Skits9 - Skitsophenia Vol 1

In 2005 he featured on the notorious underground anthem Real-ion in alongside artists such as JME, Lethal B and Shizzle. This exposure open doors, giving him an array of platforms to perform across such as Deja Vu FM and Heat FM as well as stage shows across the country. Since then he has released 'G Rap A G Is Born', 'A Few Good Men', 'You Can't Handle The Truth', and on the 21st August he released his début EP 'Skitsophenia Vol 1'. Zeph formally known as Skits9 is a musician from Tottenham, North London who is also a model and event organiser for Streamline Entertainment.

I thought I'd catch up with Skits himself to find out more about Skitsophenia Vol 1 and his views on the current music scene. 

‘From as far back as can remember I’ve been doing music’ Skits replies when I ask him how and when he got into music, he continues, ‘I used to freestyle with Professor Green in primary school. Then in secondary school I gained mores exposure featuring on underground radio stations’. He highlights Heat FM and De Ja Vu as some of his early platforms where he showcased his musical talents. ‘I got my first feature on a track called Real-ion, which also featured the likes of JME, Flirta D, Napper, Neeko and many more. 

From there ‘I went on to feature on DVDs like Risky Roads, L.B.T.V, and loads more. 

I dropped a CD entitled ‘Skits9 G Rap A G Is Born’, featuring Shizzle, Mike GLC, Dj Ironik, and  many more. I try to merge grime - which is the scene of music I came from - with rap - which is the music I express myself in today - to create a g-rap’. I then dropped my promo CD ‘A Few Good Men’ followed by ‘You Can’t Handle The Truth’ featuring Corey Johnson, Chipmunk, Fresh and Ryder. Now I'm releasing my first free EP entitled ‘Skitsophenia Vol 1’ featuring Chocks the rapper which is now available via digital download. 

‘My poetry is real to me and I choose not to glamorise my music in the hope that it will sell. I believe i speak from my heart. If I speak about general issues and my life, as well as create good music, it will place me in a position where  I am different from the rest. I am motivated by the things I see around me, other artists that work with me - Random Impulse being one of them - and basically the drive to do better than those ahead of me in the game. I mainly feel my videos are doing it at the moment for me but I guess it can all change'.

‘I took some years out to sort out my attitude towards my music and to educate and re evaluate my surroundings’ he replies when I ask are there any sacrifices. He continues ‘ I don’t regret it. I’m wiser, smarter and a better person than I once was. Hopefully it can be seen through my music’.

Three songs that he really likes are  ‘Otis Reading - One More Day’ he explains ‘it’s like he spoke from his soul on the track. There’s so much pain and so much concentration in one song. Real music carries real emotion. The next is 'Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up’, he explains, 'it’s an inspiring song which always possesses the power to uplift me. Lastly ‘Max B - Tryna Go Home’, he explains ‘I think his life experience can be heard through his music. I really related to the vibe of the song so I decided to get Random Impulse to refix it and create my version.

'I believe that the UK industry has a lot of good musicians, good music, character, class and charisma. The UK industry will continue to strive and push the boundaries of music. The UK has come along way from just listening to rappers to becoming rappers.Three artists that I admire right now are Wretch 32, his poetry is outstanding to say the least and his music and swag are on point. Ed Sheeran, his talent and song composition is incredible, he’s truly inspiring. Lastly, a band called The Milk. They’re absolutely fabulous and I had the privilege of being invited to a few of their gigs'.

Skitz promotes himself via variety of different mediums that include Twitter, Facebook, blogs, videos, and shows. In the future you can expect ‘Skitsophenia Vol 2’, new vids , especially ‘Tryna Go Home’ filmed by UKoverstood as well as his new track entitled ‘Ready To Go’. 

Keep your ears and eyes peeled for more Skits ! 

Cyko Logic & Strata G - Valleys to the Alleys

‘As a collective we're just trying to express who we are and what we do’ said Cyko Logic and Strata G, the duo behind the DOWN WID IT Empire which consists of both fashion and music. Both Strats and Cyko have worked with a variety of underground and mainstream artists and have featured on ITV’s Tough Gig alongside Roll Deep. The duo from Kensal Green, Northwest London have teamed up to collaborate on the fourth coming EP 'Valleys to the Alleys' which is set for release 15/06/2011.  

I thought I’d catch with them to find out what we can expect from the E.P.

‘We've always worked well together and often spoke about doing this collaboration’ says Cyko who is well known for his graphic and fashion designing. ‘The name Valleys to the Alleys was actually what Strats' was going call his own CD, but we thought about it and it just made sense to use it for this collaboration . It was a sort of 'there meets here. This EP is just something we want out there, individually we are as sick. Together, it’s madness! So overall it’s about recognition.'

Cyko has been working hard in the scene for a while always trying to get the team more involved. He initially gave Strats' is debut when they featured together on his remix of Down Wid It alongside HoodStars and Slix from Ruff Squad. The collaboration  'is something people have expected from us, it just took a while’ said Strata G.'I'm also a producer currently working with my team and a few UK artists and genres of music’. 

‘Having the time to actually get it done’ was there only obstacle, Cyko says ’this could have been created ages ago but we all have a life outside music so making it happen has been a bit of an obstacle in that sense’ They are influenced by ‘Good music and life's lessons and experiences’ as well as seeing other UK artists doing well which they say ‘is always a good influence'.

When asked how they differ as musicians ‘Strats' is more of a straight to the point, tell you how it is kind of MC, he brings his ‘I'm from Wales no-one can chat to me' vibe, his style is very versatile but on Grime its 100% straight forward’ where as ‘Cyko is the same but adds the fast flows at times and gets clever with the wordplay. We have something we call a 'TELL-A-MAN' flow many MC's have this 'I'M TALKING TO YOU' style Cyko just thinks he's the best so you can hear his confidence every time’, both feel they ‘stay in this lane when it comes to grime’.

‘Buying music is something we haven't done in a while, maybe because we spend so much time making our own and always hearing the latest being in the industry ourselves. Cyko would have bought '6FOOT TO 6FIGZ' which was the last mixtape he heard, but it was given to him for free. 'There are a few artists we know and have met and we appreciate their music, such as Ed Sheeran, Dot Rotten, Amplify Dot and a few more'. We like the way 'they express their sound, we can relate and like to listen, real simple. ’

‘You’ll be hearing my stuff on mixtapes and in music videos, I’m also currently working on a producers CD so look out for that!' says Strats' when asked what we can expect from him in the future. Cyko says’ I've been putting in the work and will be leaking a few singles before I release two more CD projects which I’m currently working on, it’s a grime vs. Hip-Hop situation, I'm also featuring on a few albums as well as working with some top producers so expect more music and videos from me. We're also thinking about a 'Valleys to the Alleys 2' but we'll see.

You can now preview a few track from the EP, via Soundcloud, contact them via, DownWidIt  and add them both on Twitter via Strata G and Cyko Logic

Nixcy Topper - The Brains Behind Ms Curvaceous UK

Fashionista and Mr and Mrs Runway are only a few of the events she’s worked behind , but as we start 2011 she has situated her place as manager and lead coordinator of Ms Curvaceous UK, which showcases on Wednesday 9th February 2011. Nixcy Topper is an events coordinator from North-West London, who has been working hard and perfecting her craft for about 3 years who is aiming to branch out and become and internationally recognised and established. Despite her minor setbacks, which include people questioning her abilities, she has managed to overcome all negativity by sticking to her motto: "I'm here to make your event make sense!". I thought I’d catch up with Nixcy herself to found out where it all started as well as what we can expect fro her in the future.


What do you do and how did it start?

I am an Event coordinator and consultant, which means I can assist you on the best way to make the most out of your event, whether its for promotion, profit of just fun AND I can be hired to plan and execute the event. I do all types of events, from small conferences, birthday’s, launch parties or huge showcases.

I started off as a rave promoter, for event hosts such as Celebrity Supa (20/20)and Team Alliance Entertainment – Electric Opera. For the past year, I have been working with a company called Streamline Empire. I started off as a promoter there too, doing tickets sales and flyering for their events. The more events they put on, the more work i did, until I gained more experience in the field. I read books on event planning and logistics and got clued up on my career interest.

What is a typical day like for you?

A typical day for me is very random, as I don't work a 9-5. I work by bookings in my diary. As event days draw near, I'm usually rushed off my feet travelling for rehearsals, meetings etc but generally work from home, however I'm constantly on the go working via telephone or the internet/computer.


Which events have you taken part in?

I co-ordinated events such as Fashionista – fashion show – and Mr and Mrs Runway 2010 (modelling competition). I am also the manager and coordinator of an event called Ms Curvaceous UK, which is a beauty pageant for plus size models (12+ curvy ladies). The show will display fashion & music and other creative talents, as well as a medium for the models to get in contact with industry professionals. Ms Curvaceous UK showcase on Wednesday 09th February 2011 at Highlight, Lavender Gardens, Clapham Junction, SW11 1DJ. Doors open from 6:00pm and tickets are on sale from a member of the Streamline Empire team. You can get in contact via our Facebook and Twitter pages, which will have all info on ticket holders in different areas of London.

What qualities does a good organiser need to have?

Creativity, initiative, logic, flexibility, Methods to your madness, likeability and passion - whether its for planning and being creative, for holding events or even if its for money, passion is a must!


Who would you like to work with and why?

I don't have a specific person I could name to work with, - at the moment! But I would love to soon be part of the planning and organising of the MOBOs, give it a new edge. I have a passion for helping and promoting new companies or artists that are emerging. However, who wouldn't want to work with a celebrity? - Especially when you know you are good at what you do!) So, that means I would love to work with anyone, which believes in my talent and wants to work with me.

What difficulties have you faced and how have you overcome them ?

Difficulties I’ve had, include things like, getting established people or companies to recognise and support me and believe in my work and abilities. I have overcome this, by working hard, keeping on and learning from the knock backs. I believe in a saying, "Mind over matter," which suggests if I think positive, I will succeed.

When you aren’t organising an event what are your hobbies?

I am a very creative person and loves all type of artistic and creative past
times. Other interests of mine include writing and music. I would love to learn how to play the acoustic guitar. I am an aspiring author; I have a novel (NorthPole) and a semi Biography, which are in the making


Where would you like to do an event in the future, who would it feature and why?

I would love to do a Music event. I'd Mix genres, by teaming up different artists – established and up and coming –, to perform in a live concert or show.
Artists Such as J Cole teaming up with Ed Sheeran or Brandy building alliances with Gfrsh or Diddy and Skepta - oops that 1s already done, so anything is possible LOL. I would love it to be in a big city in a massive arena, – not necessarily in USA or UK. I would love to work abroad coordinating music events! My goal is to work internationally and be recognised as an established and successful event coordinator everywhere I go. In addition to eventually owning my own sports bar and club.

If your looking to organise a forthcoming event or would like to contact Nixcy persoanlly you can do this via her Facebook, Twitter, or personal Email Address.