Hip-Hop talk with Tokyo the Producer [@tokyoxo]

Who would you say your favourite old school hip-hop artist is?

I really like Run DMC. I like them not just because of the music, but also because of their branding. From the way they used their vocals to the way they wore their Superstars. Very inspiring. I got my love of Superstars from them. I always keep a pair of Superstars downstairs so I can quickly put them on.

Are there any other hip-hop legends that you like?

Ice Cube and Dr Dre. I love Dr Dre, he’s so sick. It’s definitely someone who influenced me to start producing. That’s why watching Straight Outta Compton was so wavy; it’s like shit, that’s what it was like.

Have you seen The Get Down ?

Yeah I have. It’s cold! Nah it’s wavy.

So you like it then?

Yeah, who was I watching The Get Down with? I dunno who I was watching it with, but I started watching it and I kind of got hooked on it. Wait…The Get Down, is that the one with Jayden Smith in it?

Yeah, that’s the one…

Just in case I embarrass myself. I found it quite boring like the first two, three episodes and then I watched one more episode, and I was like “oh shit”. Like it’s kind of cool, do you know what I mean? It’s so over the top though, like with the dancing, but it’s cool. I like over the top sometimes.

Dropping a little,

cheeky tape

Like just how he embraces rage,

that’s kinda what I do

I see why old hip-hop heads hate it

 

While we’re on the topic of extravagance, how do you feel about the new generation of rappers, and “mumble rap”?

I think it’s wavy but obviously there’s no longevity in it. It’s sick. That’s what’s in. It gasses everybody but I see why old hip-hop heads hate it. They be like [American accent] Hey man, this shit whack man…

Wait I don’t even need to do an accent.

It’s cool; I’ll write that you used an accent

But yeah, I remember watching something; I think it was Hot 97? They were trying to gun Lil Yachty ‘cos he wanted to freestyle on an old school beat, and it was just like come on man.

Have you got any new projects coming up?

I have actually. I’ve got my project that I’m dropping soon. Dropping a little, cheeky tape. It’s mad still. It’s turnt. It’s like the rage that I haven’t bought out.

So it’s more “turn up” music?

Yeah it’s defo more turn up. Some cheeky features on there.

Can you say who?

I don’t even wanna say, I just want everyone to see.

Do you feel like any of the old school hip-hop artists have influenced you in any way?

When it comes to hip hop definitely Run DMC. I think that’s what I like about Rev Run, he incorporated other genres. And I’d say through that he’s influenced me. But I would say that I was more influenced by Travis Scott than anyone else. Like just how he embraces his rage, that’s kinda what I do.

So is this project going to have any old school hip-hop vibes?

No. You know what it is about hip-hop, when I was growing up I didn’t actually listen to much. I listened to a lot more soulful songs, like with my Mum and that…

Sweetman.

Yeah defo a sweet boy, ladies man, like that’s what it is. That’s what I like being.