PREMIERE: Sam Seed - The Unaligned Vol.1 (EP) + 10 Questions

Some projects are designed for algorithms. This one was designed for people.

This 8 track EP came together the hard way through trust shared values and a refusal to cut corners. At its core is producer and curator Sam Seed but the real story is how many moving parts aligned without anyone compromising who they are. Twelve rappers. Four independent record labels. A grassroots music platform. A DJ night that lives and breathes community. No filler. All killer.

Being Unaligned is not about opposition for the sake of it. It is about choosing integrity over shortcuts. It is about artists and organisers who refuse to trade their principles for fleeting attention even when that would be the easier road. The Unaligned are those who stay true to the craft the culture and the people around them regardless of whether the spotlight ever arrives.

UK producers have long shared their work internationally without hesitation. Yet when it comes to rappers genuine UK and USA collaboration still feels surprisingly rare especially among artists who share the same underground ethos. Features happen but dedicated projects almost never do.

This EP was built to challenge that disconnect. Every track pairs UK and USA rappers side by side presented as equals. No hierarchy. No token placements. Just voices meeting on common ground.

Across the project you will hear nods to hip hops architects sharp contributions from established underground figures and verses from younger artists who have not been given a real platform before now. Different generations sharing the same code.

Sam Seed did not just produce the music he shaped the vision. The project was produced and art directed with a fully collaborative mindset pulling together resources networks and energy from Nuke Fam Records, Hidden Hobby Records, Weaponize Records, 05:21 music platform, and Deep Fried Beats.

Each brought something different to the table from promotion to infrastructure without diluting the core idea. No single agenda. No brand dominance. Just collective momentum.

What emerged is more than an EP. It is a snapshot of global underground hip hop as it has always existed beneath the surface connected by values rather than borders. A reminder that unity does not require uniformity and that when artists and organisers stay unaligned with the mainstream machine they can still build something powerful together.

This project is not chasing trends. It is documenting a moment and setting a precedent for what is possible when integrity leads the way.

Cop The Unaligned Vol.1 here.

Sam Seed sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

As a young kid I had Beatles LP’s on cassette, and Bowie 7"‘s that had belonged to my mum. As I got older The Rolling Stones, Hendrix, The Doors, Nirvana, Metallica, Sepultura were all in heavy rotation. But, when the rave scene was really kicking off, and D&B was being born copying and swapping mixtapes from various raves with friends became my new obsession. The rise of dance music and rave culture was unescapable at the time, it was in the news, on mainstream TV, a social and political concern, it was the ultimate symbol of rebellion for disillusioned youth, and it completely consumed me. After the Criminal Justice Bill kicked in and rave culture had it's wings clipped, Jungle was fading away to reveal the age of the cheesy 'super DJ’s' and also the rise of Brit Pop. At that moment I was at college, and the new voice of disillusioned youth found me, hip hop! I was getting into The Ultramagnetic MC's, NWA, Juice Crew, EPMD, KRS One, but hearing Jeru the Damaja's first LP was my biggest revelation, and I knew from that point onwards that hip hop was going to dominate my life, which it has ever since, first as a fan, then as a DJ, and now as a producer.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

As a producer I was initially influenced by Madlib, Danger Mouse, DJ Premier, Large Professor, The Bomb Squad, Prince Paul and Erick Sermon. Now that I'm older, and have found my lane/s production wise, I'm more focused on the rappers that currently inspire me, all of which are mentioned below, and I want to work with ALL of them!

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

'The Unaligned Vol.1' - An 8 track EP, featuring a lineup of iconic and cult favourite rappers from the US and UK, including Kool Keith, Ghostface Killah, Ill Bill, Goretex, Blade, Farma G, Scorzayzee, and more. Its a no‑filler collaboration between a dozen rappers, four independent labels, a music platform, and a DJ night. Fully produced by me. Release date 27th Feb.

'Peter and the Wolf', with billy woods and Mickey Diamond. 7" single. Release date mid March. To me the best 'Mercurial' by Montener the Menace. His upcoming LP - I have 4 tracks on there, including features by Conway the Machine, Sticky Fingaz, Rusty Juxx and Declaime

Work in progress with Ry Walker, Nivek Bogeezi, Rago Reafa, OnlyOneOnlySon - and a dozen or so other rappers around the world that have stuff of mine reserved that isn't started yet. 2026/2027 will be very busy for me!

4. How would you describe your sound?

Drums, magic and beauty. Expect the unexpected, then feed the unexpected LSD.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Placing 'Rafiki Books' on Vinnie Paz's last LP God Sent Vengeance. Having Kool Keith and other heroes of mine on my new EP. I'm also very proud to have recently worked with UK rapper Scorzayzee. Sorry thats 3 things! ;-P

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Don't wait for interest, create interest - which may require you financially investing in yourself. 

If you want to work with someone, ask yourself how you can add value to their hustle.

Study your heroes in detail, listen to their interviews, read their books, chart their progress - learn from their success's and mistakes.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

Anything Detroit rapper Mickey Diamond has done. Cappo's recent trilogy of LP’s on Plague Records, Cymarshall Law x Ramson Badbonez 'Undiluted' LP.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Mickey Diamond & Big Ghost - Wolf Tickets

billy woods - Golliwog

Vinnie Paz - God Sent Vengeance

Evidence - Unlearning Vol.2

Apathy - Mom & Dad

Cappo - ITO

Farma G - How To Kill A Butterfly

Cymarshall Law x Ramson Badbonez - Undiluted

A-F-R-O - Trap Door

La the Darkman - Wutang Forever Ever

and a load of LP’s I plan to sample that I won't mention...

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

When I'm not making it... I'm thinking about it, planing it, gathering funds for it, promoting it, talking about it with peers, reading books about it. I only pause from that to briefly function as an employee, parent, partner and family member.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Analogue hardware for mixing that has digital recall via USB. Made by Bettermaker, Wes Audio and Black Box Audio.

My Genelec 8341 speakers.

Vinyl to sample.

If you made it to the end - thank you!

Cop The Unaligned Vol.1 here.