Owen aka Project Lando aka Art of the Roadz. He’s got ADHD and the smoothest voice we’ve ever had on the podcast. He’s a music producer, radio host and he runs events. He runs workshops in Colchester for kids to learn about DJing and MCing with AC MC at The Minories, which isn’t a place you’d expect urban art. But the director of the gallery Emma Howe saw the potential to widen the gallery’s culture and bring in new visitors to the gallery. They ran Free Fest in the garden of the Minories on a beautiful outdoor stage that looked like it was built for a Shakespeare play - they had breakdancing (with Breakin’ Isaac), graffiti, MCing, DJing. Local 18-year old MC, Felc, played and helped curate the line-up. The importance of open minded venues to help young people put on shows. Sangita loved hearing bashment playing in Colchester! How it is important for groups to pave the way for future culture, and build on their successes. Out of struggle comes art. Hip hop is poetry, and there are loads of talented young rappers and beat makers from ‘the roads’. What’s the difference between hip hop and grime production? Making beats for free - using software like Fruityloops. Owen benefited from studying at a school in London with a recording studio - a rarity at the time - now anyone can record at home. Democratisation of music production through technology accessibility. Big up Jiim the rapper from Clacton who smashed it at Roadz. Owen started music at school playing cello, then drums, then discovered the early days of hip hop and DJing when his youth centre bought a pair of Technics decks. Then rave, hardcore and jungle took over his attention as DJ Rekle$$, through the clubs to pirate radio stations. The passion for DJing turned into a passion for production. After hundreds of hours on Atari STs, and a production course in Wandsworth - Project Lando was born! BBC Essex Introducing started playing his tunes. Is Owen hip hop Simon Cowell? Bypassing the gatekeepers in music. Finding your unique stories for lyrics. Keeping lyrics clean for the radio and public performances. If you want to get into music, practice, experiment, work hard, hone your craft, keep going - get a cheap laptop, software. Rappers can practice to royalty free beats on YouTube. Look for feedback! Big up the Essex rave scene. Big Narstie came to the Art of the Roadz show at Minories and invited all the MCs for a cypher. Owen is writing a jungle track posse cut to bring together MCs from different backgrounds to talk about unity.
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Project Lando
Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna
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