01 Dec 2005

We catch up with the solo rapper that's set to rain down on the opposition... Image by James Herner

So, who is Black Rein?

Black Rein is a U.K. solo rapper who spits lyrics about LIFE, in and around the nitty, gritty London city hitting issues that the younger have to go through. When you're living in a hostel it's hard to write sweet lyrics. I like to call myself a reality rapper.

Where are you reppin'?

I've grown up in and around Bow E3, a place I like to call the "Planet of the Chimps", were we all grew up like gremlins in constant trouble and most man dem learned to write bars early.

What influenced you to spit?

I always listened to Rap music since ICE-T tapes back in the early 90's, then on to WU-TANG and MOBB DEEP, you know, the real Hip Hop. Even though the most popular music was Old Skool Garage and Drum ‘n' Bass, I kept it real to my Hip Hop with certain friends of mine who were always in and out of jail and the only ones who would appreciate and encourage me to go on! My love for the mike started in the mid-nineties when I would jump on the stage wherever I could and spit to jungle music with the man dem.

Who else are you feeling in the game?

Right now, being real on my iPod at the moment are RUFF SQUAD, ROLL DEEP, certain "Grime" man along with certain UK Rappers like Klashnekoff, Skinnyman,

Have you any message for the kids?

Not to follow fashion and to be true to themselves. Not every older role model is as real as you think growing up. U.K. music is opening up now so follow your dreams and though people will knock you back, soldier through!

How has East London changed since you started rapping?

Funny enough certain issues I rapped about happened shortly after I spat them: "Freakish Predictabilty" perhaps.... The road is definitely real!

You've been working on your album with producers from New York, France, London etc, has the experience been rewarding?

Working with different producers excites and encourages me to murk the beats and represent for London. The Americans have got producing locked and the French are very Hip Hop cultured, but watch out, U.K. are on the rise!

So what can we expect in the future?

I've got my first Mixtape/DVD circulating the roads at the moment called BLACK REIN: "PLANET OF THE CHIMPS" which shows life around the manor along with some other up and coming artists. At the moment I'm grinding in the studio and chiselling my forthcoming album. So look out: Black Rein is about to rain on the game!