MC in Legendary Irish hip hop act, Scary Éire, Rí Rá has just released his debut solo album, "Horses Work For Donkeys Wages" through his own Maddaxxe label.

Formed in 1990, Scary Éire were one of the most exciting Irish acts of the time, supporting the likes of Public Enemy and House of Pain. They were signed by Island records but their album was shelved and only released in 2007, thirteen years after it was originally recorded.

In the past he has collaborated with reggae legends Sly & Robbie as well as artists such as Sinéad Ó' Connor and Tricky. The album is the sound of raw Irish rhymes and raw Irish beats.

Rí Rá talks to Scruff Daddy about the Scary Éire days and the release of his brilliant new album.

How did you first get into hip hop and rapping?

I first got into hip hop after finding a dodgy compilation album in the local youth club with "Rappers Delight" by The Sugar Hill Gang on it. That was around the same time I saw "Beat Street" and "Style Wars." I loved the graffiti first, and the breakdancing. I'd no intentions on being an MC. I thought they were just hype men for the DJ's until I heard Rakim and Big Daddy Kane, and realised the art involved in it.

I loved the idea of getting away with unspeakable shit, if you said it the right way. Anybody can rap, but to be an MC you have to dig deep, place your thoughts, realise the power of words. MC's are proper writers, age improves them.

How does your Irishness affect the way you write and make music?

I think if your a writer or musician there's hardly a better country to be brought up in. Not being patriotic, but the fact is Ireland has produced some of the greatest writers and musicians ever known, full stop. And the quality of past writers does affect me because I tink we have a standard to reach.

When I read Flan Ó'Brien, and see how he places his words, I want to be that good, and if I ever reach that level I'll want to be better. We have a natural gift for words that most of us don't exercise. So if your Irishness doesn't affect your writing, maybe it should.

Did the experience with the Scary Éire album sour your views on the music industry?

I've never really had any views on the music industry. I see it for what it is, a business, and like any other business it's survival of the richest. I wouldn't waste time being sour about anyting. It's unproductive.

How did it feel to finally have it released?

It was nice to finally have people stop asking me, "Where's that fuckin' album?." I tink by the time it came out we were all so far removed from it we weren't totally focused on it. Not that it didn't matter, that was our work, but it was like the ship had sailed already, ya know? It's still a great fuckin' album though.

At the time of Scary Éire did you consider that ye were pioneers of hip hop in Ireland or was that something that ye ever thought about?

We had no idea at the time if we'd even get past the first demo. We did it to amuse ourselves on jobless days. Obviously there wasn't many hip hop heads about then but you don't think like, "We're gonna be the first to do this." You just think "We're gonna do this and if anybody wants to listen to it, well, we might do it again".

To be recognised for your work is a good thing. To be recognised after nearly two decades is a fuckin' privilege few people experience. We created someting with a lasting positive effect. I'm happy about that.

What changes have you noticed in the music industry in the years you have been involved in it?

Not a lot. Except nowadays the companies don't just want you to sound good, you have to look good too. There's no ugly famous people anymore, everybody's so well preserved, they're all gonna end up with the same face, like cloning clowns. Bring back the Shane MacGowans' and Shaun Ryders'.

What do you think of Irish hip hop today and where can you see it going in the future?

Well, firstly I don't like the term "Irish hip hop." It's bad enough that music is categorised, without categorising the categories. The only future in Irish hip hop is within the boundaries of the country.

Do you consider yourself to be part of the Irish hip hop scene or something else?

There's that term again. I'm a musician who happens to love hip hop, I equally love reggae, jazz, blues, I try to be part of it all.

Where did you record the album and how was the recording process?

I recorded the bulk of the album at home, in a tiny space with barely enough room to swing a cat. It's good havin' the comfort of bein' able to get up at four in the mornin' and make music, although the neighbours might have different views about that. That was the process, eat, sleep, record, shake the neighbours.

What was it like collaborating with other artists, does it bring fresh ideas to the creative process?

It's always great to have extra ears involved, and the artists on the album are all seriously talented. I was really happy to have Íse on board. She took it somewhere else. Her voice could wake the dead. I'll always try to collaborate with like-minded people, it makes life a bit easier.

Did you enjoy producing the album yourself?

I produced it all apart from two tracks that were produced by Mook. I'll definitely be working with him again, mad beats. I started out writing instrumentals, years before I started writing lyrics, so producing it was a pleasurable past-time, but I might have more people musically involved next time.

Who did the artwork for the album and who made the "25 o' clock in the mornin" video?

Same fella, a friend of mine called One-Up. He's got a great artistic view on how tings should look. I love straight up black and white, there's no bullshit with it. It can be of any age and still look good.

How has the reaction to the album been?

All positive. I haven't had any bad response to it so far, apart from those neighbours obviously. I'm looking forward to playing live and giving some of that positivity back. I've been blessed with strong support throughout my time here, you get the odd gobshite but there's always one.

What are the plans for the future?

I'll keep doing what I know best, just making music, I fuckin' love it. At the minute I'm working with a well known artist. It sounds good and should finish up sounding even better. I'll just keep on doing it and as always if people want to listen to it, then I might do it again.

The album is available in through MySpace and in Plug'd Records in Cork and Freebird Records in Dublin.

Check it: www.myspace.com/maddaxxe