Scarz & Slick Trickz Interview

Scarz, from Cardiff, has teamed up with Slick Trickz also from Cardiff, to bring us thier new track Don't Sleep On Me. The Music Video was shot and edited by THE RIPPER MEDIA. AKA Jacob Crofts. Audio was recorded by J.J. Mikinzi and the beat was produced by uprising beats.Check it out below:

We had the opportunity to have a talk with both artists. Here's how it went:

Scarz

Where was the Music Video filmed?

Pentwyn Cardiff, next to Pentwyn Leisure and also in the skate park. The local legend Jacob Crofts AKA The Ripper media shot and edited the video. Anyone hit him up for any live or animation videos. You will not be disappointed.

How did your journey with music start?

I have been singing since I was a young boy. Always sung in school choirs. Then progressed by working with a music agency with the manager and producer there. It was there they introduced me using rap in my songs. Which was very interesting to me.

What music have you been listening to lately?

I have been listening to old school dancehall, reggae and hip hop.

How do you write your songs?

I normally get an idea/story in my head. Start writing down some ideas of what I want to talk about within the song, e.g. the story line/message. Then find a beat which matches the vision I have in my head. Then write the lyrics with the beat/structure in my mind, but also write while listening to the beat.

What is your favourite song to perform and why?

This would have to be a couple of karaoke classics. Sitting on the dock if the bay, Rendezvous. Also of my personal music would have to be Declining or Dark Melancholy.

Which famous musicians do you admire?

This would have to be Bob Marley or UB40. As reggae music was what I was brought up listening too as a child. It's also my main influences within my music.

What is your biggest or weirdest fear?

Biggest fear would have to be dying alone.

What would be your super power?

Mine would have to be invisibility. Just imagine the things you could see or get up too, without being seen. Haha.

What's your annoying habit?

Not listening to my wife. But come on, women do talk a lot. It's hard to keep up. Haha.

How has the pandemic affected you?

It hasn't hit me as much as others, but it's made me look deep within myself and made me more grateful for the simplest things in life. As tomorrow is never guaranteed. But its also given me plenty of time to improve my lyric writing, my flow and sound.

What do you think of the pandemic?

As a nation and world as a whole, we've spoken about that for too long. So let's no get into that. Haha.

What’s next for you in 2022?

I'm looking to make sure I keep on par from the don't sleep on me track. But or course I am always looking to improve. Also collab with new people. Also perform more, when this is possible. Finally, Me and James are working on another track on a local legends beat, in Ferny Mac. Big up Ferny Mac on the class beats. I'm very excited about what the future brings.

---

Slick Trickz

Where was the Music Video filmed and who produced the Music Video?

Pentwyn near my yard. We met up with Jake The Ripper who I know from my rap battling days and he filmed it. It was actually a good laugh and a good day out even though it was pissing down outside.

How did your journey with music start?

I started messing around mc'ing towards the end of high school for a bit of fun and I gradually took it a bit more serious as I grew up. I mainly fuck with Hip Hop but I dabble in grime because that's what got me spitting in the first place. The highlight of my music journey so far was being involved in Pryme Cut which was the main battle league in South Wales for a while. The best one was my debut against Crash so be sure to check that out.

What music have you been listening to lately?

I listen to all sorts of music whatever has a spark to it so I can't really narrow it down but I mainly listen to UK hip hop, high focus being my favourite label. I have a really wide range of influences of music from all sorts of bands and artists like Rage against the Machine, Ghetts, all the way to a bit of Fleetwood Mac if I am just trying to chill out for a bit.

How do you write your songs?

I usually find a beat that I like and freestyle to it a few times. I then tend to pick out some bars from those freestyles that come out of nowhere and I'm like shit that's pretty good. Then I just go from there and try to make a concept from it. Freestyling for me is just thinking out loud and a way of finding out exactly what I want to be writing about.

What is your favourite song to perform and why?

I used to perform a bit back in the day and I remember doing a gig at Gwdihw before it got closed down unfortunately. I performed my tune 7:48am there and that went off and I managed to win the hip hop competition there. That was a dope night. So I always think of that tune as my favourite live song.

Which famous musicians do you admire?

Mac Miller is one person who stands out for me. I was actually hit hard when he died, I love his music and for some reason his lyrics just resonate with me, most probably because he has a lot of pain inside and he uses his lyrics to express that in an eloquent way, I rate him for that.

What is your weirdest fear?

Toes freak me out to be honest. Even my own ones. That's about as weird as it gets.

What would be your super power?

Teleportation would be wicked. You'd be able to just go wherever in the world at any time. I've always wanted to see as much of the world as possible before I die, it's got a lot to give.

What's your annoying habit?

Ummmm. Yeah I just did it there. Constantly saying ummm. When I'm trying to think of something clever to say.

How has the pandemic affected you?

I have had a lot of time to look into myself and gain some perspective. It's a good and a bad thing really. I've hyper focused on my work in a housing association and done really well in that but I lost the momentum with music. Making a track with Dan (Scarz) has helped me get that buzz back. I find my inspiration from going to gigs and linking up with other rappers so it'll be good to start doing more of that eventually.

What do you think of the pandemic?

To be honest I ain't even gonna comment because I think we have all heard enough of the pandemic and Covid in general.

What’s next for you in 2022?

I have a good feeling about this year and I am feeling inspired so I am going to focus on getting a couple of solo Hip Hop tracks out there and link up with some dope producers. Also me and Dan are working on a track currently using a Ferny Mac beat. Shout out the Mac bro!

---

Do you have music you wish to submit to us?

Click the image below and send us your music.

Sign up to our newsletter below.