Like many European countries, the true beginnings of Irish hip-hop began nearly a decade after its inception in the US. In the second half of the 1980’s, Sinead O’ Connor teamed up with MC Lyte for the remix of the track ‘I Want Your (Hands On Me)’, DJ Mek was making waves on the scratch DJ scene while influential US rap acts such as Public Enemy and Schooly D were selling out arenas in the Irish capital. While these instances provided the spark, it would take a number of years before a real bonafide hip-hop scene with a distinctive Irish twist would properly emerge in the Emerald Isle.
Early hip-hop acts debuted on the scene in the early 1990s, in the form of Scary Eire or Ghost ‘N’ Jay and it made the Irish scene aware of the potential that the local talent could have. Scary Eire even had the pleasure of being featured on the 1993 Tommy Boy global rap compilation Planet Rap and then released the 1995 single, ‘Dole Q’, which acted as a perfect social commentary about being on unemployment in Ireland in the pre Celtic Tiger years. Around the same time, House of Pain, marketing themselves as “Irish-American” hooligans, released their 1992 viral single, ‘Jump Around’ and again proved the popularity of Irish culture and style. Over the years, acts have come through the scene and made stars of artists like Rob Kelly, GMC and Messiah J and the Expert. But while these artists prevailed, there remained a lack of exposure to the Irish hip hop scene and many talents were overlooked. But with a hotbed of talent up and down the country, it only seemed like a matter of time before the time for Ireland came to shine.
Fast forward to 2016 and a “new wave” of artists have emerged, all looking to fly the flag for Ireland and show their power within the global hip hop scene. This new wave still throws back to its original US roots but looks to remain individual with a unique Irish twist. We had the pleasure of linking up with three of these acts; Rejjie Snow, Simi Crowns and Emzee A to discuss their influences [“I will always listen to whatever song sounds good to me regardless of the genre”], the comradery within the Irish scene [“Everyone’s really in it for themselves and that sucks”] and their plans for the future [“I’m working on some of the best music of my life, I’m confident enough to say that now”].
Rejjie Snow
Over the past 2 years, Rejjie Snow has become a poster boy for the Irish rap and hip hop scene. As well as opening for the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Joey Bada$$, the Dublin born rapper has amassed over 2 million YouTube views, toured with Madonna and been photographed by Harley Weir for a French Connection campaign. Throughout his rise to fame, Rejjie has shocked many with his Irish roots and also remained close to the country, recently taking Noisey around his local area to meet his nan. Now signed to Lyor Cohen’s 300 label, Rejjie Snow has shown a universal appeal with a number of audiences and has an opportunity to impress with his debut album, which is due out later this year.
I want to fly that flag higher than anybody because people don’t really care but I do
Being a hip hop artist from Ireland, what is the scene like over there?
I don’t even know anymore; I don’t stay out there. All my life I wanted to leave Ireland, that’s only something people, who live there would understand, but of course it’s where I’m from and only place I’ll ever call home & love.
Who were you looking to growing up as a kid and who inspired you as an artist?
My dad was probably my biggest influence not even on a musical aspect just his hardworking nature kind of showed me if you want it you got to get it. Ain’t shit for free in this world. I did mad poetry growing up, we had little classes at school and that’s where I learnt how to write lyrics properly, there’s really an art to all that stuff.
For you, who is the great rapper to come from the Emerald Isle?
I really want to be the greatest but I’ll let people decide that when I’m gone. I just hope people know that I came into this music thing clueless, but I’ve learnt so much on the way and I really see the power in the words & I want to fly that flag higher than anybody because people don’t really care but I do. But shouts out to Lethal Dialect & anybody from Working Class Records they’re the true champions at this shit. North Dublin has the real street poets.
Proudest moment in your career so far?
Supporting Madonna. I felt white that day for some reason. I felt a different kind of power & energy that was foreign to me.
Do you feel that there is comradery amongst local artists and that there is support between everyone?
Nah it’s such bullshit. Everyone’s really in it for themselves and that sucks. I wish people weren’t so egotistical in this music industry because I really want to have friends that do what I do but it’s like I find myself lost in it all. My friends really just do the most regular but until people see real support in terms of coming to shows and putting money in these artist’s pockets then I’ll probably think differently.
What does being an “Irish Rapper” mean to you?
Nothing at all man. I was fortunate to be born in such a great country and I have a lot to talk about. It’s all just art at the end of the day so why does being from somewhere have to be a thing I feel people need to just listen to music again. Yeah hip hop is American but they don’t own it. That shit left there a long time ago.
Has being an “Irish Rapper” ever posed a barrier in music or been a problem?
Not really, I don’t carry myself like a poster child for anything. But it’s been harder recently to do things without people questioning me. I guess as long as I keep that rock star mentality in me, then being from Dublin will mean nothing.
Who else should we be listening to in Ireland?
What is next for you as an artist?
Bringing out an album called Dear Annie. I’m not sure what after that but hopefully more greatness. God willing.
Simi Crowns
Simi Crowns is a Lagos born, Dublin raised rapper who has been making waves in Ireland and beyond thanks to his originality and versatility in music. But it’s clear that he has big plans [his Twitter bio even reads “More than just a rapper from Dublin”] and that is what makes him such an interesting act. Having shared the stage with the likes of Mos Def and Kid Ink, his potential has been shared with audiences up and down the country and now located in London, has his eyes set on the future. His latest release ‘Ones To Watch’ sees visuals spanning from Toronto and London and is just another reminder of his ability to break out of his local roots and become a global star.
I think because of the overlooked nature of the “scene”, everyone is trying to pioneer their way and make sense of their individual story.
Being a hip hop artist from Ireland, what is the scene like over there?
Well now, I’m currently living in London but in my opinion, it’s slow-paced but multi-faceted and talented.
Who were you looking to growing up as a kid and who inspired you as an artist?
I didn’t really have any role models per se, lived in my thoughts mostly. Musically, I was inspired by some of the music my mum played when I was a kid – King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti, KWAM 1, also liked Ja Rule, Nas, Gorillaz, Kano, Bob Marley, Mc Solaar, Craig David, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Master P & No Limits, DMX, Jill Scott, The Streets, Bjork…
For you, who is the great rapper to come from the Emerald Isle?
The title of the ‘greatest rapper’ is not one that concerns me nor one I’ve ever had to stop to think about.
Proudest moment in your career so far?
There’s been some pretty cool moments, of course playing support for Mos Def & a few other “big names” in the music world, having Nelly’s producer (CitySpud) come up to me after a show saying he digs my production & he’d like to do something together, receiving my first radio royalty cheque, killing the main stage with thousands of people at Electric Picnic last year, playing my first London show this year at a reputable venue (Richmix). Each moment has its’ shining. But the only thing that really matters is being able to continue to forge my way & make music & live life on my terms, despite having a ‘solid’ academic background (it makes shit harder because it’s very attractive to “believe” that there’s an easier route to life by going 9-5 & abandoning your real aspirations).
Do you feel that there is comradery amongst local artists and that there is support between everyone?
I think because of the overlooked nature of the “scene”, everyone is trying to pioneer their way and make sense of their individual story. With time, those fragments of stories will connect together to make something bigger. Right now, Ireland is a hotbed, maybe at this moment in time, the “doing/starting off/figuring shit out” bit is more important than the camaraderie.
What does being an “Irish Rapper” mean to you?
It means nothing to me. I’m not an “Irish rapper”, I make music full stop.
Who else should we be listening to in Ireland?
Yankari Collective…
What’s next for you as an artist?
Just creating for creating sake at the moment – making beats, writing, video ideas, paying more attention to my piano skills, painting, travelling & meeting people, experiencing life in all its forms… Maybe I’ll do more London & Europe shows this year… Just want to live the art instead of just documenting it. It’s all about this moment, figuring things out with each moment, got a pretty much complete body of work in the back of my mind that I’m passively thinking about, which may be released later this year. I know at some point everything will come together and make a ‘bigger picture’ sense.
Emcee A
Emzee A is a newcomer to the Irish hip hop scene currently residing in Navan, County Meath. After popping up on Soundcloud with an infectious and unmistakeable flow, he showed his talent and potential when he performed alongside Jay Electronica at his Irish show in 2015. The experience was a reflection of what Emzee was capable of and this was proved further with the release of his single ‘Lucid Dreaming’ [inspired by a personal friend who suffered from sleep paralysis and insomnia], a hypnotic and raw number with influences of Morcheeba and Massive attack. Now with the release of his EP #UNXPCTD, the young artist has shown that he is not a one hit wonder and has the potential to be one of the most exciting acts to come from the Emerald Isle.
Big publications are always interested in finding out what an ‘Irish rapper’ sounds like, so it’s up to us to make that little bit of attention we get worthwhile.
Being a hip hop artist from Ireland, what is the scene like over there?
The scene is growing rapidly actually, there is a lot of acts putting their music out without caring too much about what anyone thinks which is great and that confidence is badly needed here. I also feel like the support is getting bigger and a lot of people are now open-minded, compared to let’s say 3 or 4 years ago.
Who were you looking to growing up as a kid and who inspired you as an artist?
Music has always been a huge part of my life from such an early age and I will always listen to whatever song sounds good to me regardless of the genre and that’s still the principle I follow till today, in terms of who inspired me I will have to go with 2pac and Jay-Z.
For you, who is the great rapper to come from the Emerald Isle?
Haha obviously I would like say myself but have to stay humble, there is quite a few I look up to, Rejjie snow is a great example. I just love how he broke all barriers and made everyone believe it’s possible, there is also a guy called Lethal Dialect and a group called Rusangano Family who are seriously dope and a big inspiration too.
Proudest moment in your career so far?
I have quite a few actually but not to dwell too much on the past I will probably go with performing on the stage with Jay Electronica when he came for a show in Dublin and he got everyone to sing along to my shit, it was quite unreal, unforgettable memory!
Do you feel that there is comradery amongst local artists and that there is support between everyone?
Great question! To be honest, it’s still a bit tricky at the moment especially in the hip hop scene but I think that it’s down to it being a new enough scene here, everyone is just kind of doing their own thing instead of working all together for a great cause but I think that will sort itself out in the long run, well hopefully.
What does being an “Irish Rapper” mean to you?
Being an Irish rapper is a term that doesn’t go down well in hip hop conversations but it’s ok, I want people to keep overlooking us and we will keep proving them wrong, there is a lot of barriers to break but instead of focusing on that, we just focus on making dope music and the rest will follow.
Has being an “Irish Rapper” ever posed a barrier in music or been a problem?
Yes, it definitely has but it has also opened a lot of doors in terms of big publications are always interested in finding out what an ‘Irish rapper’ sounds like, so it’s up to us to make that little bit of attention we get worthwhile.
Who else should we be listening to in Ireland?
There are quite dope acts around here but I will probably recommend DAH JEVU, Jafaris, Sam Ojo, HUVA , Slick Bullet , Innate , Simi Crowns, Damola, Just to name a few.
What’s next for you as an artist?
For me, am currently shooting a video for a song titled ‘SOBER THOUGHTS’ off my latest e.p #UNXPCTD which came out in January this year and also working on organising my first live debut show in Dublin, you should come through ha! and obviously more new music and all, am working on some of the best music of my life, am confident enough to say that now.
