E.N.V

Reece Pullinger, better
known as MC E.N.V,
has been rapping since
he was 15 years old
and emerged onto the
UK independent music
scene last year. Here
he tells us all about the
world of rap music.

In the beginning
I started MCing but
then it slowly progressed
into rapping. An MC is a master of
ceremonies and you’ll find them at raves or drum
and bass clubs. They’re similar to a rapper but MCs
usually host the night and the vocal is much faster,
sometimes more made up on the spot. The content is
good but it’s more about the flow, whereas rapping is
more about lyrical content and the dynamic of working
with the song.
All my musical work is my own. I got into hip-hop
and R&B a few years back but I actually started off as
a classical pianist. Without all my classical training I
wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now.
I wanted to be the front man, rather than just a
producer, because one, I love the attention, and two,
I actually get to be out there performing. If you’re
behind the scenes producing and ghost writing then
there’s a lot of money to be made, but I don’t think I
was born to be in the background. I enjoy performing
live, I want to be there – it’s the best part of the job.
I’m always nervous before a performance, some
more than others, and I love that. As soon as I get the
mic I know in the first few seconds whether it’s going
to be a good or bad show.
I honestly don’t know where I got the skill to move
my mouth so quickly when I’m rapping. I actually
had a speech impediment when I was younger and
couldn’t talk until I was five years old – I suppose now
I make up for it! It’s just practice and even though
some people can’t make out what I’m saying when
I’m performing live, the atmosphere’s there, so it’s
fine. When I’m recording
though, I’m bang on.
Sometimes I can write a song
in an hour, or I can sit there for days
thinking about stuff – it depends
on the subject matter. Someone gave me some good
advice and they said if you want to be cutting edge,
be quite political, so I’m writing a song at the moment
about knife crime. With hip-hop there’s a lot of
glamorisation of guns, for example, and they don’t
bring across the right message. What I’m writing at the
minute is brutal, but in a good, cheeky way. It might
do well, it might not, but I like the song, so we’ll see.
I’ve just returned from America where I was on
my debut Back 2 Reality Tour, which consisted of 14
shows across San Francisco, Los Angeles and New
York City. The tour was amazing! I even did a performance
in a hip-hop club where I rapped alongside a
classical violinist – that was awesome. One of my
personal highlights was after the last show. I went to
the top of the Empire State Building and, from the
102nd floor, I looked out across New York City and I
felt proud of what I’d achieved in life so far.
There are loads of artists out there doing good
things at the minute. Flo Rida has just done ‘Bad
Boys’ with Alexandra Burke – that tune’s pretty wicked
– and then you’ve got people like Kano, Dizzee Rascal
and more commercial people.
I think Dizzee is a commercial player. He started
underground and I know he’s had to change his music
to get to where he is. I know a lot of people have to
do that – even me, I see my
style changing. You need a catchy chorus because
otherwise people aren’t going to remember your song.
I think he writes his music for his audience, which is
something that I’m learning, because you can’t always
write what you want. He’s doing well though and having
fun, and I’m sure I’ll get there too. Some people
have to work hard to get there and some people get
it instantly. It’s great to have instant fame, but I think
longevity is best for me if I want to make a full time
career out of rapping. And if it doesn’t work, at least I
had a great time doing it.
I think Mz Fontaine is wicked too. I write with
X-Rated, aka Les Green, and I’m also working with a
girl group called Anonymous Girl, who are brilliant.
Q-Boy and me get compared a lot but I think our
music is totally different. People say we should work
together but I don’t know if our own styles would work.
He’s been in the game for a while now and was the
first gay rapper to conquer the UK, so he’s been really
successful.
I try not to listen to that much rap or hip-hop
because I don’t want to sound the same. I don’t think
I sound like any other rapper and I don’t think my production
is like anyone else – I quite like my originality.
Sometimes it’s good to follow trends because it’s
what’s happening now, but being totally out there and
different is not always bad because you don’t know
how the scene’s going to be in a year’s time. - Boyz Magazine

DESPITE RAP NOT BEING THE MOST GAY-FRIENDLY
OF MUSIC GENRES, 23-YEAR-OLD E.N.V IS A LONDONBASED
GAY RAPPER ATTEMPTING TO MAKE INROADS
IN TO THE CHARTS...

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Rochford and raised in Canvey
Island (Essex) and am now living in Canning
Town.
When did you start making music and
performing?
At the age of six I began to be classically trained
on the piano, and that’s basically how my music
career really started. I began writing my own
music at around the age of 11. I first started
performing my hip hop and r’n’b music at around
the age of 21.
Which acts have been your biggest influences?
One of my biggest musical influences has
been my piano teacher. She told me anything
was possible and now I’m doing anything and
everything to live my dream and make it come
true.
When did you release your first material?
I released my debut album under my former
name, MC Envy, on the 31st August 2008.
You’re just finishing an American tour. What
have been the highlights?
The American tour has been better than I ever
could have imagined, even though I really didn’t
know what to expect. There were so many
highlights throughout the tour, the crazy people
that I met and who came to my shows…. l also
did a show where I rapped over a guy playing
the violin live to one of my tracks – that was
awesome!
Is the gay rap and hip hop scene a lot more
developed over in the U.S?
Music in general, I think, is more developed over
in the U.S. The market is much bigger and I feel
there is a place for everything out there. I felt that
my music was given an equal opportunity out
there, whereas sometimes I fell it is overlooked
over here.
Are there any acts that you think we should
check out?
Spoken Formula (otherwise known as Grand
Royal and Phaze) are a rap duo from New York
City – their stuff is great. I got to work with Grand
Royal whilst I was in NYC. We wrote a song for a
new film coming out and also worked on a new
single of mine, which will be released later on
next year.
The hip hop scene can be quite homophobic
– have you experienced homophobia yourself
– such as nasty comments on Myspace or
trouble booking gigs?
It is very true still that the hip hop scene can be
quite homophobic. However, I feel my music
is good enough for my sexuality to not even
come into play and be an issue. I perform in so
many different venues and to so many different
audiences and sometimes you get the odd
references but I love what I do and I’m not going
to let my sexuality stop me from making my
dream happen. However, I have received a few
nasty comments and have also had trouble with
booking some gigs but I’m doing well and have
loads of bookings, so it’s all good.
Do you think the world is ready for an out gay
rap artist? Or is it all an uphill struggle to get
attention?
Well, as I said before, I’m just a rapper that
happens to be gay, but I think the world needs
to be ready cause I’m coming! I feel that for most
artists it’s an uphill struggle to get attention.
Given the state of the music industry, labels are
being more cautious than ever in their signings.
Do you think mainstream record labels are
likely to sign an out gay rapper, or are you
resigned to putting stuff out yourself?
I think being “out” can either benefit you or not,
depending on what market and demographic
you are targeting with your music. I’m currently
signed to my own independent label and
this gives me total creative and time control
over all my releases and I get the final say in
everything. But I do believe that if your music
is good enough then sexuality shouldn’t turn a
mainstream label away, should it?
What inspires you and your lyrics?
I get inspiration from everywhere; life experiences,
feelings, emotions, and sometimes its good to be
creative, as well as political and honest.
When can we expect some new material from
you, and when are your next gigs in the UK?
I’m currently recording my second album, which I
won’t be releasing until the summer of next year.
However, I will be releasing a few new singles in
the spring of 2010. I’m off to Berlin soon do to
a few shows over there and have a few shows
coming up in London and Manchester before the
end of the year. Further information can be found
at my websites. In addition to this, I have also just
started planning my first world tour – so watch
this space!
www.env-music.com
www.myspace.com/envmusicuk
www.facebook.com/envfanpage - Out Magazine

Back in July 2008 Bent chatted to a new cute gay
rapper on the scene called DJ Envy. Classically
trained and with the confidence of youth he
predicted that his star would burn bright in 2009,
so, we caught up with him to see how it all went…
and what he has planned for this year.
“Things are going really well thanks. This last year
has been crazy for me and I can't wait for what’s to
come in 2010. In 2009 I toured America, performed
throughout Europe, my new music video was also
featured on MTV and the best thing of all is that I
getting to do what I love and follow my dream....”
The name change from MC Envy to E.N.V was in
itself the continued show of progression to his
success, as he himself admits he felt the name was
not showing his full ability as a musician, so E.N.V
was created… but just how is this London lad
received in other countries
“To be honest... the reception I’ve been receiving in
other countries has been incredible. I'm starting to
think am I’m living in the wrong country. lol. But it’s
all good. When I was touring America, night after
night, the audiences were getting bigger and the
screams and applause were louder and louder, it
was amazing!”
With confidence growing with each performance
no doubt there were some shows that stuck in his
memory as defining moments…
“Apart from performing in Trafalgar Square
(London Pride) and in front of City Hall (San
Francisco Pride) my best gig to date has to be
in Berlin @ The Bassy Club back in November. I
was pretty nervous before this show as it was my
debut in Berlin and I was worried about how the
language barrier would work with my music...
but everyone loved what I did, so much so that
I’m back in Berlin to do 5 shows at the end of this
month.”
With one album behind him and a steadily growing
legion of fans waiting on his next move, what can
be expected in 2010?
“I'm currently just finishing my second studio
album, which I’m planning on releasing at the end
of summer/autumn. As far as singles go... I’m off to
Mexico in March to shoot the new video, which is
going to be Hot!!! So that single will be out around
May, which is also when I will be starting my
second American Tour.
Being a single guy (although he says open to
offers) when he gets home from all the touring
he can usually be found out and about partying
at his favourite London haunts - XXL, Kings Arms,
Barcode, Duke of Welly, Eagle and White Swan.
However, work-wise he has a list of artists he’d love
to collaborate with.
“Chase and Status, Scissor Sisters, N-Dubz, Tinchy
Stryder, Rodney Jerkins and Jay Sean to name a
few....”
ENV launched himself as a gay rapper but now as
he’s maturing does the homo label mean as much
“I love it but know no different... I have been gay all
my life even when I wasn't out... I wouldn't want it
any other way.”
www.env-music.com
www.myspace.com/envmusicuk
www.facebook.com/envfanpage
www.twitter.com/envmusic - Bent Magazine

So make up a rap for Bent
Magazine that expresses who
you are?
Ok… I’m 21, up and coming,
breaking out on the scene,
I’m MC Envy debuting in Bent
Magazine,
I’m representing London, East side,
E14,
so check this interview and find a
little out about me…
Very good. You’re a bit of an
enigma; gay, classical pianist…
now rapper, what’s the deal?
Yes, I was a classical pianist
from 13 to 15 and then my piano
teacher died and the next one was
all money - no heart. I then got into
DJing and from that came MCing
and then the rapping. There’s
some classical music in my music
and it’s helped me in writing and
producing. I am quite straight
acting and people don’t think I
am gay, when you tell people and
they are shocked it’s quite a buzz. I
don’t wanna be stereotyped; there
is enough of that out there.
How do you get an MC name?
Could I be MC Savidge?
Ha, ha, I dunno depends on how
good your skills are. I started off as
Reecy P from my real name, then
when people seemed to be doing
better than me I became envious
and MC Envy, hopefully one day
people will be a little bit envious of
me. We’ll see…
Tell me about the album.
It’s called ‘Do Not Approach These
People’ and is out late August, the
single called ‘Please Don’t Cry’
will be out after it I think. It’s a real
mixture of sounds and influences.
The inlay is cool in each shot I am
wearing a colour of the rainbow
flag, subtly passing a message on.
Can we expect quite a hot
video, you and some greased
up men?
We haven’t made the video yet
but one song is all about girls and
boys in a club, maybe we will do
something then with semi naked
boys and girls and get it a bit hot
and stuff, it’s an idea… I wouldn’t
complain.
You’re doing Pride this year,
how did that come about?
Pure harassment I begged and
pestered and pleaded.
Is it important to you?
Yeah I think it’s a time when we can
express ourselves and also a time
we come together for something
good. I think some people just
see it as a piss up and forget the
history and purpose.
Who are your icons?
Ha, ha, you want me to say
Madonna or Kylie? Its people like
Kano and Dizzee Rascal who really
opened up MCing and rapping for
UK artists.
What are your thoughts on Q
Boy, can we expect a rap off?
Ha, ha, no not at the moment. I
think he is changing his sound from
Hip Hop to more electro. I have
a lot of respect for him and what
he has done… I think his music is
great. I wanted to work with him on
stuff but we have both been really
busy, maybe on another album. I
ain’t gonna bitch him down.
Are you single?
For promotion I should really say
yes, but my fella would kill me. I’m
taken.
In the lead up to the album and
single can we expect to see you
stripping off?
Ha, ha, ha no. I dunno some
people like that don’t they, some
people do it on stage and all that.
You see if I had the looks and body
of some men out there then why
not? Maybe if I buff up a bit for the
next album, though people like
a bit of rough don’t they? I do, I
am an XXL boy, normal guys you
know? - Bent Magazine

Just before the interview with MC
Envy, I wondered if I should be meeting a rapper
somewhere slightly more ‘ghetto’ than the Costa
on Old Compton Street. But no, MC Envy is all
about challenging stereotypes and doing what
isn’t expected of him, so we decided Lattes and
pastries in Soho instead of Courvoisier and hoes
in a Peckham snooker hall would be just fine.
At just 21 years old, MC Envy has the cheeky
chappie, council chic style of his native Canvey
Island in Essex. But don’t be misled by his somewhat
blokey swagger and raw cock-er-ney tones.
Underneath those trackie bottoms and baseball
cap is an intelligent guy with a huge passion for
music and a level-headed business brain.
“I was a bit of a jack-the-lad when I was
younger, because I grew up in a very typical
Essex environment” he says. “When I came
out, I was basically like ‘I’m gay, deal with it’.
Sometimes I had abuse for it and occasionally
still do when I go back. It’s very cliquey and
small, if you piss off the wrong person you get
trouble. A lot of people never even get off the
island, whereas I moved three years ago and
everything’s really taken off for me. I went to
uni, I gave up smoking - I’m proud of where I
come from but I needed to branch out.”
Reece started playing the piano at six and was
producing music at just sixteen, spending his
spare time on the club circuit as a drum ’n’ bass
DJ. When asked about his musical influences,
they are much closer to home than the big star
names a lot of artists reel off.
“My Mum and Dad had a huge impact on
what I do. They wouldn’t let me give up piano
and were so positive. I also had an amazing
music teacher who had played with so many
successful artists. She died when I was fifteen
and I stopped taking lessons, but without her, I
wouldn’t be where I am today.”
He trained in classical music, and you can hear
that influence heavily on his debut album, which
completely represents his self-confessed ‘multiple
personalities’.
“The idea of the album was to show that I have
different roles and aspects to my character - the
different colours were a subconscious gay rainbow
flag. I hate with a passion the purple shirt
picture,” he says, laughing, “but that represents
my business head, whereas the scally look represents
me and my upbringing”.
Having already been through some struggles in
his life we wondered how he was planning to face
the upcoming battle of being an openly gay man
on the rap scene. UK hip-hop has a hard enough
time getting heard in the mainstream arena as it
is. Add to that the batty factor and you worry
there’s more chance of him picking up Chlamydia
in a nunnery than garnering international acclaim.
But Reece remains infectiously optimistic and
down to earth about the whole situation.
“At the minute, I’m not trying to use the gay
thing to my advantage. I’m out and I don’t mind
who knows but my lyrical content is not about
sucking dicks, it’s about real life experiences. I’m
promoting to gay and straight communities in
exactly the same way, except the gay audience
have been more supportive. My track ‘Dance
With Me’ is about boys on boys, girls on girls,
boys on girls - everyone.” He continues, “The
straight scene is harder to crack, I’ve had the
odd abusive message on MySpace from straight
rappers calling me ‘faggot’ but so what. There’s
nothing stopping me. I know my stuff is as good
as other stuff out there and can fit in.”
There just happens to be another gay rapper
knocking about on the scene (They’re like
buses, wait ages for one gay rapper …) So, would
there be any east coast/ west coast style rivalry
between him and Q Boy?
“Me and Q have never met in person, we’ve
chatted online but he wasn’t interested in working
with me at the time. It would be good to do
something in the future. I think he’s changing
his direction now, but I respect what he’s doing
completely. Sometimes when I’m performing I get
people shouting ‘Oi Q Boy’ at me and I’m shouting
back ‘No, Envy!’” He doesn’t mind, but you
get the feeing that, before long, people will know
exactly who he is. At the prospect of future stardom
and being recognised for his talent, he says
with his permanent grin, “I haven’t quite learnt
the diva thing yet - I’m working on it.” - QX Magazine

London based MC Envy, a.k.a. Reech Pullinger, is another new
artist making waves. The 22-year-old rapper has just released
his very first album, Do Not Approach These People, on NVP
Records. The album is sprinkled with a variety of musical styles
including hip-hop, R&B, jazz, rap and drum & bass. A classically
trained pianist who started writing his own compositions at the
tender age of six, Envy has used much of his training to help develop
production techniques and notation.
MC Envy first wanted to work as a DJ, but his passion for rapping
and producing music won out in the end. His new disc is full of music
that proves he is here to stay. The album possesses the qualities of
established artists such as Linkin Park, Eminem and Limp Bizkit. His
vocal delivery is rich with strong conviction (though not overbearing),
and shows an artist dedicated to being original and fresh.
Standout songs include “Have You Ever,” “Please Don’t Cry” and
“I Am What I Am.” The lead single, “One Life,” could easily be in
top rotation at any hip-hop station in the U.S., if some of the major
hip-hop stations could get past listener homophobia and just realize
the song is pure brilliance. Though he is officially out, many of MC
Envy’s songs don’t have gay story lines — his message is for everyone.
Check out his videos “One Life” and “I Am What I Am (Live at
Pride 2008/Trafalgar Square)” on YouTube and on the official MC
Envy MySpace page. An independent artist geared up for the mainstream,
MC Envy is ready to take the world by storm. (A) - Echo Magazine

We are posting this on the day that we normally post Exclusive Interviews with established artists, but using some of the questions we use in our New Artist Spotlight. MC Envy is a new artist, but he is releasing a full length CD of self-produced beats and original lyrics at the end of this month on N.V.P. Records, and he has been performing at Pride events through out the UK...MC Envy is a new artist who has hit the ground running. Time will tell what longevity he has, but for now, he has the spotlight.

How did you come up with your name, MC Envy?

I came up with the name Envy for two reasons: The first being from when I was growing up and how I was envious of people succeeding in the industry I wanted to work in. The second is a variation of the first: Was that I knew one day with my determination I would succeed and people would want to be where I was and be envious of me.

How long have you been doing hip-hop?

I have been producing and rapping Hip Hop music for about 3 years now. I originally produced Drum and Bass and was a Drum and Bass MC and from this I progressed into the Hip Hop circuit.

I understand you are a classically trained pianist. Tell us about how this plays into your beat production.

Well within my productions you will often here a lead piano line and this is due to the fact that I am a classically trained pianist and that I love the sound of the piano. As well as having this practical knowledge I also understand a great deal about key and time signatures and knowing this allows me to be experimental with musical and time notation and with the different rhythms I can use within my productions.

Who was the first out hip hop artist you heard of?

Bigg Nugg

What made you decide to be a hip-hop artist who is “OUT”?

Well I’m a very open person and have never felt the need to hide or disguise who I am or what I do. I’m gay, out, proud and a hip-hop artist and I would never dream of sacrificing any of these for the other.

Who are you a fan of (any musical style)?

Here are a few to name:

Hip hop – Kano, Missy Elliot, Snoop, Timberland
Pop – Scissor Sisters, Kate Nash,
House – Freemasons, Bob Sinclair
Classical – Mozart, Bach

Describe your style (musical)?

My musical style is originally based on Hip Hop and R’n’B and I like to include elements of classical instrumentation and mix them with ‘dirty’ and ‘dark’ synthesised sounds and basslines.

You came to Mondo Homo 08 in Atlanta; tell us about your experience, and how it affected you.

Mondo Homo was wicked! It was so great to have the opportunity to go to Atlanta and meet everyone and enjoy everyone’s individual music styles. It was cool to see so many gay artists all under one roof, coming together with the same passion and support for each other and it made me feel extremely proud of who we all are and what we are all trying to achieve. I can’t wait for my chance to perform next year!

Tell us about your debut album that you just finished.

I have been working on the album for quite a while now and its finally finished and ready for release on the 31st August 2008. The album is called “Do not approach these people” and the reason behind the album name was to reflect the different sides of my personality and to reflect on who I was when I was younger. The album is made up of tracks that I have written and produced and the content relates to my life experiences, both good and bad, my achievements and goals and plans I have for the future.

Where can people see you live or get your music?

This year I am performing at London, Leeds, and Doncaster and Cornwall Pride festivals. I will also be performing at the launch party of my debut album release in August, which will be held in London (Venue to be confirmed). I have several shows towards the end of the year, which will be listed on my myspace homepage. My music will be available on itunes, (UK/European Union, US, Canada, Japan and Australia/N.Z) EMusic, Napster, Amazon MP3 and Rhapsody from the 31st August. Hard copies of the album will be available direct from me through Myspace or through my record company – nvplondon@hotmail.com

What are your plans/goals?

To take my music career as far as I can but to not forget who I am and why I originally got involved in this industry.

Any shout outs?

To the Out Hip Hop team, to my partner Cole, to Bigg Nugg and Paul, X-Rated, Unecc, Dalyrical, BadKat, Kin, Prince Catz Eyes and to everyone that has supported me since I started in this Industry.
- Out Hip Hop

The Queen's Arms hosted yet another wonderful night of camp cabaret. Amongst the obligatory 'New York, New York’s' and another song about moving mountains if you believe you can, (I don’t know what that was all about) it was all very emotional... Well amongst that, was country and western, the most individual interpretation of Amy Winehouse I have ever heard and this year's Prides got Talent winner - MC Envy, the cute white boy rapper with a shock of very ginger hair telling us all about the one life we have and how it is very important we live it right... thank you MC Envy!
- Real Brighton

Mc Envy brings a new flavor to the OutHipHop scene. This UK based artist comes out swinging in his first full-length release. Futuristic beats and flows create the album "Do Not Approach These People". Envy's classical music schooling is very evident in every single track. And his voice cuts each track with precision and clarity. Envy certainly thinks outside the box on his arrangement and lyrical diction.

The album as a whole has an almost R & B feel to it. Tracks like "Please Don't Cry For Me", "Man In The Mirror", and "I Didn't Mean" are easily standout tracks on this album. The addition of chorus vocals lent by X-Rated add to the albums diversity.The album really should be titled MC Envy featuring X-Rated because of X's appearance on nearly every single track.

However, this album is easily the best UK outhiphop product that I have encountered. His production is top notch, although a bit repetitive throughout the album, but..... it is still all produced by Envy. That makes this album that much more intimate overall.

I give MC Envy 3 1/2 rainbow mics for a valiant freshman effort. - Out Hip Hop