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Enigma

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Written by Stu

Starting out in this industry takes some time, you don’t just make it overnight. After several years of slowly making moves, maturing as an artist and building contacts 22 year old UK rapper, father and family man, Enigma is taking the next steps in putting his name out to the world. Raw Roots got the first interview with a rapper currently residing in Wales whilst representing his home area Co Durham to the full as he finalises preparations for his independent release “Illteligence”.

You have been creating music for a while now, what first prompted you to get in to rap music?
I grew up in a musical family so I already had an ear for music and was able to read music scripts aswell which was a bonus. I remember hearing people NWA, Run DMC, 2 Pac at a friends house but wasnt really interested. It was only when I turned 13 I started getting into via a certain bleach blond rapper. I remember hearing Eminem- My Name Is on the radio with my cousin and we were laughin our backs off. Even my mam was laughin, and from that day on I’ve always wanted to be an entertainer in the rap game.

How have you gone about getting your name about?
I love performing my music and entertaining a crowd so I joined a telent show circuit doin a 15min set every 2 weeks all over the North of Wales where Im living at the minute with my wife and daughter, Ive also handed out free sample CD's inc The Stage Is Set Mixtape along with flyers. Ive also been lucky enough to get played on a local college radio which has given me alot of great feedback.

Working on the talent circuit how have you been recieved?
It went down really well, it was somethin different. You have your pop girl singers, emo bands and all that. But with what I was bringin to the table was something totally different which went in my favour. Another plus was i performed my own songs didnt do any covers at all which got me noticed each time i performed. It was a great experience to have people comin up to you and sayin things like, youve got talent, your gonna go far etc. It gives you a buzz and determination to carry on

How has moving from the North East to Wales and family life affected your music, how do find the balance to juggle it all successfuly
It was hard. I moved away without telling anybody. It was a weekend In November 03 and i never went back home. I didnt wanna leave Gemma again. After sortin all the problems out at home, the stress etc my music seemed to fall into place. I recorded about 30-40 songs on my PC when we found out Gemma was pregnant with Anais. After Anais was born my music got a new lease of life. I had something to aim for again. It was hard to juggle the 2 at first with Anais needing attention 24/7, I would be feeding her and typing lyrics up on the computer at the same time, playin beats in my headphones whilst tryin to get her to sleep. It was crazy, but I couldnt let the dream go. It was like a drug. I will always be North East though, Im hoping to move back up there in the next year or so

Your on finalising your first release "Illteligence", can you tell us about it, how it came about and who is involved.
The album has been in the pipeline for some time now. At first I didnt really know what direction I wanted to take it in, whether to go all out Hip-Hop or Hip-Pop as i like to call it. After hearin alot of Hip-Pop my mind was made. The album is a full on Hip-Hop album head noddin tracks, intelligent rhyming, Life experiences and full of lessons we must learn in life. GeeJay is on a couple of tracks inc the Lose My Mind Remix on your page- CHECK THAT OUT! David E (a producer from America) came with an amazing beat and verse for a track called Gossip and of corse you have Hi-Risk Entertainment all over it Prospekt and K'N9ne. There might even be a track with some guy named Capricious- remember him?

You mentioned intelligent rhyming and life experiences what can people expect from listening to your music?
Something fresh, somethin they can chill to, dance to, relate to. I honestly think its a nicely rounded off CD

Tell us a bit about Hi Risk?
Hi Risk is my label. Home to Prospekt (Look out for him in the coming months) and K'N9ne. We have a few projects lined up a few mixtapes, Prospekt and myself have a free download EP were working on right now aswell- That will be finished in the next month so look out for that. Hi Risk is gonna be bumpin in everyones sterios, ipods, phones, everythin man- believe that

What plans do you have for promoting the release?
Im working on getting flyers done. Im creating a free sample of the whole album about 30seconds of each track to hand out. Im also working on getting a few gigs sorted both up north and in Wales. I'll also be sending the CD off to magazines and websites for review and sending a few tracks off to radio

What has the learning curve been like from starting out to prepping your first release?
The learning curve has been tremendous. I dont think people fully realise how much goes into making an album. Its not a thing that just happens overnight. 'Its a Marathon Not A Sprint'. Ive also learnt that there are alot of talented producers and aritists out there who arnt gettin the shine they deserve and its been a pleasure working with them all on this project.

As an independent artists what are your plans? do you push what you have on your own or look for a more established source to get your music out there?
Its a bit of both in my eyes. Im a strong believer in working hard and to me if I was to just sit back and let someone else do all the work then that wouldnt satisfy me. I want to be right at the forefront of everything. I definatly think you need an established source though, theres only so much you can do by yourself.

What artists do you look up to and where do you take inspiration from?
Eminem obviously coz of the whole My Name Is thing but as i explored Hip-Hop more i saw past the Shady/ Aftermath camp and started listenin to Jay Z, Nas, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Method Man and Common. When it comes to the UK im a huge Capriciouz fan, i think hes a tremendous rapper and can own the whole UK with ease. I also look up to fellow collaborator GeeJay, just to see what hes achieved and got lined up is crazy. Hes a really down to earth person aswell

Whats currently bumping on your stereo?
I got a few CD's im bumpin at the minute, Wu Tangs new one, Talib's Eardrum, Marshall Mathers LP, oh and me haha

What do you get up to outside of rap
A full time husband and Father first and foremost after that I enjoy playin basketball, football, chillin with mates, drinkin, general chill out stuff. Although whenever I do stuff out of music someone either asks me about it or its playin in the background haha

What are the plans for 2008?
Release !lltelligence, Start work on the next album, promote the album, perform as much as possible, sort out the label and get ready for the new arrival as me and Gem are expecting our second child in June.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just want to give rawroots a big shout out and a huge thanks for the support, shout out to everyone involved with my music and !lltelligence, Stu-Tay, GeeJay, David E, Kid Rad, Vokal, Prospekt, K'N9ne, Static, Ruth Silversides, Vokab, Capriciouz and everyone who has supported me so far... GO OUT AND BUY !LLTELLIGENCE, You wont be disapointed... Hi-Risk 2008... DH8 all day long!!!

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