Subliminal Class was formed by the vocalists Luciano Wall and True Astro in Madrid, Spain, back in 2012 and have since then been releasing several mixtapes and albums. Their latest album, “J’ADORE” was released just a few months ago, but the group have already lots of new upcoming projects.
We got a chance to interview the members about there future plans.
WERUN: Hi guys, can you tell our readers that are not familiar with your music little about yourself and about your style?
Subliminal Class: We started off based on a hip-hop sound of the 90’s that has evolved into Phonk and G-Wave hybrids today. We belong to the generation of the 90’s, being 26 and 32 years old.
Can you name few of your favourite music influencers from the 90’s?
Lucciano Wall: I have mainly been moved by the hip-hop scene in the USA with artists like Mobb Deep, Lakey The Kid, Tragedy Khadafi, Capone N Noreaga, M.O.P., Black Moon, Public Enemy, Das EFX, Cormega, Sean Price, Wu-Tang Clan, Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, NAS, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, South Central Cartel, NWA, Juicy Jay, Three 6 Mafia and more.
True Astro: Like Lucciano, I also started in music under the influence of the purest American hip-hop mainly. The 1990’s for me is very representative for both hip-hop and the aesthetics and urban culture that permeated the cities at the end of the millennium (Rock ‘n’ Roll, Skateboarding, Graffiti …) My earliest influences were artists like Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Rage Against The Machine, Necro, Ill Bill, Cormega,Notorious B.I.G., Guru, Mobb Depp, Smutt Peddlers, Quasimoto, Madlib, KRS ONE, Jeru the Damaja, Defari, Three 6 Mafia and Memphis in general, Dj Screw and the beginnings of the components of the G Unit like 50 Cent, Juelz Santana or Lloyd Banks.
I always liked to immerse myself in the most underground of Hip Hop and the Latin influences in the United States, like Spanish Harlem and those waves, so I remember artists with whom I felt highly identified as Big Pun, Capone & Noriega, Cocoa Brovaz, Tony Touch, Kid Frost, SPM, Clicka One, Spanish Fly or Mafioso Chapter. The production of Hip Hop and Sampling brought me closer to music Soul, Jazz, Reagge, Dancehall, Cumbia and Reggaetón, so I can say that I have never stopped listening to all kinds of music, it inspires me all.
Wich artists inspire you today?
Lucciano Wall: Today I have many influencers. I try to not close my ears for anything. I can listen to anything from gangsta rap like Gucci Mane to Suicide Boys. Most I listen to Maxo Kream, Travis Scott, Fredo Santana, Migos, Young Thug. Denzel Curry, A$AP Rocky, Schoolboy Q and more. I try to listen to everything.
True Astro: Today I mainly influence electronic music in general, Hip Hop and Trap, as I observe many fusions and mixes of styles from all the musical genres that converge here. I would recommend a wide range of colours from Chief Keef and his Glo Gang, Gucci Mane, 21 Savage, Ronny J, Lil Uzi Vert, Trippy Redd, Spaceghostpurrp, Corbin, Tommy Cruise or DJ Smokey to emerging artists such as Matt OX, Duwap Kayne, BMB, Chxpo or Lil Lotus. I could name thousands according to the day.
I am very akin to the style of Goth Money Records and Working On Dying, with those whose beats we have worked a couple of tracks since I identify a lot with their music. I am currently listening to a lot of ATL Smook, Thouxanbandfauni, Lino da Don, Black Kray and a lot of Grunge.
You recently dropped an album, whats up next?
Our next projects will be new clips and quality visual productions that represent our own vision of music, art and attitude as they have always done. We are also cooking collaborations with great artists in our country.
Yes our last album “J’ADORE” was released a few months ago, so we are currently offering singles for our listeners. But we do not rule out working on a new LP during 2018.
You latest single release is “Mi Equipo”, can you tell us about it?
In “Mi Equipo”, or “My Team” translated in English, our verses speak about the idea of equality whatever your neighbourhood, city or country; since all of us who form this great team is governed by the same rules. It is a detail that we wanted to have with all our listeners, from the heart and with feeling, for their great support from the beginning. We care about our listeners and we actively communicate with all of them, wherever they may be. As the Geto Boys said: “The world is a ghetto”.
You have put out some great music videos on your YouTube-channel, can you tell us about your style of the videos?
Most Subliminal Class works talk about hip-hop codes, dark, personal and very internal themes; from the pure feeling, that sometimes offers a positive vision and sometimes not so much. We like to make dope music, which many listeners would identify with Gangsta Rap and it is also highly powerful and heavy. We try to maintain our class and style while innovating with new sounds Phonk and Trillwave, as you can see in the videos “ICE”, “Strange Voltage” or “The Bad Seed”.
However, there is always room for black humour and other funnier attitudes without forgetting to do things as they characterize us, like the storytelling that we built in “Omertà” paying homage to Mafia’s cinema or the retrospective to Memphis that we inspire in “Last Night Trip”.
Where can we go to see you perform live?
Most of our live shows take place in Madrid city and nearby cities, as is the case with our next live set. For those that cant see us live we just opened up our space on most digital platforms such as Spotify and iTunes. Our YouTube-channel is continuously updated with new content.
Can you tell us about the music scene in Madrid?
You have to say that’s it is a city that contributes to a lot of diversity and culture, but you also have to add that its a very young generation of musicians and you have to give it a try.
Wich Spanish artists have inspired you in your music?
Spanish musicians who have inspired me are DNES aka Varrio Struggle to whim I commit a lot of love. It was basically him that put me in into the game.
Other artists such as Perros Callejeros, Muchomuchacho, Yako Muñoz and mainly our people of the district and best friends F.Beats & Fasther Plaza Mafia, Weah, Dgalan, R. Fernandez Rein Losu, Sokra, Genuino, Onuoremun, Diego Sinmas, Alan Bi Rush, Tutto Vale, Inze Brashier and White Slice. What inspires us is the music echo with love by people of truth that makes you feel identified.
Any last words to our readers?
We would like to encourage our listeners and your readers to follow us on Deezer, iTunes, Tidal and most of the digital platforms in which we have just released. Make sure to subscribe on our YouTube-channel, since this month of April comes loaded with new features such as a new video clip and new singles. Also follow our social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
We think that 2018 is going to be a great year since we have started working as locomotives and we do not intend to stop since our feedback with the public is increasing. There are great collaborations cooking, both with Spanish and international artists (S.O. to our people in Spain and Latin America, to our Venezuelan bro Saso and our Puerto Rican Charlie B of Mafia China). We do not rule out new LP and projects beyond music, such as art and textiles.
As for concerts, this month you can find us in two shows near Madrid so that the closest fans can enjoy a new concept of the live set more similar to Garage Parties. We do not forget the collective Glitch Gang and our people from Art, Graffiti and Tattoo.
Greetings to WERUN and all of you, this year is ours!
Leo Skurt and his Skurt Team got a lot of hype lately. This young personal shopper from Rennes gets more and more clients and we wanted to know about the person behind it all.
WERUN: How did your passion for hype streetwear start and when did you decide to make it a carer?
LEO SKURT: I decide to create my own job after graduating from high school, at 18 years old. I decided to become a personal shopper in the “hype streetwear” world. My work consists in finding every item my clients ask me to, like clothing, sneakers or accessories.
What makes you different from other personal shoppers?
The deal with me is that I can find everything between 5 minutes and 24 hours, using a variety of specialized websites, apps and resellers Instagram accounts. I’m passionate about streetwear and I have my way around the market. I make a point to know everything about what’s happening in the industry. Every release, every new designer, every collaboration, every trend. It allows me to give advice to my clients and to be on top of my game.
What more do you do?
I’m also a dressmaker, as in people show me pieces of their wardrobe so I’m able to create a look for them. I also suggest adding some pieces that I own in order to complete the style, and they can eventually buy it.
Tell us some more about the Skurt Team.
It’s the entertainment of my Instagram’s community. The Skurt Team is a huge part of my work. I made a priority of creating a strong and united community around me and my personality. So, lots of Instagram’s poll, stories, concepts, live multiple times a week. That’s why I don’t have a website. I love being able to chat with my clients on Instagram’s DMs, advise them to be sure they make the right choice when they buy me something, sharing a part of my life with them.
How did it all start as a business?
I’m able to get any item in 24 hours max because, before I was a seller, I was a buyer. And so I spend so much time searching pieces for myself on the internet, that I am now a sort of sniper for pursuing a pair of shoe or clothing. When a client asks me for something, I usually have an instant idea of where to find it, and a close assumption of the prize. That’s why I’m efficient in my job, that’s the added value of my work. Sometimes, someone will reach out to me, saying that is searching for this particular item for seven or eight months, and I find it in less than five minutes.
Can you name some of your biggest clients?
For now, I don’t have what you may call a “big” client. Although, I got loyal customers that buy from me on a regular basis, and I think this is more important. The Skurt Team is amazing, sending me so much love and getting so involved. Every day, I get messages of love. It gives me the strength to see that people in the community are getting to know each other in real life.
Is there a lot of fake shoes out there?
If a client got a problem, I’m fighting for them. For example, recently one of my clients was ripped off. Someone sold him a counterfeit Air Max 97/1 Sean Wotherspoon. I took the matters into my own hands, called the guys who ripped him off and settle the issue for him.
Final question, what’re the rarest shoes you got?
I would say a pair of Nike Zoom Spectrum White in collaboration with Supreme and a pair of Nike Air Max 95 Animal pack in collaboration With Atmos Japan.
Ezza of Choom Gang releases his new album called “Rocky Mountain Watermelon“, writer and performed by Ezza himself and producer Dr. Robotnic. For this album they have channeled their combined creativity in the hopes of creating the definitive sound for the Niagara Region just south of Toronto – big, airy, psychedelic vibes mixed with a SLAB (slow, loud, and banging) southern influence, and a touch of classic hip hop lyricism.
The artistic waves are accompanied by an intimate personal feel, as Ezza touches on topics which plague his whole generation – depression, anxiety, unemployment, substance abuse, and broken dreams. The very relatable dark side is matched by an equally-relatable light touch, bringing a sense of freedom to a generation whose freedoms are always in question. Coming after a year of traveling in Europe and the remote Canadian Rockies, “Rocky Mountain Watermelon” brings a new, fresh perspective to the psychedelic hip-hop genre.
WERUN: We heard your back now after a year long trip to Europe and Canadian Rockies. What did you do there?
Ezza: Europe was strictly recreational for me. I do have a few fans out there I tried to link up with, but just didn’t pan out this time. The last year-or-so of traveling, I made a conscious effort to not stress myself creatively and just go take in some new experiences. I figured if I decided to do music when all was said and done, the output would be more interesting. With “Rocky Mountain Watermelon”, I’d say that turned out to be true.
Any upcoming gigs?
The gang and I have our next gig September 14th alongside The Palmer Squares in my hometown St. Catharines, Ontario. It’s our first time performing altogether since early 2017, and Palmer Squares gets a lot of love in our area so it should be pretty dope. I’m excited.
That sounds great, any upcoming collabs you can tell us about?
Yeah, I’m just gonna keep things moving right along with the crew (Choom Gang / H.O.M.E. Records). Rocky Mountain Watermelon ends on a bit of a depressing note, so I wanna pick up and close out 2018 with another little drop or two just to let people know it’s all good over here. It probably won’t be solo music though, it will be collabs with my people. We ain’t getting any younger and this might be our last big push, so we’re gonna do it together. I’m also slowly working on a 2nd Middle-Class Mystic project with producer DKLonely, and we’ll probably shop around for a bigger-name feature to follow up Bones being on the first one we did back in 2012. So yeah, should see some interesting work coming from our direction over the next year or so.
Wich artists give you inspiration in your work?
Kanye West and G.O.O.D. Musicare and have always been, a huge inspiration for what we do. It’s interesting because – unintentionally – our creative approach has paralleled theirs for quite some time, only on a far smaller scale and zero budget (lol). The idea of having a collective of solo artists who all have different styles but somehow fit under the umbrella of one creative mastermind who hand-picks the collective (in our case, the late great chuck90s – R.I.P.) and also sound good together on frequent collaborations, is always what we’ve been about. That, combined with the free-spirited approach of just getting in the studio with the right people and making spontaneous magic. With that said – what they did this past Summer with the one-release-a-week thing… reminded me so much of our golden years when chuck was still alive, and the type of shit we used to do. Really inspired me while I was working on this album, and solidified my desire to continue doing music at a time when I wasn’t sure if I was going to go on. So yeah, thank you Kanye. And thank you Based God, always.
How is the music scene for your style in Southern Ontario?
Things are really starting to look good for the arts scene in Southern Ontario. The worldwide mega-success of Drake, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Alessia Cara, and hell there’s probably more – has really woken people up. When I was growing up, there were absolutely zero resources for artists around here. Now it’s finally starting to bubble. I see good things coming for the future and I really want to be at the tip of the spear. Toronto is obviously gargantuan, its huge cultural influence has always seeped into the surrounding area, and we’re right there. We are hip-hop here – we are really and truly hip hop. I’m so well versed and studied hip hop all my life, all different artists from all different places, and yet somehow some of the honest-to-God best lyricists I’ve ever heard are people I know. Isn’t that fucked up? And we’re all nobodies. Something’s gotta give eventually, and I feel that something coming.
Whats the best clubs in Southern Ontario for music?
Detour Music Hall is the spot right now. That’s where we’ll be performing on the 14th. They’ve really put a focus on live music and they do all genres, but the venue is really perfect for hip hop shows. They’ve also been very embracing of hip hop, where a lot of spots now absolutely refuse to put on rap shows because of fights and shit. So shouts out to Michelle and everyone at Detour for continuing to recognize the hip hop culture out here. It’ll pay off. In return, we’ll make sure there’s no fights during our sets 😉
Sandro Jeeawock is finally back with his new EP called ”Lucky Luciano” after one year of silence. The EP contains six tracks plus a remix by Nico Miseria. On this EP Sandro experimenting more than ever with styles such as Trap, R&B, Pop, Reggaeton and Flamenco.
We took the opportunity to ask the Marbella producer what he has been up to since his last release “Golden Boy“.
WERUN: So what are you been up to this summer? Any gigs?
Sandro Jeeawock: Things are really chill here for trap or future beat music, they just want commercial stuff, but I hope next month when the season started I can get out of Marbella.
Any upcoming collaborations you can tell us about?
Yes, a lot! But the latest is a production with Nico Miseria for A.Dense from Valencia, the track is called “150”.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Right now I’m listening to a lot of SoundCloud rappers like Lil Pump, Smokepurrp, Ski Mask, XXXtentacion (R.I.P. ?), Travis Scott, NAV and others styles with artists like Rex OrangeCounty, Gus Dapperton, Rosalia, Blood Orange, Ozuna and Frank Ocean.
How is the music scene for your future style in Marbella?
Very bad, there is a lot of good artist in Marbella and Malaga but in Spain, the only way to get something is working in Madrid or Barcelona, the rest is shit.
If u really want to be in the industry on a good level you have to move to one of those cities. In Marbella we just had Third Cultures parties at La Catarina, shout out to Alto Blues because he is always bringing the nice and new artists to town.
So where to go out in Marbella?
Third Culture parties at La Catarina for sure. There are very good clubs that makes shows with very famous rappers but I don’t want to make publicity because their prices are abusive, fuck them.
Any last words you want to say?
Yeah, since June I made like a “tournament” for producers, it’s 10 producers each round, they have to make a 1 minute beat with the same sample, drum kit and variable tempo. We have a guest so the winner beat its gonna be recorded for the guest artist. It’s going very well and I would love you to check it out here.