My cousin was a dancer for Upfront Rudies who were pretty well known in the early 90s over here. He’d always have the latest tapes and singles and he’d do me tapes trying to get me to dance. I was shit at it so I got more into the djing side of things.

So give us a little intro to yourself:

I’m Caramac. I DJ and produce. I’m show DJ for Kyza and Lewis Parker when he’s in the country.

Who or what has had most influence on you and your music?

Mainly my Dad and my cousin. My Dad was a DJ when he was younger so I’ve basically learned the basics from him and I to this day still get a lot of my record info from him along with a lot of records. My cousin was a dancer for Upfront Rudies who were pretty well known in the early 90s over here. He’d always have the latest tapes and singles and he’d do me tapes trying to get me to dance. I was shit at it so I got more into the djing side of things. Over the years though I’ve learnt something from everyone I’ve met, Lewis, Kyza, Norman Bates, Ddubble Impactt, Jazz T the list goes on. I’m a believer that everyone can teach you something be it good or bad.

I know you’ve worked hard to get where you’re at now? Were there any breaks in particular that helped or was it all down to the grind?

I’ve been pretty lucky in all honesty. I wouldn’t put any of it down to hard work I mean yeah I put effort into everything I do and I try to do what I do well But I put it more down to working smart then hard. None of us have masses of resources so you just got to think about what you have, what you want and how you can get there within your means.

I remember we first met when you came down for a Hiphopalypse with Lewis Parker back in the day. He made a good impression on the Oxford heads that night. Can you give us a little update on what Lewis has been up to since?

Well for those that don’t know Lewis is over in America right now, New York to be exact. He’s been cool. Just making beats. His stuff has stepped up like another 3 gears. He’s in another league completely when it comes to music no one is messing with him and I stand by that. I’m not even saying that as his mate. I was a fan long before we met but yeah.

The main stuff is he’s got a load of beats for the Ghost Face album. As far as I’m aware he’s got the lead song on the album so that’s a good look. I know he recorded tunes with Meth, Doom and a few other members of the clan which I’m sure will be surfacing at some point. He’s got his new single which should be out anytime now called International Heat. That’s a little 3 track single/ep type thing. That’s sick. I forget the name now but track 2 is my favourite. He’s done a few things with Dynas. Actually he’s got this one beat for Dynas that is super sick. Proper emotional beat. So yeah it looks like he’s doing alright. I know he DJs at least once a week when he’s out there. So yeah he’s doing well.

Funnily enough completely separate from the hip-hop side of things. I found out Lewis was related to the woman who books me to play Bashment at her parties in Reading. Proper small world.

If there was anything you could change about the state of Hip-Hop (uk in particular) what it be and why?

There are too many things and I don’t really want to upset people. Its cool for what it is, but its no where near where it should be. One of those, he’s a smart kid, but could do better type reports.

I get bored of asking the typical UKHH questions so; what’s your favourite TV/Film of late?

Been bang into House recently and pretty much anything Channel 5 has on between the hours of 9 and 11 at night. Friday nights I catch the re runs of The Shield. I missed loads of the first episodes and it’s been cool to catch up on that. Its been filling in the blanks nicely. Come to think of it. The only time I really change the channel is to watch Shameless on Channel 4.

You must have a favourite dish of the day, what is it?

They got a new shop in Reading. I say new. They just moved. Its called Perrys and they do a wicked Curry Mutton and Rice. Add some Macaroni Pie to that and I’m set for the day. Proper bad. If you’re ever in Reading head for Jacksons Corner and go check Perrys out. Tell ‘em Mac sent ya. (They’ll probably be like who? But it’ll be good for a laugh).

Valentines Day has been and gone, get up to anything nice?

Just went out with the missus for a meal. It was cool almost didn’t happen though. Had one of those new Galaxy Caramel Crunch bars and the fuckers have nuts in them. They were giving them out free in town so I clapped that at lunch time and had a minor flare up during the day. I suppose it’ll teach me to read the ingredients before hand though. You’d think though that something which has more nuts in then caramel would say so on the front though!!

Back to the music, with got a little taster of Simple n Plain on the site but where else can we cop your ish? Well the main places are www.suspect-packages.com and www.peparecords.com. Oxford wise. I’m not too sure. The shops there are Avid and Massive right? (At this moment in time, both due to sadly close - Roscoe). Ask in there for stuff if they haven’t got them in. Basically anywhere you are just ask for the tunes if you don’t see them. Its simple supply and demand. The Lowkey stuff can be got through the Sorecs website.

You’re coming for Blunted in March, you looking forward to the gig?

Yeah man. Always have fun when we come to Oxford. Atlantic Bar, Cellar Bar Zodiac. All of them places there. I feel local.

And finally young man, any shout outs?

Yeah to my family, missus and friends. If you got some spare change. By the Kyza album The Experience when it drops. Watch www.peparecords.com for more info. Shouts to Juice, Lewis, Norman, DLux, Rogues Gallery, Jargon and anyone else I’ve forgotten.

www.myspace.com/mrcaramac

Words: Tyranny