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Interview
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Whilst not a Wu-Tang affiliate,
Ironkap or simply just
Kap is an artist from The Czech Republici in Eastern
Europe, and was originally in the group Invalid Identity,
having released 3 projects, Kap went solo and in time
have teamed up with Killarmy's own Beretta 9 to work on
a joint project "Kap and Kinetic" expected sometime in
2012. Their friendship started when they met at a
Wu-Tang Clan's concert some years back and Kap had the
opportunity to hear some of Kinetic's production.
Beretta 9 also saw the chance to expand his sound to a
wider audience and the two started collaborating on a
couple of songs that lead to the joint venture with
Kinetic handling all the production and some vocal
features and Kap mainly behind the mic.
Yesterday we interviewed Kinetic to find out more about
his contribution on this project, Killarmy, Achozen, The
RZA, Wu-Tang Clan and much more, and today we step off
to Czech republic to speak to Kap and find out how this
whole project started, his love for the Wu-Tang
movement, when the album will come out, hip-hop music in
Czech replublic and what sparked the creation of Kap and
Kinetic. Enjoy...
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I like to say thanks first and foremost for
taking the time to answer these questions, highly
appreciated, and will also point out that nothing will be
altered, edited or changed when this is published online.
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Wu-International: How are you?
IronKap: Peace, I’m
cool, feeling new wave of energy.
Wu-International: Can you kindly tell us where
you are from and your current location please?
IronKap: Of course,
I’m from Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, central
Europe. I was born and I am still living here.
Wu-International:
Before we dive into other details,
let’s first find out about the current project you and
Beretta 9 are working on, how did that come about?
IronKap: I visited my brother
Kinetic during his tour with GZA in Germany. We chilled in
his hotel room, Kinetic had his beats with him, he played
some and it was pure fire. I told him that we need to show
his work to the world because he had some real jewels. He
gave me some of those beats and I got to work.
Wu-International: So what is this, a collaborative
album between 2 artists, a group project, or your solo just
mainly produced by Beretta 9?
IronKap:
It should be my project produced exclusively by Beretta.
For me it’s a challenge. I’m living my dream, I have the
dopest beats from my great friend from Killarmy, opportunity
like this doesn’t come every day.
Wu-International: Indeed, it doesn’t, I assumed it
might be a group effort as in an MC and Producer, so what is
the title of this project?
IronKap: Working name for this project would be “Kap and
Kinetic - 911”..
Wu-International: Will K9 be featured vocally as well
and if so how many songs will he be lending his verse to?
IronKap:
I got two older songs with his vocals. He will add his
verses too, but right now I don't know how many.
Wu-International: When did the project start and how
many songs have you recorded to date?
IronKap:
It started this summer and to this day we have 5 songs
done.
Wu-International: So when can we expect to hear the
finished product?
IronKap: As Masta Killa says:,,No said date”. We don`t
have the exact date set yet. I want to make quality product
and that needs time. I’ll be happy if it’s released next
spring or sooner.
Wu-International: Can you please tell us more about
this project as in features, production, and expectations?
IronKap: All production is done by Kinetic. It is
my goal to introduce his production to my country. Probably
there will not be any other features, we want to express our
individualism on this project.
Wu-International: Prior to meeting him in
Germany that lead to this collabo, when and how did you
first get introduced to him then?
IronKap:
I met Kinetic in 2007 in Prague during his European tour. I
helped him out with preparations for his show but made some
big mistakes in the process and it all went south at one
point. Nevertheless I stayed in touch and worked with him. He is
my teacher and "source of energy". His second alter ego
Kinetic stands for energy and motion and this is exactly
what he represents. Every time we speak or meet he brings
this energy. He has shown me many ways and things which I
considered forbidden or impossible to me before. I remember
when he was in Prague in 2007, we were sitting at a balcony
of his hotel room and just talked for an hour or two. He
knew the “tour situation” was bad but still kept his
positive attitude, the most positive person I ever met.
“Always think positive Kap!” those are his words.
Wu-International: What’s the recording process
like for this project, do you give Kinetic a concept and
have him make a beat for it or does he send you beats for
you to choose from? What happens after recording your verse,
does K9 have any more input after you have done your verse?
Please take us through the whole experience of you two
working on a song?
IronKap:
Kinetic sends me hooks, I write the song. Than he sends
solo track for the mix, I make the first mix, maybe change
this or that, send it back for finishing. He has complete
control though, I never put out something what Kinetic
doesn't like. I also try to describe to him the ideas behind
those songs. Or Kinetic comes with idea and we work together
according to him.
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Wu-International: So what is your favourite song off
this project so far and why?
IronKap: My favourite is the single which
you can listen to at the Wu-international page. 911
and song about martial arts.
Wu-International: We assume you are a Killarmy fan,
if not Beretta 9, who else would you have liked to
work with from the group?
IronKap: Everybody,
Killarmy is one of my favourite groups. I recorded a
song with Dom Pachino in 2006. I was always a huge
Killa Sin and 9th Prince fan. |
Wu-International: What do you expect from this project
and how well do you think the fans will receive this
especially the hard to please Wu fans?
IronKap: I don't know. I’m the biggest Wu-fan
lol. It sounds to me like old Wu with some new ideas.
Specific original sound, hard to define. I’m not afraid the
fans wouldn’t like the beats because Kinetic is a beast. I
wish to show the world how dope a producer Kinetic really
is, although many people still don't know his work.
Wu-International: Do you feel there will be a
language barrier as far as getting your lyrics and points
across considering that you speak and rhyme only in Czech?
IronKap:
Well for US and UK fans yes but I still believe that
hip hop is the universal language. For example I can't speak
French and I love French hip hop. It is like World according
to RZA. There are things we can't understand but that we can
feel. If you open your mind, you will feel it too.
Wu-International: How are you looking to put this
project out, independently or via a major label in Czech?
IronKap: Independently. I put my stuff out by
myself. Fans will have chance get it on official websites
www.kinetic9.com and
www.kapkinetic.com We also prepare T shirts and
more cool stuff.
Wu-International: Thanks for those answers; we look
forward to hearing the project. Let’s go back a little bit
into history, I own a copy of your last album Nemesis, was
this your debut album and tell please tell us more about it?
IronKap: It was my solo debut. I put it out all by
myself. I love this kind of freedom and I still think it’s a
good LP. I got to work with many great artists and was lucky
enough to find the best engineer in Prague. Ondrej Zatkuliak
and his Rooftop studio made this LP exactly what I wanted it
to be. You can still buy it or check it out on my youtube
chanel nikap14, where I uploaded the whole album. I have
dope tracks with live band produced by Prixx, Grimy, sample
classics from Endemic, Aslan and many more great artists.
You can also hear some original Wu artists on that album,
Kinetic, Rugged Monk and Buddha monk to be precise.
Wu-International: We know you worked with Aslan, Endemic
as well as other Wu members, but some of those songs were
not on Nemesis, did you have a project before Nemesis?
IronKap: Yes I did put out another project called
Many Faces with my old crew and that included the single
“Fake Mc's” with my brother Silkski, and I intend to put out
older Wu collabos as soon as I change few things and do
remixes to some tracks. You can find an old video on youtube
with lord Buddha monk called Move on em.
Wu-International: Talking of your group, can you
please tell us more as in its members, and if it is still
active?
IronKap:
Yes, but that is over. Only one
member stays active- my boy Grimy. He is working on a solo
release right now.
Wu-International: It is quite obvious you are a Wu fan,
how big is Wu or hip-hop in Czech?
IronKap: Wu-tang is a worldwide phenomenon. You can
still see many W's on Prague’s walls and there is a strong
fanbase here but most people only know about the original
Wu-tang clan (9 generals that is). A lot of people in Czech
grew up on Wu music but these days younger fans listen to
different stuff.
State of hip hop in the Czech
Republic is kind of specific. We have virtually no major
artists, in last few years only one crew managed to get some
recognition outside of the hip hop community. People don't
buy music and rarely go out to see a show. I give you an
example: when the Wu-tang clan came here for the first time
there was around 10 000 people in the audience, when they
came for the second time later on, it might have been
2000-3000.
Wu-International: Thanks for those answers, any
other project that you are currently working that
you lke to share with us?
IronKap: Yeah I will put out a
new mixtape called Almighty Ironkap this autumn. I’m
almost done, two more songs to be recorded. Now I’m
focusing on the Kap-Kinetic project
Wu-International: Before closing,
let's touch on the man behind your artwork, Sho
Graphics, how did you two meet?
IronKap:
That is a funny story. My DJ and good friend Ghost
introduced us. I met Ghost after Inspectah Deck show
and was introduced to SHO after GZA show. I know SHO
for maybe six or seven years now and he is my
closest friend, like my brother. He has the greatest
collection of Wu cds I have ever seen. I’m jealous,
you can find some rare pieces there - original
Japanese release of Ghost dog, ODBEP, limited
edition of Digital bullet etc. Wu-tang really
brought us together, so to say.
Wu-International: Any last comments,
shout outs or message before we end this interview?
IronKap: Peace
to every Wu tang fan out there. Shout out to my
Shout outs team. Thank you for this interview. Peace
to Kinetic for the opportunity, my Wu-tang brothers,
Rugged Monk, Buddha Monk, Silkski USSS, Choco, RZA
and GZA. Peace to my UK brothers Tesla, Ringz, Aslan
and my great friend Gary Alford. |
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Related Interview
Beretta 9 aka
Kinetic:
Kap &
Kinetic: USA Edition Part 1 [20st
October 2011]
<Read Other Interviews> |
