Interview: Big H, The Lord Of UK Grime

Photo by Verena Stefanie

“I know I’m the best MC in the UK when it comes to grime,” Big H says, laughing. A career in music is often short; so it’s worth mentioning that Big H has been involved in the making of records for well over a decade. The British MC has proven to be one of grime’s most intriguing shape-shifters. There is no shortage of reasons to respect his growth. He admits that the grime scene would be really “dull” if it weren’t for him, and believes he helped define the contours of the genre. As a rapper, H is unique in his ability to come off as cheerful, mean, lyrical, intimidating, funny and sometimes frank to the point of being offensive in his songs—occasionally all at the same time.

Just when it seemed that all the excitement was going out of grime which grew out of the back-streets of East London–along with the passion, vulgarity and vitality–along come Big H to show his competitors where they were going wrong. RESPECT. spoke with the outspoken rhymer, also known as Big Hooligan, to discover the rage behind his new LP, Fire And Smoke, his thoughts on politics, and more.

RESPECT.: Do you remember the first time you started to become aware of this musical talent that you have?

Big H: I have always been listening to music, so it just feels like I was born with music in me. It’s always been around me and I didn’t really have to pick up the talent. It was natural.

When you started did you have any idea what you were getting yourself into?

I used to listen to a lot of Tupac and Biggie Smalls. I remember seeing a lot of people at the peak of their music careers, so I always aspired to be like Tupac or Biggie, or whoever was at the top of their game at that time.

Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your younger self if you could go back in time?

I would have encouraged myself to make more music and be more dominant, a bit like how I am now, but 10 years ago.

How much longer can you keep doing this?

You know what; I’m going to be doing this forever. I’m always going to be involved in someway, it’s never going to end until I leave the planet. I’m looking to bring through new artists under the Zing Zing Zoom name sooner or later, so I don’t think anyone will be able to get rid of me or my involvement in grime or hip-hop.

Do you ever feel compelled to tell people that you’re not big as your name might suggest?

What do you mean I’m not as big as my name might suggest? Like, I’m not henched in size?

Yes, I was expecting you to be muscular.

[Laughs] Yeah, but I think I am henched. Then again, it depends who’s looking at me…[laughs].

Are you drawn to dark subjects—or issues that, if not dark themselves, highlight other people’s darkness?

To be honest, I simply say what I think needs to be said. However, I do know that I’m sort of drawn to dark sounds, my previous single, “Mark Of The Beast” is an example.

Fire and Smoke is your first release in four years. Was there one point during the making of the album where you said, “I think I might have a masterpiece here?”

Yeah. From the start I knew it was a masterpiece and that’s why it took so long to make. When artists are doing paintings they have to do loads and loads of layers, and that’s why it takes so long for them to do a great portrait. With Fire and Smoke, I felt like I was putting layers and layers of bars down and at no time was I ever going to rush it.

You make a lot of statements on the album about the world, your feelings towards other MCs and what you’d do if people insult you.

I am aiming at a few people on there, but at the same time, it’s music for people’s entertainment. No matter what I’m saying, I don’t expect anyone to think they need to fight my battles or anything like that. For the fans, they are just meant to listen and hopefully enjoy hearing about the pain in my life. I think people would rather hear real stuff—people can tell when they’re listening to genuine thoughts from a person’s mind. I know my views are different to other peoples, but that’s what makes my music unique. It’s not the same as what everybody else is putting out and that’s what makes you talented, because you’re different and you standout.

I want to go through some of the songs. Tell me about “In The Game.”

It’s a track that’s produced by Rude Kid, and it’s basically me showing people that I’m the best in the game. I can effortlessly make a track going at people with my eyes closed. I didn’t even write those bars, I just went into the booth and said them to show people that I’m the best in the game. There’s no MC out there that can actually come against me and I think when JME and Frisco heard that song, they thought, ‘No, I can’t reply to this. He’s way too lyrical and skilful for me to reply.’ That’s the reason why I called it “In The Game” [laughs].

“Been Doin This” has a very different feel than the rest of the other tracks.

Footsie, Meridian Dan and Flirta D are all my bredrins. We were all doing a lot of our own individual music at the time, and I came up with the idea of us all doing a track together. I had never worked with Flirta D before, so I was pretty keen for us to make this track.

You’re gaining a reputation as “the god father of grime.” How do you feel about that?

I wouldn’t say I’m the god father, I’d say I’m the grime lord. The god father has to be elected or chosen in some ways, but I feel like I’m just the grime lord. People know that I’ve got the true grime essence in me and I was here when grime started. I helped get grime where it is, so I’m sure people recognize that. Even up until now, I’m still pushing it more than other MC’s, like for instance, Roll Deep; they are pushing more the commercial grime sound. I’m pushing deep grime music. That’s why I think people look at me as sort of a big name in grime. I do a lot for grime, and I’m not saying other people aren’t contributing, but when they put their all into a song it usually turns out sounding more like a commercial or dance track.

A lot of people are going to read this interview and probably react with some harsh words. Are you prepared to take on the role of “the grime lord”?

Yeah. I am the grime lord and I have already taken on the responsibility because if it weren’t for me then there wouldn’t be Boy Better Know. That’s five MC’s who wouldn’t exist in the game. Basically, the game would be really dull if I weren’t here. I created and gave flavor to a bland mill. The mill would’ve remained bland [laughs]…if I wasn’t part of it. People cannot doubt that. All the other MC’s that I brought through with me are doing really well, and if you’ve noticed most people that have rubbed shoulders with me usually go on to do good things.

Do you care if people think you’re crazy?

I don’t care what people think because, to tell the truth, no one can really do anything, so they can think and be as mad as they want. Not in an arrogant way, there’s nothing anyone can really do. It’s the truth. I think people have the right to their own ideas and opinion. This is just my idea.

Anyone who knows anything about you knows you are very outspoken. Has your honesty ever gotten you in trouble?

No, not really. I wouldn’t say I’m honest, I just tell the facts as I see them. I think people like hearing what I’ve got to say, they say to me “H, keep saying what you’re saying. I love the stuff that you’re doing.” I’ve never really met anyone that’s told me to stop speaking my mind. In fact, I think being outspoken has really helped me in life.

Is it better to be feared than to be loved?

[Laughs] I don’t really know much about being feared or loved, but I know I’m the best MC in the UK when it comes to grime. That’s many people’s opinion; it’s not just me saying that. It’s not really up to anyone else. If I’m the best, I’m the best. I didn’t choose to be the best, I just sprayed the bars and it just happened that way.

Does it matter that British Prime Minister David Cameron is aware of hip hop culture and knows who Dr. Dre is?

No. I don’t think the prime minister, the government and people actually matter in the real world. I think it’s just an illusion that some other people are there and have power over me, you, us, or whatever. I don’t really think politicians should have an opinion as far as when it comes to hip hop or grime. There are some guys who have put a lot of work into grime and it’s their opinions that counts, not politicians who will just make it look and sound crap. They should just stick to filling out forms or doing whatever they do and leave the music to the real G’s, like myself.

If you were Prime Minister for a day, what would you do?

I would get rid of all the police. I would sack all of them and just run the world on my own—Army general. General H.

On your album cover you’re surrounded by smoke and fire. Could explain the artistry behind that? What were you trying to say?

The fire and smoke symbolizes me burning people who are not moving right. In the Rastafarian culture they would say, “bun them,” and that’s what the fire and smoke is doing, burning what’s wrong and shouting out what’s right.

Fire and Smoke is out now. For more info, click here.