HSH managed to get an Interview with MC Wotsee one of the top up & coming mcs breaking through into the mainstream.
How old are you?
22
Where are you from?
Newport, Wales.
What was your first Raving experience?
In 1995 at Southern Exposure in Porth Cawl. It was a 9 till 2 rave, we broke down on the way and got there at 11 at which time Dougal was playing tunes that I'd only ever heared before on tape packs, I'd say from that moment I was hooked to the Hardcore scene.
How long have you been MCing?
Um started probably in November 1998, has a mess about on my mates mic in his house when drinking beer but the first ever time I did a proper MC set was in October 1999. That tape got me a booking at an event called Energy which was later cancelled, I then gave up until around February 2000 of which things then started taking off.
What styles of music do you mc to?
I love hardcore, thats it, I can do any other style if I have to but they are all freestyle based, with Hardcore, I can do lyrics with meanings as well as use my ability to do quick freestyle raps. Ive done live performances, since 2000, of Hardcore, Hard House, Trance and Drum and Bass.
Who have you mc'd for? and at which events?
The only hardcore dj's from what was known as the big rave scene in the late 90's that Ive never mc'd for are Slipmatt and Vinylgroover. As for events, I think ive done well over 30 seperate promotions within the last 17 months ranging from UFINC infront of shocking attendances right up to Helter Skelter and Slammin Vinyl.
Have you ever thought of getting into the djing or producing side of things?
DJing no, I aint got the patience to do it, I would like to do some production work soon.
What do you think of the current state of the harddance scene?
Its getting better, top artists are producing their own styles and thats getting people interested again. Too many people left hardcore from every DJ playing the same tunes and every event becoming way too repetitive.
Id have to agree on that and what direction do you think the scene should take?
I think it should just keep plugging at what it is, keep a mixture of vocal sets, hardcore, hard house, gabba and trance. Theres many styles of hardcore now so keep it like it is.
And what djs do you rate?
I rate all the names getting worth while bookings, its unfair to put loads above others but my fav dj's to work with as an MC are Dodgee, Brisk and Breeze.
What MCs do you rate?
Storms got the hype, Whizzkid the lyrics. The mc scene is full of too many people all with the same styles yet these two are a bit different so thats why I rate them.
Whats you favourite tune of this year and why?
Aint really got one for this year as ive been impressed by nearly all the new stuff coming out. Tunes wise this year I like the hardcore version of Castles in the Sky and Desire which is coming out soon on Blatant Beats.
Whats your fave tune of all time?
My fav tune of all time is probably Heart of Gold, like nearly everyone!
So how can we listen to the sounds of yourself?
mcwotsee.co.uk
or Slammin Vinyl, Hardcore Heaven and Helter Skelter tape packs
You run a harddance night in wales, how did this come about?
Basically I tried a small up and coming thing a year ago and i didnt really have the heart. X-Plosion came about by the lack of decent events not only in Newport but in surrounding areas. There are plans for a big one off event for X-Plosion outside of Newport but at the moment the main aim is to build up its reputation and rebuild a hardcore scene back within my own country cos it went from being huge to dead in under 2 years.
So tell me about X-Plosion?
X-Plosion started as a plan for me to rebuild a shocking reputation that Club Voodoo in Newport had. This was perhaps one of the best venues that I had ever seen and within the opening night it was on the right track. The owners shut the club down though because of a pre agreement to turn it to a sports bar so now I've turned to Newports biggest venue on a Thursday, Still the biggest night promoted in the town talent wise, I still have got a 2am license, cheap drinks, no dress code and 60k sound, top lighting and a 1100 capacity over 2 floors.
Got any words of wisdom?
If you think you got talent to do something, do it, dont care what anyone else says, just believe that you will prove them wrong and you will.
Any points you would like to make, anything you would like to elaborate on?
To all the people who slate hardcore and ravers, until you go to a big event, you shouldnt run your mouths off. Theres plenty more to UK dance music than what you hear on tv and radio and what the commercial magazines tell you is cool to dance to.
Any shout outs?
Shout to Dodgee, Brisk, Breeze, Storm, Whizzkid and all the other top boys in the scene today, the X-Plosion boys, the friends who stuck by me in Wales, all the people ive met through being MC Wotsee up and down the U.K and most of all to my mum and dad who have always supported me in every decision Ive ever made in my life.
I would like to thank you for your time on behalf of all at Higher States of harddance and hopefully Ill see you again in the near future.
Cheers mate, speak soon.
|