Full Interview: INSAiN from Da Ballergang Speaks About Weskus Hip Hop, Artistry & ILL SCRIPTS

Recently Radio De Touch caught up with Saldanha Bay rapper INSaiN from the Ballergang to see how the impact of growing in a disinterested yet improving West Coast Hip-Hop community, influences the core of new artists and their view of things.

<< Read questions 1 - 8 about the Ballergang

Below is the full interview:

About ILL SCRIPTS:

9) How did ILLSCRIPTS deal with the controversy around its debut release?

Like we laughed a lot about it because it wasn't even serious an we just done that to see if they were stupid enough to reply so well we couldn't careless - it doesn't really matter we don't hate the guys..they like on there level an they doing it big an I believe ballergang or ill scripts is the onli crew in West Coast hip-hop that could give them a run for there lyrics...lol

10) Do you feel that a negative light has been placed onto ILLSCRIPTS or not?

On the diss track we got good and bad feedback but we moved on, that was just messing around in the studio and niggers got serious - but after the new style of ILL SCRIPTS, we got good feedback.. so yeah it's all GOOD though

11) Briefly explain the work of ILLSCRIPTS, what made you change the production style and do you plan to work on more harmonious/melodic music or upbeat music?

Well in ILLSCRIPTS mostly me an junio-A wana talk what's real and that's what we do. We do any style of hip-hop as long its Hip-Hop or Rap. ILLSCRIPTS puts it all together.

12) In the past the group initial planned for a mixtape and music video, does the group also plan to record more releases and what is the current status of these works in ILLSCRIPTS?

We have a lot to still do but we just taking it step by step - not rushing things with ILL SCRIPTS. We got a great team: it's me, Junio-A!, Kieran (our drummer), & Noel (our guitarist). We're more like a band now but Junio-A! and I will still take these beats and go ham.

 

About INSaiN:

12) Which style of Hip-Hop would you describe yourself as? What's your forte?

 

Man I'm comfortable in the commercial scene but the conscious side has got the best of me though... so I'm doing both.

 

13) Seeing that progress is coming your way into the industry, what do you personally aim to achieve and what are you striving for in context to your music?

 

Like personally I wana record a mixtape and get the whole South Africa behind me an make money! [laughs] but firstly I would want to feature all dope artist from the West Coast and my boy from Cape Town, Uranatic.

...yeah like a few of those artist with like every artist in the Ballergang, Junio-A, (those dope ass kids) and yeah all dope artist in the West Coast like Wolve, etc... I don't hate Wolve though, I just wana make dope music and be heard by the youth of SA and do it big for SA... [laughs again].

Man I'm only sixteen so I will have crazy dreams [laughs] but it feels great to be one of the youngest rappers in the game though.

14) Since your aware of what's happening in the West Coast underground, what do you wish would change?
 

Not much but I just hope the people around it could take more note of it, not just the people like the "GAM" kids, nah everyone should listen to it, because its dope at the moment though. I'm just happy to be a apart of it so yeah.

 

15) Do you find the public disinterested in your efforts or do you find there to be growing fan-base?

 

 

Yeah man people will always take me as a rapper...they will always be like: a rapper does "this and that" stuff like that...so yeah they show me support and they wish me luck on performances. They give me good feedback on the tracks we drop too so yeah... I feel a fan-base is growing.
 

 

16) After hitting 200 views on YouTube for 'Ons Is Bevok' (currently at 202 views) and counting, which other resources do you find would promote yourself even more as an artist and would you consider online distribution greater than locally, or are both beneficial?

 

Our tracks thats on Kasimp3 and on Swagcity, like the whole Ballergang mixtape is on kasimp3 and Swagcity and yeah that's all we have right about now. It's going good so yeah...

 

17) What influences you as an artist? How long does it take you to write? And with which local artist would you wish to collaborate?

 

What influences me as an artist is like my surroundings and the people I'm always with they give me something to rap about an yeah just great international hip-hop/rap artist like Drake,  A$AP rocky, Kanye, Kendrick, Jay-Z, Big Sean, J.Cole and Ice Prince only Nigerian rapper I listen to and few local artist like AKA, Khuli Chana, Reason, Tumi and all dope artist is like a big influence on me... if you saying local I'll take that as whole SA, I would like to jump on a track with AKA or Reason yeah. Would also love to work with KPM again.

 

We won't end an interview without having an artist reflect his true opinion so...

 

19) Is there anything else you'd like you say? What is your direct message to the general public?

 

 

Yeah you should choose your decisions wisely thinking of consequences and don't let the next person bring you down keep pushing an you can become what ever you want an achieve what ever you want and believe in your self and never hate your self for who you are because this is gods will and there's nothing you can do about it so..believe in GOD an your self and never give up and never leave something that's working out for you for something that you hope will work out for...so yeah keep it Real and be you self and never give up on your dream or on what you love or who you love...AN I'm out!!! #SWAG

 

 

______________________

ARTIST INFORMATION

 

 

• Follow INSAiN on Twitter @LlewenInSaIN)
• Follow ILL SCRIPTS on Twitter (@illscripts)
• Like Da Ballergang on Facebook
• Download their latest single 'Ready'
• Download ILLSCRIPTS debut 'Ons Is Bevok'
• Watch footage of ILL SCRIPTS Live at a local High School Talent Show

 _____________________________
INTERVIEWED BY: 

Recording Artist, Tha Real U from Shaloma Muzik Underground Brand.

•  Follow Tha Real U on Twitter @REaLMiXwELL
•  Like on Facebook
•  Visit Shaloma Muzik official website for more info on Tha Real U
•  Visit the official website for DJ Real U

WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THANKS TO ALL PARTIES INVOLVED.

BALLERGANG: The New Success Of The West Coast

With a strong production force and a growing aspiration to rhyme, the BALLERGANG, has swiftly took stage to the West Coast music scene, with its first five releases.

Debuting a few months back with 'All Good' the song which featured a comeback of local washouts ILL SCRIPTS, definantly revived the name of rappers Pang & INSAiN. Not just that, the song is currently BALLERGANG's most downloaded release with 53 downloads on Kasimp3.

Along with the bad rep ILLSCRIPTS has been getting, came some success, with its debut 'Ons Is Bevok' still firmly gaining views on YouTube. In total BALLERGANG is undoubtedly the most downloaded Hip-Hop group/crew on the West Coast so far, with a total of 170 downloads. 





BALLERGANG statistics derived from www.kasimp3.com

With all this at the brink, Radio De Touch exclusively interviewed 16 year-old Saldanha rapper, INSAiN, firmly a menber of ILLSCRIPTS and the BALLERGANG, to uncover the truth behind this mysterious group and furthermore understand the degree of change occurring in the young rapper's career.

 

1) How many members are in the BALLERGANG and who are they?

 

 

6 members. Its me Insain, Pang, Arnie, Anyboy, B-boy and the latest member Drizzle. Other than that, Junio-A was also suppose to join but apparently his too busy.

 

2) Where did you derive this name?

 

"Man it has nothing behind it - just a name I thought of when I was still a kid... like 11 years old, when I started rapping then I just grew up with the name...but if u will listen to ma track you would know that thy don't call me 'insain' for nothing LOL* just joking bra.."

 

3) How does it feel being the only artist in two groups?

 

 

"It's kinda difficult but not much, I just have to make sure I deliver my best for both crews and as long as they cool with it, I'm committed to both crews"

 

 

4) What made you join the Ballergang or what formed it?

 

Pang and I along with Junio A! were offered to join seeing that we already existed as a group (ILLSCRIPTS).

 

We then agreed since BALLERGANG has better production quality and with a bunch of good kids in the crew we couldn't refuse. 

 

I jus joined a dope crew that had a name of "BALLERGANG" but from what I've heard the name came from my homies Arnie, Anyboy & B-Boy. The three were in a clique before Ballergang and all shared one thing in common: they all loved the music of the greatest rapper of all time, 2PAC.

 

With that, there's a verse in his song 'Life Goes On' from which the three heard him say the following words "live as a BALLER alcohol and bootycalls."

 

The group liked that so the name of the clique came quite easily; but as for me, me and the boys go way back...

 

 

5) Whose responsible for the production, distribution and other efforts of the group?

 

Most popular producer in Saldanha the one an only DJ Brandon. The whole clique works together to make it work though.

 

6) Does the group belong to label/brand and what is it's aim production wise?

 

Arnie answered this question saying:

 

We belong to a label that's well known in Saldanha bay called 'YA GA YO STUDIO' and were building the label from the ground up. The aim is mostly to say that we're keeping the name WEST COAST high and to put out good music

 

 

7) After these first few singles, what does the group plan in future?

 

Just to be heard and keep pushing, feature other crews and perform at different places - we would love that but yeah... we just wana be heard and make the production bigger so that there is dope tracks out there for the people.

 

 

8) After winning 2nd place in the high school talent show and performing publicly, does that encourage you or discourage you to continue making music and how did that experience feel for you?

 

That encourages me a lot man and it makes me wana make more music. It felt great being on stage, it's something I enjoy doing - performing. Before I got on stage I was nervous though but when I got out there... I just done my thing an enjoyed it.

 

It happened to be my 1st performance, ever... and with that, me and Junio-A! killed it, seeing that we got second place... so yeah, it was great!

 

 

9) How did ILL SCRIPTS deal with the controversy around its debut release?

 

Like we laughed a lot about it because it wasn't even serious. We just done that to see if they were stupid enough to reply and so well we couldn't careless... it doesn't really matter we don't hate the guys, they're on their level and they're doing it big yet I believe ballergang or ill scripts is the only crew in West Coast hip-hop that could really give them a run for their lyrics...lol

 

• FULL INTERVIEW COMING SOON...

More on the BALLERGANG:

• CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BALLERGANG'S LATEST SINGLE 'READY'
• 'LIKE' BALLERGANG ON FACEBOOK
• FOLLOW INSAiN (@LlewenInSaIN) ON TWITTER

 

5 Things Happening In West Coast Hip-Hop

Over the last few months, the West Coast Hip-Hop scene has seen some changes occur. Some were noticed yet some might still be ignored as many happen to be uninformed. If you one of those who don't know or maybe you haven’t been paying close attention, take a look below:
 
 
1. Internet Exposure

 
With artists like Goku from War3 Karak3tez, Big Twist, Tha Real U and Legacii on Soundcloud and Reverbnation, Internet exposure has surely increased. Three months ago, Tha Real U released 'Underground Kings' which quickly became one of the top downloaded songs in West Coast Hip-Hop, by reaching 100 downloads in a day.
Apart from this, Goku has released a series of music videos online which accompany those of Bizzy and Zayo, as well as the Major Playaz.
 
Other than this Tha Real U happened to release a music video as well. For the coast, this kind of exposure not only helps artists but it sheds light on the West Coast Hip-Hop community as well. Online releases help artists get recognised locally and Internationally quicker and more conveniently.
 
Last year mobile-site Swag City, was released in favour of this, so that locally people can download songs without having to hassle with computers, looking for links on Google or better yet not knowing where to find music.
 
 
2. Collaborations
 
Recently Big Twist collaborated with Goku. This created a banger along with Ivaan and Lazy B who previous also appeared on one of Goku's songs. Not only did this song ('We Made It') show how West Coast Hip-Hop steps things up, but so did Tha Real U's 'That I'm Dreaming' and 'Long Nights' which got newcomers Jempas and Lee Rick further involved in music.
 
General and Young Fl!p gained access to the Hip-Hop scene as well when they debuted on Big Twist's first mixtape, along with Prospect and Double D which gained added recognition. These collaborations show how West Coast Hip-Hop is transforming.
The scene is no longer monopolised by a single group of artists or band, but diverse, with different perspectives, styles and influences.
 

3. Started From The Bottom
 
Like everyone in the industry, you have to start somewhere even if it is the bottom. The past year has seen this happen. Not only did Twist come out of his shadow, but so did Tha Real U who happened to be a mash-up DJ.
 
Legacii, Illscripts, WBMG, also formed. These three groups soon started making music with a passion and are yet fighting for some exposure. With so many artists popping up out of no where, the West Coast community might soon see a revolution take place. While other artists remain unknown, the little light that has become the platform for West Coast Hip-Hop has helped artists grow and release more and more songs. With this comes better sound quality, lyrics and production quality.
 
Although most artists pushing songs these days are underground and newcomers, their support structures are constantly expanding. It's might just be a matter of time until their music is everywhere.
 

4. The Platform
 
Before 2013, West Coast Hip-Hop lacked a serious platform. Artists seem to be hidden in all places, some are popular yet the notorious, remain notorious. This reality however is starting to change. With Facebook pages and groups, websites like Swag City and communication structures between artists through these tools, West Coast Hip Hop now has a growing platform open for new artists and ready to support existing artists.
 
One problem though. Somehow there's always a disadvantage and this is it: some artists are promoting self with old, outdated procedures, rather then modernising and keeping up with the new platform. Not only do they aim at creating fan-bases or added support for themselves, they do this with no intention of building up the West Coast Hip-Hop community.
 
Networking tools like Facebook groups/pages, Websites etc... depend on the whole communities involvement to become an true success. Not only do artists gain exposure, while they lend exposure, they also help the whole West Coast Hip-Hop scene gain exposure and this will either help them cutback at trying to win fans cause they'll naturally gain support, or cause them to fade out if the scene becomes quickly populated.
 

5. Performances

Recently Big Twist and brand, started hitting a few popular venues. With performances springing up in local places, West Coast Hip-Hop is becoming much more engaging.
Although some regular performances do happen in the West Coast community, they seem to be aimed at one area, particularly a certain fan-base to please the supporters of a certain group. This is remarkable as fans will keep coming back for more, but it doesn't get the Hip-Hop scene to expand into unheard regions of the coast.
 
The group, ILLSCRIPTS took on this attempt however, by performing in a local High School Talent show, which scored them 2nd place. Not only does this performance help debut the group, but it also informs the general community about the emerging Hip-Hop scene within its community.
 
While some Hip-Hop artists (unknown to us) do also perform in popular places, it is yet a mystery on how their music actually engages with the public.
 
It is said that more events are being planned for West Coast Hip-Hop artists, especially the thought of possibly seeing some of these current power-forces work together. Will that happen? and is this even possible? For now we have no idea, only the Lord knows.