RazorKingz Interview w/ The Rap Jar
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down and talking to “RazorKingz”, fans of The Rap Jar will recognize the name from the previously posted video for “The Reaper” featuring Celph Titled.
As those of you that had the good sense to hear the track will know, the duo (Boom-Stick & Tank) are far from inexperienced in both lyricism and production, but I felt that with such a rich and classic sound resonating from the RazorKingz camp.. Their story had to be told.
With having very little navigation experience in Glasgow, it was a bit of a mission trying to locate Go-Go studios but I was welcomed by the Kingz themselves, first Tank – the instrumental alchemist behind the blistering beats, then Boom-Stick – the quick wit and furious voice of RazorKingz. Once inside the studio I was raring to begin my very own walkthrough on RazorKingz and both Tank & Boom were more than happy to tell me what I wanted to know.
Boom, coming from Middlesbrough (Originally Inverness), began his career as an M.C as part of the group “Project Mayhem” which gave him the opportunity to collaborate with Kenneth Greene a.k.a A.O.T.P’s Doap Nixon on one of the group’ tracks, but later left due to poor handling by the record label they were signed to. After a 5 year absence from the scene, he began to reclaim his passion and returned with inventive wordplay and killer punch-lines.
Tank, hailing from Lochwinnoch, also began his career as part of another group known as “Blakhart” alongside fellow M.C’s – DJ Zeeny, Dirty Bowler & Fat Bastard. He has also worked with well-known Scottish DJ/Producer Bunty Beats, who was also one of his tutors during his time spent studying at James Watt College in Greenock where he honed his skills and developed his very own signature style, resulting in the “Golden Era” reminiscent sound that, when combined with Boom-Stick’ raw lyricism… creates a finished product any SERIOUS Hip Hop fan would get behind.
When asked who and what their main influences were in Hip Hop, both Boom & Tank could easily agree that it was, and still is all about the classic “Boom-Bap” sound from the previously mentioned “Golden Era” which is evident in any of their beats which they were more than happy to let me hear during our meeting. An admirable trait in both members is the clear benchmarks set with the completion of a track, making every track better than the last… TRUST ME.
Though the pair are clearly friends outside of the studio, their process during their own parts of the production is more of a solitary process. Being a fan of the release with Celph Titled, I had to ask about what it was like during the process. Both Boom & Tank are clearly still in the throes of the track, being almost completely unaware of the buzz generated by the track but still bursting with energy from the experience. So much of both of the guys has clearly gone into the track, but they both had to give MAJOR love to their homie Chris Torres of Dojo Design (www.dojodesignstudio.com) and formerly “bringdaruckus.com” for the amazing custom artwork he did for the release.
Because “The Reaper” is one of the most notable collaborations between a Scottish Hip Hop act and an established artist overseas, I wondered whether the Kingz had any other plans for major collaborations, and as anyone who is familiar with RazorKingz may know, they currently have a track in production with Billy Danze of M.O.P which has generated buzz amongst eager fans looking forward to the next dose of deadliness from the pair. Because of work and family commitments, and the fact that the entire operation is funded by the Kingz themselves.. They have to work the music into their personal lives when they can, but that hasn’t stopped the boys from drawing up a devastating battle-plan that’s sure to shake U.K Hip Hop to it’s very core.
Within 5 minutes of meeting RazorKingz, it is clear that it’s not only a musical partnership that the two share. They are friends who have been through a lot together and have played a massive support role in each other’s lives, both professionally and personally. And it is that kind of chemistry that, in my personal opinion, makes it so easy for them to create the kind of music Hip Hop is all about.
Because of my abysmal navigation techniques, our meeting had to be cut short. But in the time I had with RazorKingz, it was made very clear to me that they are playing for keeps.
With every obstacle, they overcome. They are RazorKingz.
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