Craze
24 is set to become one of the most influential personalities of the
European hip hop scene. Not content with waiting around for some jumped up A&R
from a major to recognise his unstoppable talent for articulating the issues of
the day, he did what a lot of rappers think about doing while they sit at home
watching Channel U he founded his own record label and started to compose his
own destiny.As he heads into 2006, Craze 24 has three ground breaking music videos under his belt, has been nominated for awards including Channel U's Best of British and hasn't even released any material. With 2 more videos and a single dropping before his mixtape, A Soldier from South and the eagerly anticipated album, Music with Meaning it is going to be impossible to ignore the dazzling talent of Craze 24.
How did you get into the music game?
Me and a couple of the man them started a management company a few years ago called Generation Unknown (GX). Our main act was a garage group called Stonecold (later known as Stonecold GX). We got them shows all over the country, took them to Napa and we had a couple underground hits with them. When the whole garage thing died down, I started to focus more on my own music.
Why the name Craze 24?
When I was in school I was a bit wild, a bit off the rails and I was known as Crazie Yout', as I got older it progressed to Crazie and thanks to my knockouts in my boxing days – I'm now Craze 24.
Where do you gather inspiration from?
I get inspiration from life. Everyday I see, hear and experience things that move me to write.
What is your new track about?
'Ghetto Hotels' is about the reality of growing up in the ghetto is this country. The tower blocks, slums, deprived areas, where in most cases ethnic minorities are trapped in appalling conditions and where some remain for the rest of their short lives, generation after generation isolated and paying to live in these poor conditions. A lot of people in this country think the 'ghetto' is something you see on TV, it's in American films – it's anywhere but their own doorstep. I'm trying to put the spotlight on what's really going on.
Why did you decide to found your own record label?
I needed to take control of my own destiny – this seemed like the best way to do that.
What don't you like about the music industry?
There are a lot of false people in the music industry. It's hard to know who to listen to, who to trust…you have to follow your instinct a lot of the time. Sometimes it seems like it's more about who you are connected to and how much money you've got to back your project than how talented you actually are. So much talent goes unnoticed and the radio waves are filled with shit.
Why aren't UK artists getting enough recognition?
You gotta remember that the US scene has got at least 15 years on us. We need to build up our portfolio of talented artists, get some serious money behind us and most importantly put the work in. The UK fans also need to start supporting their own artists!
What's next for Craze 24?
My EP 'Ghetto Hotels' is out 11th December. You'll be able to catch the video very soon. My album is out next Spring 'Music with Meaning'. Next year is gonna be a very big year for Craze 24. Watch this space!
www.myspace.com/craze24
By Rashmi Shastri - Oct 2006