Insane Macbeth

British Hip Hop has deep roots, and if you care to dig three feet below the surface you will find there lies a history that we (here in the UK) can be proud of. The style of UK Hip Hop music has not always run parallel to that prevalent in the US - from very early on British Hip Hop was very much in the "hardcore" category, unlike the more funkier US sound that had been prominent during the late 80s and early 90s. You see, the UK kids into hip hop weren't into it for the money, as most early UK releases were on small independent labels where budgets were low and there was very little chance of making any serious money from a vinyl release.

The only reward they were seeking was to be on a record, and in the absence of label pressure or thoughts of chart rankings, these beatmakers and MCs were free to express their thoughts and feelings in which ever way they felt natural. During the period between 1988 and 1993 there was very much a signature UK sound - a tough, gritty hardcore soundscape where the beats were uptempo break-laden monsters laced with eerie samples and sinister acoustics. As for those in control of the microphone - there was absolutely no room for weak MCs. It was crush or be crushed.
Even the artists names were more menacing here in the UK than the monikers used in the US. For example... Hijack, Kamanchi Sly, Gunshot, Hardnoise, The Icepick, Black Radical, Overlord X, Guttersnypes, Huntkillbury Finn, Zombie Headhunters, The Twilight Firm, Killa Instinct, Cut To Kill, Silent Eclipse, Silver Bullet .... you get the picture.

INSANE MACBETH is one man whose name alone conjures up thoughts of a sinister nature. Like tales from the dark side, where murder is commonplace and deception and power are the key to success.

But the only killing that UK producer INSANE MACBETH does is with his beats - beats so sinister that his sound is often referred to as the "Dungeon Vibe". His name should instantly ring bells if you have done the knowledge on UK hip hop music. If it doesn't then you need to go back to school and brush up on your hip hop history.
As a veteran of the UK scene, INSANE MACBETH has worked with many MCs over the years including THE ICEPICK, KINETIC EFFECT (2 THE TOP), HUNTKILLBURY FINN, SHAKA SHAZZAM, CRAZY NODDY (SINDECUT), and more recently MALARCHI and RUFFSTYLZ. His first productions appeared on KINETIC EFFECT's 1993 12" release "Borderin' Insanity" which was an uptempo banger originally recorded two years earlier in 1991. In fact INSANE MACBETH credits MO-ROCK and DJ FINGERS as being big influences on the way he began crafting beats (see FRESH SKI & MO-ROCK interview below) as far back as 1988.

"I started off on music production using the AKAI S950 rack sampler, in fact using my engineer 'NO-SLEEP' NIGEL's machine - I love the sound. I've actually recently inquired on DWG forum asking about someone who's selling one."

He in fact teamed up with UK engineer extraordinaire NO SLEEP NIGEL on many of his productions, including his unreleased LP entitled "The Retardation Project" which was only distributed as a white label to industry heads.

Still heavy working on his beats game since the turn of the millenium, INSANE MACBETH also released a 12" from the LP entitled "True Heart" after it received a regular plays on UK radio.

"I'm still using the rack samplers...now using the AKAI S3200XL"

KINETIC EFFECT - Borderin' Insanity prod by INSANE MACBETH

KINETIC EFFECT "The Catalyst" prod by INSANE MACBETH

INSANE MACBETH ft THE ICEPICK "True Heart"

INSANE MACBETH takes his music very seriously, to the point of studying the dynamics of sound and also the effects of acoustics on the human ear. Knowledge like this coupled with his long history on the hip hop circuit give him ample credentials when it comes to making quality beats that you can feel as well as hear.

To find out more about the man himself and his beats tune in to the B-LINE RADIO SHOW this Saturday 29th October as INSANE MACBETH will be recording a live interview with BIG TUNES D (www.gloucesterfm.com). He will be discussing his production techniques and playing exclusives from the INSANE RECORDINGS catalogue. There will also be an after party with the GET BACK crew at TEAGUES BAR in Gloucester where INSANE MACBETH will be in attendance. Expect some old school stories and some serious dungeon funk!

You should also check out the excellent MR KRUM interview with INSANE MACBETH from a couple of years ago which is very interesting reading indeed (check it out here)

INSANE MACBETH f/ THE ICEPICK: "TRUE HEART" 12" single still available in black and limited edition red vinyl for collectors. Contact the man himself at www.myspace.com/officialinsanemacbeth.

KID DYNO: What's your 3 favourite UK hip hop beats?

INSANE MACBETH: My three favourite UK hip-hop beats? Phew that's a hard one. But not including my catalogue I'd say for now ...

HIJACK: 'THE CONTRACT' produced by DJ. SUPREME
KATCH 22: 'SERVICE WITH A SMILE' (produced by ROUGHNECK SCOUT of THE ZOMBIE HEADHUNTERS)
KATCH 22: 'BAD NAH BUMBO' produced by MARGA
"I'm going to add two more...
FRESH SKI & MO' ROCK: 'IT'S WORKING' produced by MO' ROCK
MC. MELL'O': 'BIZZIE RHYMIN' produced by SPARKII SKI

Don't forget the interview this Saturday at 8pm.