In case you didn’t know, Durrty Goodz is one of the best MCs to come from the UK underground. He engaged in a classic battle with Wiley in the early days of grime, and has collaborated with KRS One, Caron Wheeler from Soul 2 Soul, and Stephen Marley amongst many others.
In 2007 after some time spent in prison, he returned to the grime scene with a classic EP entitled, Axiom. The EP solidified himself as a force to be reckoned with on the mic, with storytelling skills akin to artists like Slick Rick and fierce double time flows that would leave many an MC “shaking in their boots.” 2009 saw him release the mixtape/album Ultrasound, and in 2010, the free download album, Born Blessed, which was hosted by “The Teacher,” KRS One.
AllHipHop.com managed to grab some time with Goodz for a quick fire Q&A, whilst he was putting the final touches to grime album, Overall – which is out now on iTunes. We talked about the history of the scene, his relationship with jungle and more:
AllHipHop.com: How long have you been emceeing?
Goodz: I’ve been an MC for years, bro, ever since I was allowed in a youth centre.
AllHipHop.com: What made you start spitting?
Goodz: The Most High, I guess, and listening to music.
AllHipHop.com: What would you say your main influences are musically and artistically?
Goodz: My main influences are reggae music and Bob Marley – my favourite lyricist.
AllHipHop.com: How much has jungle been an influence to your style of emceeing?
Goodz: I used to love jungle, I used to rave a lot to it. I loved the energy.
AllHipHop.com: Who influenced you from the Jungle scene? – I have heard you name check Stevie Hyper D and also worked with Skibadee [2 Fast 2 Ferocious]?
Goodz: Every big mic man from the times, I use to watch them buss up the mic before I was. Yeah man, Hyper D is legendary, along with the many others that helped paved the way like Navigator, Ragga Twins, Skibadee, Shabba D and the many others behind the scenes that helped those dons be heard.
AllHipHop.com: Following jungle you were known to frequent ‘Delight FM’ – how long were you on there for and what was the connection between you and So Solid?
Goodz: That’s a while back G, but that was their [So Solid] radio station and I use to go there and bars up [MC in] the place with some of them.
AllHipHop.com: How much do you think So Solid had to with the evolution of grime?
Goodz: They did their thing and helped other artists get a look in. It’s great these things happen.
AllHipHop.com:What was the big change for you when garage evolved into grime?
Goodz: Check my tune, “Switching Songs Part 2.” It’s all in there.
AllHipHop.com: What do you see your role in that era to where you are positioned now?
Goodz: We played the biggest role by being there (in those times) and being hot then and being hot now, pioneering the art (of grime).
AllHipHop.com: Last year you released the ‘Born Blessed LP’ – KRS-One appeared, were the excerpts specifically for the project?
Goodz: I’ve never made any project that has just been thrown together. Everything is always a well thought out process.
AllHipHop.com: How much of an influence has KRS-One been on your style?
Goodz: Loads, he’s a massive influence, just like many more pioneers – but he’s ‘The Teacher’ and had one of the first classic battles and the story is real similar to mine if your looking at the birth of grime.
AllHipHop.com: Tell us about ‘Overall’ and how that compares to your previous output.
Goodz: Overall is the best grime album ever to be made, and that’s how it will be every time I’m coming out, fresh and innovative.
AllHipHop.com: Where do you see the UK/London MC going from now?
Goodz: Higher levels, making music that keeps getting better and better.
AllHipHop.com: Any other points you would like to get across?
Goodz: I want to thank all those supporting grime god Durrty Goodz. Support me and you will always hear real music.
Overall is out now and available on iTunes. For more information on Goodz and to download the free KRS One-hosted album, Born Blessed, visit his website at www.therealdurrtygoodz.com.
Jamie B-C is a writer and online music marketer, who has been passionately involved in UK underground music since the late 90’s, he currently writes a blog which follows UK rave and Hip-Hop culture. Follow Jamie B-C on Twitter at @beatcultureldn and on the Web at www.beatculture.net.