Raw Roots - Rap News, Interviews & Reviews

Precha

(2 votes)

Written by Stu

It's been a while since we spoke on this level for Raw Roots, how have things been since the success of "4 My City" to you starting your solo work?
yes sir Mr rawroots , it’s been a long time 4 real since we last spoke, things have been much appreciated on all levels since the success of ‘4 My City’ . We’ve been touring as you already know up and down the u. k on the ‘family tree tour’, with people recognising us for our talent & achievements giving us credit where credit is due. This in turn raised my profile turning heads making ‘precha’ not just a member of c.o.v but a person who a lot of people could connect with individually. This lead to me being approached by baby j to ultimately record some solo material.

"Holy Ghost" is the new album, what made you go solo before doing an album as COV?
Yes indeed fam, holy ghost is the new album out march 19th officially, but not in the major stores until April 9th. The reason for this album coming out before the c.o.v album is simply because I’m a true believer in opportunity knocking only a few times in life , and knowing baby j ’s profile at this point is bigger than the name precha or c.o.v , It just seemed like the right thing to do, to forward not just the name precha , but c.o.v same time

The new album is sole produced by Baby J, how did you link up with him initially
I’ve known baby j now for some time, but never had a working relationship with him , but had a mutual friend which was ‘cipher’ from ‘md7’ And j being part of seven entertainments production team allowed me to know his work a long time before meeting him in person. But our initial link to working with each other came after I heard ‘ standing buy the window’ on an instrumental Cd , I laced it and sent it to j and the rest they say is history

Who had the idea for doing a full album together as producer and artist
The idea to do a full album as an artists and a producer was baby j’s he told me that he had some beats and would I like to do something exclusive over his production , Obviously bringing opportunities that weren’t as readily available as they would have been if I was working by myself i.e.: promotion, distribution etc.

You have had a few reviews and two singles doing rotations on TV how has the feedback been so far?
The feedback so far has been mostly positive, of course your going to get negative responses but I believe its all part n parcel of the music industry. “Heaven” the new single is a light hearted vibe with sexual references, club nights out and nice clothes, not always falling into the category people want to place me in as a hardcore gangster rapper. My recent review in this editions hip hop connection reflected on the albums vibe saying “some of it is hard to swallow” but concluded with life isn’t always a bed of roses.

How would you describe the sound of your album
The sound of the album is very organic, definitely organic. Fresh without any additives, just real hip hop without any compromise.

Do you have a favourite track from the album?
As it stands personally I haven’t got a favourite track yet, but I know as time progresses I will. Lets see what the people love best, that’s always a good way to pick lol!

There are a lot of personal feelings on "Holy Ghost", what does this album mean to you personally.
Personally this project started off just like any other, but as time went on I grew so attached to it, it’s a true reflection of where I was at personally at that time in my life. Reflecting my lows and my highs, letting people into my personal life through the medium of music. I feel I’ve achieved what I set out to do, that’s let the people know who precha really is.

What influences artists, people, life experiences have you drawn on to write this album
The influences I reached for when I was writing this album was mostly from growing up in a big family going through stages of my life, with a lot of positive and negative role models around me, helping me to depict an accurate reading of who I am.

You were recently on the family tree tour, how did that go down (and what happened to you coming to Newcastle ha ha)
Yes the family tree tour was an amazing experience 6 cities of raw unadulterated hip hop “md7” “antourage” “mike glc” “c.o.v plus a lot of guest artists. At the London show (cargo) “graph” came on stage with us to end the show off in an unforgettable way, this just topped off the ultimate feeling of achievement. (Apologise if we didn’t make it to your city) Newcastle, Leeds and Liverpool. I’m still coming though trust me!

How is the Hip Hop scene building in Cov? is there anyone we should be checking for?
Hip hop is growing rapidly not just in cities, but in small towns and villages. As we well know London is the Mecca of the industry i.e.: record companies, agents etc. But as we grow as artists your city grows with you. And not wanting to be left behind people (artists) have to step their game up. It’s like the term you may often hear “steel sharpen steel”. Ones to watch from Coventry are “hillz Younsterz ”they’ve just finished their mixtape “deadly zone” hosted by skinnyman

At the moment are there any plans for a City Ov Villanz album, you know I had to ask?
Myself, Looch and Spike have already started recording new material for the C.O.V. album. And as you well know you can’t rush or force anything, so yes there will be a C.O.V. album we are just quietly recording tracks at the moment

Sounds good and you know I will be looking forward to that, now when we first me a few years back you and the rest of the group had been doing some work locally with youth projects, is this still happening today?
Yes sir, the ‘creative writing workshops’ are still taking place. Institutes, youth clubs, schools are all benefiting from the hands on experience we have to offer the youths.
Especially when they still see us on channel u and hear us on radio, they tend to listen more carefully, making our jobs much easier and more beneficial.

Now the UK Industry is not mainstream, there isn’t much airplay radio wise but artists like yourself are having videos featured on Channel U, MTV Base since “4 My City” has life changed any as to people recognising you round Cov
Yeahman life has changed slightly, when I see people who I don’t know staring, I got to leave that old mentality of “what the fuck are they looking at”. Simply cause they recognise you. It’s a nice feeling though when you know you’ve achieved something big, and people notice you for that reason.

What does the next year hold for yourself?
Next year , I just want to enjoy my life with my family , ‘holy ghost’ was a trying period of my life , so next album will be a totally different reflection of whats going on

Is there anything you want to add that we haven’t touched on, any shout outs?
Yes finally a message to all the youths who are misguided throughout life. If you smoke weed be very careful because there is a contaminated batch of weed with sand crystals inside it. The best way is to stop burning!!!!!!

TRUST ME BIG UP RAWROOTS 4 THA LOVE

Government health warning needed, LOVE EACH OTHER AND LIVE GOOD UNTIL !!!
Appreciated