Who Is Phaze One?
-A rapper from London City.
How did you get the name Phaze One
-It means the first step, the first stage. I found regardless what I was doing, whenever I was at that first stage, I had the most drive and most hunger to do well. It's easy to lose that drive after time passes, so Phaze One is about maintaining those attributes you only get at that stage.
Where are you from originally?
-My mum is from Mauritius and my pups is from Dominica. Mixraced is the future right?
How did you get into rapping?
-I think it happened very naturally. I always liked creative things. I used to like drawing but was never good at it. Tried poetry but I didn't enjoy it. I started to write rhymes, felt like it was the only way I could enjoy expressing myself creatively. As soon as I delved into rapping I got hooked, engulfed in it. I had my moment of clarity.
How do you maintain your style of gritty and lyrically rap?
-I think every rapper is a product of who they listen too. I maintain my style by listening to good music, good rappers.
How does it feel to be a part of something that originated in a completely different country from you’re from?
-It's not something I really think about. I think more about the fact that no mc from London has really gone to America and had that massive impact. Slick Rick don't count!
Do you think there is a difference between the state of Hip Hop in London and in the states?
-Not too much. I think everything America does the UK mirrors. The problem with that is the majority of the time America does it first, then we come with a bullshit version of it. We've got our own culture, own accent etc etc, it's cool to take inspiration from others, but if you're not doing you, its never gonna work out.
Who are some of your main influences?
-Biggie Smalls, J Dilla, Madlib, Slick Rick, Pete Rock, Eminem when he made infinite, some old skool Redman, Common and Busta Rhymes. All of the early Deathrow westcoast stuff. I can go on for days!
Do you have a top 5 MC’s List?
-This list changes everyday, its undecided! There are so many factors to consider but I'd say:
- Biggie
- Oldskool Eminem
- Elzhi of Slum Village
- Pharoah monch
- Nas
- Biggie
- Oldskool Eminem
- Elzhi of Slum Village
- Pharoah monch
- Nas
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