Briggs has been advancing his name recently after releasing his debut EP, Homemade Bombs as well as touring with The Funkoars. The explosive EP features production from Jaytee, Trials and 76. The first taste of the fiery Victorian MC leaves a lasting impression. More new music can be expected in the coming months when Briggs drops his debut LP, The Gospel According To Briggs.
How long have you been rapping for now and how did you get into it originally?
I started doing the rap thing when I was a teenager. Me and my boys did our best to insult each other over Dr. Dre instrumentals. But I’ve been into hip hop all my life, my brother showed me my first stuff, Naughty By Nature, Public Enemy and LL. My cousins showed me the more grimy shit and I was into it because it was packed with swear words. I grew up on gangsta rap, I love it and it is still what I listen to mostly. I just find it more entertaining than some cunt having a good old cry about how the world bank started a potato famine and now he can’t get a girlfriend. I got my own problems so I’d much rather have a laugh.
Can you give me a brief description of how Homemade Bombs came to be?
Well I was just throwing tracks down in the Stronghorn Studios. I had Jaytee, Trials and 76 helping me out with production and recording. I was working towards an album, but i got impatient and felt that I’d been around in the traps too long to not have something out. So I had 6 or 7 tracks and picked the best 5 and made the Homemade Bombs EP. Suffa believed in it so he helped me get it all together. DJ Adfu(Sniperspot) and Reflux(Flashlight) did the massive friendship maneuver and did an amazing job of mastering it for me. And here we are, I’m puttin’ in the footwork and we’re moving some units.
It’s definitely a banger from start to finish. Is it intended to grab audience’s attention as an explosive precursor to your debut LP, The Gospel According To Briggs?
All I tried to do was make the best shit that I could and that I wanted to listen to. Along the way maybe punch the proverbial cunt or two in the face with a massive overhand-rap-hook. I just like that kind of M.O.P. style hardcore shit. I like that stuff, I like that Autism and Vents shit. I don’t normally approach things with a set plan, just a goal to get it finished and deliver the best I possibly can. The EP is the best indication of where I was at, at the time and its also a good indication of where I’m taking it.
How important is your hometown in terms of the music you produce?
It’s all relevant. 3630 Shepp-life is very much a part of me. I have spent the better part of 20 years there. I got a good team back in the G.V. Drinkers United, Beer Olympians, Swiggers With Attitude. Growing up there was a trip. There wasn’t much of a hip hop scene, there were kids into it like me, but it was more Metal and Punk, so we all messed about in bands growing up and just pissin’ about. It was good fun.
What role does your indigenous heritage play in your music?
Well it’s me, but it’s not something you wear like a t-shirt, you just can’t put it on and take it off when you feel like it, its who I am. If it comes through in my music it’s because it was meant to happen but i don’t make a point of being a spokesperson for all my brothers and sisters out there. I just make rap music and speak from my perspective on things.
What can you tell me about The Gospel According To Briggs?
That I’m working on it right now. I’m collecting beats and working on the tracks. As I’ve said, I don’t usually have a set plan on how I make things, I just get in and see what happens. My fam from Adelaide will be all over it. Jaytee has already delivered me some heat. And I’m working with some other producers as well. There will be more about that down the track when I have things locked in.
“…I started doing the rap thing when I was a teenager. Me and my boys did our best to insult each other over Dr. Dre instrumentals…my brother showed me my first stuff, Naughty By Nature, Public Enemy and LL. My cousins showed me the more grimy shit and I was into it because it was packed with swear words. I grew up on gangsta rap, I love it and it is still what I listen to mostly…”
You have been on tour with The Funkoars for the last month or two. What has that been like? You must have some scandalous stories…
They are a well adjusted collective of gentlemen. We don’t dabble in much shenanigans on tour…hi-jinx, tomfoolery and skylarking were well in the mix though. There was a lot of straight cordial on the rocks to get the party started, red cordial too if you wanted to take it ‘there’. In Sydney though, the big red machine broke their van door. He even told them he was going to do it then delivered on his promise. I can assure the ‘DING DING DING’ noise from a door ajar will put any of them in the fetal position from now on.
Melbourne heavyweight Reason features on the track My Priority. How did you two originally hook up?
Reason has been my buddy from day one. He showed me how to ride a bike, open a beer with a lighter, how to shave, try do my taxes etc. He’s a good friend. When I first left the greater city of Shepparton and landed in Melbourne he was the dude who put me on. He took me around the country with him and Mark 563 and we rocked some shows together.
The contrast is obvious in the chorus for My Priority. When you and Reason were discussing concepts how did you come to settle on your priorities? Is it a definite ‘meeting halfway’ affair?
That track was just some comical odd-couple type of shit. I can assure you everything in that track is 100% true. I like steak, Reason likes bean curds. I’m a drunk, he isn’t. He had newborn baby girl, I had about 3 eviction letters. He had a job, I had the bitter taste of an unemployment menu, on some chef Briggs ‘make it work’ kitchen bullshit. Chip sammiches every fucking day. You don’t get to look like me without a diet of chip sammiches and cordial. I do 8.
What do you get more satisfaction out of…performing to frenzied crowds at huge venues on The Hangover tour or having a release to your name? Or do they both have their unique value?
I think having a release to my name is the better feeling, because then you’re established, somewhat. That’s your ‘001′ ya know? That is where it all begins. Ive done big shows before like the Obese Block Party 3 and 4 and so on. But it doesn’t really mean much unless you have that release attached to your name. I think it was a better feeling to because i finally had it done, no more lazy bones, no more of ‘the procrastinator’. But to rock those tracks in front of a crowd is right next to it.
Homemade Bombs is a potent autobiography in which you describe experiences familiar to many a hip hop head. Was this part of the motive when writing the track? To voice these common grievances? Or was it more simply the desire to tell your personal story?
Definitely just my personal story. Getting that off my chest was one of the better things I have done with my life I think. Especially the last verse. There’s a lot of bullshit that everyone has to deal with day to day and that was my story. It was pretty much as close to an autobiography i could get without boring the piss out of everyone. I think most people can relate to it because I’m just your regular joe at the corner shops, squinting at Kettle chip prices because he got his first dose of sunlight at 2pm in the arvo.
What’s your favourite track off the EP and why?
I know its going to sound like a wank, but I like every track for different reasons. But probably Homemade Bombs, because that’s the most honest and raw out of them all. To kick live, I like Bad Move and Silverback because they smash.
What’s on the agenda for the next few months? Lots of studio-time with the odd bender? Or plenty of benders with the odd recording session?
I always lie to myself about drinking, wake up every morning and tell myself I have to stop and be more sensible, but in the next 6 hours I’m usually hanging from the rafters somewhere. But I do have EVERY intention to be in the studio. So it shouldn’t be too far away.
Big shout out to my squad, The Opposition, Vishus, Scott Free and Tweet The Foot Soldiers and the rest of the usual suspects.
