10 Questions: Percy Filth
Yes yes y’all. We’re back with another round of 10 Questions, getting to know some of our favourite artists, with some quick fire questions; giving the artist the opportunity to talk about their inspirations, motivations and their future plans. On this outing, it’s the master of the 8-bit beat, Percy Filth.
1) Contestant, what’s your name, chosen craft and where are you based?
My name is Percy Filth I’m a beatmaker from Birmingham but I currently live in Bristol.
2) How would you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as Wonky Boom Bap with a heavy nod to 80’s funk and video game music.
3) Who / what do you consider to be the biggest influence on your music?
I’ve always viewed my creative output as a continual work in progress so I could write a long list of individual artists I love and who inspired me along the way. If I’m honest, the most influential thing to my sound was becoming involved in the Louis Den Producer Network and having my eyes opened to a whole variety of new artists on a real time basis via the weekly beat meet ups at the old Eatgood records studio in Birmingham.
4) What’s the proudest moment to date for you as an artist?
Making my first beat will always be my proudest moment as I was self taught; back when there were no music tech college courses, online tutorials or beat communities to help you along. Overcoming the frustrations of trouble shooting and problem solving without any direction was empowering.
5) Do you have any advice for our readers who maybe trying to play the mad game of music?
I don’t really feel like I’m in the position to be giving advice to new artists other than never think you’re the finished article. You can always improve.
6) Name 3 people you would love to work with and why?
I’m lucky to have worked with some of my favourite emcees but I’d love to work with Kool Keith because i’ve always loved his “Inter stellar outter space rap god” personality. Redman for remaining super relevant for over 25 years and Danny Brown cos I think he’d suit the chaotic nature of my production.
7) What have you got planned for the not so distant future?
I like to take stock after a release and think about how I could do it better. I start to create a new body of work, send some joints out to potential collaborators and the whole roller coaster ride starts to build up momentum again and before I know it I’m back in the the thick of the action.
8) What’s the album you’ve played more than any other?
Uptown Saturday Night by Camp Lo. If you know me personally you will understand the effect that album had on me and that effect still resonates with me 20 years later. I’m no emcee but I can spit every verse of Luchini with no stutters or splutters.
9) What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to? And where?
Ice-T & The Rhyme Syndicate as a 16 year old at the Digbeth Institute in Birmingham. I still bump into people who were at that night and it seems like it went down in Birmingham Hip Hop folklore because it’s stuck in the memories of many people as a crazy night. It was raw and energetic. DJ Aladdin in his prime. Lord Finesse in his “Funky Technician” days, Hijack when they were massive in the UK plus many more. I missed the last bus and had to walk 7 miles home. I’ve still got my ticket for posterity’s sake.
10) Name 3 things you can’t live without?
Creativity, Dendrophilia, Storz & Bickel products.
Please can you nominate another contestant and provide us with a question for them on your behalf?
I nominate my Louis Den label mate Gen Uchiha and the question I’d like to ask him is. - What was the decision behind combining complex rhyme schemes with comic / anime / wrestling culture?