Home » Interviews

Late and Tricksta – Wolftown Committee Interview Part 2

28 February 2003 No Comment

In the second installment of this interview Late and Tricksta (from the Wolftown Committee) talk about business, new material, the ideal studio, the media plus a lot of other information about this dope UK crew.

For Wolftown Recordings, how have things been so far for the label business wise? 

We have been building y'know. The first three years we have been out there promoting and pushing and letting people know who we are. The next three years are going to different, we stepping it up. More product distributed internationally so we can spread the music and our vibe. We have done better than ever with the Wolftown Committee album and are really happy with the results. We just gotta keep pushing and working the product.

I only got to see one music video from your site, how many other videos have u done and for what singles? Any plans for new music videos and maybe a Wolftown DVD?

We now done four videos for the label – Villains "UK Sound", Vicious Circle "Told You", Villains "UK Sound (Remix High Timez)" and Wolftown Committee "Boxed" and we are planning on doing more in the summer of 2003. The Wolftown DVD is something we really want to do and will do but when the time is right. For up to date information on all happens with Wolftown Recordings please check the NEWS section on the home page of www.wolftown.co.uk

What is the ultimate aim for Wolftown Records?

To be honest we acheived two our ulitmate aims for the label in 2002. The first being in Murder Dog (and a six page feature is BEING IN Murder Dog Magaizne) and the second was to work with any member of the Geto Boys. Bushwick Bill (legend!) chose Wolftown Committee's "Blast" track for his new compilation called 'Different Styles Organisation' compilation. We are big fans of Bushwick Bill and this was such a compilment to our music that out all the songs he got sent he chose one of our songs. For more info on this album e-mail: kmid1@worldnet.att.net

The other thing is for us and our artists to be earning enough capital to be living off what we love doing and obviously to be one of the leading forces in independent worldwide music. We are looking at compilations, mixed albums, concept EP's, big singles, artist albums, concept albums (single & double), 7" vinyl, VHS and DVD's, as well as possibly licensing US product for the European market and starting short films and a clothing company called 'Wear-Wolf'. 

What are your thoughts on Bush and Blair? 

Who are they and what label are they signed to? When's their album drop?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are the upcoming releases from Wolftown?

Well the Wolftown Committee album is in stores now and there is a single to come with a couple of remixes and some radio friendly versions and instrumentals. Then it's all about LATE's 'International Rhyme Spittin EP'. That's the bomb yo! its got guests from all over the globe man. Trust me it's well heavy. Then we got the 'Dass Roots EP' which is more authentic sounding and is a deep more personal EP and then we got a mixed album by Wolftown's official turntablist 'DJ AMO'. There other things bubbling around too including some tasty darker shit. Don't wanna give too much away too soon but always check the www.wolftown.co.uk news section on the front page to find out up to date information on the label and it's acts.

What are you best memories of Hip Hop?

When hip-hop wasn't segregated into sections. When Public Enemy, NWA and Geto Boys where just classed as 'hip-hop acts' rather than now being a New York Controversial act, a West Coast Gangsta act and a Dirty South act… do y'mean? These days everything is pigeon-holed and put into sub-genres. Too much focus on what label your signed to, and how well the 'product' is packaged, promoted & marketed and where you live and where you are from rather than crediting the music on it's merits. Those days where wicked… kinda 1986 – 1994. After 1994 a lot more major labels started to lock down certain aspects of the industry. 

How have the media in the UK responded to the Wolftown albums?

Very well. We have received full marks in HHC, Muzik, DJ Magazine, 7 Magazine & Mixmag, as well as reviews in The Face, Undercover, Big Smoke, Big Daddy, Breakin Point Magazine, Lexicon, Urban Groove Magazine, ATM, Knowledge, Deuce, Ministry, and we have had radio play on BBC Radio One by Tim Westwood & Steve Lamacq, plus we have a 'album profile' on BBC Radio 1xtra. More exposure is needed though as radio play is very hard to get in the daytime if your an independent artist/label. It's the same everywhere, it's a like a major label lock down. We just gotta keep pushing and promoting, staying focused and keep up the standard of quality.

With all the respect u get do you ever get people/media dissing? If so how do u handle that?

Not everyone likes the Wolftown vibe – of course! If we all like the same what a boring world it would be! Yeah we take criticism like the next man – as long as it is constructive. In the UK a lot of peeps love production that has breaks and jazz riffs, and people have commented on the sound being 'sythn' sounding rather than organic, people think we strange because we don't sample the next mans tune! We are original in everything we do. We started that style of artwork over in England, we signed local artists, mixed tapes, the RAGO Magazine, (do I need to carry on!!!!) all our own idea's – the D.I.Y way!! Some of the comments people make are quite funny to be honest, but then on average we get one bad review maybe out of ten… that's a 90% success rate. That's cool with us!!!

In terms of the other aspects of hip hop e.g B-boying, graffiti etc are you involved in that as well?

LATE was the Graff man in the crew. He tagged hard from 1984 onwards, and in 1998 got caught after bombing public transport (trains & buses have rocked hard with the 'LATE' tag strong!) and received a £1000 fine (that's about £1500 US Dollars). LATE had just left school and he was all up in the local newspaper on the local TV news!! In 2003 we are bit older and feel we don't have to the graff' or the breaking things anymore. Our focus is the label and creating a force that can bring thru the youngsta's – tomorrow's talented. We signed WAYNEY G and LEE DEE when they where 13 years old and now they are two of the heaviest MC's the in the UK. The label is our way of B-Boying now… 

What equipment/software are you currently using for the beats?

We kinda get asked this all the time and never really want to answer it!! We have trade-marks in the production that we wanna keep confidential and that includes what equipment we use! 

What would the ultimate Wolftown studio consist of?

Big booty-shaking strippers who know how to make beats and engineer, unlimited access to good weed, Martell Brandy on tap, MCP60, a digital mixing desk, expensive compressors, effects units & sound module's and old analogue shit like a 202, 303, 808, 909, and old samplers like a SP100, plus loads of different mics, a video editing shit complete with 'broadcast' quality camera's, a hotel above it on the second floor, a warehouse on the side with a 'merchandise shop' in the front as well as a in-house international distribution set-up in offices on the third floor, leading up to VIP suites on the terrace with helicopter landing pads, with an open bar. Underneath the studio in the cellar which will would be called 'The Basement would be a 500 capacity venue with money spent on acoustics it to accommodate live acts with a state of the art soundsystem and interior.

Put that in MTV cribs!!! 

What are the biggest obstacles for Wolftown?

Not having all of the above!

What countries would you like to tour in?

France, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Spain, Africa and of course anywhere in the States. Any body wanting to book acts should e-mail info@wolftown.co.uk

What artists would you kill to work with?

Tricksta's always wanted to do a beat for Scarface, Bushwick Bill and Buckshot from Black Moon. 
Late is Ice T, MC Eiht, Bushwick Bill, Devin Tha Dude, Kool G Rap and anyone that has been in Murder Dog Magazine!!! 

If people want to buy a copy of the album where can they get it from?

In the Uk it's really easy to get hold of. It's a 'recommended release' by Virgin megastores, plus its in HMV, MVC, Andy's Records, Tower and all good independent stores. We have a much better distributor and any distributor from any country that is interested in getting Wolftown Recordings product should e-mail sales@amatodistribution.com.   Anyone wanting to buy direct should e-mail info@wolftown.co.uk.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Do you have any last words or shout outs?

Like to big up all the crew at Africa's Gateway for a structed interview with superb questions. It felt good to do a good interview again!!!

Matt from Murder Dog, Fourth Boy, Reemington Steel, Lil DVS, Kuwait, K Rino & SPC, Southern Affialiate, Cee Rock 'The Fury' & Micheal Hoffman, Bushwick Bill & Kevin at Different Styles Oraganization, Dyce, Doujah Raze, Coole High, LOVE, Percee P, Mr. Dog, Lyrical Lizard, Dass, DJ Amo, Valu, Thee Absent, Cafe Recordings, Moorish Delta 7, 57th Dynasty, PQ, Musical Sniper, Arejay, Bullet, Kevlar, Jay-Are, JT, Springa, Staxx, Lil D, Pencilworx, Ballistic Productions, Doyen D, B Sharp, Daddy Ash, Cashino, Steve O & D'Black, Rawroots, Chopstix, Diagnostix, Cipher Magazine, Profyle Urban Clothing, Delegates Of Culture, TA Guerrero, Moonshine Bandits, Mr. D Sane, Cool Nuts, Noc On Wood Records, DL Incognito, Make It Happen entertainment, brydie, syko, huntkillbury finn, Bartmanship, Eastborn, Roxbury Rituals, Spesh K, David Banner, Kamakazi, Mac Money, K Banger, Mr St. Cyr, Longlastin Productions, Mr. Reck, Sir Prestige & all at Social Misfits, Nocturnal Rage, Nicci Cheeks, Suspect Packages, Lil CS, B Down, C Wood, Way Out Records, Brave New World, Chris Massamba & Dee V'sion, DJ Sincere, Wonder Twinz, DJ Excalabah, Reggie Fantastik & The Shotcallers, DA from Underground Mafia Music, Nino Storm, Mr. Ballistik, phew!!! tooo many tooo metion!!! 

any one else we forgot we sorry !!! 

if you wish to send your product to RAGO Magazine here is the address;

RAGO Magazine
PO Box 1668
Wolverhampton
England
WV3 0AE

Submitted by: