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Mnemonic Ascent - On the rise
Mnemonic Ascent are made of MCs Raph Boogie and BVA with DJ Ransom The group started out in 1997 and are on the verge of releasing their second LP. Next week they will be performing live as support for Hip Hop big guns, Rodney P & Skitz on their Australian tour. We put MC Raph Boogie under the microscope for the lowdown on Mnemonic Assent and their past, present and future in the Australian Hip Hop scene.
For those that are not familiar with Mnemonic Ascent, please tell us how you got started in the hip hop scene and how Mnemonic Ascent got together?
I got involved in the scene when my crew at the time, named ASWAN, were invited to perform at a Melbourne showcase around 1991, since then I have made lots of friends in around the Melbourne scene. I had already met Ransom in 1990. We had messed around with a few projects until we met BVA in Adelaide and decided to do the Mnemonic thing.
You've all contributed towards building the hip hop scene in Australia. Where do you think the local scene is at the moment?
The local scene is good. Artist are really starting to release good product. The bar is definitely being raised with labels like OBESE and Nuffsaid putting out quality product.
Each of the Members of Mnemonic Ascent have collaborated with various Aussie hip hop artists such as Reference Point, Brad Strut with Resin Dogs/2 Dogs being the major label one. Who would be your dream collaboration partner?
We have currently been collaborating with Koolism which is great. We have been working on a project together which is working out good. Apart from that i would like to do some more work with Lazy Grey.
Although Adelaide and Melbourne aren't worlds apart, do you find it hard getting together with BVA hailing from Adelaide and Ransom?
We have found it to be no problem at all. The times we get together to work are usually used really productive, knowing that we might not get to hook up for a bit. Basically we do a lot of posting and playing stuff over the phone. Everyone has lots of room to breathe. It's good!
Your last LP, "Outside Inn", is becoming a hard to find album, now all of you are going to release your new one. How much different is this album going to be compared to the previous one?
We have quite a few songs to choose from for the next album. We are not what's in or out yet so its hard for me to tell what the overall vibe is .. whatever it is the rhymes will be tight alongside the production
You've also released a solo EP, "The Cusp". Is working on a solo effort much different from a group album?
Basically the solo thing was really similar to doing the Mnemonic thing as BVA and RANSOM both produced
songs on the record.
You and BVA have taken turns producing each other beats, does this mean we will eventually see Ransom on the mic? More to the point though, what are your approaches towards creating beats?
I've been trying to get Ransom on the mic for a while now. If you listen closely you can hear him on "The Cusp". I don't think you will ever hear another verse from him though. Everyone in the group has their own studio at home, so we all work on stuff individually then play each other our ideas.
To sample or not to sample? That is the question.
Sample! Do whatever the fuck you want!
Finally complete this sentence, "When I'm not doing anything anything music related, I'm..
.....playing golf or hanging with my girlfriend"
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Published / Wednesday, 19 March 2003
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