Thanks to our server, we lost the write-up on this, but no matter: check out one of the nicest interviews from one of the nicest emcees in the UK: Kay Martay (formerly known as Mr. Drastick).
JUKEBOX:UK: Forgive us for possibly being redundant, but could you tell us how you got into music?
Kay Martay: By birth. I got into music naturally. I never did it because it was what was considered cool. When I first started rapping, not many people in the UK even cared about rappers from the UK. There was a very underground community who appreciated UK based rap.
J:UK: For those who haven’t heard anything from Mr. Drastick/Kay Martay, how would you describe the music that you make?
KM: My perspective on life. Personally and generally. My sound is hype, mellow, fast and slow. I don’t stick to one style. But you can recognize my styles when you hear them. I’m a unique artist. So I’ve been told by my supporters.
J:UK: We remember you as Mr. Drastick; for those who might not know, please tell us what caused the name change?
KM: The name change is because I am growing up. I’m no longer that kid rapping with his hungry MC friends in a cypher trying to outshine each other lyrically. I am a artist now. That name suited a lyrical monster. Which was my main motivation and drive then. Since 2008 I’ve been releasing projects with songs on them that didn’t suit my name. lol I can’t have a name like ‘Mr Drastick’ when I’m writing songs that sound like they belong to a artist. Plus Kay is the name everyone in my family calls me. Martay is my surname. It’s who I am. Mr Drastick is who I thought I was.
J:UK: What brought you and Supa Dice together (especially to create the dope project that is Deception)? Any future collaborative albums in the works?
KM: Supa Dice was that loner from down the road who, unless you talk to him, you’ll never know he is a genius. I am a mirror of that kind of character. I live in a rough part of Northwest London. Supa Dice lives in a neighbouring area to mine where for years we’ve never gotten along. We never would have linked up to create what we call ‘amazing music’ if it wasn’t for our brothers. My older brother and his younger brother went to university together, they spoke of us to each other, we linked up, and a mutual respect was established. Due to that respect, that ‘your block, my block’ mentality was bullshit to us. We knew we both had an amazing talent so we kept in touch. In 2011, I pitched a collaboration, and in 2012, it manifested. So thank our brothers for bragging about us to each other. If not for them, me and Supa Dice could have been two kids at war over neighbourhood turf (laughs – joking).
Oh and yes…expect an album from myself and Supa Dice. He is making the beats as we speak. We plan to rap it up by mid-2013. It might be ‘Deception 3’ or after ‘Deception 3’. Depends if we make a third EP or not.
J:UK: How would you say you approach a record when you are in the studio?
KM: I come up with the chorus first all the time. I see it as the structure of the song. It leads the verses so they don’t go astray. I never write in the studio. Studio costs me £20 an hour (laughs). I’m not broke, but I’m not a fool. Rather than sit there writing, I write the songs in my time, perfect them in my time, then I book the studio time and record the songs all in one session. I never go back to perfect mistakes or none of that stuff. I like keeping the mistakes in my songs. No one spots them anyway. And I love how real it sounds. Like on the ‘Deception 2’ Intro I said a couple lines wrong but they still sounded good. So I kept them. Listen to it and tell me if you can spot them lol. I see it like this. It’s my vision, expression, and view. So If I say something, I said it. So no one can pull me up on my vision. Unless I make a massive mistake. Then I have to change it. Man I am going on lol. But yeah, I just go in, record drunk, then leave drunker.
J:UK: We’ve seen some incredible flows and visuals from you lately. Can you speak on the music that you are preparing the world for (future projects, singles, videos, etc.)?
KM: I direct and edit my on music videos. I write, direct, and make short films too. I love video and cinema now all of a sudden. I used to love it from the perspective of a viewer. I would watch and comment. Now I’m analysing scenes, angles, grading, shots, and locations. So expect more videos and films from me. They are all at www.MarluttMedia.com (that is my media company).
J:UK: What is currently playing in your ‘JUKEBOX’ (iPod, stereo, etc.)?
KM:I’m addicted to my own music. My girl says I am a big headed guy. I agree. I love the sound of my own voice, the patterns in my flow, the word play, the beats I’m on, the vibe I create musically. But apart from me, Curren$y, Rick Ross, Nas, Ab-Soul, Nipsey Hussle, 2Pac and more Curren$y. I love Curren$y’s music. I zone out and listen to every word. I never get tired of his sound. I got all his albums, mixtapes, and EPs on my phone.
J:UK: We are speaking to many about the so-called “Grime Vs. Hip-Hop” debate (the differences, the similarities, which is better, etc.). Can you speak on your stances in the matter?
KM: Grime is home grown, Hip Hop is inspired by the USA, but we put our twist on it. So it’s just what you feel the most. I feel Hip Hop way more than grime. But If I was a kid looking for something that presents me and my generation, I’d think grime is better. Because it represents me. But I grew up on Hip Hop. That’s it. Different strokes for different folks.
J:UK: Anything else the fans can expect from you in 2013 and beyond?
KM: More music. I’m building a web site as we speak. So just subscribe to my youtube channel for more music and videos.
Check out more from Kay Martay:
[Twitter – Facebook – Youtube]
