January 2012

With the imminent release of his collaboration with Lupe Fiasco, Nucentz is considered one of the top emcees in Irish Hip Hop. The Tallaght born rapper has supported D12, Asher Roth, Plan B and the legendary Public Enemy in the past. His album "Hot Property" with fellow Dublin rapper Rawsoul gained notoriety because it featured model Clare Tully's hoop on the cover.

In 2007 Nucentz, Terawrizt and Redzer released "Sin City" has become one of the most viewed Irish rap videos on YouTube. The track was also number 1 on the Independent Irish Download Charts.

Last year Nucentz won Ireland's First rap Superstar competition on Spin 1038, winning a public vote to have Lupe Fiasco perform on his track. Shortlisted and narrowed down to three, by Lupe and Vice President of Atlantic Records David Miller Nucentz secured more than half of the 67,000 votes to win. He talks to Scruff Daddy about the track and Hip Hop in general.

How did you first get into hip hop and rapping?

I first got into hiphop after seeing stuff like YO! MTV raps on late at night on Wednesdays when I was in school. I couldn't always stay awake that late so I used to record YO! and Lyricist Lounge (which followed it) on VHS and get up major early for school the next morning and stick it on! It was pretty cool doing a song with Wordsworth (writer and performer on Lyricist Lounge) years later.

After listening to tunes for a bit I naturally started buying singles etc. Which always came accompanied by an Instrumental. So I gave it a go. Safe to say I was fairly brutal. For about 5 years after it. I have started getting it together over the past while though, I hope.

Who are your influences?

I am influenced by life. I used to go out clubbing the whole time and acting the lunatic and my songs were as immature as I was. I'd like to think when people hear my new solo stuff they will probably gather that I have settled down a bit and there is a different sort of feel to it, perhaps more meaningful. I think anyone who knows me would happily tell you I am a bit of a messer, so there will always be an element of humour in there somewhere.

What influences you when you’re writing?

My mood. I can't understand when people have this party beat and they are sitting in on a Tuesday morning trying to write to it. I think thats the problem with a lot of music sounding forced. If I have a beat, I am only going to write to it if I am in the humour.

What was it like supporting Public Enemy?

Thats going back a while! Pretty cool. It was actually Rob Kelly's gig and he invited me on to do a couple of tunes with him. It was nice to meet the lads backstage. Professer Griff might have gigged all around the world but he certainly had trouble opening a jar of honey before going on. "Just pop it open mate you don't have to twist the bleedin' thing!"

How did ya manage to get Clare Tully on your album with Rawsoul?

She heard a couple of our songs and thought they were decent, so I came up with the idea and asked her was she into it. In fairness to her she came straight back with a yes and didn't ask for a cent. Top marks.

You have appeared a couple of times in Da Fightin Irish Rap battle league, is battling a way to hone your skills or just an opportunity to take the piss out of your opponent?

A bit of both really. I'm more into making tunes to be honest but I can see why so many people like watching the videos. It is a useful tool for people trying to make a name for themselves. A perfect example of this is how much it has raised Nuggets profile. He took to it from the word go and ran with it..

How did the collaboration with Lupe work? Who produced the track? Did you have much contact with him?

The track was produced by Jamie McPeake who is one of my favorite producers in the country. I was dealing with the label who was dealing with his label in the States. I'm looking forward to meeting him next time he is playing Ireland.

Was there a point where you were worried it might not happen considering the time it took to get done?

No I was never worried. Naturally I would have preferred to have it come out a bit sooner but what can you do.. things can take time. Warner in Ireland kept me in the loop the whole time and done a great job in getting everything together.

Do you feel that the collaboration with Lupe will open a few doors for Irish rappers in the future?

I dont see why not? It depends how much noise we are able to make, how many people will request it on the radio, how many radio stations will support one of their own and play it.. Maybe some more American artists will see that there is a core group of us breaking our bollocks to make a bit of noise over here, but we cant do it all ourselves!

What is the perception of Irish Hip Hop in the media? Is there much support and airplay of songs?

Theres not any real mainstream support for what I would consider Hip Hop in this country as yet. Which is ridiculous because of the amount of talent which is around at the moment. There is a rapper that is good at every different type of hiphop in Dublin at the moment.

What’s your opinion of Hip Hop today? Who are you listening to at the moment?

Not a lot to be honest. I think its muck. I still try listen out for the likes of Joel Ortiz, Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Common, Mos Def, The Roots.

What’s your opinion of Irish Hip Hop today?

It's as strong as it has ever been. We are making our own moves, Lethal Dialect and Costello are doing the business aswell, and The Animators are making some noise. Thats 3 completely different styles also. Shout to everyone putting in the graft and not making a show of themselves in the process

Lately the videos coming out of the Irish Hip Hop scene have been top quality, do you think it gives the scene a credibility that might have been lacking before?

Absolutely. Its a fact that no matter what the video looks like it will get 20 times more hits then a song with a still photo on youtube or whatever... The standard of videos that I have seen lately have been impressive and that goes further to stick two fingers up at the people who think Hiphop in this country is amateur. Granted there is an awful lot of muck out there, but there is some absolute quality aswell. Unfortunately over the years it hasn't been the best acts who got the exposure.

What’s next for Nucentz?

New Solo cd coming soon, "Tryin to Build a life on Curse Words." When the single drops I would appreciate your support calling into radio etc. Lets do this together. Nuie.

Check it: Facebook.com/nucentz