43
AWESOME
FOURSOME
Words Ed Aarons
Photography Cleveland Aaron
With numerous awards for Best MC under his As for the third vocalist in the group, Harry Shotta doing so that has encouraged us to move things
belt after more than a decade at the top of his has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the pinnacle of on to another level.
profession, you could have forgiven Skibadee for the scene in a very short space of time. He was also
taking things for granted. If it wasn’t for Fun, he nominated to be formally recognised by his peers “It’s brilliant,” he continues, “we’ve worked
might just have done that. at last year’s awards ceremonies and Fun believes together for a long time now so I know them
the best is yet to come from his protégé. all inside out. They’re three of the best MCs in
“When Stevie Hyper D died, for a while after the game so I couldn’t ask for any more. Seeing
that there didn’t seem to be a need to be writing “I’ve known Harry Shotta from my hip hop days them vibe off each other makes me want to do
any new material because I was still doing well,” and I felt he could add a lot to drum & bass,” he better. We’d like to incorporate some of the work
he admits. “There was no real inspiration to be explains. “I took him along to a few raves and to we’re doing in the studio into our sets so it’ll be
innovative but that’s when I started linking up Notting Hill carnival to try and fast-track him a live mix of beats and vocals, as well as maybe
with Fun a lot more. I’ve always felt that Ruffstuff into the game but he’s worked so hard since then performing some tracks on their own.”
was the best DJ on Kool so it was good to get the to keep it going. His ability to write and his energy
opportunity to develop something. Since then, gives the whole thing a different angle – Harry With that in mind, the future looks pretty darn
it’s really picked up momentum and I feel like I’m complements what Skiba and I do and is very exciting for the UNCZ camp. After years of
firing again with new lyrics in a similar way to how versatile when it comes to delivery of lyrics. He’s trying, Skibadee is even willing to admit that this
I was when I first began my career. It just needed such a hungry individual who works very hard and may be the chance for drum & bass MCs to finally
a little kick-start and the fact that they are both that has helped push both of us on as well.” get the props they deserve from the wider market
coming up with fresh material every day makes me
want to prove I can keep up with them.” Ruffstuff first became involved in the jungle “We want to be performing at festivals because we
scene back in the early 90s when he first linked think it could translate to that kind of audience,”
The influence of his old friend was such that up with Fun on Pressure FM but sharing the he concludes. “If you look at how drum and bass
Skiba even took the unusual step of dedicating his limelight is a relatively new experience. He still has managed to spread through people like Chase
recent award for Best Lyrical MC at the Drum & runs the Chronic label and is one of the longest- & Status using artists like Kano then there’s
Bass Awards to Fun. serving DJs on Kool FM having toured the world, definitely room for a group like us to do the same.
although he admits he has been surprised with Unlike Dizzee Rascal, we haven’t created the right
“He’s been such an inspiration to me - I was UNCZ’s popularity. sound to be able to have that kind of success but
having a conversation with Det the other day that’s what UNCZ is trying to develop.”
about why I decided to give it to him and I asked “I’ve worked hard for this so it’s another positive
him if he thought he could come up with ten new step in my career,” says Ruffstuff. “For the “I’d love to take it as far as possible,” Ruffstuff
lyrics every day like me and Fun do! There’s no younger crowds that come to the raves every week, concludes, “we want to reach the next level.
one out there doing the same amount as us and to hear them screaming out the lyrics at the front There’s so much lined up so you’re definitely
it’s him that’s given me the focus to do that. It was is wicked. We did a party at Herbal the other night going to hear a lot from us over the next
a really hard year for him last year because he lost and there were so many people singing along with few months.”
his twin-brother but he still managed to inspire Fun and really listening to the lyrics. Everyone
me to do better.” seems to be taking a real interest in what we’re
www.kmag.co.uk
K42-43_UNCZ.indd 43 29/4/09 13:01:41
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