Ishkan

Ishkan Interview By DJ Fisher


Please introduce yourself and where your from?

My name is Ishkan and I'm from Vancouver, Canada.

How long have you been rhyming for?

Since the early nineties I guess.

Who are your influences in hip hop?

Mostly the whole Native Tongue movement and groups of similar aesthetic such as KMD, Brand Nubian, Digable Planets, Freestyle Fellowship, Abstract Rude and ATU. That list would actually go far too long in total. There are so many artists that have been major inspirations for me from a multitude of musical genres. As well, the local veterans were the most direct and lasting influence on me, like my Big Brother Moka Only, Birdapres, Prevail, Degree One, Sichuan, Dub Nut One, Tee Double and so on. Without them there would be no me!!!

What are some of your releases so far?

So far I have released several projects beginning with "Wrecktangular" which was a collection of some of my very first recordings to the more current songs at that time. Then I hooked up with producer Deceo Elipsis and we did a cool album entitled "Bent Twisted And Gnarled". Next Moka Only and I put out our first "Nowfolk" album entitled "Style Gangsters", with production primarily by Sichuan with additions by Sweet G and Moka himself. Later I got together with the same three plus my man Jeff Spec and did "Cousin Coolout". More recently I dropped an album produced entirely by Sweet G that we named "The Ripper Writs". All of these releases are available online at The Catacombz.com.

Your in a group with Moka Only right?

Yeeeeees. As I mentioned it's called Nowfolk and we have a follow up album entitled, "The Moon" coming this summer on Perilunar Records, so watch out!!!! And always expect more music from us together as we are constantly in the studio!

What do you prefer solo or group and why?

As an artist I love the creative freedom of being a solo emcee yet I love to collab with folks! Within the crew the City Planners we do a lot of sub-projects where we combine and create separate groups from within under new names. Y' know...just for fun. Jeff Spec and I are doing and album together under the group, "The Handsome Section". Jeff, Sichuan and Sweet G have, "This That And The Third" as a project. I can't imagine not making music with other people and as I mentioned I wouldn't be the musician I am today without the influence of my crew and the many local cats that I've been so lucky to work with. With a combined energy like what we have in the C.P. crew, the music can only become stronger and advance faster.

So what is your favorite release so far as a solo artist?

As a solo, "Cousin Coolout" still stands as a good album to me. I still get so much positive feedback from those that just found out about it, even though it's pretty old now. I guess we did something right. I always feel stronger about the most current stuff I do though, which can be frustrating since albums are always finished long before they actually come out.

Tell us about your crew City Planners?

That's my brethrens!!! That is myself, Moka Only, Sichuan, Jeff Spec, Sweet G and Southern affiliate (Oakland, Ca) Kirby Dominant. We're all just best homies that make music, hang out , drink coffee, and work hard to get our careers as artists stabilized.

What should heads look out for in 2002 from you?

"Ripper Writs" is hot right now! New Nowfolk is always on the way! And Day by Day Entertainment is slated to release a couple of albums for me!! Just know that myself and City Planners are non stop!

Any dream collaborations?

That would be a toss up between De La soul and Mikah Nine I think. Actually that would get to be a really long list too. There are so many musicians I can see making tight collabs.

What have you been bumpin these days in hip hop?

Stuff like Mikah Nine, Jay Dee "Welcome To Detroit", Nowfolk, Ludacris, Jay Z, De La Soul, Moka Only, Swollen Members, Abstact Rude etc.

What city was the livest that you performed at?

Kamloops, B.C. (Canada) almost always is. Moke and I played together last summer in Calgary and it was so tight. We sold CD's on stage like an auction. The love was so good that night.

Has September 11th made any changes for you as an artist?

It changed everyone in some way.

Any advice for independent mc's?

Remember that all things good and worthwhile come from struggle. The best way to get anywhere is to Keep On Going! Just do your thing and be happy.

Any goals for 2002 as an artist?

I would just love to reach more people. Get my albums out in greater units and just get better as an artist in general.

Thanks for the interview. Any final comments or shout outs?

The whole city of Vancoo, My City Planners, Insides Out Crew, Naps Crew, Eclipse Records, Female Fun Records, Nowfolk, Victoria, Kamloops, and soooooo on, and soooo on. PEACE!!!!!!!!!!
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