Wonkap - The Belgium Dubstep Producer

'I lost my heart to Dubstep' he replied when I asked him how he initially started making music. He's been producing for just over 9 months and loves to create, fresh, dirty and mind-blowing bass-lines when he's not eating French fries and sipping on a can of Stella Artois. He's had the pleasure of performing alongside artists such as Datsik, Chrispy and Bare Noize and plans to take his music around the globe. Wonkap formally known as Diëgo Goossens is Dub-step Producer and DJ from Belgium. I though 'd catch up with him to find out how his carreer started as well as what he has planned for 2011.


Why did you get into music and where did it all start?

It started when I was 3 years old, lol - I've actually got a video of me rocking out on house music at that age, kinda funny though. When I was around 12 I started listening to pop punk & metal. But around 2 years ago, I went to a Dubstep rave where Funtcase, Borgore & Flux Pavilion were playing. That night I lost my heart to Dubstep.

What does your name mean and where did it come from?

It actually doesn't have a meaning at all, I was just smashing on the keyboard typing random stuff and suddenly there was 'Wonkap'.

What makes you different from other artists?

I try not to copy any other sounds in the scene. Trying to develop your own sound is difficult, but that's what I've been trying to do. Creating dirty, fresh & mind blowing bass-lines is what I do.


Where have you performed and where would you like to perform?

I've only played gigs in my own country, next to artists like: Datsik, Chrispy, Bare Noize, Triage, Ajapai, Chasing Shadows, 16 bit and so on. My dream would be to travel around the globe playing out my music.

Why should people listen to you ?

People who like deep, hard, heavy, futuristic bass-lines would definitely enjoy
my music, I hope.

Who would you ideally like to collaborate with and why?

Ohhh, that's an easy question! Justin Bieber... DUH !

Lol Seriously, definitely, Ajapai or Liquid Stranger. Ajapai because I just love his bass-lines and his structure in tunes and Liquid Stranger because I love his futuristic sound.

What are your likes and dislikes about the current music industry?

Dislike, probably the leaking. Not too many people buy tunes legally any more.

But, I like the fact of getting involved in this industry and releasing on different labels. My biggest dream is to get on 'Rottun Recordings', of course that's my favorite label!


Where do your other talents lie aside from music?

I used to skateboard, I still do but not as intense. I also worked on a MMORPG, which is a massive multi-player on-line role playing game, were I worked as as a 3D Modeler which is basically a Game Designer.

What are you currently working on?

Creating & editing new sounds, and on a fresh EP!

Oh, and I'd like to shout-out to, Nerva, Torrid, Davr, Skumstep, Djahsta, Darkstep Warrior, Chrispy, James (from 2mbr), Cyberoptix, Tek9, Kaza, my MUM and ofcourse all the other artists that I love & forgot!

For more of Wonkap, you can listen to some of his latest tunes via Soundcloud or you contact him personally via Facebook

Jeeday Jaws - Grime Doesn't Pay EP

Ghetto Fairytale , Getting Dat Paper and The One and are some of his most memorable tracks featuring artists such as Shy SFX, Terror Danjah and Black the Ripper. He's been making music since the age of 17, collaborating with a variety of artists both underground and mainstream, and now owns his own animation production company Aniibox. Jeeday Jaws is a musician and animator from North London who has just release the debut single Pow 2011 and is also set to release the EP 'Grime Doesn't Pay' later this year. I thought I'd catch up with him to find out how his career started as well as what he has planned for 2011.


When and why did you decide to make music into a career?

I first began writing when I was 12 years old. When I was 17, I formed a crew called Menace 2 Society, after hearing Dizzee Rascal for the first time. We were a crew of 7 members that used to perform on Mystic FM and other radio stations around the country. This is when I began taking music seriously.

Who are your audience and how do you appeal to them?

Young entrepreneurs, The Arty crowd and anyone who likes listening to something which has a message embedded into it. Not to forget my loyal Grime supporters. I love you guys. I appeal to my crowd as that dose of something different, a change from everything else in the scene. I'm comical, but I can come across extremely harsh at the same time.

What motivates you as an artist?

The fact that I know there is no one else out there like me. The whole game is like a rainbow and every artist that stands out has a colour. I know my colour hasn’t been taken yet, so I strive to make it so everyone sees my colour.


In what way has Grime changed and how has it affected you as a musician?

Its gone commercial. This is flippin AMAZING. This means we can turn into an actual industry which makes money for our children and THEIR children, so it has made me a little more entrepreneurial minded in terms of planning out my future.

What was the first album you bought and why?

Puff Daddy and the Family "No Way Out". Puff Daddy made me like music, he made me want to buy it and follow it. My whole obsession with rap began with the Bad Boy records movement and then I took a huge interest in artists such as Busta Rhymes and Redman.

If you could perform with anyone, anywhere, who would it be with and why?

Ghetto. I’d like to perform with him because he has this almost unstoppable energetic stage presence. I’m also quite energetic on stage, so I feel like that sort of competition would be a healthy stage show.


Aside from music what are your other interests?

I am also a professional Animator. I love cartoons and anything to do with the world of imagination, because it represents a space where you can bend rules and push barriers. You will see plenty of this stuff in my videos. Anything visual is what stimulates me.

Where do you see yourself in 2011?

Building the foundation for where I will be in 2012. Watch out for the "Grime Doesn’t Pay" EP.... It’s gonna be mental.

For more of Jeeday Jaws you can check out his latest single via Youtube Pow 2011 , Follow him via Twitter, contact via Facebook, as well as watch some of his Monday Madness adverts exclusively designed in conjuction with his musical comeback.

Dirty Danger - The 'I Ainte Rich Yet' EP

He began making a name for himself at the tender age of 13, taking his music from local youth clubs to pirate radio stations. Now at the age of 24 he has released his début album entitled 'I Ainte Dead Yet'. Dirty Danger is a musician from East London who has worked with some of the industries bests musicians including Wiley, Sway, Chipmunk and Lethal B. Similar to many artists, he has made a number of sacrifices throughout his career, yet he has stood by his words of wisdom, contending, 'if you don't believe in yourself who will? I thought I'd catch up with him to find out his views on the current music industry as well as what his future music plans are.


What do you do and how did it start?

I’m a grime producer and mc from Bow - East London. An area notorious for UK grime music and its stars who include, Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Tinchy Stryder and many more. Since the age of 13 I've been making music with a group called Ruff Squad the same group as Tinchy Stryder. We started MC’ing at each others houses and youth clubs which quickly escalated into pirate radio and local raves. As our name grew bigger in the streets my passion for music became stronger and years later at the age of 24 music is my profession.

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

Within the music industry, from the start of going on pirate radios to making music videos I faced so many difficulties and still face them this very day. I would say communication, finance and exposure have been the hardest things to overcome and the only way I have learnt to deal with these difficulties have been my belief. I always say to myself if you don't believe in yourself who will? So with that thought in mind I managed to stay determined to make people believe in me no matter how many knock downs I come across.

Who are your current competition and what makes you different?

Every act in the UK is my competition. I’m different because I’m not trying do what the majority of the UK music scene are doing. My music is a new fresh sound, I’m trying to bring back the dance in Grime with tracks like 'Hardbody' but at the same time hit them with my knowledge and my experiences of life, which you can hear in my album.


What motivates you as a musician?

Just the simple case of loving music motivates me. I’m always up for hearing something new and different so I can feed off of the energy.

Which artists have you worked with and who would you like to work with?

I've worked with most of the grime scene from Wiley to Lethal B to Sway and Scorcher, Ghetto, Chipmunk etc. In the UK I would like to work with Giggs and a guy called 'BADNESS' I love the rasta style he’s got going on.

In your opinion. how has music industry changed in the last 5 years and how have you adapted to this change?

Well the scene has exploded for UK grime/hiphop within the mainstream; I don't think anyone believed that the music would have got this big that even the likes of P Diddy and Jay Z are showing an interest. I give props to Tinchy, Wiley, Skepta, Tinie Tempah, Chipmunk, Giggs and N Dubz for taking it there.


What's the concept behind your album 'I Aint Rich Yet'?

I would say that this album is not your typical Grime CD. Its my own take on grime, which is filled with a mixture of party anthems, emotions, hard life, street life, and love. I think it’s a good introduction for the world to hear who Dirty Danger is and what he’s about

What can we expect from you in 2011?

I dropped my album on April 4th nationwide so that's currently my main focus. Soon I'll be touring from the 14th of March with Skepta all over the UK and you’ll be hearing a bag full of music videos for TV and the Internet.

To listen to more of Dirty Danger, you can buy his debut album I Ainte Rich Yet via UK Record Shop or Digital-tunes, follow him via Twitter, or you can personally contact him via his Facebook.

SoulBruva - The Musician, Presenter and Comedian

After opening for musicians such as Kelly Price, Calvin Richardson and Glen Jones, featuring on MTV Base, Channel AKA and Ben TV, as well as winning an award for the UK's Best Unsigned Act of Lightning FM in 2007, it's obvious that SoulBruva is well on his way to becoming a star. SoulBruva is a Hip Hop musician from East London who has been experimenting with music, and establishing himself as an artist for the last 5 years. I thought I'd catch up with him to find out where it all started, as well as what he has planned for 2011.

When did you realise your passion for music?

As a kid I would sing, rap and dance all around the house when the radio was on, but it was only in my late teens that I started to really listen to music and think about creating my own. I officially started recording in 2004, then in 2005 and 2006 I started gigging.

What does your alias SB stand for?

Being called 'SoulBruva' most people would think I'm a 'Soul Singer' which I can understand - but that's not the case. My name is a presentation of my passion for music and the fact I make music with my heart and soul.

How do you differ from other musicians?

I am myself! I don't follow the crowd. I always do me and what is true to me and I'm not scared to be different.

What would you say are three qualities a musician should have and why?

I would say, Talent, Passion and Confidence. Talent because it make's you stand out from the rest. Passion because you have to love what your doing as well as have the confidence, to perform in front of people.


Where is the best place music has taken you?

I was given the chance to open for Kelly Price, Calvin Richardson and Glen Jones at a concert, after winning the award for Best Unsigned Artist of ‘Lightning FM’ Chart in the UK Unsigned Festival in March 2007. My music video "4Real "4Real" has also appeared on MTV Base, Channel U, Ben TV & OBE TV.

Who would you like to collaborate with and why?

Eminem because he's not afraid to be different. His talent, flow, lyrics and heart felt, soulful music is just amazing. He's someone I really look up to and admire.

What are your interests aside from music?

Spending time will my loved one, family, chilling out, goings to shows and
watching movies.



What are your views on the current UK music industry?

I'm loving it. It's finally at a point where UK music is taken more seriously and is up there with music from the US.

What can we expect from you in 2011?

Well I'm focusing on my music a lot more and putting myself out there as an artist, so more tracks and performance are in the pipeline.

For more SB' you can catch him via his Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube pages

James Burke and Paul Arad - Acrylicize

What started out as a simple university project, has now evolved into a quirky money making business, better yet an international enterprise that is set to hold grounds in the US as well as UK. James Burke - Creative Director and Paul Arad - Managing Director are the duo behind Acrylicize who initially 'started spraying ink designs onto acrylic to make a statement about the public perception of art.' Not only is JB a whizz with visual arts, but also a highly skilled musician who has been drumming since the age of 6. He has had the pleasure of performing at the Jazz Cafe and London Palladium and is schedule to tour with LeaLea Jones later this year. I thought I'd catch up with the duo to find out more about the company. .


What do you do and where did the love for acrylic start?

JB: Acrylicize is a boutique art and design studio that I started in final year Manchester Met as part of an art project. I started spraying ink designs onto acrylic to make a statement about the public perception of art. I put mock price tags on everything, with random numbers that were meant to represent prices. But then to my shock, people kept trying to buy them and I sold almost all of my exhibition pieces, without even intending to.

I wanted to bring the traditional art canvas into the 21st century and create art that could be admired at face value. The acrylic canvas wasn’t very widely used and I liked the modern, clean and minimal effect it had. The clean and simple lines of an acrylic piece give a fresh and modern feel to photography, and I like how the finish worked with the light to create luminosity.

What has been your best outcome?

PA: Our most recent installation, ‘The Light Wall’, has had an amazing response. Engine is a very cool global marketing and communications agency and they wanted something for their reception area that communicated its flair and innovation.

We worked in conjunction with Jump Studios, a London-based architecture and interior design practice, on a brief to re-imagine the ‘visitor experience’ at Engine’s West End headquarters on Great Portland Street. We’ve created a one-of-a-kind light installation that shines through over one hundred blocks of acrylic, changing colour at random throughout the day.

We also made a Making Of Video which shows in a few minutes how the installation was built from start to finish.


What sacrifices have you made for your business?

JB: Basically living without an income for the first few years as we invested all the we money made back into the business in order to buy equipment and create a solid infrastructure. Plus working all hours of the day including weekends, putting in the hours wherever needed, as the buck stops at us.

Any regrets?

PA: Life’s about learning. We tend not to regret things as we believe we're making the right decisions as we make them. If things don't go to plan, all we can do is learn in order to be more equipped for next time.

Where do your other talents lie?

JB: I’ve been drumming since I was 6. I’ve been lucky enough to perform at The Jazz Cafè and the London Palladium. I’m actually in rehearsals at the moment with LeaLea Jones. We’re going on tour in the US next month.

I’ve also got a side project called Shesh, which all came about at uni. It started as a band then expanded to my personal graffiti tag as well as inspiration for fashion.


How do you promote yourself as a business and has this been successful?

PA: A lot of our work has been through word-of-mouth. We’re really lucky that the art speaks for itself. When it comes to pitching, we go out and seek it. We go through the trade press and walk the streets of London, looking for new building developments to fill with art.

We also have a lot of fun with social media to spread the acrylicize word. We ask people to request acrylicize-branded stickers and stick them on landmarks around the world. Check some of them out here. We also use Twitter and Facebook to get on the radar of architects, interior designs and cool magazines. We also use it to let our followers know what inspires us, what we’re up to in the office and our projects. We have Project 365, where we upload a new photo every day, something that represents acrylicize and our ethos.

What advice would you give someone with a similar quirky design?

JB: Stay true to what you believe and work hard. I believe that these two attributes can take you where ever you want to go. Too many people try to follow fashion or produce work that they think they should because it’s the style of the time. By doing this your work is likely to look like everyone else's. Challenge the norm!


What have you got planned for 2011?

Lots more exciting projects in the pipeline! We also hope to eventually open an office stateside, most likely NYC. We’ve got some exciting collaborations on the horizon, but can’t say too much at this point in time!

To get more from James and Paul you can visit Acrylicize Online where you can view their Blog and all Projects.

Illamadi - Duppy Your Disco

In 2003, his clothing label featured in the infamous Pow video by Lethal B, In 2006 he won the Diesel U Music award for the best newcomer. He’s worked with some of the best musicians from the UK underground music scene such as Black The Ripper and Calibar.Mostly recently he's worked with the R’n’B singer D Walker who also features on his current single ‘D Shit’. Illamadi is a musician and fashion designer from London who be perfecting and experiment his style over the past few years of his career. I thought I’d catch up with Illamadi to find out a little more about where it all started.


What do you do and where did it start?

I do music and fashion. I started my own clothing label back in 2003 where we 1st premiered our label Lyrics4lyrics in the original Lethal B - Pow video. I started music seriously in 2006 when I won the DIESEL-U-MUSIC award for best newcomer. In 2007, my 1st single Top Boy was signed to All City Music record label. Ever since then, I‘ve been releasing material every year. In 2008 I released my single Moving, in 2009 I released the follow up Moving Remix ft the F64 King Black The Ripper which was an underground hit and brought my name to the forefront of the music industry. Last year I hooked up with a friend of Wretch 32's, a rapper called Calibar for my release single ‘On The Grind’. Now, I’ve started this year off with the release of my debut FREE mixtape Duppy Your Disco and a video with UK R’n’B singer D.Walker

Who are your audience and how do you appeal to them?

I have a range of sounds and styles so my audience varies from the grime kids to funky ravers to road rap heads to soul lovers. I have performed in a lot of places from Essex to Wales and even in a gay club!

Who would your ideal collaboration be with and why?

If I could collaborate with the artists that have worn our chains I would have gone clear a long ago! Michael Jackson ideally, but that’s not physically possible anymore. A lot of US artists are easier to access now so collaboration with any current artist would be ideal. Producer wise would have to be Kanye West or Dr Dre


If you could change something about your career what would it be?

I wish I started earlier, and upped the work rate a lot more during each of my releases and done a lot more shows, but this year I will aim to make up for it.

What is the concept behind your new song 'D-Shit' ?

It’s a refix of the Chris Brown and Tyga song G Shit but our version is about the cold weather were having and how that equates to 'Wifey Season'.

Name two artists that have influenced you and why?

MJ and Biggie as their music stands the test of time and I think every artist would want that for themselves.


How do you promote yourself as an artists?
I use various mediums including social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook Youtube, Radio as well as music videos on Flava and Channel AKA. Every music related event I or my team go to, we take promo CDs with us because I’ve learnt that you never know who you’re going to bump into.

Where do you see yourself in 2011?

Hopefully in the UK top 40 somewhere because this is now or never for a lot of UK artists. As urban music is IN now so to speak, we have to make the most of it otherwise a new phase might come in and the labels and buyers might look elsewhere.

For more of Illamadi and his music, you can check out his current single now D.Shit -Illamadi ft D Walker as well as contact him via Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.