Interview: Gareth Brooks on hip hop, Grandmaster Flash & Juicy's second birthday

Manchester's most popular hip hop night Juicy celebrates its second birthday on September 8th.

From humble beginnings in Manchester's Sub Space in 2008, the guys have gone from strength to strength - with their whirlwind romance with the city's hip hop fans seeing them host over 100 sold our parties, playing with the Wu Tang Clan, Kelis and Big Boi, and hosting tents at Parklife and Kendal Calling. 

So it's only fitting that the boys have attracted the attention of the most famous hip hop DJ on the planet to help them celebrate two years of Juicy. Hip hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash will be playing a very special set at The Ruby Lounge on September 8th.

Xfm DJ Gareth Brooks, known simply as 'brooks' in hip hop circles, will be supporting the legend on the night with a set of old school hip hop classics. We caught up with brooks to talk about the recent resurgence in hip hop, the growth of Juicy, and why Grandmaster Flash is so important to the genre.

Hi brooks! Where do we find you today? 

I’m at the barbers, getting my barnet done before I fly to Croatia.

You're playing at the second birthday of Manchester hip hop promoters Juicy with Grandmaster Flash on September 8th. Are you excited?

Very! I’m totally stoked to have been asked to play. I’ve been dying to play Juicy since it started!

You're an Xfm DJ, but you've never hidden the fact that your first love is hip-hop. How did you first get into the genre, and what is it you love about it?

I was really into BMX back in the day and a lot of us got into hip hop culture through that. I could never breakdance, but the music and clothes were right up my street. Watching films like ‘Wild Style’ and ‘Beat Street’ and TV programmes like The Word, Dance Energy and Def II, were a massive influence. The Metal, Goth and Alternative scenes were never for me.

How significant has Grandmaster Flash's contribution been to the genre?

Flash has been a pioneer from day one. He was one of the first DJs out of the South Bronx to perfect scratching and beat juggling. A massive influence on turntablism and Hip Hop culture.

There's been a real resurgence in the popularity of hip hop over the past couple of years. What do you put that down to?

Music has always moved in cycles. But I think it's just down to people being more open minded and being into all sorts of music, rather than just sticking to the one genre. Plus of course, Hip Hop was massive in the 90’s. A lot of people who are clubbing now grew up listening to Rap.

Xfm is known as an indie station but it also embraces other genres; with Beastie Boys' Mixmaster Mike recently taking over Saturday nights. As a hip hop fan you must be pretty pleased about that development for the station? 

Massively! To be working alongside Mixmaster Mike on Xfm is unbelievable. I still can’t get over it to be honest.

The Grandmaster Flash show will be Juicy's second birthday. These guys just seem to be going from strength to strength don't they?

Juicy have established themselves as the number one club night in Manchester over the last couple of years. Every Wednesday night you can guarantee a total roadblock outside Joshua Brooks. Big up Alex and Christos!

What are your all time top three hip hop tracks?

Christ!  *thinks for about an hour*

Jungle Brothers ‘Feelin’ Alright’

Biggie Smalls ‘Gimme The Loot’

Boogie Down Productions ‘My Philosophy’

I don’t think they’re my top three, but they’ll do.

What can we expect of your set at Juicy's second birthday?

Old school, plenty of old school and maybe some newer bits too…

Why should people grab the opportunity to see Grandmaster Flash at The Ruby Lounge? 

Like I said earlier, Flash is a true pioneer of Hip Hop. A showman, a living legend and he’s coming to Manchester! All roads lead to the Ruby Lounge that night, It’s going to be one hell of a party!

Thanks brooks, see you on September 8th! 

Tickets for Juicy's Second Birthday with Grandmaster Flash are available through Skiddle below. Snap 'em up quickly! 

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