Mantis Chapter

How did you get the name "The Mantis Chapter"?
TSOne - Long time ago. TMC established '91 so it wasn't a Wu-tang type thing - more a mystical cryptic name, an identifier based on the origins of “mantis” meaning prophet and “chapter” representing our group, and our contribution to the book of hip-hop.

Is the “Sacrificial Offerings” EP your first release?
Acas13 - Yeah is first proper release - we have pushed out a few demos in the past.

TSOne - We did a self released EP that did get some recognition despite our lack of promotion and distribution at the time. Some features but like Acas says first release proper!

What artists would you credit as inspiration?
Acas13 - Inspired by many Hip-Hop producers I guess and I think a lot of music from the 70's - Funk Soul Reggae some of that experimental rock stuff that people were producing back then.

TSOne - Mid-to-late '80's US Hip Hop, and late '80's to early '90's UK Hip Hop, all-time heroes are Chuck D and Charlie Chaplin (Reggae artist), but so much out there is inspirational from classical to blues to jazz, film scores, anything.

What were the last three Hip-Hop albums that you brought?
Acas13 - I don’t buy a hell of a lot of Hip-Hop anymore I find a lot of modern Hip-Hop a bit dull really - The last couple of things I have bought are “The Army of the Pharaohs Album” - I love all that Jedi Mind Tricks stuff - Oh yeah Aroe and the Soundmaker's “The Crown Jewels” mix cd - which is quality - a mix tape of old UK Hip-Hop tracks - support that.

TSOne - Dark Craftsmen's album was the last that was memorable! More 12's - Hundredth Monkey still gets heavy rotation!

Your style differs very much to a lot of the UK Hip-Hop out on offer. How would you describe your style?
Acas13 - I don’t really like to use the term horrorcore but we are on a dark tip - we do use a lot of dark samples with a lot of influences from old books and horror films - we are the Edgar Allen Poes of British Hip-Hop. We like that dark psychological stuff. And listen to TSone's lyrics there are lots of references to that sort of stuff. But we are also influenced by the early days of British Hip-Hop - we have been doing this since '91 and back then we were producing 120 bpms plus on tracks so although we aren't doing that sort of speed now we are influenced from those times.

TSOne - MANTIS STYLE!

You reside in Cambridge. Is the scene still healthy down there and have you played at Rawganics yet?
Acas13 - The scene has gone kind of quiet down here again - not sure what’s going on with the mighty Rawganics.

TSOne - Not played a proper set at Rawganics. Hope that it gets in motion again, be good to get a vibe again. There's quite a lot of talent here - big up Delegates of Culture!

Good to see you signed with Dropzone Records. How on earth did you hook up with a label based in Scotland?
Acas13 - Well we approached Tekneek (Dropzone artist The Dark Craftsmen) to feature on the EP as he is an artist both of us respected. We got talking to Eastborn (Dropzone CEO) and he liked what we were doing and dropped a lovely verse for the EP as well. And from there we kept chatting and he signed us.

Are you working on your next release yet?
Acas13 - Oh yes got a few ideas in the pipeline just bouncing ideas/lyrics/bits of music about.

TSOne - Yep, looking forward to it already!

What would be your dream collaboration?
Acas13 - Hhhhmmm that is a difficult one - I think maybe Icepick or Alkaline from Gunshot. US wise maybe Wise Intelligent from Poor Righteous Teachers or KRS ONE.

TSOne - Apart from Eastborn, Tekneek and Geta!!! Bandog, Remark, Krash Slaughta, Curoc and more!!!

What do you think of the current state of UK Hip-Hop?
Acas13 - I think it’s pretty healthy - there is some good stuff coming out - I am not a big fan of a lot of it but I can see there is a lot of talent involved. I rate Klashnekoff quite highly. We are in contact with a lot of the older guys through the Heroes of UK Hip-Hop website and I can feel there is movement and a fair bit of networking slowly happening and I think you are going to see some of the UK Old Skool returning.

Do you listen to much UK Hip-Hop yourself?
Acas13 - maybe not as much as I used to but I still hear a lot of the new stuff that's coming out - and still listen to lots of the classics: Gunshot, Mc Mello, Killa Instinct, London Posse all those sort of artists.


TSOne - More old than new - check for a lot of stuff. It's all good and I'm always hopeful for the UK's big break - I reckon it's started - believe!

Any big-ups or shout-outs?
Acas13 - Yeah definitely first to Eastborn for having faith in us and releasing the EP. Then to Tekneek (Dark Craftsmen) and Geta (Killa Instinct's Dj) for their talented work on the EP. To Hoodee, Moriarti - To all the crew at Heroes of UK Hip Hop and all UK hip-hop artists that keep putting out quality product and moving the scene forward.

Interview by Steven Portland