and religious figures. Great work, strong messages were out there, but it wasn’t reaching the masses ‘til William Caxton introduced the mass printing press to England. Like the Twitter of its day, it revolutionised the way word is spread, and as its namesake, UK hip hop group, Caxton Press aim to carry the mantle forward…
L
You’re playing a variety of festival dates across the summer, including Soundflow Festival – how do you find the festival environment for getting people to really listen to what you have to say? MC Manage: To be honest I have only played a couple of festivals before, so I’m looking forward to it. I anticipate that people are gonna act like we do in those environments... but time will tell.
Chris Rock once joked, “I’m tired of defending rap music. It's hard to defend 'Move bitch, get out the way!'"” – rap music lost its edge as a form of intellectual expression, but groups like you guys are reclaiming that – is it important that people realise you have something to say? It’s not so important they realise we have something to say, as it is that society has something to say. If we weren’t doing music we'd still be as pissed off about the state of affairs in this country, but we naturally convert thoughts and feelings into words when we write. I think the people are waking up, and we are a voice among millions right now. As far as rap music is concerned it’s important that we have better role models and positive
lyrics; the future is ours right?
From the album title, ShameTe Devil, who’s the ‘devil’ in your sights? Tere’s too many to mention… Te album title came from the saying "tell the truth - shame the devil"; you should always try to do this, if not you may be selling yourself and the people short of what’s needed and deserved. Let’s not get lost in fantasy, some people hate socio-political hip hop and yeah it’s cool to talk some super lyrical mad shit that can twist your brain inside out, but we always come back to the matter at hand.
41 /June 2012/
outlineonline.co.uk
I read you’re already 12 songs into writing a new album. Have you found the subject matter for the second album has diversified from the first at all? 15 tracks in now, and yeah the sound is growing very nicely. I’m looking forward to dropping it, I think afew people will be surprised, but you have to stay true to your fan base; I don’t wanna drop a second album and have all our original fans say, “Ah, I preferred their first record, it was more raw.” Trust me people, it’s always gonna be raw and have that merciless stamp on it.
You have one of the most inspired band names I’ve ever come across. As a free magazine, we’re often faced with the statement ‘Print is Dead’ – what’s your argument for the weight of the printed word? Te word is power; knowledge is power. Any format we can get is good, but print stays the best. I love picking up an old book written 100 years before I was born and being able to relate to it, it’s so important. I was shocked when HHC [Hip Hop Connection] went down, and surely a lot of others follow. I guess a lot of people don’t buy magazines any more when they can read online for free, but please don’t ever stop, you’d be surprised how many people the printed word can reach.
Having not seen a Caxton Press set, tell us how you think the live environment elevates what you do… We’re a tight unit on stage; we come alive up there with the mic in our hands. Te whole crew love performing, energy explodes, it’s crazy.
Emma Garwood
Caxton Press make up part of the stellar line-up at Soundflow Festival, which runs from 13-15th July. For tickets and more info, go to
www.soundflowfestival.com. Read the uncut version of this interview at
Outlineonline.co.uk
outlineonline.co.uk / July 2012 / 41
iterature used to be a luxury for the high classes, the dignitaries
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