You should all know about these guys. They came down and repped at Hiphopalypse back in the day. In anticipation of their visit to The Cellar at the end of the month, Filling The Gap’s Zappa took a little time to ask them a few questions. Be sure to have a read and check out their tunes.

Lets start with a little introduction. What’s your names and where do you come from?

Ghost: I’m, Ghost. I’m originally from Glasgow, now residing in London. Although I’ve been here for 7 years, I’ve lived in Norwich, Derby and Manchester before settling in London.

Kashmere: Yes, I go by the name of Kashmere and I’m from the Amazon jungle.

Why the names Ghost & Kashmere The Igauna Man?

Ghost: Ghost came about because I would have a bad habit of not turning up for things, I’d end up smoking too much weed and getting into some music and just wouldn’t show up, I’ve had that name for 10 years now.

Kashmere: The name Kashmere comes from the time I was stranded on the Asgard. I made friends with the thunder god Thor and he gave me this title.

How long have you guys been writing and performing?

Ghost: Personally I’ve been messing with music since 1993, but I got serious with it in 2000. That’s when I decided I wanted to push it, then in 2003 I had my first record out and started looking at what I really wanted. As for performing, I flirted with it back in about ‘93, just djing and stuff. Live shows we’ve been doing since 2001/2002.

Kashmere: I’ve been writing and performing since before the big bang. With angels in the Silver city.

Can you remember what got you into hip hop and who has inspired you through the years?

Ghost: All manner of things you know, it was just different to everything else. For me, I was young and music at that time for me was shite, we’re talking late 80’s, I couldn’t relate to anything, I had friends older than me into Hip Hop and me and my mates all got exposed to it, from then I just got deep into it.

Many people/music and things have inspired me over the years, as I get older different things influence me for different reasons. Producers like ‘The Bomb Squad’, Diamond D, Large Professor, Primo, the stuff like DJ Shadow, J Dilla (RIP), I mean it’s a mish-mash of music these days that I like to check out and get inspired by.

Kashmere: The possibility of copulating with freakishly wild chicks… oh yeah, and getting paid.

For anyone who doesn’t know much about your music careers can you tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to?

Ghost: I released the ‘Ghost Stories’ EP in 2003, followed by the ‘Let Em Know’ EP in 2005, then came my album ‘Seldom Seen Often Heard’ accompanied by 2 singles released from the album ‘The Payoff’ & ‘Basic Instinct’. Also some guest production for Braintax, Asaviour, Kashmere & Verb T. Been performing live show’s with Kashmere and Verb T at festivals in Europe, all sorts, that gives you an idea that I’ve been busy.

Kashmere: I had a bunch of releases out since 2001 with Beats In Progress, Breakin Bread, Lowlife and my own label Receptor Records. Right now it’s all about the new album ‘In The Hour of Chaos’ which is OUT NOW! Production from Chemo, Jehst, LG, Alhamra, Tranqill and DJ IQ. It’s ill.

So what have been the highlights in your careers?

Ghost: Releasing my first vinyl, releasing an album, having my album licensed in Japan as a separate Japanese release, getting played on Radio 1 recently with Zane Lowe a few times, the video’s, playing in Europe at Hip Hop Kemp, Lithuania. I set goals then try to reach them and then set new ones.

Kashmere: Ghost writing for Michael Jackson. Also performing to 5000+ people in Lithuania and performin at Hip Hop Kemp with Ghost and Verbz. The launch party for the album was another highlight but to be honest we haven’t even begun yet! This is the beginning.

Has anyone caught your eyes/ears recently in the UK scene? Anyone we should check out?

Ghost: Dubbledge, Beat Butcha, Kaspa there’s a lot of music out there, people just need to listen and leave it to those who can do it professionally.

Kashmere: Blind Alphabets, The Herrotics, The Colony, DJ IQ there are too many, there is a goldmine of talent here and anyone who doesn’t agree can eat a dick. Word.

For all the up and coming MCs, DJs, producers out there, have you got any words of advice?

Ghost: Be very patient, it can take years. Don’t release things until you think it’s the same quality as the music you’re competing against, work hard and keep the faith, try to have good people around you.

Kashmere: Do this only if you love music. Money is a separate issue that will get dealt with when you master what you do.

Now for a quick fire round, choose your favourite.

Album:

Ghost: DJ Shadow Entroducing

Kashmere: For now it’s The Artifacts first album ‘Between a Rock and a Hard Place’ but there are too many classic albums, I hate when people ask me this!! haha

Food:

Ghost: Pizza; Pepperoni, Sweet Corn, Red Onion, now you know.

Kashmere: Nando’s and anything made by my mum. Word.

Drink:

Ghost: Whiskey, single malt.

Kashmere: KA Sparkling Pineapple (for now anyway!)

TV program:

Ghost: Blue Planet.

Kashmere: My favorite TV program was Knightmare that shit was ill.

Website:

Ghost: www.myspace.com/musicbyghost

Kashmere: www.youtube.com (undisputed champ) www.richardsrealm.com and www.undergroundhiphop.com

City:

Ghost: London / San Francisco.

Kashmere: Washington DC. I got fam there, love that place.

Finally, any shout outs?

Ghost: Anyone who reads this and know they should be appreciated, you are…

Kashmere: Everyone that copped the album, everyone thinkin’ about coppin the album, all the haters, the lovers. Shout outs to all the eagles, falcons and condors. Peace to condor man.

Well best of luck with your new releases and the tour. Oxford is looking forward to seeing you at The Cellar on the 29th December.

Questions: Zappa