Killacat about Italian reggae and more
Tags:gioman, italien, killacat, macro beats records
After Train to Roots, here comes another great interview giving an insight into the Italian reggae and dancehall scene. Artist Killacat, born Marco Morelli in Catanzaro in 1986, talking about the Italian audience, German connections, mafia business and his and his brother Giomans new album “Block Notes”, which you should grab if you can.
How did you get into the dancehall business?
Killacat: Although I started to play when I was 15 years old as deejay of my crew named Czion, I officially begun to work in the business in 2005, 2006, when One Love Hi Powa, the sound of Rome, gave me the chance to show myself to the Italian reggae massive. They have produced one of my first hit “U Cora Vruscia” on the “Acqua riddim”. After that we collaborated live and in studio, frequently.
In 2007 you and your brother Gioman have recorded a self produced album together.
Killacat: Well, into 2007, realizing that my own city’s and Italian’s reggae scene was running up, we decided to produce our first studio work. The album was entitled “Vruscia” (Italian slang meaning something very hot). It has been published by One Love Records and obtained a good success in both the local and national audience. The album is built in single tracks and some paired with my brother Gioman.
Killacat and Gioman
The new album “Block Notes” was produced and recorded at Macro Beats in Rome. What is the difference to the first album?
Killacat: One of the main differences between “Block Notes” and “Vruscia” is the sound’s variety and production. With no doubts the album represents a kind of progress from the lyric’s point of view. It is much sincere; we worked with some kind of overemphasis. The album has a stylistic maturity, certainly.
There are two parts on “Block Notes”. The first half is new roots while the second half is aimed at the hardcore dancehall heads. Which style do you prefer?
Killacat: In fact as you can notice the album embraces those two styles. Personally I can’t say which I prefer, for sure I can say that from the musical point of view I like new roots style much more. It is a style that brings me back to the roots of this music, set my mind free to imagination, dreams. It has some particularly sounds which involves me. Dancehall style gives much place to lyric’s creations. I manage to express myself with much impact.
Which style does the Italian audience prefer?
Killacat: Probably dancehall style, because nowadays with that music crossover, a little of electronic music, disco music, people enjoy themselves much more. But Italy already has a remarkable reggae tradition, I think about bands like Reggae National Tickets, whose singer was Alborosie, Africa Unite and many more. Probably new roots style goes down well with musicians, while dancehall style has much grip to set the audience on fire.
There are some riddims made by german producers like Supersonic and PowPow on the album. How did you get in contact with them?
Killacat: It has been an honour to work with some top producer as PowPow and Supersonic. These collaborations gave me a great deal and I’m very happy that Italian reggae is opening to the European business. The main touch for us is Macro Marco (Macro Beats Records), who gave us the possibility to approach to these new experiences.
I neither speak nor understand Italian. Please tell me, what you are talking about in your songs.
Killacat: My songs embrace different topics. From love to the present days analysis. I get inspired, as most artists, from what happens around me. I can’t do anything different than observe, inspire and revise, so my songs themes embrace the every day life, love, bravery to young people. There are many songs which sing the praises of amusement, light hearts. Those songs reflect my own being, the life I live.
Killacat, Italian dancehall rocker
You are from Calabria, originally. An area which is well known for its mafia connection since Roberto Savianos book „Gomorrah”. Does Italian reggae refers to mafia topics?
Killacat: I must correct you. Saviano talks about mafia but he comes from Campania not from Calabria. Anyhow, unfortunately also in my country we have the mafia phenomenon but we don’t take that as an exemplum, as inspiration for our songs or our works. We are musicians and push on our ideas with music. Instruments are our weapons and our guns are the good vibes of the reggae music, which must be a strong tool to fight such world’s social pathology called mafia.
There have been a lot of Italian reggae bands taking part in the European Reggae Contest 2009. I think only France had more attendants. Is the Italian reggae scene still on the rise?
Killacat: Obviously the Italian reggae scene has lived its best days, but you know, music is both a taste and fashion matter. As all the fashions they came in and went out, but we can rely on a rolling fan base which follows the movement for many, many years. By the musical point of view, I refer to the reggae bands. There are many of them in the underground.
Where can fans from outside of Italy get you new album new album?
Killacat: You can find the album in the digital stores like iTunes or you can get your copy by sending a message to orders@macrobeats.net. The album will reach you in a few days. I’m sure my fans will enjoy buying my releases.
Killacat Video
Killacat & Gioman im Plattenladen
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