The Music Room >> Mr Motley

Mr Motley

When I talk about Hip-Hop, I always tread softly because I walk on hallowed ground.
Some may say I am victim of popular radio. Alas, for many years my taste was defined by pre-defined playlists which over time became more and more formulaic due to increased commercialization of the industry. The variety on-air became stagnant and dominated by only one side of the genre, the one big record labels perceived best served their purpose of maximizing profit. I almost stopped listening to rap music until I realised I just had to find good music by myself. The DJ was not the man to tell me what was hot, I should be the one to decide what is hot...and not.

But in our new age, the playlist does not belong to Radio anymore; it is one you create for yourself.

In the Music Room today, we are featuring an artist who has chosen to take the art further in his own way, Mr. Motley.

He is one of those you put on constant replay after hearing a song, one you feel proud of discovering without mass media.

He makes that kind of creative hiphop music that doesn't take itself too seriously, the kind that made you love the fun-side of hip-hop, the side we have started to forget.

I caught up with Mr Motley and this is how the interview went...


Whats up man, where do you come from?

"Born in Salford, Manchester (UK) tha heart of tha city!"
I'm from a mixed background though... like my mum is half Irish, half Nigerian, my dad is half English, half Barbados... so I'm "Motley", I just came out like this.

How long have you been doing music?

I started DJing when I was 14... that was back in 94/95. Then I got into basic production at 18 but I only started writing rhymes when I was like 20/21. So I would say I been involved with music for 14 years... but I've actually been spitting for about 6/7 years.


I notice your songs use a lot of humor in them, but address real issues as well, how do you come up with music ideas ?

I dont, music ideas come up with me! (laughs) I guess I just get a vibe to the beat that I'm listening to at that time... and that helps to draw the lyrics from me.. plus I like to have a laugh... I dont take anything too serious and that is reflected in my music.


You are doing some touring, how are the fans in other countries like Australia compared to UK?

UK heads are cool, but you gotta give them exactly what THEY want. Fans out here in Australia seem to be a bit more relaxed (probably due to their social environment) and seem to dig all kinds of different styles / genres... so I feel like I can give the fans what I WANT to deliver instead of what they expect me to deliver, y'dig?

Cool, how important is Manchester to your music, I hear you repping it on one of the songs?

Manny (Manchester) is where I was born, north Manny is where I grew up even though I lived in London for a little bit and have been travelling a lot these past few years... Manchester will always be a part of me, the way I talk and act is part Manchester part hiphop... thats what makes me who I am.

Do you think UK hiphop is going to cross over to America?

Well Sway just got signed to Akons 'Konvict' music label (so I hear), so maybe its a step in that direction. But I still think the british accent is too far removed from what people are used to hearing... so it might take a while for the integration of the brits into mainstream/billboard charts.

one step at a time baby!

Who are your musical influences?

I grew up listening to Hiphop music from a very early age, I remember my first record from when I was 8 years old was a compilation that had people like Eric B and Rakim, Salt n Pepa... all them cats back in '88 really did something for me even though rap was never played by my parents, I somehow got sucked into it.

Growing up I would listen to everything from Krs-one to Tribe Called Quest, Ice-t, Snoop, Wu-tang, Cypress Hill, Public Enemy, Funkdoobiest... the list is endless.

Then when I started making beats and spitting, I was listening to a lot of production like preemo, dre, pete rock... also listening to a lot of Redman, Meth, Eminem & Busta Rhymes. I love these cats coz these dudes are like cartoon characters, its like they didnt always have the most technical flow and a lot of the time they weren't even saying anything too hardcore but they just had a unique style and swagger and that really 'did it' for me... and helped me grow as an emcee.

Fine, those types of MCs are fast becoming a lost art. What is on constant replay in your playlist?

Anything mid-nineties! haha I get stick sometimes for sticking to the 90's but to me that was the best era for hiphop.. you had illmatic, Doggystyle, The Chronic, Black Sunday, Back in business, Leflau (fab 5), 2000 (Grand puba), Biggie smalls - ready to die...all them joints... that was the sh*t to me! and still is, thats why I still play it out right now! (laughs).

Many folks are saying "Hip-Hop is dead", what do you think about that, cos quite obviously your stuff is banging?

Haha! Thanks!!
I think the commercial element of hiphop is becoming repetitive, everyone is rapping about jewels, iced out chains and watches, hot whips with tha candy paint sittin on 24s... but there is always an opposite of that... I mean you only have to look at artist like Lupe fiasco to find something a bit different from the avarage rap artist.

Common is still doin his thing, Mos def, Talib Kweli are all still coming with some heat.. but the young hiphop fan doesnt hear that.

Sex sells, Gangsta-ism (if thats even a word!! haha!) sells, iced-out lifestyles and that whole image of living that kinda lifestyle seems to appeal to the youth today.

I can't relate to being a gangsta, I know some hard-asses... I've been in the club when people were shot and killed... but I didnt think it was exciting, thrilling or anything to show off about... I thought it was quite scary actually! and wouldn't want to be in that situation ever again.

so I stick to what I know, I stick to rapping about issues that are close to MY heart... I also focus on other things such as getting drunk, getting crunk, shaking booties, and having fun!

Why dwell on the negative things in life when you can focus on the positive and be happy!?

What do you think about Live 8 and other similar initiatives to help poverty stricken areas?

Anything that aids the unfortunate is obviously a good thing. I dont know enough about Live 8 to actually say exactly how helpful it has been, but I guess its doing (or at least trying to do) whatever it can to help.

Personally, if I get as big as I want, I'd like to go out there (some African countries and other 3rd world places) and really help hands-on. Like physically helping at ground zero.

I'd also like to throw a huge tour out there and only charge the wealthy people. The poor people could come and enjoy it for free and all the proceeds from the tour would go back to poorer comunities.

In an ideal world this would happen with more artists.

We'll have to wait and see...

Good idea, though the logistics for the 'poor people and rich people thing' could be hard to implement hehe. Do you care if your music is downloaded by fans (for free), and not bought in shops?

I used to care a little bit, but I'll admit, I'm even guilty of downloading the odd song here and there. But now I'm like, if fans just wanna hear the music, let them hear it. If some fans wanna buy the damn thing with the artwork and the full CD quality sound then thats their choice too.

Its all a big advert for my live show anyways, thats where you really enjoy "motley"... when I'm on stage! and that experience can never be downloaded. So whether or not they actually bought the song, they will definitely be buying a ticket!! haha!

I think its important to support upcoming talent (the key word here is talent) haha! Dont support people just because they rep the uk... or they rep your hood... support people that you feel you could listen to by choice.

Cool...and how has the internet helped your musical ambitions?

The internet is a beautiful thing, it helps keep me connected to my fans around the world. It has also helped secure a few international collabs (which I have to keep under raps for now until they are finalized).

Big up myspace and now facebook... brrrap!

In one of your songs you give reference to your mixed racial background, how important is this to your music?

Like I said earlier, I wouldn't be motley if I wasn't mixed... look the word "motley" up in a dictionary then you'll know what i'm sayin!

Which of the Skewlbuoy T-shirts would you rock?

Haha! Thats a random self plug...I'd rock the Yellow one!

How fast do u run 100m?

How fast do YOU run it? Take your answer, multiply it by 2, then divide it by 4 then you get my answer!

haha, Mcdonalds or Burger King?

None really, but if I have to then it would be Maccers (as they say here in oz!)

How can fans get in touch with you?

www.MrMotley.com is the portal to any of my websites, right now you can use that to get to myspace or facebook pages.

Any albums or mixtapes coming out soon?

For the record, right now we're in march '08... I have an E.P. recorded (which for those who dont know, is Extended Playing which is old skool terminology.. like L.P. for long playing record) EP's normally carry around 8 tracks, so thats what you can expect from me in 2 months. I just gotta finish the artwork and tingaling.

When that drops around May I'll be touring around Australia's east coast.

I'm also half way done wit an exciting mixtape project that once again breaks boundaries within this hiphop cycle that is fast becoming repetitive and I'm also half way through recording an album which should be ready for release this time next year.

I wanna hit each song right, so im not rushing any of it. Half of my new work has been recorded in england and the rest will be recorded out here in Oz (Australia).

Can you expand on the concerts and gigs?

Yeah like I said, I'm touring the east coast of oz through May / June. Then I'm back in the Uk in July, then I got a huge nation wide tour of Oz when i get back around September, supporting a local australian hiphop group called Bliss N Eso ... amazing dudes who I've previously worked with. Its gonna be hectic and I really cant wait for it!

Last words?

POICE! (which is hiphop for PEACE!)

Sam Sparro

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