Questions for Russel, the drumming rapper.
Hip Hop, March 2001
How did you become a gorilla?
Russel: I was working in a Soho record store when I first laid my eyes on Murdoc and 2D. Murdoc was stealing from the bargain bin if I remember correctly. The brother needed a fast change of underwear when he laid his eyes on me, as I was deep in conversation with Del at the time. Murdoc came straight up to us and said that he was looking for a rapper and a drummer for his band and would we be interested in trying out. I think the free-floating apparition of Del was the real deal clincher for Murdoc, he sees it as a record-selling gimmick but I was into the sound that we made together, so it suited us all fine.
What's it like being a part of a virtual band?
Russel: The best comparison we can think of for being in a cartoon band is finding yourself sewn into the seat of William Hanna’s and Joe Barbera’s jogging pants on the day they invented The New Shmoo. A pretty wild ride.
Are there any antecedents to what you're doing?
Russel: There were two other drumming primates that were spanking the skins while I was still in Bag-Dad, if you know what I mean. Bingo from The Banana Splits was the first drumming gorilla known to man, and I’m ashamed to say that I thought Mickey Monkee Dolenze was cool when I was a kid.
How did the concept for Gorillaz emerge?
Russel: We formed as a band in April 1998. It then took some time for our individual characters to gel together. It’s only after many punch-ups, screaming matches, and late-night colouring-in sessions that we have reached a point where we can get on stage, pull our pants up high under our armpits and shout “Hello Mr. President...”
Who are your favourite simian characters in music?
Russel: Well, there are the two I’ve already mentioned, but King Louie is definitely the Jungle VIP.
Is it difficult rapping and drumming at the same time?
Russel: Well, it’s like this; I’m possessed by the rapping phantom of my dead high-school pal, Del, who was gunned down at my side when we accidentally found ourselves in the path of some gangland fire. Del caught a cap in the toe, which must have sprung up around inside him like that magic bullet that offed Kennedy because he died right there in front of me. Anyway, since that time it’s been like he’s the Genie and I’m the bottle, when I’m playing his spirit comes through me and lays down the finest undead rhymes. It’s left me knowing how it must feel to be a bitch, but there ain’t no other way anyone is getting inside me, I can tell you that for free.
Talking of rapping drummers, why do so many Hip-Hoppers rate Phil Collins? Do you?
Russel: That’s totally Murdoc’s territory, he’s got this theory about Genesis and women. He gets them in his Winnebago and flips The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway on repeat and takes Polaroids of them in compromising positions. I, myself, think Phil Collins sucks the veiny fat one.
Why are rap album covers normally so lame?
Russel: That is a truly pressing issue of our time! Why does the primary musical art form of our time plump for shitty graphics? It’s beyond me. Our stuff looks great though, and there are some exceptions to this rule now that I think about it. I really love both the Blackalicious cover for Melodica and Quannum’s Greatest Bumps, I think they were both done by Stan the Eighth Wonder but I haven’t got them to hand so don’t quote me! Online, you should check out DJ Vadim’s site too, cool, constructivist, ninja tune style.
Who inspires you most as a rapper?
Russel: Well, Del is my ever-living brother who channels his spirit world flow through me, he turned me on to Hip-Hop so he’s my inspiration and my mentor. There’s so many others that I love though, Guru always does it for me, Mos Def is a shining light and I’m really into Blade, he and Mark B get my full respect, U.K Hip-Hop shows real heart in the face of media and record company stupidity. I also owe an eternal debt of gratitude to nearly everyone on the Electro series, “Jam On It” still makes me jump up.
And as a drummer?
Russel: Leroy “Horse Mouth” Wallace, he’s the Burning Spears drummer and was the star of the movie Rockers. He also used to play with Augustus Pablo, he’s got such a self-assured and upbeat style, and his dress sense is second to none too.
What's Gorillaz's favourite food?
Russel: Depends on who you're talking to, but I think we all agree on West Indian, we had the best food every day while we were recording our album in Jamaica.
How would you describe the Gorillaz?
Russel: We live in an animated alter-world where Augustus Pablo can walk into Electric Lady Studios, pick up a Gibson, and play a fuzz lead over a Cachao bass line while Dr. Dre plays the tin flute to Rag Time beatz.
What are your ambitions?
Russel: I personally would like to have James Brown as my chauffeur, Puffy as my caddy, and Dr Huxtable as my G.P.
Anything to add?
Russel: Yeah, keeping it real all depends upon your perception of what truth might be and who you believe is in control of it. Be true to yourself and you always will be, keep in mind where you came from and keep your eye on where you’re going. Peace.
Russel: I was working in a Soho record store when I first laid my eyes on Murdoc and 2D. Murdoc was stealing from the bargain bin if I remember correctly. The brother needed a fast change of underwear when he laid his eyes on me, as I was deep in conversation with Del at the time. Murdoc came straight up to us and said that he was looking for a rapper and a drummer for his band and would we be interested in trying out. I think the free-floating apparition of Del was the real deal clincher for Murdoc, he sees it as a record-selling gimmick but I was into the sound that we made together, so it suited us all fine.
What's it like being a part of a virtual band?
Russel: The best comparison we can think of for being in a cartoon band is finding yourself sewn into the seat of William Hanna’s and Joe Barbera’s jogging pants on the day they invented The New Shmoo. A pretty wild ride.
Are there any antecedents to what you're doing?
Russel: There were two other drumming primates that were spanking the skins while I was still in Bag-Dad, if you know what I mean. Bingo from The Banana Splits was the first drumming gorilla known to man, and I’m ashamed to say that I thought Mickey Monkee Dolenze was cool when I was a kid.
How did the concept for Gorillaz emerge?
Russel: We formed as a band in April 1998. It then took some time for our individual characters to gel together. It’s only after many punch-ups, screaming matches, and late-night colouring-in sessions that we have reached a point where we can get on stage, pull our pants up high under our armpits and shout “Hello Mr. President...”
Who are your favourite simian characters in music?
Russel: Well, there are the two I’ve already mentioned, but King Louie is definitely the Jungle VIP.
Is it difficult rapping and drumming at the same time?
Russel: Well, it’s like this; I’m possessed by the rapping phantom of my dead high-school pal, Del, who was gunned down at my side when we accidentally found ourselves in the path of some gangland fire. Del caught a cap in the toe, which must have sprung up around inside him like that magic bullet that offed Kennedy because he died right there in front of me. Anyway, since that time it’s been like he’s the Genie and I’m the bottle, when I’m playing his spirit comes through me and lays down the finest undead rhymes. It’s left me knowing how it must feel to be a bitch, but there ain’t no other way anyone is getting inside me, I can tell you that for free.
Talking of rapping drummers, why do so many Hip-Hoppers rate Phil Collins? Do you?
Russel: That’s totally Murdoc’s territory, he’s got this theory about Genesis and women. He gets them in his Winnebago and flips The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway on repeat and takes Polaroids of them in compromising positions. I, myself, think Phil Collins sucks the veiny fat one.
Why are rap album covers normally so lame?
Russel: That is a truly pressing issue of our time! Why does the primary musical art form of our time plump for shitty graphics? It’s beyond me. Our stuff looks great though, and there are some exceptions to this rule now that I think about it. I really love both the Blackalicious cover for Melodica and Quannum’s Greatest Bumps, I think they were both done by Stan the Eighth Wonder but I haven’t got them to hand so don’t quote me! Online, you should check out DJ Vadim’s site too, cool, constructivist, ninja tune style.
Who inspires you most as a rapper?
Russel: Well, Del is my ever-living brother who channels his spirit world flow through me, he turned me on to Hip-Hop so he’s my inspiration and my mentor. There’s so many others that I love though, Guru always does it for me, Mos Def is a shining light and I’m really into Blade, he and Mark B get my full respect, U.K Hip-Hop shows real heart in the face of media and record company stupidity. I also owe an eternal debt of gratitude to nearly everyone on the Electro series, “Jam On It” still makes me jump up.
And as a drummer?
Russel: Leroy “Horse Mouth” Wallace, he’s the Burning Spears drummer and was the star of the movie Rockers. He also used to play with Augustus Pablo, he’s got such a self-assured and upbeat style, and his dress sense is second to none too.
What's Gorillaz's favourite food?
Russel: Depends on who you're talking to, but I think we all agree on West Indian, we had the best food every day while we were recording our album in Jamaica.
How would you describe the Gorillaz?
Russel: We live in an animated alter-world where Augustus Pablo can walk into Electric Lady Studios, pick up a Gibson, and play a fuzz lead over a Cachao bass line while Dr. Dre plays the tin flute to Rag Time beatz.
What are your ambitions?
Russel: I personally would like to have James Brown as my chauffeur, Puffy as my caddy, and Dr Huxtable as my G.P.
Anything to add?
Russel: Yeah, keeping it real all depends upon your perception of what truth might be and who you believe is in control of it. Be true to yourself and you always will be, keep in mind where you came from and keep your eye on where you’re going. Peace.