For those who don't know, who is Doyen D, what you about and where you at?

Am Doyen-D, im about to take a shit and im from the North of England.

In South Africa many of us been heavily influenced by artists such as (but not limited to) Hijack, Gunshot, Silver Bullet etc. What made you get involved with hip hop and what artists in the UK were you influenced by?

Hip Hop found me in late 86 / 87. Then, UK rap was as good as, if not better than the American stuff out at the same time. I grew up with Hijack, Hardnoise, Demon Boyz, Gunshot, Standing Ovation same as I grew up on Public Enemy, Ice T and NWA. Kamanchi Sly was just as important to my development as Rakim was. Its weird to think of it now, but its true. Things change.

Is it possible as an independent artist such as yourself to make a living off of hip hop in the UK?

Depends how you are handling your game. There arent too many UK rap acts on majors, but if you are on a major and sign a fucked up deal or simply don't reach sales targets, you can easily end up broke. Globally the traditional hip hop sound doesn't move that many units. There are a lot of indie labels only pressing a few hundred of each release. Most of them make small gains and accept small loses. If you keep doing shows and maintain your profile, you can get by. UK garage rap appears to be a lucrative market, but the jury is out on whether this is the UK hip hop future.

[Offtrack Question] Many people in the States are fighting to keep Slick Rick in the USA. However if he were to be deported to the UK would the UK hip hop community prefer that?

It all depends if he took an interest in what we do. If he were here long enough maybe he would. Slick Rick is still a succsessful Def Jam artist and regardless of where he lives he will stilll have a choice of current American producers and rappers. I imagine if he got deported he would get back to the U.S and live as an alien, millions do.

So how long you been involved with hip hop? Any memories from the past that stand out?

I started making tapes 14 years ago, made my first record in 94. The main thing that still makes me smile is when I see a magazine, a review or a poster and I see names of people who have influenced me next to my name.

So you've just released your album and I must say it's hot. I'm feeling that track "En-d.game". In terms of production what do you look out for? Tell us a bit about the album?

Thanks. I look for beats that smack you in the head. Cocka laced that album, Although it is only one style out of many, but I wanted to make that kind of album first, straight hardcore traditions, tight samples, razor cuts and mangled metaphor, I had to bring it on that monster lyrical level. The album is 13 tracks deep, no skits, no intro's, no fillers, just heated tracks back to back.

Had any battles with any fools lately or in the past?

You wont catch me at too many clubs, doing the open mic ting. I keep myself to myself, my words are my art. The last throw down I had was at a spot my DJ was playing at, we ran into American rapper L Fudge. I was taken unawares and suddenly we were spitting venom at each other inside a circle of people. It was cool, we both held our own.

With every man and his grandma wanting to be a rapper these days what do you think of the current state of hip hop? (probably the most asked question in hip hop today.

The most asked question ever, every generation has analysed its position in history. Hip Hop is so diverse now, back in the day, it was Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD - that was hip hop, nowadays the music those kind of acts made would be seen as a sub genre. People should be pleased that we have been accepted into the mainstream. The current pop rap phenomena has its place along side the hardcore underground. I know pop rap smells of industry corruption but there are acts and fans who actually like that stuff. I like and appreciate Nas and Eminem as lyricists and performers but I struggle with the Ja Rule shit.

What frustrates you about this industry?

To lead on from the last question, pop rap is as viable as underground rap is, but what frustrates me is the lack of alternatives the media and indusrty allow, we are forced to dine on inane dance music when in reality there are so many other rap variations to give us a varied diet. They want us to starve, they don't want us to think for ourselves.

Break down the who's who of UK hip hop for us, both dope and wack.

I'd be stupid to sit here and diss a string of acts who have no way to defend themselves. I'm not even that well informed,  I don't go out of my way to listen UK rap anymore, I only really hear stuff that is sent to me by acts I work with. 

Have you released any music videos?

I have just found myself a team of budding young film makers and we are working on some ideas. We were going to do a video for the last single but there were too many hands on the track to do it comfortably. We are waiting for the next project. The last video I did was with a crew called Bubonik Profitz. It was a visual and audio onslaught, involving me and the other rapper at odds, contorting verbal mental shapes and images until at the end of the video we transformed into each other, it was really most strange but pretty cutting edge.

What are the plans of Street Legal Music for the future?

The Doyen-D debut album 'EndGame' is out now, im preparing a live show to crush kill and destroy all competition, I need to promote this shit to the fullest. Next release on SLM is my second album "Malevolence", that's in the final stages of being mastered right now. It's a collection of unheard tracks combined with b-sides and exclusive new joints, it shows many more sides of the Deezal coin. After that will be an EP with UK rap god Junior Disprol, then there will be a Pri-cee album, a DJ Superix EP, hopefully a Bungle album and in the not too distance future there will be a compilation of new up and coming SLM acts.

If somebody is gonna burn your cd and distribute it over the net what would you think of that?

Scary thing is theres not a lot I can do about it. I would hope if they are fans they would give me enough respect to let me get mine first. Im not unreasonable and im easily approachable. Still, some folks coming across my music via free download sites could open up new avenues for me, I'm not really at a stage to worry about losing sales from it, I don't make enough records to reach all corners of the globe, I'm still trying to spread the word.

Do you think Bush should invade Iraq?

No.

What are your thoughts on Tony Blair?

He is a sheep. He needs to look after us at home, deal with our integration and homeless issues, we are too small an island to fight for another nations greed.

I see you got Late up on one of your tracks, what is your relation to Wolftown Committee?

No relation at all, except we are both putting out records and cds in England, outside of London. 

In terms of hip hop coming out today, what artists are you feeling? What is bumping in your hifi/car right now?

The last current album I bought was by a rapper called C.O.S out of the westcoast of America, the last Luni Coleone album was tight, I like a few on the new Nas. I tend to play a lot of old shit, I seek out shit I missed.

What is your favourite track on your album and why?

Probably the title track because its raw or BreakN tha MIC for the beat.

Favorite beer, cigs?

I drink very rarely and I don't smoke cigarettes at all. I'm more a daily bud smoker.

If people in the UK or America or South Africa wanna get a copy of your album what should they do?

Contact the label by email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , that's for individuals or distributors, Check the site www.streetlegalmusic.co.uk , check the review of the album on this site and we can do this.

Any last words?

Never let anybody make your decisions for you.

check him on the web at:  http://www.streetlegalmusic.co.uk

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