The “Tricksta (Wolftown Recordings CEO)” Interview

We’re right back atcha with another one but this time we took it overseas baby. Yea we had the chance to mix it up with one of the labels that is responsible for introducing M.I.H. to the UK. Well, I guess I will let my dude Tricksta inform you about his empire…

Lets get right into to it Tricksta. Do you think the Wolftown crew is the voice of UK Hip-Hop?  I think Wolftown is the voice of Wolftown! I think tagging us as UK Hip-Hop is unfair. We are a Hip-Hop record label from the UK and we release music from all different parts of the world. There are so many different styles in the Hip-Hop scene in the UK. We are just one style.

How many years has Wolftown Recordings been in operation?  Wolftown Recordings was founded in May 1999 by LATE & TRICKSTA. Our first release was the IMD & Tricksta produced track ‘UK Sound’ by VILLAINS which was released on 12” Vinyl in December 1999.

Are you really worried about create a big buzz over here in the USA or are you pretty much just concerned about UK?  I don’t really worry about anything these days! (Life’s too short). We just do our thing. If people are feeling it then that’s all good and that’s all love. We have a worldwide distribution deal and sell units in many different countries. The UK is hard, a very tough market.

I've noticed the massive amount of mixtapes that Wolftown have been putting out the last few years. Why mixtapes and not full-length albums?  Because a lot of the artists we wanted to work with are on big labels and wouldn’t be able to do a proper album release for Wolftown. Also you have to remember that a lot of the mixtapes we’ve done are not on Wolftown Recordings straight, they are part of ‘The Hip-Hop Village/Wolftown series’.

When can the fans expect another Wolftown compilation, and who will drop the first solo full-length album?  2008 we got a few albums dropping. We have a Wolftown compilation out now called ‘Metaphors & Verbs’ which is a double CD, 50 tracks and no guests.

If you could make an album with any UK artist who would it be?  Don’t know really. Everyone in the UK is doing their own thing. I have signed a lot of the UK acts I was feeling!

What are you using to make beats on and what are your two favourite productions? My personal favourites are ‘MC's For Days’, ‘It’s All Love’ and ‘UK Sound (Tricksta & Pez Remix)’.  I use a PC and my ears! That’s it. A PC with various software. As for favourite productions I reckon ‘Cold World’ with LATE & K-Rino etc and ‘Talk To Me’ with Size8, Synplife 354 and St. Laz.

How does the Wolftown crew look at Jai Boo. Is she the sister, mother figure to y'all?  No not really. Wolftown is full of talented individuals all doing their own thing; Jai is just doing her own thing. She’s like a one-woman industry with that ‘Reality Game’ Radio Show & Mixtape series.

For us over here in the States let us know some of the names of the Hip-Hop venues and record shops that support Hip-Hop over there?  HMV is the main retailer and all the BIG hip-hop nights are in London. Jump-Off is one of the best nights.

Is Underground Hip-Hop more of a force over there or is everybody trying to do more of the commercial approach of music?  There’s both. There is artist’s trying to make credible crossover rap and some cats strictly on underground thing. Bit like the States really.

Would you ever sign an R&B act to your label?  No because we are a Hip-hop label.

Name three things that you are very proud of concerning Wolftown Recordings that have grown over the years?  Firstly… We are a fully independent hip-hop label from the Midlands and have kept going for nine years releasing music consistently. That’s an achievement in itself. Secondly for putting the city of Wolverhampton (Wolftown) on the Hip-Hop map. And lastly would be that fact the label is known internationally. That’s a big look for me as it’s something I set out to do before we even had the Internet rocking!

Let’s talk about Rago Magazine for a minute. Was the actual paper back magazine discontinued?  The magazine started in 1999 with the label and went on-line in 2003. It’s the best thing we ever did. www.ragomagazine.com is the link! We couldn’t afford to keep going in print version as it was costing us too much money as people didn’t really support with adverts etc.

Do you think Rago Magazine has played a big part of the success that Wolftown Recordings has had over the years?  Definitely, it’s a great tool for networking.

Could we see a Wolftown movie sometime in the near future perhaps?  Maybe a LATE movie!

Ok Tricksta if you have any additional word, plugs etc. now is the time to say it....  Go and get our CD’s!!!! LOL!!! Please take time out to add me to MySpace! I’m always up for anything! www.myspace.com/trickstawolftown. If you are an American artist wanted exposure in the UK then hit me up at info@parkstreetpr.co.uk – I run one of the UK’s tightest promotions companies. Check out www.parkstreetpr.co.uk.