2006 marked a bleak time in the UK eclectic hip-hop scene, when seminal independent label Grand Central Records closed its doors for the final time at the end of May the same year. Label boss, Mark Rae, who created a lasting legacy with his faultless A&R while in charge, as well as his highly-acclaimed work with Steve Christian as Rae & Christian, is back from his brief hiatus with a new label project, Yes King Records. This time teaming up with Rhys Adams for the label’s flagship act, Yesking, they ensure eclecticism remains at the forefront of their agenda with influence being drawn from hip-hop, reggae, disco, soul and more to create an album that is as beat-heavy as one might expect, that also delivers a highly proficient and cultured sound, rich with melody and conscious lyricism.

 

With the launch of the debut Yesking album ‘Rock This World’ earlier in March, it seemed like a good time for Gavin Leversuch to hook up with Rhys and Mark get the lowdown on their latest musical journey…


You were both involved in the experimental ‘Two Culture Clash’ project on Wall of Sound. What did you take from that experience, and was it responsible for the birth of Yesking?


Mark: “It was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had, very humbling beat-wise, and of course, culturally too. The people were great, and there was more music than anywhere else on the planet. It was a factor in the development of Yesking, but Rhys and I had already been making music for the project before this.”


Rhys: “The trip to Jamaica was inspiration enough to make numerous albums. We saw music at its base level; a celebration of life, but at the same time a diversion from the realities of a beautiful but fundamentally poor country. Music is integral to life over there and is embedded in their culture. If there’s anything we took away from the experience, it was a desire to make more music and a reaffirmation that we were lucky to be involved in it. This trip gave birth to the term “Yesking“ and gave a purpose to the project, but the people we work with in London, as well as Jamaica, are both responsible for the birth of Yesking as it is today.”


What was it like to hook up with the legendary Dawn Penn on this project? Who has been your all-time favorite vocalist or musician to work with over the years?


Rhys: “Hooking up with Dawn Penn was great, she’s a character with lots of stories to tell. She came to the studio and wrote “Rock This World” with us, which I feel is the track that best defines the album. It encapsulates all of our musical influences and sets the tone for the album lyrically. However, my favorite vocalist that I’ve worked with would have to be Ayak. Although at the time she was only 22 years old, there were no bounds to her creativity, and she has a lot to give, which is the most exciting thing you can get from any artist.”


Mark: “I have no favourites. I like to learn from each artist and observe their craft and individual strengths.”


How much freedom do you give your musicians when working on your productions? Do you have a very specific vision, or just give them a guide and let them get on with it?


Mark: “Rhys and I did the music, and we guided the subject matter with the artists. They did tend to write the melody and lyrics, although both Rhys and I wrote some melodies, and in my case, lyrics too.”


Rhys: “It varied a lot, to be honest. For some tracks we had specific visions like on “Style Come Different” featuring Sweetie Irie. We had been playing the rhythm out for a while with a Vybz Cartel acapella on it and wanted something similar. However, sometimes we would just run a rhythm, get artists to freestyle over it and construct the hooks together, but other times we would just leave the artist to it. You never know what’s going to happen in the studio, so you’ve always got to be flexible and prepared to move on if something’s not working.”


How do you think each other’s production styles complement each other? What are your relative strengths and weaknesses?


Rhys: “Our production styles are defined by the music that we love, and we share a similar taste so we are always striving to make our music sound as good as the classic records we love from all genres. I guess I’m more of the technical, hands-on, knobs-and-instruments person although Mark is fast becoming Mark Knopfler on acid, with an A-level in Logic! However, we both write and are involved in all the creative processes. Mark’s depth of knowledge of records is a great asset when you’re stuck on something. Things can quickly turn around with the injection of good sample, and then of course, we replace it!”


Mark: “Rhys is great with instruments and creating a vibe, as well as putting down the overall finishing touches with synths, et cetera. I’m more of a hip-hop beat writer, as well as A&R.”


One of Yesking’s greatest strengths is the fusion of the global with the local, drawing influence from all over the place whilst still maintaining a strong ‘London feel’. Is this a conscious part of the ‘plan’, or does it just occur naturally?


Mark: “It was a natural London thing, the whole world is in the city!”


Rhys: “We knew we had a varied palette of music for this album and that it might be problematic making it all fit together, but it all came together very naturally in the end because we were lucky enough to work with people who were prepared to go the extra mile with their writing. Artists like Mystro saw it as opportunity to step up and do something different and show people a different side of their personality and intellect. All the artists involved pushed themselves and ended up on tracks you wouldn’t normally expect them to and that’s what has blessed us with a truly unique album, something I don’t think you can plan.”


Lastly, it was pretty difficult to classify what genre the album actually belongs to when I ripped to iTunes. It’s not quite hip-hop, not quite reggae, not quite disco… Now’s your chance to invent a genre so I can sleep at night. Go…


Rhys: “Yeah it s a tricky one that and can limit people’s access to the album unfortunately. What about Reppcoae?”


Mark: “Chappaquidic!”

(Interview: Gavin Leversuch)

Yesking’s Current Top 5:

1. The Nextmen – Something Got You (Yesking Remix) - Universal
2. M.I.A – Paper Planes (Diplo Street Remix) – XL Recordings
3. Ursula 1000 – Step Back (Deekline and Ed Solo Remix) – ESL Music
4. Black Grass – Bass Man – (Original Mix) - Catskills
5. Secret Stealth – Gwaan’in (Original Mix) - Kosmica