As 'The Grand Imperials' (an EP put together by DJ TMB x Edd Bundy x JBL The Titan) has just been dropped upon us, i caught up with DJ TMB & Edd Bundy and asked a few questions about the project. Here's what they had to say;
MYSTI: Ok, lets talk 'The Grand Imperials', first and foremost, personally I loved the EP. From Verses, to cuts to beats.. Which leads me to ask. JBL The Titan, how did the partnership happen to come around with him?
TMB: Edd and myself have been working with JBL for a few years on various albums, such as 'Listen here' off Godilla's Altered beast project, and more recently
with Adrian Adonis on 'The Margin' and 'Check game'. Me and Edd talked about a new ROK album and I started asking around for beats and JBL sent me
a folder of beats for me to choose from. I decided that instead of waiting for all the features for an album it would be quicker and easier to break it into a series of EP's and Godilla and Caesar Glomgold had already sent me their verses on the JBL beats so JBL became the first in the series and here we are.
MYSTI: The name 'The Grand Imperials' is very particular, how did you come up with it? TMB: I came up with it after sample searching for cuts for the first track with Vas and Godilla, It came from the Lord Finesse line that I cut up in 'Listen Here'.
We were going to ask the Facebook world to pick it but I decided that The Grand Imperials suited the project best. There are 3 tracks which have the words 'grand imperial' cuts on them.
MYSTI: What was the process in picking features for this 'feature heavy' EP?
TMB: That was also down to me, I wanted to keep the features a secret, even Edd didn't know the features until I had all the features back, then I sent them all to him for writing his parts. I listened to the beats a few times and kind of knew who I wanted on them, I feel the emcee's fitted the beats perfectly and they all smashed it out the box. EDD BUNDY: Yeh TMB was the ultimate asshole with this project, I didn't hear the features or the beats really until he got most of the verses in, to be fair, it helped me out by having some guides so its all good at the end of the day.
MYSTI: Bundy, what was your inspiration and motivation for writing for this project? Any different surroundings or techniques?
EDD BUNDY: I just listened to the beats and verses when I got them and tried to vibe and write something that fit with the whole feel of each individual track. Basically I wrote most of the verses taking a shit or watching Babestation so nothing really out of the ordinary.
MYSTI: You guys bring a different vibe to an otherwise samey type of UK scene in the sense that you both work with a majority of US based artists, why is this?
TMB: I've listened to more US artists as a fan since I was a kid, So I kind of aimed at the US as an artist/DJ. I do enjoy a lot of UK Hip hop but I have never really pushed myself into that scene. I working with Edd, Sam Tafari, MoTioN, DarkArts and a few others over here is always a pleasure and it's great spending time with these like-minded heads and good people.
EDD BUNDY: The US has an incredible pool of talent and so does that UK, lyrically if you really listen there's a draw to both. The only reason I'm in the US market more so to speak, is because that's how ive come up, I listen to a majority of US Hip Hop, i talk to more US Hip Hop artists than i do UK ones, and therefore i work more with that scene and that's the type of vibe my verses give off. I've got time for UK dudes all the same Samuel Tafari, Seiza, Killa Mans Biro (original ROK shit) to UK producers MoTioN, Dark Arts, Demon, Mike... I just like making Hip Hop.
MYSTI: Obviously, you are not just an internet crew, you actually get together to chill, rock mics, drink ales. Do you think either of you would be in the same kind of position music wise as you are right now? Do you feel you raise each others game and do you have a good understanding of what the other is gonna feel before you get to work on music?
TMB: Edd, Sam and myself try to meet up as much as possible, both Edd and Sam come over to my home studio to record verses and projects. As far as cuts go, like every track I do, I vibe from either the emcee or the beat or both to get the right samples to suit the track.
EDD BUNDY: Like TMB said, we all hook up as much as possible, when you say England dudes think its so small that were in walking distance of each other, that's not the case, or we'd hook up more and make more music. We put in work and have to spend a lot of money to hook up, and we do, cos were family. Which is really a front, because I hate all of these diabolical bastards.
MYSTI: My favourite track from this EP is Here We Go. What are your favourites?
TMB: I'm more than happy with the entire EP, I don't have favourites.
EDD BUNDY: I think its no secret now that myself and TMB have got a lot of time for everyone on here, especially Godilla who holds us down. Personally I've been looking forward to working with the guys Tone Liv, Capo, Glomgold, Vas for a long time so its a solid list. EVERYONE got busy though, I gotta give a special shout out to Steve Sxaks & Eddie Madrid who bought a completely different flavour to that track and the outcome in my opinion was dope.
MYSTI: From Sensi Starr to AOTP to Marsten House you have a lot of heavy hitters on here, do you think that helps for future work you may do together?
TMB: It's a blessing to have all the features we have, I met many of the guys in person and have worked with every one of them on various albums and tracks, every feature we have is built of respect, no money has changed hands in making this EP which is a beautiful thing for the love of Hip hop and the music.
EDD BUNDY: Like I said, everyone got busy on this and if and when we work together again i know they'll get busy again too. The fact that so many dudes willingly took part in this EP shows that the love can come from anywhere (for TMB anyway haha) and to see all these names in one place is definitely helpful for future music ventures for sure.
MYSTI: What's next for ROK MUZIK?
TMB: I'm already putting together the next EP in the series which features Level13 beats. I'm always involved in the Ill of Writes material which is basically ROK Muzik.
EDD BUNDY: Ill Of Writes - FMA3 will be the next project released and TMB is a big part of that as well as myself and Samuel Tafari. In terms of ROK, there will be a good few EP's to come so watch this space.
MYSTI: The EP is very feature heavy as I said earlier, but the solo track 'Time To Buy Ale' you came up with, will there be a video for it?
TMB: Quite possibly.. we meet up a lot and drink Ale a lot so yeah. We have talked about it and I hope our good buddy Ixion Form will help out with the editing if we do.
EDD BUNDY: I can confirm 100% that some sort of video will be released for this, I have numerous ideas BUT in reality the video will probably be the laziest most unthought through video ever, just like the rest of our videos. We keep it diabolical.
MYSTI: For the fans and collectors alike, will there be any physical forms available for purchase of The Grand Imperials?
TMB: I'm working on the cd's as we speak, but the digital downloads are available now from my Bandcamp https://djtmb.bandcamp.com/
EDD BUNDY: Yeh... So go and buy it so we can afford more ale
MYSTI: Will there be any extra merchandise made to promote the EP?
TMB: No just the cd's for now.
EDD BUNDY: I wanted some Grand Imperial g strings made and a whole trading card game based on the ep, but I've seen how badly card games can go for people in Hip Hop. So you'll just have to be content with the CD.
MYSTI: Finally, will we hear another JBL x TMB x Edd Bundy project in the future?
TMB: Yes quite possibly. JBL is a talented and very creative brother. I always enjoy cutting up on his beats. At this point I'd like to thank JBL and everyone who blessed us with a feature for this EP. And of course massive shout out to you Mysti and all the other blogsites for the promo ….We appreciate you.
EDD BUNDY: I'm open to any JBL project where TMB also plays a part, its a solid team and I'm happy how this ep came out.
I want to take this opportunity to shout out Samuel Tafari for being so diabolical, Ganjre 3000, Seiza the professional Bozo, Skinnybonez The Godfather, Melma the Trap King, Cliff Manmeet Clavin, Inph of Heddsnotts, Clever K is still King of New York, Green Sleaze aka Sleaze Nuttz aka Sleazus Christ, all my diabolical dudes and dudettes, Mike, TMB, JBL, all the features and of course MMHHC. Peace.
............. So there we have it, The Grand Imperials, in DJ TMB & Edd Bundy's own words.
If you haven't heard or bought the EP yet, here it is Embedded for you who are too lazy to click on the link :)
This is the first single to be release from the upcoming Project entitled The Grand Imperials being put together by TMB (DJ / Mix / Master), JBL THE TITAN (producer) & Edd Bundy (Emcee), featuring Vas & Godilla - HERE WE GO.
You can see the previous post on this blog about The Grand Imperials which was an 'anticipation' post; here: http://mmhhc.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/anticipation-for-tmb-x-edd-bundy-x-jbl.html
This is a great Single to release from the project, i particularly enjoy the jokey, punchline fueled verses which takes away from it being TOO serious and you can tell from this that the EP was incredibly fun to make and that everyone involved wrote in the same type of way. It definately makes for a good listen and only feeds my anticipation to hear the full thing.
The Grand Imperials is an EP being created by DJ TMB, Edd Bundy & produced entirely by JBL The Titan, which will feature a plethora of both well known Hip Hop artists and 'up-and-comers' alike through guest verses. I can only speculate on who will be featuring so trying to guess is pointless you will just have to wait and see.
The first single from this EP is going to be leaked in a matter of weeks by DJ TMB, so to keep up to date follow his twitter account and facebook artist page;
Twitter: @djtmb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DJTMB.ROK
This is not the first time DJ TMB & JBL The Titan have worked together, and here's one from the vaults to get you anticipating what could be.
Godilla ft. Slim DSM & DJ TMB (Produced by JBL The Titan)
Want to keep up to date with Edd Bundy & JBL The Titan then here you go.
Edd Bundy;
Twitter: @EddBundyHK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eddbundy
JBL The Titan;
Twitter: @JbLthetitan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/JbL-The-Titan/423755661004805
Whether you have heard the name DJ TMB (most of you will have) or not, the sheer feature & collaborations list make him one of the most "celebrated" DJ's, not just in the UK, but of the whole underground Hip Hop scene. It is a great pleasure to be able to get his words & opinions for you all to see right here, and as one of my personal favourite DJ's around a lot of this will come over as a fan speaking to an artist instead of any old interview thrown out there. So, let's not draw this out longer than needs be... MYSTI: DJ TMB.. Its a name to remember really, but how did you come up with the name? TMB: It's kind of a funny story, many years ago, a buddy came thru for a session, we regularly got together to throw beats on, smoke a ton of weed and drink a crate of lager, this particular time we got wasted and I threw on some ragga beats, as my buddy was freestlyin over it in a ragga style (which was hilarious) he came up with this name 'KillaMans Biro' (kill a mans biro) and I jokingly replied with the name TerraMans Bookup (tear a mans book up) and after we sobered up we kept it and started rhyming under those names. I later shortened it to TMB. These days it can stand for many things, The Master Butcher, The Mad Bastard, The Mean Brother, The Master Builder.. etc... MYSTI: Whether you or anybody else knows I'm not too sure, but there is another DJ TMB mainly on Youtube who does competition entries & cut sessions. 1. What do you think about sharing the name? 2. If you already knew, have you ever been mistaken for the other DJ TMB? TMB: I am aware of the other dude, I don't mind sharing the name, When I started using the name I was unaware of him or another TMB. He has great skills and I have nothing but respect for him. I'm not into the battle scene and doing scratch videos, I don't really find the time for it, to be as good as some of these turntablist out there you need to practice and be on it all the time, I used to be on it all the time but these days I got a family and other commitments which take up my time. I do get the odd person on Facebook who thinks it's me but i do correct them, it doesn't happen too often. MYSTI: Ok, onto the more serious questions now lol.. Your feature/collaborations list is HUGE, I mean if you can imagine how big a list can be, it pushes the boundaries of that.. Now, instead of "who is your favourite person you've worked with", I'm going to ask who was the most interesting person you've worked with, who and why did it take you out of your comfort zone? TMB: Hmmm thats a good question, I like producers/artists that send beats that are always different, some are experimental and I appreciate that, because experimenting with music and pushing the boundaries are what makes it interesting. There are also dudes who have sent me beats that I have had to decline to work on because I don't feel it. There are a lot of interesting artists out there and I like a challenge..
MYSTI: You have a couple of mixtapes/cd's out there including The Machine & I See Red People which both got a lot of acclaim from pretty much everyone who heard it, will you be putting together another collective project like this in 2015 or in the future? TMB: I am currently working on a series of EP's with different producers beats, 5-6 tracks each, the first will be 'The Grand Imperials' with JBL the Titan, and it will feature my good friend Edd Bundy on the verses throughout along with a plenty of guests i've roped in.. I have planned it out very carefully, from selecting the beats to hand picking the artists for each track. No set date for release yet. Mixtapes, I will be dropping more throughout the year so keep 'em peeled.
MYSTI: Region Of Kings, ROK Muzik, ROK LDN.. These are common names that you are associated with. For those that don't know, what is it & how did it get started? TMB: Region of Kings started around 2009 I think, It was my creation, I wanted to start a crew with actual heads I knew in person, originally the crew started off as me, KillaMans Biro, this dude named Carey the Lone Soldier and another dude called Breeve Eazy, then came Edd Bundy, we put together an album called Kingdom of Godz, which I made beats and rhymed on. I kinda lost touch with Carey and Breeve Eazy over time, and KillaMans Biro stepped away from the scene, So that left me and Edd. We are still making music under the ROK name, in fact the EP series we're doing will be under the ROK umbrella. MYSTI: Being a UK DJ first and foremost but with mainly a US collaboration list would it be safe to assume you like US Hip Hop more? If so why? TMB: Yes I pretty much only listen to US Hip hop, It was what got me hooked on it from day one, having said that, I do like a few UK artists, Task Force, Blak Twang, Stig and a few others and of course my team, Edd Bundy and Sam Tafari. But my heart is with the US, always has and always will. MYSTI: Who would you say are your favourite US underground rappers & UK underground rappers right now? TMB: Well UK would be Edd Bundy and Sam Tafari, I've been lucky enough to watch these guys flourish and grow first hand both here in the UK and in the US underground scene. As far as the US, right now for me I gotta say Skrewtape, his latest album with Us Natives 'No Filter' is my album of 2014. He also directs video's too, and is a real stand up guy, I met him at Marsten House recording studio last year. Also Vas is one of my favourite artists too, his flow and delivery stands out, I like everything he does and again he welcomed me into his home in Philly last year and fed me Krimpets. Pryme Prolifik, Tone Liv, Godilla, Adlib and UG all put in work and I enjoy all these guys music. MYSTI: A lot of people won't know, but as you have said, you used to be an emcee also, what made you stop? Is it something you would ever go back to? TMB: As I mentioned before, I used to rhyme and I enjoyed it, I see it now as a path I took to find where I fit in, I've loved Hip hop since I was 9 years old, Breakin' got me started, I used to bust moves with my piece of Lino, then I started DJing and scratchin' on my 'one deck one cassette' step up, then I started reciting Run DMC, LL, Beastie Boys lyrics which eventually turned into writing my own verses and recording them onto cassette, I also dabbled in the graffiti scene too so I have sampled all the elements of Hip Hop and found my lane. I enjoyed the concept of writing and recording tracks but it never really took off. I wouldn't pick up the mic again or go back to any of the other elements of Hip Hop but I do really enjoy them all.
MYSTI: As a DJ/Producer & 'retired' (so to speak) Emcee, which one do/did you have more fun doing? TMB: I enjoy the creative side of things the most, being creative is mad fun, but the DJ side of things has always held my interest the most, I love doing cuts and being in my studio but I also really enjoy the live sets and being able to DJ for artists too. Being a DJ is great because I'm a fan first and foremost, so I love listening to Hip hop, and being part of the scene however big or small is a blessing and I'm really enjoying it. I've been collecting Hip hop vinyl since around 1984 which is another aspect of being a fan and a DJ I love and enjoy. MYSTI: On the production topic, you produced a few amazing beats for Dead Rabbits projects and a lot of other places, what has been your favourite tracks you have heard created over your beats? TMB: I don't make many beats, maybe 4 or 5 a year, not many artists out there have my beats, I would say Edd Bundy is my favourite artist on my beats, we've had a few bangers, he gets first dibbs on 99% of my beats.
MYSTI: What is the most difficult thing about being a DJ, and what is the best thing about being a DJ? TMB: The most difficult thing is vinyl storage, my studio is full and I won't stop buying! There are many 'best things' about it, the creativity, the fun, the buzz of playing live, meeting great people, travelling, the diggin', it's all good! MYSTI: You have had a lot of success as a DJ, do you think it would be something you could do full time if you put enough into it? TMB: Yes I'd love to give up the day job and become a full time DJ, but having a family and responsibilities means I need a guaranteed income every month, If I became a resident at a nightclub playing Hip hop very week then yes i'd love that and would discuss it with my family. But for now it's a hobby, a passion that puts a few more pennies in the pot. MYSTI: What do you prefer, performing live or featuring on a very reputable emcee's album? TMB: Hmmm, I think performing live has the edge, because you cant beat that buzz and meeting/networking with people is always good. But I do love spending endless hours in my studio on my turntables too. MYSTI: If anyone wanted to start DJ'ing and doing cuts, if you could give anyone any advice off the bat, what would that be? TMB: I'd say make sure it's what you want to do before you spend money on the right equipment, you gotta be hungry and have a passion for it, and put in hours of practice to master it and not give up when it's not going right. I'd also say use turntables and vinyl too, before you go digital, do your research and have fun!.
MYSTI: What music can we expect from TMB in 2015? TMB: The series of EP's I mentioned will happen, more cuts and features, more live shows, my weekly radio show 'Throwback Thursdays' on audiobunker.co.uk just more DJ TMB for your ears! MYSTI: If you could do cuts for anyone in Hip Hop dead or alive who are the top 5 you would want to work with? TMB: I don't know to be honest, there is too many, I enjoy every track I do whether it's an upcoming unknown or established artist. MYSTI: Vinyl is always a DJ's first choice but if that wasn't an option, CD's or Digital? TMB: Digital MYSTI: What would you say keeps you going & gives you motivation in what can sometimes be a very headache inducing scene? TMB: I stay away from the politics of the scene as much as possible, it can be very demoralising and negative. The support of my wife and kids keep me moving forward when im low, also a little acknowledgement from peers and people i'm cool with is a great pick me up. MYSTI: If you had to sum up your thoughts about DJ'ing in 5 words, How would describe it? TMB: Fun, enjoyable, late nights, friends MYSTI: So, its that time again, we have come to the end of another interview that I would have loved to last for days but alas, it just cannot be lol, if anybody wanted to hear more from TMB where could they find/buy your music? TMB: Thanks for having me on your blog Mysti, I really appreciate all your constant support and love you show me. FOR BOOKINGS, CUTS and ALL THINGS DJ TMB you can find me at the usual spots. Facebook TMB.ROK Twitter @DJTMB Instagram @djtmb Email djtmb@me.com MYSTI: Well thanks for the interview it definitely crosses one thing off my "to-do" list, and hopefully people are as interesting in reading this as I was conducting it. I hope you have a great 2015 and you achieve everything that you want to achieve. Also many thanks to anyone who takes time to read these interviews, a little interaction goes a long way, so thank you. Mysti.
