ICE-T and dance music would hardly appear to go in the identical sentence. That being stated, it’s 2018, and we’ve seen a lot stranger issues. In partnership with longtime hip hop producer and techno DJ Mr. X (actual identify Afrika Islam), ICE-T is main ahead with a brand new techno-leaning digital music label referred to as EBE Nation.
The label simply launched its first album, Hip Hop DJs Don’t Play Techno, a 12-track exploration home, techno, and hip hop fusion by MR.X and ICE-T. The two hosted a non-public occasion for press in New York City final month to debate the album and the formation the label. During the proceedings, Your EDM had the chance to sit down down with MR.X and ICE-T one on one and ask about how this concept even got here to be, what they suppose their place among the many relaxation techno and dance music, and extra.
Listen to the album beneath, and hold scrolling for the complete interview!
How did you first turn out to be interested by Electronic Dance Music?
Mr. X: When I went over to Germany in 2000 and I began taking part in with WestBam, who was just like the pope electro, techno in Germany, Low Spirit Records that ran all of the Maydays and ran the Love Parade. That’s how I obtained concerned. I stepped on the stage with 1,000,000 individuals, noticed digital music tradition and fell in love with it and I wished to remain there and examine it for actual as an alternative pretending like I knew it. I wished to check the DJ’s, examine the behavior and reside the approach to life. 16 years later I’m coming again to America with my model digital music from being a hip-hop pioneer.
What influenced you to create your personal label EBE Nation?
ICE T: When X stated he wished to come back again to America, we’re mates as a result of he produced my first three raps albums. So he got here, stated I’m already to come back again and begin spinning over within the states as Mr. X, make some noise. We stated the neatest factor to do could be to start out our personal label so we might put out music every time we wished to. I assumed it will even be good to carry some extra individuals in, construct the posy, get some artistic brains into the studio with us as soon as we touched down within the States. Right now all the pieces is being accomplished out Islam Studio in Berlin. EBE is in its infancy, we haven’t actually signed any new producers, we’re new music proper now. We’re attempting to choose an elite crew so we are able to just about do what we need to do on this enterprise so far as Electronic Dance Music. I'm not an professional in Electronic Dance Music, I'm simply the enterprise man, I'm just about the professional with that.
With all of the already established techno labels already in circulation, how are you pushing your label as one to launch with?
ICE T: I don’t know if we’re pushing it as one to launch with, we’re simply utilizing the label to place out our music as we see match. If you’re an artist and also you’re trying to be wealthy, it may not be our label that you simply need to go for. But then on the finish the day, who’s saying you may not get a success report over right here? This is an experimental label; we’re searching for individuals which are just a little bit out the field and try to do one thing new, that hasn’t been accomplished, redirect the panorama just a little bit.
How did you come to accomplice on it with Mr. X?
ICE T: Like I stated earlier than, Afrika Islam is definitely the individual that put me within the hip-hop, obtained me began, obtained me my first report deal in New York City. He’s been gone 15 years in Europe, doing nothing however taking part in techno evening and day all around the world at Mr. X and Mr. Y. So course when he comes again to the states it’s my job to return the favor and say what can I do that will help you stake your declare within the United States and likewise create a label. Right now he’s nonetheless in your Europe, I've to run this label state facet till he comes and lands his spaceship right here.
What techno acts affect the sounds you’re attempting to push by yourself label or are you attempting to forge a brand new path in expertise?
Mr. X: I respect all of the techno artists that I take heed to. I’m actually extra respectful the DJs, Carl Cox, DJ Rush, these DJs from Detroit. I’m positively extra respectful for what they’ve accomplished and we’re attempting to forge a brand new path. This is the hybrid label, experimental label, it’s placing totally different types music collectively in a imaginative and prescient that has not been accomplished earlier than and that’s what that is about.
EDM followers and particularly techno followers are fairly protecting their music and genres and the scene. What would you say to somebody who's considering, “Man, ICE-T is simply following tendencies” or “ICE T is simply attempting to money in on EDM.” How would you set them comfy and earn their belief?
ICE T: They stated that with rap once I began rapping out the West Coast saying you guys are simply attempting to become involved with the New York scene. Of course, we beloved it and we tried to become involved with it and we have been profitable. They stated that with metallic when ICE T had a metallic band, you’re simply attempting to become involved with it. This is extra me serving to my accomplice who is definitely embedded in techno, he’s been doing it heavy for nearly 20 years. So for me to say yeah I’ll provide help to get a report f the bottom by no means stated I’m the professional, by no means stated I’m the techno aficionado, by no means claimed to be that. But I do know tips on how to run a report label, I’ve run a pair labels earlier than. I’m not the A&R on this, I’m simply serving to somebody I do know is gifted. As far as me simply attempting to get in, my man is already in and he’s gonna come to the United States and just about devastate lots the DJs over right here that suppose they'll simply stand behind a laptop computer and dance round and throw their palms within the air. He’s truly gonna spin techno music that you simply’re conversant in and that you simply’re not conversant in. I wouldn’t be in it if I didn’t have somebody that wasn’t an professional and simply wanted just a little help. I do know good music once I hear it, so beware. I personally love the problem, I really like the non-believers and stuff. I don’t know what else negatively could possibly be stated however stand on the facet line and watch us do what we do.