Author Archives: DJ Kraze One

Demon Boyz Rare Footage

Posted on by
11

The below video is of an unreleased Demon Boyz track entitled “No hocus pocus” and was recorded sometime between the releases of the two Demon Boyz albums Recognition, and Original Guidance during the period when they were still recording with DJ Devastate and the Twilight Firm. No hocus pocus appears to be a pre recorded version of Hocus pocus that appears on the Demon Boyz second LP Original Guidance released in 1992 when DJ Devastate had left the group and they were working with the Rebel MC, DJ Pogo and Cutmaster Swift.

This video was made by two film students in the summer of 1990 who were fans of the Demon Boyz. There was no record company involvement or budget for the video and it was filmed in and around Tottenham and Camden Town in London England. If like me you were a fan of the Recognition LP then this video is definitely worth checking out as is follows the same formula. DJ Devastate‘s scratching is as on point as ever, as are Mike J and Demon D‘s lyrics and delivery.

Demon Boyz “No hocus pocus” (Unreleased)

Any readers that are not familiar with the Demon Boyz, Their career started when they were in there early teens and won a rapping competition by rapping down the phone live on DJ Dave Pearce‘s BBC London Radio show called Hip Hop Connection. Demon Boyz (Mike J and Demon D) went on to support Derek B, Faze One, and T-La Rock at Camden Palace and shortly after recorded their debut track This is a jam for the Music Of Life compilation Hard as hell vol 1 which was released in 1987. Also on the same compilation were early recordings by British rappers by MC Duke and Overlord X. To my knowledge all the tracks on the LP were produced by Simon Harris. This is a jam also features scratches & cuts by Derek B  and was recorded before DJ Devastate became the Demon Boyz DJ. Continue reading →

Paranoia MC Interview

Posted on by
3

Break to the beat recently caught up with Paranoia MC to discuss Hip Hop’s founding years and his involvement with the culture in his home City of Milton Keynes, England. During the early 1990’s Paranoia MC (Then known at Jack The Ripper) formed Death Before Dishonour with DJ Roughcut and several others local pioneering rappers. Paranoia has been a participant in Hip Hop culture since the early 1990s and has collaborated with many of the cities pioneering local artists including JAYEL, Unstopable Nature, True Element, The Criminal Minds and Rezon. 

Rezon & Paranoia Xscapeology Milton Keynes

Rezon & Paranoia – Xscape, Milton Keynes, 2007.

How and when did you discover hip hop?

Well straight to the point, I discovered Hip Hop when I was little! My friends and all around me used to listen to chart pop! And I was in to rap!!! I think it started around or a little before the film Breakdance, I couldn’t get enough of it, and had a copy on VHS!! (old school). I remember a bit in it that involved Ice T, he was bussin flows whilst b-boys did there thing!!, I loved it!!! I was hooked!! People and my peers all had something to say about my music choice!!! But I didn’t listen………. I was feeling it too much man.

Continue reading →

MC Iceski Interview (The Criminal Minds)

Posted on by
3

MC Iceski is one of the first generation of pioneering rappers from both Milton Keynes and the UK. MC Iceski founded the musical section of Hip Hop collective The Criminal Minds with DJ Halo and Spatts during the late 1980s and together released several critically acclaimed Hip Hop, Rave and Drum & Bass recordings. At the time this interview was conducted The Criminal Minds have recently returned to their Hip Hop roots with a brand new recording entitled “Regroup the loops” which contains contributions from all original members.

MC Iceski – Hamburg, Germany, 2010.

Greetings and thanks for sharing your story. For any readers that are maybe unaware, could you give us a breakdown of how The Criminal Minds formed? 

Well, this is well documented, but the short version was that I met HALO at Bletchley college where SAFE-D was also studying. We hooked up, started writing together & TCM was born as a rap crew, previously being a Graffiti outfit in Buckingham. I used to hang with Spatts from the break-dancing days & we all got together. The rest is history.  My brother Warren (Grafik) was always there & it was great to have him as part of the crew from the early days.

The Criminal Minds (DJ Halo, Spatts, Safe-D, MC Iceski, Grafik).

What inspired you to start rapping/writing lyrics and how old were you when you discovered Hip Hop?

I got into Hip hop in the mid 80’s, it started with break-dance’, and I remember the whole New York scene and culture at the time just blew me away.  Graffiti, Break-dance’, Hip Hop music, the clothing, DJ’s scratching, Mc’s, man I was totally hooked.  At first it was Continue reading →