Joe Gutta
Where are you from and what's the Hip-Hop scene/industry like there?
I'm originally from Sheffield but now live in between Doncaster and Scunthorpe. The scene around here is pretty much non existent but the area I live in and the surrounding towns have a lot of emcees but no real stage to showcase their talents, no regular nights and the odd night that does pop up usually gets a small turn up so you end up with a lot of frustrated people. Hopefully soon enough it'll change!
How long have you been rapping and what or who influenced you to pick up the microphone and start writing?
I've been writing longer than I’ve actually been rapping, I started writing around 2001 and then started recording in December of 2002. I was brought up around different kinds of music and there was always music playing in the house as I was growing up. My mum would listen to Nina Simone, Leonard Cohen and Randy Crawford and my dad would play a lot of Reggae and The Beatles so there were quite a few styles being taken in, but the hip hop started when my cousin played me a Coolio album and I’ve been listening non stop ever since. Both my mum and dad wrote poetry when they were in they're 20's so I think it's just been passed on to me, I love writing and when it's heard by people other than yourself and friends it makes the time you've spent worth it.
When did you get your first break and was there anyone person who helped along with your music career?
To be honest with you my first break has only just really come about in the form of Lunatrix and DJ Vokal from HHB Radio getting me onboard to host the second instalment of their mixtape "HHB Radio Mixtape Vol.2". This cd has some extremely talented artists involved with it and will get my name out there, so I owe those two some more verses!
What have you released so far and what has the response been like?
My first release was Cartoon Hip Hop Vol.1 which was a mixtape I dropped in January 2005, which got my name to more people than I thought it would, I just uploaded it to a site and dropped people the link and it got downloaded over 1000 times and I moved 500 hand to hand, I was more than happy with that. Then I put out a little promo cd called Starvin' Artist which was just basically a few tracks for a specific show in December 2005. All in all the response has been good but I’m looking to reach more heads with the new Cartoon Hip Hop Mixtape.
What would say is the most popular track that you have released to date?
The most popular track I’ve released to date would have to be one called Gorillaz In The Mist which is produced by Second Suzpect, it featured on his mixtape as well as a remix on the HHB Vol.2 Mix cd and will also be featuring on my mixtape, it gained acclaim from DJ Mystro from Glaxy FM, but also I believe it's possible that the new mixtape will have something on there to fit the description, I have a track called Sick & Tired on it that people have been embracing because I feel they can relate to it. So maybe that one even though it hasn't been released yet.
What producers do you work with?
The main producer who I work with is Second Suzpect aka Joe Rizzle, who is a very talented producer from the West Midlands. Me, him and Bigga are part of a collective called the "Unfriendly Neighbours" and are at present working on material between projects for our first L.P as a group. Joe's production is just next level to me, I mean there are these producers that just take a sample and put a drum loop behind it but you can catch Rizzle messing with the same instrumental days and even weeks after he's given it to me. He's very dedicated to what he does and knows what he plans to do for the future. When we get in the lab there's a connection that just works for us and a heavy product comes out the other side.
What studio do you record in?
I either record at Bigga's lab in Tamworth or in Lunatrix's studio in Lichfield and both are very heavy set ups, which I feel comfortable recording in, I have to feel comfortable in the booth or the tune doesn't come out quite right, but yeah either one of those two places because of the good atmospheres.
What artists have you collaborated with and what's the most memorable collaboration that you have recorded?
There are really too many names to mention, I seem to have more tracks with other people than I do solo tracks, but the most memorable collaboration I’ve done has to be either a track called Sunbeams from Bigga's L.P So Ghostly because it was the first collaboration I did with him or a track which is untitled at the moment from Cartoon Hip Hop Vol.2 with a singer called Lauren Jade which is probably my favourite track I’ve ever put together because the lyrics are very close to my heart.
What's your label situation? Who you signed to and do they have distribution?
At the moment I’m unsigned but myself, Second Suzpect, Reggiimental and Bigga created rusty jukebox records purely as a name and brand to go by for the release's we make as we are not involved with a official label as of yet.
With so many rappers in the game how are you planning to make noise and get noticed?
That's the thing really ain't it, I’ve got a distinctive accent and I don't think anyone out there sounds like me, so I’m easy to hear on a tune. I try to bring bits of comedy into certain tracks because a lot of people at the minute are so negative about things, sometimes I fall into that category but I see my music like everyday life, every tune I make isn't going to be happy and funny because I don't always feel like that but at the same time I don't always feel moody so these aspects will always be portrayed in my music.
Have you featured or hosted any mixtapes?
I've hosted the HHB mix cd which is my only hosting duty to date, but if anyone reading this has heard the mix cd and likes it I’d be more than happy to host more! I've featured on such mixtapes as UK Runnings, S.o.s's All Eyes On The South, Second Suzpect Vol.1 and of course my own mixtape compilations.
Any major plans for 2007? Anything big in the pipeline?
First and foremost Cartoon Hip hop Vol.2 will be coming out in the start of the year which is around 30 tracks deep and will be accompanied by a short film of music videos compiled from the mix. This will be available for free download from the official site www.cartoonhiphopvolume2.com . Another project for this year will be the Unfriendly Neighbours L.P and I’m hoping the third instalment of the Cartoon Hip Hop mixtape series will be available at the end of 2007.
What radio stations in your area are supporting your music?
There aren't any radio stations in my area that I’m aware of, but HHB are always supporting what I do, I’ve been on a few of their shows and a few of my tracks are up on their playlist, I’ve also appeared on Conspiracy Radio, any other radio stations that have played my music big up, I just don't know you have.
'Big name' collaborations seem to be the way for 'underground artists' to get more exposure. Do you plan to do this?
Cipher Jewelz from Moorish Delta and Menace from Hoodz Underground are on Cartoon Hip Hop Vol.2, I’d like to do some tunes with a few big names in UK Hip Hop, not just because they're big but because I feel the music that they're making. People like Wordsmith, Foreign Beggars, Roots Manuva, Jehst and a few other names but if I list them all we'd be here for a bit. So yeah, we'll see what the future holds.
Have you done any music videos to promote your latest release?
Not yet, but as soon as the tracks are recorded I’m compiling some music videos into a short film to accompany my mixtape, I’m looking forward to working on them because it brings out a different side to my creativity so keep your eyes peeled!
How are you finding the My Space.Com revolution? Love it or hate it? What are your views?
Love it but at the same time hate it, one reason I hate it is because I’m on there every half an hour checking to see if I’ve got a new comment or message, nah jokes but it's a great medium for people to get heard at the end of the day and a nice way of linking other artists who you wouldn’t have the chance of linking other wise.
Do you have a My Space page or a website?
My myspace address is Joe Gutta and Rusty Jukebox collective , we really need to keep it updated which will be happening very shortly, for now you can find free downloads of previous releases there as well as bio's and news. Also check out 2ndsuzpect for some very heavy production.
What other rappers are you feeling at the moment?
At the moment I’m feeling people like Wordsmith, Hoodz Underground, SonnyJim, Moorish Delta 7, 10Shott and of course the people who I work with on the regular - Bigga, Reggiimental, Sir'vere, Gadget Da Wordsmith, Suicyde and again a lot more people than I can mention, but really anyone who I’ve done a tune with I feel their music.
What other producers are you feeling at the moment?
Producers like Dag Nabbit, Joe Buddha, Harry Love, Juttla, Kroscene, Gadget / Millenium Jazz, Kid Radikal.
Describe your style in 5 words.
Lively, Complex, Versatile, Witty and Charismatic.
Do you have a direct link for people wanting to buy your music on-line?
Not at the moment, well not any of my material anyway but you can purchase releases from Reggiimental & Bigga through Rusty Jukebox Recordsand also CD baby. The next mixtape is a free download and i will also be handing them out at shows, be on the look out for links to the official website to download it from.
Would you ever sign to a major label?
It's quite a tough question, if I wasn't going to get turned over maybe. I'd hate to put together a project just to have it pushed back, I’d prefer to put out my music with no-one over looking it, no censorship, just how I wrote it and how it came out for people to listen to, with it being what i want to say not what some guy thinks the listener wants me to say.
Why should people buy your music?
I think people should buy my music because I’m trying to do something different, I know it's so cliche saying that but I’m constantly trying to do something fresh, no ones got a voice like me anyway so that gives me a little bit of help, as a whole we all put a lot of time into what we put out to ensure it's of a high standard.
Any shout-outs or anything you wanna add?
Big up to Second Suzpect, Bigga & Reggiimental, all the people at HHB Radio for letting me host the mixtape and just for supporting my music, Switch, everyone who contributed to my mixtapes, safe to you Tricksta for the interview and big up everyone who feels the music and the movement! Safe - Also check shootmp3
I'm originally from Sheffield but now live in between Doncaster and Scunthorpe. The scene around here is pretty much non existent but the area I live in and the surrounding towns have a lot of emcees but no real stage to showcase their talents, no regular nights and the odd night that does pop up usually gets a small turn up so you end up with a lot of frustrated people. Hopefully soon enough it'll change!
How long have you been rapping and what or who influenced you to pick up the microphone and start writing?
I've been writing longer than I’ve actually been rapping, I started writing around 2001 and then started recording in December of 2002. I was brought up around different kinds of music and there was always music playing in the house as I was growing up. My mum would listen to Nina Simone, Leonard Cohen and Randy Crawford and my dad would play a lot of Reggae and The Beatles so there were quite a few styles being taken in, but the hip hop started when my cousin played me a Coolio album and I’ve been listening non stop ever since. Both my mum and dad wrote poetry when they were in they're 20's so I think it's just been passed on to me, I love writing and when it's heard by people other than yourself and friends it makes the time you've spent worth it.
When did you get your first break and was there anyone person who helped along with your music career?
To be honest with you my first break has only just really come about in the form of Lunatrix and DJ Vokal from HHB Radio getting me onboard to host the second instalment of their mixtape "HHB Radio Mixtape Vol.2". This cd has some extremely talented artists involved with it and will get my name out there, so I owe those two some more verses!
What have you released so far and what has the response been like?
My first release was Cartoon Hip Hop Vol.1 which was a mixtape I dropped in January 2005, which got my name to more people than I thought it would, I just uploaded it to a site and dropped people the link and it got downloaded over 1000 times and I moved 500 hand to hand, I was more than happy with that. Then I put out a little promo cd called Starvin' Artist which was just basically a few tracks for a specific show in December 2005. All in all the response has been good but I’m looking to reach more heads with the new Cartoon Hip Hop Mixtape.
What would say is the most popular track that you have released to date?
The most popular track I’ve released to date would have to be one called Gorillaz In The Mist which is produced by Second Suzpect, it featured on his mixtape as well as a remix on the HHB Vol.2 Mix cd and will also be featuring on my mixtape, it gained acclaim from DJ Mystro from Glaxy FM, but also I believe it's possible that the new mixtape will have something on there to fit the description, I have a track called Sick & Tired on it that people have been embracing because I feel they can relate to it. So maybe that one even though it hasn't been released yet.
What producers do you work with?
The main producer who I work with is Second Suzpect aka Joe Rizzle, who is a very talented producer from the West Midlands. Me, him and Bigga are part of a collective called the "Unfriendly Neighbours" and are at present working on material between projects for our first L.P as a group. Joe's production is just next level to me, I mean there are these producers that just take a sample and put a drum loop behind it but you can catch Rizzle messing with the same instrumental days and even weeks after he's given it to me. He's very dedicated to what he does and knows what he plans to do for the future. When we get in the lab there's a connection that just works for us and a heavy product comes out the other side.
What studio do you record in?
I either record at Bigga's lab in Tamworth or in Lunatrix's studio in Lichfield and both are very heavy set ups, which I feel comfortable recording in, I have to feel comfortable in the booth or the tune doesn't come out quite right, but yeah either one of those two places because of the good atmospheres.
What artists have you collaborated with and what's the most memorable collaboration that you have recorded?
There are really too many names to mention, I seem to have more tracks with other people than I do solo tracks, but the most memorable collaboration I’ve done has to be either a track called Sunbeams from Bigga's L.P So Ghostly because it was the first collaboration I did with him or a track which is untitled at the moment from Cartoon Hip Hop Vol.2 with a singer called Lauren Jade which is probably my favourite track I’ve ever put together because the lyrics are very close to my heart.
What's your label situation? Who you signed to and do they have distribution?
At the moment I’m unsigned but myself, Second Suzpect, Reggiimental and Bigga created rusty jukebox records purely as a name and brand to go by for the release's we make as we are not involved with a official label as of yet.
With so many rappers in the game how are you planning to make noise and get noticed?
That's the thing really ain't it, I’ve got a distinctive accent and I don't think anyone out there sounds like me, so I’m easy to hear on a tune. I try to bring bits of comedy into certain tracks because a lot of people at the minute are so negative about things, sometimes I fall into that category but I see my music like everyday life, every tune I make isn't going to be happy and funny because I don't always feel like that but at the same time I don't always feel moody so these aspects will always be portrayed in my music.
Have you featured or hosted any mixtapes?
I've hosted the HHB mix cd which is my only hosting duty to date, but if anyone reading this has heard the mix cd and likes it I’d be more than happy to host more! I've featured on such mixtapes as UK Runnings, S.o.s's All Eyes On The South, Second Suzpect Vol.1 and of course my own mixtape compilations.
Any major plans for 2007? Anything big in the pipeline?
First and foremost Cartoon Hip hop Vol.2 will be coming out in the start of the year which is around 30 tracks deep and will be accompanied by a short film of music videos compiled from the mix. This will be available for free download from the official site www.cartoonhiphopvolume2.com . Another project for this year will be the Unfriendly Neighbours L.P and I’m hoping the third instalment of the Cartoon Hip Hop mixtape series will be available at the end of 2007.
What radio stations in your area are supporting your music?
There aren't any radio stations in my area that I’m aware of, but HHB are always supporting what I do, I’ve been on a few of their shows and a few of my tracks are up on their playlist, I’ve also appeared on Conspiracy Radio, any other radio stations that have played my music big up, I just don't know you have.
'Big name' collaborations seem to be the way for 'underground artists' to get more exposure. Do you plan to do this?
Cipher Jewelz from Moorish Delta and Menace from Hoodz Underground are on Cartoon Hip Hop Vol.2, I’d like to do some tunes with a few big names in UK Hip Hop, not just because they're big but because I feel the music that they're making. People like Wordsmith, Foreign Beggars, Roots Manuva, Jehst and a few other names but if I list them all we'd be here for a bit. So yeah, we'll see what the future holds.
Have you done any music videos to promote your latest release?
Not yet, but as soon as the tracks are recorded I’m compiling some music videos into a short film to accompany my mixtape, I’m looking forward to working on them because it brings out a different side to my creativity so keep your eyes peeled!
How are you finding the My Space.Com revolution? Love it or hate it? What are your views?
Love it but at the same time hate it, one reason I hate it is because I’m on there every half an hour checking to see if I’ve got a new comment or message, nah jokes but it's a great medium for people to get heard at the end of the day and a nice way of linking other artists who you wouldn’t have the chance of linking other wise.
Do you have a My Space page or a website?
My myspace address is Joe Gutta and Rusty Jukebox collective , we really need to keep it updated which will be happening very shortly, for now you can find free downloads of previous releases there as well as bio's and news. Also check out 2ndsuzpect for some very heavy production.
What other rappers are you feeling at the moment?
At the moment I’m feeling people like Wordsmith, Hoodz Underground, SonnyJim, Moorish Delta 7, 10Shott and of course the people who I work with on the regular - Bigga, Reggiimental, Sir'vere, Gadget Da Wordsmith, Suicyde and again a lot more people than I can mention, but really anyone who I’ve done a tune with I feel their music.
What other producers are you feeling at the moment?
Producers like Dag Nabbit, Joe Buddha, Harry Love, Juttla, Kroscene, Gadget / Millenium Jazz, Kid Radikal.
Describe your style in 5 words.
Lively, Complex, Versatile, Witty and Charismatic.
Do you have a direct link for people wanting to buy your music on-line?
Not at the moment, well not any of my material anyway but you can purchase releases from Reggiimental & Bigga through Rusty Jukebox Recordsand also CD baby. The next mixtape is a free download and i will also be handing them out at shows, be on the look out for links to the official website to download it from.
Would you ever sign to a major label?
It's quite a tough question, if I wasn't going to get turned over maybe. I'd hate to put together a project just to have it pushed back, I’d prefer to put out my music with no-one over looking it, no censorship, just how I wrote it and how it came out for people to listen to, with it being what i want to say not what some guy thinks the listener wants me to say.
Why should people buy your music?
I think people should buy my music because I’m trying to do something different, I know it's so cliche saying that but I’m constantly trying to do something fresh, no ones got a voice like me anyway so that gives me a little bit of help, as a whole we all put a lot of time into what we put out to ensure it's of a high standard.
Any shout-outs or anything you wanna add?
Big up to Second Suzpect, Bigga & Reggiimental, all the people at HHB Radio for letting me host the mixtape and just for supporting my music, Switch, everyone who contributed to my mixtapes, safe to you Tricksta for the interview and big up everyone who feels the music and the movement! Safe - Also check shootmp3
Labels: Famous rapper, Joe Gutta, Uk Hip Hop
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