#jonny steele

Jonny Steele from The Scribes returns with his next single – the promised Whetstone: Session Two. We know what Jonny is about as he spills his vocabulary over the smooth beat flexing new flows and keeping it fresh. Referencing artists, tracks and notably lyrics who have had an impact on him this is dope. Lyrics by: Jonny SteeleProduced by: OneSoulFilmed by: SG Media…

The Scribes lead vocalist Jonny Steele is back with another sick lyrical showcase Whetstone 1.5. He downplays this as “practicing the craft“. Bristol based producer OneSoul is once again the bet maker of choice to complete this. Whetstone Sessions 2 coming soon. Lyrics by: Jonny SteeleProduced by: OneSoul Jonny…

Whetstone: Session One by The Scribes lead vocalist Jonny Steele is a dense and somber, multi-layered reflection on his own craft, mental health, and Bristol roots. Laid over Bristol based producer OneSoul‘s smooth, piano laden instrumental laden with anxious drum patterns and soulful sounds, Whetstone: Session One is the type of skilful exhibition in wordplay and double entendres that’s come to…

The Scribes MC Jonny Steele from the South West, flexing his poetic muscles, drops an accapella verse as a prelude to the Whetstone Sessions. Jonny Steele https://www.instagram.com/jonny_steele_/ The…

The Scribes MC Jonny Steele from the South West drops an accapella verse of intense musings for this New Phone. Who Dis? live verse. Jonny Steele https://www.instagram.com/jonny_steele_/ The…

Spreading the word of South West hip hop| The Scribes

With the album Quill Equipped Villainy demonstrating a varied soundscape harking back to the golden days of hip hop, we chatted to Jonny Steele and Ill Literate from South West 3 piece The Scribes about inspiration, collaboration and society

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Blitzing stages with his vocal ballistics Jonny Steele always brings a unique catalogue of flows to the Bristol Hip Hop Scene. If, like us, you're a fan of good vibes, extensive vocabularies & old video games, you're about to add another all encompassing element to that list. His latest album 'The Death Of Loki' dropped recently. We held an inquest, these are the findings.

Q. What was the first rap you ever heard?

The first rap that I probably paid attention to would have to be MC Hammer… obviously Stop, Hammertime! Ever since I saw those parachute pants; I was enthralled, it took me and I thought, I wanna be like that guy.

Q. Which Hip Hop album did you first get your hands on?

My brother had vinyls, 3 main ones I remember him bringing them back one day; it was Queen Latifah, De La Soul & Public Enemy. I remember vividly, being on my bunk bed, looking at the vinyl covers and being like Wow! As it was a very Christian household I wasn’t allowed to listen to em, so I had to sneak around to have a little listen to them on the record player.

Q. Where and when did you first get on the mic?

I used to go to church and I used to be in the gospel music club. When I was in that I had a beautiful voice… then, as I got into my teens, my voice broke and it all went downhill from there.

Q. Who’s in your crew and who else are you working with at the moment?

In my main group, The Scribes, is Ill-literate (rhymer & producer who I’ve known since primary school), Lacey (our Beatboxer) and DJ Kenny Hectic (playing nothing but the coolest Funky House), they all live down in Plymouth. I’m the only one in Bristol and a few years back I met up with my boy Astro Snare.

Q. New albums out, ‘The Death Of Loki’; what influenced the title?

Cleaning out the closet, so to speak. I wanted to use a load of old raps that had been hibernating for a while, when I met up with Astro Snare the beats just fitted perfectly. Loki was my previous name and now I’ve gone back to Jonny Steele, it was good to get out all my old wordplay and battle raps and now I can put it to the side and move on o my new stuff… progression!

Q. You have a verbally acrobat rhyme style; do you put in a lot of practise or does it all come naturally?

Bit of both. Growing up listening to American rap and being heavy influenced by it was a good starting point. By the time I was old enough to get on open mics, UK Garage, Jungle and Drum & Bass had come through, all these different influences were going round. The main thing was being able to just jump up and do it. Playing more live shows, I get to practise more but things can sometimes go wrong (with equipment, sound etc.) I’ve had to work on my freestyling. Basically from things falling apart I’ve become very easy going with music.

Q. If you could collaborate with any artist (past, present or future) who would you choose?

Pharaohe Monch… his delivery and wordplay made me realise what rap was all about.

Q. What’s in store for 2014?

We got the new Scribes album coming very soon and my next album - ‘The Birth’ with Astro Snare. Plus there’s some nice collabos coming up and working on another new Scribes album. It’s gonna be a busy year!

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So next time you're out and something hit's your eardrums faster than a speeding bullet; it wasn't a bird, it wasn't a plane it was most likely a speakerful of Jonny Steele. You can call on the caped crusader using the links below:

Follow Jonny Steele on Facebook 

Buy 'The Death Of Loki' Album

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