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A Chat with Spit Syndicate

by size 13 / Published August 18‚ 2006 at 2:59am

The duo possesses an ever-increasing number of dope live shows on their resume.
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With a style of their own, their first effort ‘The Future’s Bright’ (2006) turning heads and their debut full length album in the works, Sydney’s Nick Lupi, Just Enuf are crafting a dynamic sound full of honesty, originality and bravado. Both under 20 years of age, both have battled and proven themselves in two highly competitive and at times cut - throat disciplines in Hip Hop. They possess an ever - increasing number of dope live shows on their resume. Put simply, the integrity of their music speaks for itself.

Tell me about how you first got into Hip Hop music? I remember hearing on Triple J that it took a Hilltop Hoods cassette to get one of you interested in the music here.

JE: They were the artists that changed my opinion about Australian Hip Hop, but in general, I first started listening to old west coast stuff such as Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.

NL: Yeah I was into my mainstream US Hip-Hop till I got to high school, where I was exposed to Australian Hip-Hop, which offered a local feeling that I couldn’t really get from ‘Brenda’s got a baby’.

Nick, what were some of the most memorable MC battles you were a part of, coming up?

NL: The first battle I entered in April 03 was definitely very memorable that was the first time Id seriously battled and I loved it. ‘Park Jam’ in March 05 was cool because of the size of the stage and crowd. They were all pretty cool - except for when I lost, that sucked. I’m done with the battling thing, but for what it was, it was a lot of fun. I think battling is very stale nowadays, though.

You said in the ‘Under Rated’ interview that you 'gathered a lot of support from others around you' when developing your styles. Who were these people? How have they assisted getting your music out to a larger audience?

JE: We’ve been lucky in that we’ve gotten a lot of advice, support and hook-ups from a range of people who have faith in what were doing, but even before they knew our sound, were keen to help us out.

NL: Dudes like Fame, Ology, Dave & Deva from ‘PureBred’, Josie Styles, Maya Jupiter, Mass MC, Shantan from ‘FBI’, amongst others. It feels a little premature saying this, though, because we haven’t really been exposed to that large an audience yet but the help we have received, we are very, very grateful for.

How is the debut album coming along?

NL: We’ve just about gotten all the beats together, and were very impressed with what the different producers have brought to the table. They’ve all held up their end of the bargain, and now its time for us to step up and do our thing.

JE: Now, were picking beats and brainstorming ideas and concepts together; we’ve started writing to about 3 songs. Expect the release in early 07.

How did 'The Future's Bright' mix cd come about?

JE: At that point in time we hadn’t matured enough as artists to release anything else. Plus the release of the mixtape turned a few heads that hadn’t yet heard the name.

NL: Not a great deal of planning went into the mixtape; we had a bunch of hot verses wed keep writing to beats that weren’t ours, and we had a handful of original tracks we just wanted to get something out there to show the people what we can do. Granted, it’s nothing too deep content-wise, but its gotten our name out there.

Which track off the release are you most proud of?

JE: ‘I stay right’ for the fact that its nothing but a showcase of skill, there are others that are catchy or have humor in them but that is the stand out for flow and penmanship.

NL: Probably ‘The Specialist’ because I got my ‘Percy Miracles’ on, and the girls love that shit.

One track for whatever reason that has not seen the light of day, but is known through word of mouth is the posse cut 'Wild For The Night'. How did that track come about? Will it ever see the light of day on a release in the near future?

NL: I recorded that track when I had acute tonsillitis. I sound retarded, man. We were told we had a day to record because it was urgent, so I left my deathbed and it still hasn’t been released - not that I’m bitter or anything. The beat is hot though, and my homie Swarmy kills it. It should see the light of day. I’m not sure about near future though it was for Stealth magazine.

Which MC's have inspired you?

NL: The MCs that inspire me are dudes that possess that combination that many try but fail to capture- that is, oozing charisma, having shit-locked on a skills level yet keeping their lyrical content honest, intelligent and fresh. MCs like Phonte of Little Brother, Lupe Fiasco, Joe Budden, Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, etc.

JE: A variety for all different reasons, but as of the present I would have to say Delta Lupe Fiasco, Ghostface Killah and Jehst.

How would you describe your style on the mic for someone who isn't familiar with Spit Syndicate?

JE: Freshly cut grass on a sunny Saturday morning, or Sunday if you will.

NL: The best shit you’ve never heard.

Which artists would you like to collaborate with?

NL: On a purely musical level, I’m very interested in doing some sort of project with a band and experimenting with live instrumentation. A lot of the people I went to school were crazy musical prodigies, so we may try and make something happen there.

Which groups, individuals in Hip Hop are inspiring the music you're making?

JE: For me it’s Pretty Toney, Delta, Lupe and the Hoods.

NL: Now that we’ve started working on a debut release, Ive been going back and re-listening to my favorite releases. Jean Grae ‘Attack of the Attacking Things’ is, in my eyes, one of the greatest debut albums ever released. Locally, ‘The Lostralian’ and ‘The Calling’ are two solid pieces of music from start to finish.

Are there any final words you've got to say?

NL: Cheers for the interview guys! Spit Syndicate the debuts coming early 2007; kindly forget anything you’ve heard before about hip-hop in this country and check it out.

JE: My new name is just the facts while the rest of y’all just adjust the facts.

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