you or to get them reacting to what you say.”

In some respects then being an MC is ultimately being like a live performer, but harder as it seems quite spontaneous, did you train?

“Whenever I drive about in my car I always MC along to the music, this is the best practice; however I suppose I could look like an absolute lunatic to passers by, hehe! I think it is good to be able to freestyle on the mic as then you’ve always got something to say.”

Who inspires you, do you look up to anyone that guides you through it? Famous, family or otherwise…

“I’ve had some good people around me along the way; MC Marley gave me my first break and has also made it possible for me to MC at many different parties over the years… absolute legend! Vagabond has also been a great help, giving me a kick up the arse when most needed!”

So far what has been your biggest gig for you and why?

“Without a doubt Westfest has been the biggest gig, I’d always dreamed of being on stage at a Slammin Vinyl event doing my thing, awesome!”

You are now a young man on the fast track to success, what
makes you different from other MC’s in your industry?

“I like to think that I have my own style, bit of old & new mixed together. I’ve dabbled at various different styles and this has really helped me to get a grasp for the music and know when and where to come in.”

You are appearing in the Fusion room at Tasty tomorrow night, are you looking forward to it? Have you worked with Fusion before and what are your thoughts, comments on the brand?

“Fusion are one of the legendary South Coast promoters, I’ve had several bookings with them since their return in 2004 and I’m glad to say that Supreme has since made me a resident. Really looking forward to what 2007 has in store for them and the THC label.”

Is there anyone you would like to work or record with in the very near future that you’ve not had chance to yet?

“There are a lot of talented producers in the hardcore scene today some of which I have been lucky enough to work with. I have had my vocals sampled a lot by Vagabond and will hopefully be back in the studio with him very soon.”

MC Casper will be performing live in the Fusion room at Tasty’s 5th Birthday, tomorrow night (Saturday 2nd December), you can see more information by viewing the event page HERE. Thanks Casper!

Photo Credits -
Thanks To drunknmunky-jef (First Photo)
Second Photo - Vinny BT
Third Photo - hardcore-girlie

Interview By Jon Brown