PREMIERE: Cracker Jon x Fraser Syme - Slug Festival (Album) + 10 Questions

Brain Scran Records present the new LP from scathing wordsmith, general scallywag and High Focus Records graduate Cracker Jon. The South London Hip Hop MC has teamed up with producer Fraser Syme to…

A. Create and promote an imaginary festival.

B. Release an LP under the same name.

In celebration of the vinyl release of new LP Slug Festival from Cracker Jon & Fraser Syme, follow Jon around the festival of his imagining. An acid tinged fever dream where our dissident protagonist rants an impressive array of syllables and force feeds various alter egos to bewildered punters lost in the slime of the Slug Festival.

Visual shot by Grizzly Panda. (Visual shot on site at Nozstock The Hidden Valley).

Slug Festival is a ticket on a 16 track ride through the jaded mind of one of the UK underground’s sharpest voices. From opening track ‘Entrance Fee’ to closer ‘The Come Down’ Jon’s trademark acerbic wit over Fraser Syme’s raw production combine to a potent strain of Boom Bap tailored for UK hip hop purists. The third full length release from the elusive lyricist, the LP is available now via brainscran.com for a limited run on transparent blue vinyl with mad sleeve artwork from WERE JUST Matter.

Make sure to check out the music video for third single Slick Risk Ross (shot at London South Bank by Dfacer). An effortless banger with a killer hook parodying the pettiness of the front and big talk of rap personas. Keeping things on theme, the visual features Jon busking, graffing and doing flyer promo for the non-existent festival around London’s South Bank.

Cracker Jon sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

I would say as a kid the radio was always on so there was constant music there, but obviously more radio chart music. I think it was a Tony Hawk demo i got that had the Mos Def and High & Mighty song as the background music. I played that demo to death so must of been subliminal/subconscious somehow.  To be honest I started the bait way like Eminem as well but at about 16 I got given Dead Prez - Lets Get Free, and Company Flow - Funcrusher Plus. That was probably my first insight into what we would call "real hip hop" and definitely moulded what I represent today.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

Das EFX and Redman 100%, as their albums always got better in my eyes, and i’ve always said 90% of rappers especially don’t make consistently good albums. A collab with them would be unreal.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

I’ve teamed up with Brain Scran Records to release my new album called Slug Festival.  Its produced by Fraser Syme and is available for pre order now! We’ve dropped a few music videos so go check those out. theres even more to come but i’m keeping shtum.

4. How would you describe your sound?

Good question.  I would say it is an authentic combination of real life and comedy put into a rhythmic description for you to reflect on.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

I went to Outlook Festival in Croatia with zero money and 50 copies of my albums and made it home to tell the tale.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Its a lot different now to how I started, as CD’s are obsolete. I remember printing album covers secretly at my work to then cut up and sell around Croydon, and even burning the CD’s from my own computer! If your a certain age that DIY part of the culture still existed. Now it seems you need to have money to make money. The culture needs to be maintained so my advice would be to do your knowledge first and you will be able to write your own path more.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

Last few years i’ve been listening to Lynn rappers Estee Nack and Al Divino. I fully recommend their catalogue as I feel they are keeping the spirit of the old school alive, which is what i’m essentially trying to do.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your spotify playlist currently?

I’ve been rinsing Sonnyjim albums recently like crazy.  Theres a drum and bass producer called Calibre who I listen to a lot, but truth be told I only listen to rare groove music really. If you dont know about the album rare groove stories, you’ll find tonnes of classic hip hop samples there. I find the originals are always better.

9. what do you like to do when you're not making music?

I do a lot of artwork, as graffiti was my first love. From like the age of 11 I was putting up stickers and writing on the school tables. Now i’m older I do more workshops for kids, but still find it a lot of fun when I have the time. I also make bespoke art pieces so if anyone wants anything hit me up! Also if you need a Christmas tree...

10. Name three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Weed, beer and cocaine would be too much of an easy answer haha. Plus it’s the worst way to be productive if theres more than 2 of you in the room. I  would say realistically a patient engineer..a fully stocked fridge and a kettle for copious teas, coffees and pot noodles. And obviously a Wordplay Magazine to read..