The Last Elect Interview
So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
C.o.N-Vers:
The love for music started from very early, my Dad used to, and still has a huge stack of super old vinyls. He was always playing music around the house when we were home, mainly things like The Beatles/ Rolling Stones/ Queen.. classic stuff really.
It wasn’t until my early teens that I first got into hip hop in a big way. My first Tape I ever bought was The Score by the Fugees, and from there it snowballed. I remember driving my parents/brother crazy by listening to Regulate non stop on car journeys.
Then, during school, myself and C.Facts became good mates, and with our other friends, got heavily into Garage music, and with 2 out of the group being DJ’S, it forced our hand to learn to MC.
The love of being on the mic definitely started there, then Garage died down, and so we turned our hand to Rap.. but, in those days we didn’t have the life experience to make the pen game prolific.
C.Facts
Similar to Vers my old man had a monumental vinyl collection, he refused to move to CD and it was definitely his passion; so music was ingrained in me from a young age. Then growing up one of our mates bought some decks and as I couldn’t afford those, the mic seemed like the best option.
Then I discovered raving and fell in love with DnB, you will sometimes hear that influence coming out on some of my beats i.e. Craters.
But the moment I discovered beat making something changed for me, I just became obsessed with it and the rest is history.
Bxrbarian
My mum played me golden era hip hop back when I was a kid and I just loved the honesty in it all, then I later learnt clarinet in foster care and music became my escape.
Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Bxrbarian
I’d love to do a track with Ghetts, his flow and the intricacy in the wordplay have always amazed me.
C.o.N-Vers:
All of the big UK names from back in the day were, and still are a massive influence. We grew up in ore of Jehst/ Task Force/ Klashnekoff/ Terra Firma/ Kashmere/ Micall Parknsun/ LDZ.
With that, it all started from the US influence – Terror Squad/ Nas/ Eminem/ Mobb Deep/ D12/ Big L/ DMX/ Royce Da 5’9 ... the list is pretty endless to be honest.
Now, I would love to work with some of those UK names I mentioned, people like Dabbla and the Potent Funk Records guys, obviously Chester P, and majority of the High Focus Records roster. But essentially, anyone that you can catch a heavy vibe from, I'd love to work with. There is so much talent in the UK right now.. the link ups are endless!
C.Facts
Where do we begin ha. Firstly, Jehst was always the one lyrically for me, the flow is unreal - but also the raw beats he used to come with. Roots Manuva, Run Come Save Me & then Sagas by Klashnekoff were both life changing. Being a producer first, I gotta shout out Harry Love, who produced Murda on that album, he's a massive hero of mine, he also made an amazing tune called What Estate Are You From with Reveal. Then I would just consume every single UK Hip Hop track I could get my hands on, anything from Task Force, Kashmere, LDZ, Contact Play, Kyza, Stig etc. Another producer who blew my mind is Chemo - Squirrels with Guns is Iconic! Nowadays it’s Baileys Brown, Illinformed, Leaf Dog, Dirty Dike, Sumgii, Parky, Farma G etc.
Then of course there was Mobb Deep, the way Havoc makes his beats is unreal and of course DJ Premier, Large Professor, 9th Wonder - I guess you see the theme here for me is producers haha.
In the future I want to work with everybody in the scene who I rate haha - Jehst, Dabbla, obviously Chester P (watch this space), Dirty Dike, Jam Baxter, Datkid, Four Owls, Ocean Wisdom, Da Flyy Hooligan, Kashmere, Mys Diggi and Nas.
So Write 2 Speak and Bxrbarian have joined forces to create a new rap super group - The Last Elect, how did that come about?
Bxrbarian
After the guys hit me up and we made craters, we all agreed instantly that the sound just felt right. So we carried on, and it carried on working!
C.FACTS
Ha rap ‘supergroup’ you know...Hope we don’t let anyone down! In my opinion there’s so many average rappers - when I heard Bx he was a breath of fresh air. I knew straight away he was something special. So we reached out, did a track and just hit it off, musically and personally. The response was pretty sick and we had so much fun with it, it was a no brainer! Now, I feel like I’ve known him for years! Chester P summed it up to me, he said “we all compliment each other” and hopefully that’s true!
C.o.N-Vers:
We (C.facts & myself) stumbled across Bxrbarian on Instagram after he uploaded a ridiculous freestyle, and we knew instantly that we wanted to jump on a track with him, I mean he’s an incredible artist . Then, when we dropped “We Make Craters” we knew it wasn’t going to be the only track. The reception that track got was amazing, but what was even better was how easily we made the track. C.Facts sent us a beat (in a WhatsApp group) then BX sent back a crazy verse, I sent back a verse, and then we were all GASSED with how it sounded. So C.Facts kept sending tracks, and we kept sending back verses.. like, within hours.
After doing this for a few tunes, we knew we had to make it solid... then came the painstaking process of agreeing on a name....bashing out tracks, easy, getting 3 people to agree on a name.. NOT EASY.
Your new track is currently doing the rounds and we at Wordplay love it, are there plans for an album from you at some point this year?
C.o.N-Vers:
Thank you very much, we are so happy with the response to this latest track.. it's crazy..!!
But, yes is the answer to the album.!! We are currently sitting on around 6/7 tracks, and there is no sign of slowing down.. We are locking in some decent collabs also, and then, we just hope all these social restrictions lift so we get a chance to perform live..!!!
Bxrbarian:
I would like to think so! We have enough tracks for a project or two already written. I’d love for us to be prolific in releasing this music and reflect the work that’s already happened.
C.Facts:
Yeah man 100%! Hopefully people won’t know what hit them. We got a Write 2 Speak release dropping in a couple weeks and we’re putting the finishing touches to that album, The Last Elect is shaping up to be something exciting for sure, and we’re working on a good few collabs and other bits.
How would you describe your sound?
Bxrbarian:
Heavy. Raw, real, rough and ready….Jaw clenched bang your head…. And maybe hurt your back and neck.
C.Facts:
The Last Elect is dirty UK Boom Bap - Vers always says, “Music to punch mans too” ha. Write 2 Speak is similar, with a bit more of a chilled vibe here and there. All in all we just make good hip hop really.
C.o.N-Vers:
Raw, unapologetic old school hip hop... with a twist of genius that is C.Facts.. We make stuff we love essentially, but we are also looking to make stuff that will make people’s face screw up.
What's your proudest moment to date so far as artist’s?
Bxrbarian:
For me it was after the Who Are They shoot, I was talking to Chester P and he said the Craters track really inspired him to be writing and spitting again. He’s an idol to all of us so it was humbling and inspiring for me too.
C.o.N-Vers:
Probably having Chester P endorsing our current track, and having him come down to the video shoot and spend the day with us off his own back. He’s a complete legend in the game, one of the best rappers to ever do it.. but also the most humble and safest guy ever.
C.Facts
The reaction by people, from within the scene and others. Like the boys said, Chester P’s support has been amazing! I still have to pinch myself. I guess just getting over 5k views or streams, may sound small - but 6 months ago we had zero releases, so we’re pretty haps.
Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
C.Facts
If you’re a rapper then hit me up for beats hahaha - Nah, for real - don’t settle for average! While your stuff may never be perfect make sure you put the time and work in. Don’t rush it - this has been 15 years in the making for me and Vers! But first and foremost, make stuff you really love. I make music for the 3 of us first, then anyone else loving it is a bonus.
Bxrbarian:
As cliche as it sounds, be real.
Don’t try and play the game too hard, make the music you love and communicate your love for it to whoever will listen.
C.o.N-Vers:
Just don’t ever stop trying.... Me and C.FACTS thought we missed our chance 10 years ago, but here we are.. If you love it, and you have a mad passion for the music, and what you are making, then people will see that.
Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?
C.o.N-Vers:
Kings Cvstle, two brothers from London who only make that from the chest music.. proper safe guys, and super talented.
Verbz & Mr Slipz – just signed to Hight Focus, and just make the smoothest hip hop...
Cosm – sick sick rapper, been doing it for a while, dropped an EP earlier this year called “MEDUSSA EYES”, sick project, with another on the way.
Last but not least, Write2speak.... we will finish the album, and we are trying to make sure it goes down as a classic
Bxrbarian:
Obviously, as well as our joint project, he's got a crazy stash of solo material to come.. this guy is the future, I have no doubt about it.!!!
C.Facts:
Like Bx said, my top right now is Pique Rosco! Also, big up Matt Kuartz on production - UNREAL!
Daniel Son, Vinne Paz & Griselda are my favourite out of the US in the last few years.
Babylon Dead, Coops, Juggernaut, Verbz, CMPND, Cosm and Cappo some of the other UK rappers I’m bumping a lot. And I can’t wait for Chester P’s new stuff with DJ Goblin!
What albums is on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
C.Facts:
To be honest - I still just listen to a lot of classic 90s US and UK hip hop stuff , but otherwise, Nobody – Dabbla & Sumgii
Pique Roscoe - Visionz of the phantom
Respect Ya Elders – Gee Bag
A few that have been out a bit longer that I’m still rinsing are
Cappo - Spaz the world, Datkid - confession of a Crudlord & Dirty Dike Acrylic Snail (Caustic Soda) is one of my favourite joints ever - another Chemo joint!)
C.o.N-Vers:
No One Mourns The Wicked – Big ghost & Conway
Respect Ya Elders – Gee Bag
Nobody – Dabbla & Sumgii
Way Too Patient – myself and Micall Parknsun
Bxrbarian:
Denzel curry & Kenny beats- unlocked
Pique Roscoe- Visionz of the phantom
TrueMendous- Huh?
Name Three things you guys can?t live without?
C.o.N-Vers:
My wife and 2 beautiful kids, the single best thing that’s ever happened to me and my outlook on life.
Music, the greatest form of expression and creative release ever, and my friends and family... it sounds so cliché, but it's true..
C.Facts:
My loved ones (My girl, family & my boys), Hip Hop & my Akai.
Bxrbarian:
Weed, My woman, Wordplay.
Thanks for taking time to chat with me guys, all the best for the future and we look forward to supporting you.
Words - Ed Lindsay