Just B

HHC: To most of urban Canada, the west coast or specifically British Colombia is known mostly for the work of two groups (Swollen Members and The Rascalz). How can a Canadian west-coast artist establish an individual identity and set themselves apart from the B.C. clichés?
Just B: Just do what you do, and people will notice if it's different. Basically, be original. People are going to group us with them anyway so there really no use doing anything except what you want to do.

HHC: Living in Toronto, I mostly hear about a hippy or skater style of rap coming out of the west coast of Canada. Is there a diverse hip-hop scene in B.C.? Are their gangster or bounce artists coming up over there?
B: There is everything out here. The hippy and skater rap is outnumbered 10-1 by gangsters, thugs, and other people influence by New York and L.A. If people don't know, that's because they haven't been in the heart of the culture out here. I know cats out here that do better with the east coast sound than most cats on the east coast.

DJ Murge: I think people will make what they feel define their personality or their identity. If you're comfortable making it, regardless of its style it will stand strong on any coast.

HHC: Some people would classify the Insides Out album"Until it Ends" as having a back packer sound. Do you agree with the classification? Certain artists welcome being called back packers while some do everything in their powers to not be labeled that. What do you think of the term?
B: I can see why that is. I'm just about making music. Call it what you want. I think the term is just another type of separation. True hip-hop is about unity, not fear.

M: I agree.

HHC: Canadian artists that we (Gladstone What) have previously interviewed tend to say that Toronto is Canada's screw faced capitol because of the crowd reaction or rather, lack of reaction to the scene happening around them while areas like Halifax or Vancouver have packed jams with enthused fans. What is the concert/tour circuit like in the west? How have Canadians been reacting to Eclipse Records?
M: No matter what coast I've been on, because I've played Toronto to Victoria and everywhere in between. I as an artist, feel that people will give a reaction to your show be it good or bad accordingly. As for Eclipse Records we haven't had a bad reaction yet. In fact it's our mission at the end of the day to push each other further each show and have a good time with everybody involved, especially the crowd.

HHC: Murge, I've read in your bio that you're quite the beat digger and that you've almost gone for broke a few times as a result. Listening to the beats on Insides Out brings truth the rumor of digging. What is the beat digging scene like there (record buying)?
M: Well my digging is not like the average digger. You see I'm not tryin' to find all the records that everyone already has. I really respect that culture, but my main focus is to look for records that I can use for making beats or for use in my often-eclectic djing sets. Rock to funk

HHC: What's your best dollar bin find?
M: My best find was when I was about 16 and I found Grandmaster Flash "The Message" for 50 cents. To some it may not be that big of a deal but it hasn't left my crate to this day so it's been my most prized.

HHC: Murge, you quit your 9 to 5 and decided to take a chance by putting your all into hip-hop full time and opening a recording studio. What was the driving force behind that decision and was it worth it? Are you eating and living off what you make?
M: Well, I'm the type of person who likes to go hard at my passion and when I realized how strongly I felt about producing and engineering I knew to give it everything I had time wise. I don't know if that answers your question but let me say that it wasn't and isn't easy. You sacrifice some comforts and stability. I am maintaining a comfortable life style now but as like anyone else it still has its rough times. I try to reinvest as much as possible back into my label and studio.

HHC: Give me the history of Eclipse records and who is on the label?
M: Eclipse started as a label under which Just B and myself could release our works. Not too long after its creation in 2000 we were hanging out and recording for "Until it Ends" and "Search and Rescue" Our friend Ishkan was there as well and we always enjoyed his recordings so we thought it would be a good idea to start an album with him to be released on Eclipse, which is now nearing completion. Watch out this guy is on FIRE!! So basically we have Just B, Ishkan, DJ Murge and some extended family that we record and tour with.

HHC: Are you comfortable with where you're at in terms of success? What is next for Eclipse records?
J: I am so happy with where I'm at musically and it only gets better from here. I think we are making quality music. That's good enough for me.

M: Basically we have made some good progress in the past year. - Hip Hop Canada Dot Com