January 2012

With the release of his debut album LD50 less than a year ago, Lethal Dialect follows it up with LD50 II to much acclaim. The first single from his new album,
"Keep It Real" gained recognition for its atmospheric video shot in the northside Dublin estates around Cabra and Blanchardstown where the young rapper is from. He is gaining lots of attention from the press and was named artist of the week on MTV Iggy's website, which looks for the best new talent worldwide. While his song "The National" was featured on the second season of RTE's Dublin gangster drama "Love/Hate" last year.

Lethal Dialect is fast becoming one of the hottest prospects on the Irish music scene for his thoughtfull lyrical delivery over gritty beats. The second single "Get To My Dreams" features Willa Lee in yet another quality release and video from the rapper.

Scruff Daddy talked to Lethal Dialect about Hip Hop, making videos and the future for Irish Hip hop.

How did you first get into Hip Hop?

A cousin of mine bought me a Tupac record, 'R U Still Down' around 1997 (shout out to Asti). I'd been exposed to Hip hop before through Yo! MTV Raps and things like that but it was that record that did it. I was young at the time but I remember just being captivated by it.

What influences you when writing?

Mostly life itself. Truth be told I can be inspired by anything, there's been times when I'd be inspired to write a track after watching a film, certain incidents have inspired me, other more personal things. There's no shortage of it really.

Where did the Lethal Dialect sound come from?

I never really set out for a particular sound or anything, obviously I try to do my own thing but I think everyone's sound just develops naturally. I just set out making the music I wanted to hear.

Who directed the your videos. They seem to the fit mood of the songs perfectly. How are they to shoot and is it a collaborative process?

Joe Dooney. Its a speedy process making videos with Joe. Making videos is to him what making music is to me, he's not in it for a paycheck, its just a passion and I think that comes across in the video. I mostly make atmospheric, ambient tracks and Joe is the same with the videos so the music and visuals definitely compliment each other.

How did your track end up featured on “Love/Hate?”

My cousin had a cameo in the last series and had a contact for one of the directors so I just forwarded him through a couple of tracks and he said they wanted to use "The National." We remixed it sample free just to avoid any issues. That's why there's two different versions. There's a third series in the works and I've already sent through some new material so you might hear me on season three.

You’re getting a lot of love from the press these days with the Irish media and MTV, It must feel like exciting times?

Definitley, I'm just glad they're starting to take notice. The Irish media has covered Irish Hip Hop before but for a branch of MTV to be running with it, its definitley a good look. Its still all small steps at the minute, but all these small steps add up.

Do you think it will take support from abroad, like MTV to make people at home take notice of Irish Hip Hop?

It definitley adds an authenticity to the music more than anything. People tend to listen to Irish Hip Hop with misconceptions about it but when you see the music being posted under the famous logos you automatically have a respect for it. That goes for any music anywhere, so for us its especially a good look. People have overlooked Hip Hop in this country for a long time and fair enough, there's been some shocking acts getting exposure in the past who might have put a sour taste in people's mouths but thats down to the wallys who chose to give them that exposure. The novelty acts are getting eradicated, the standard now is undeniable.

What can we expect from LD50 Part 2?

Its an evolval of the first one, me growing as a person and a lyricist. The first one was a concept driven album but the new one is a lot deeper, a lot more personal at times but still as cohesive and as hard hitting as the first. We're hoping this one will be alot more widely available than the first aswell.

Check it: Facebook.com/Lethal-Dialect

Check it: Soundcloud.com/Lethal-Dialect