Hudmo and S-Type used to chat beats over MSN messenger when they were kids. Today both LuckyMe signed producers are in heavy demand with the best up-coming MCs in the industry.
Hidden down an alleyway, under a tunnel off the main West End Glaswegian strip, S-Type is sat in a small room, surrounded by equipment, working on a Macbook pro. Keeping his set up pretty basic, producing new material using mainly Serato, Logic, a midi-keyboard and turntables, the relatively newby producer is finally starting to garner the recognition he so achingly deserves. Releasing earlier material via his brother’s label Surface Pressure, catching head of LuckyMe records Dominic Flannigan’s attention whilst out playing clubs and bars around Scotland, Bobby Perman, aka S-Type, always made music for the pure love of it, getting signed was just a bonus. Releasing new EP Billboard on October 16th and featured on Rusties BBC Essential Mix Bobby is making waves. Remembering the time when his mates at school gave him hassle for liking hip hop, he now laughs last with the loudest hooks, drops and catchiest riddims. S-Type knows every decent rap verse out there, i-D online finds out his pick of the best along with an exclusive mix for this week’s i-DJ.
You’ve been making music for 10 years, how has the industry changed since the earlier days when you first started out? Aside from the obvious change in record sales and illegal downloads, producers have come more into the limelight. Nowadays we’re respected as much as rappers and singers. This instrumental scene (with people like HudMo, Rustie, Lunice, Machine Drum, Flying Lotus, etc.) has helped that. Also, the general public attitude towards hip hop has totally changed. It was subculture in Scotland. I was weird in school for being into this and now it’s the most popular music in the world.
How have you changed? I used to only make beats for rappers, and they were always dark. I still use samples but in a subtle way, more as texture or percussion than the main focus of a track. My music these days is very detailed, with lots of changes. I don’t really work with many rappers at the moment. I’ve always wanted music to be my life and work, and that’s become a reality.
What producers first inspired you to make your own beats? When I first started experimenting with sampling, I was listening to music by dudes like Dilla, DJ Premier, Pete Rock. The legends. As I got more into it, I was inspired by Timbaland, Neptunes, Just Blaze, Kanye, Alchemist and Hi-Tek. It’s a straight up answer to a straight up question. It’s all the big names.
What British MCs are you into at the moment? Piff Gang.
What’s gunna be big in 2013? Classical music CDs in jewel cases. The memory of trap music.
What are your top 10 verses of all time? These are the verses that come to mind off the top of my head. Tricky question, my answer would probably be different next week. I couldn’t even choose a favourite Jay-Z or Nas verse so I left them out.
Biggie – Juicy (first verse)
Kelis – Millionaire (Andre 3000 guest verse)
Slum Village – The Reunion (Dilla verse)
Busta Rhymes – Woo Ha (first verse)
Big L – Put it On (first verse)
Pharaohe Monch – Agent Orange (first verse)
Pharcyde – Passin’ Me By (Bootie Brown verse)
Wu Tang – C.R.E.A.M. (Raekwon verse)
MF Doom – Accordion
Mobb Deep – Shook Ones (prodigy verse)
Text: Milly McMahon
