MC Cardz is one of the most respected MCs in the Japanese drum & bass scene. Bringing his own unique and original rhyming style using Japanese lyrics, you'll find him MCing at most d&b events in Tokyo sharing the stage with international artists and local DJs alike.

How did you start out as a MC?
In the late 90s I was one of the youngest MCs/rappers in Osaka's hip hop scene. I used to be a host MC and loved hyping up the crowds. A few years later I was blown away by legendary Japanese artists like DJ Krush and Tha Blue Herb and I started to get into abstract/trip hop to use as backing tracks for my shows.

Around the same time, my best friends DJ Kom and MC Leo (we later moved to Tokyo and started our own events together) took me to a record store called Mutant Records which was the only DnB and UK hip hop / breakbeat store in Osaka. It was owned by DJ Hiroshi a.k.a FU1, an icon in Osaka's street music and fashion scene. I was getting into d&b more and more and had started thinking about becoming a d&b MC. But I didn't want to do it half heartedly because I was still involved in the hip hop community. Eventually I decided to start a career as a DnB MC from scratch in Tokyo.

Can you describe the Japanese DnB scene?
It's big, healthy and still underground.

What are the differences between your technique and style to that of a non-Japanese MC?
Hmmm. Good question. Maybe everything? I don't mind, because I was born here and grew up here. I'm trying to build up my style to be a unique Japanese MC but at the same time respect the roots and culture of jungle / d&b and I feel that the vibes and flow can break any language barrier.
 
What brought you to London recently and what stood out between the British and Japan scene?
Seeing is believing, right? I was in your country to be inspired. Last time I was there I also went to Bristol to see D-Product who mixed my group's singles. What stood out? The real, raw scene, the home of d&b and seeing my heroes perform every week! I'd like to spend more time in the UK.

In Japan, what are the differences from city to city in the way DJs spin?
All local DJs have their own attitudes and styles and want to represent their own scene. The sound gets more aggressive as you go to the west and south of Japan. Shout out to all the DJs, MCs, VJs and d&b music lovers in Japan! You can check out some of the local parties in Japan here.

What's so special about the scene in Japan that makes artists and non-Japanese people fall in love with it?
I don't know. We just do our thing with love and respect. There's a good expression by Japan's DJ Kentaro, "No Wall Between The Music". It's like that.

How would you like to see the future of Japanese d&bB evolve?
I want it to be loved in the same way that people here give love to other more popular street music like hip hop and reggae.  

Production wise who are the people to check out?
We have lots of good d&b producers here like Dx, Jun,  Ena, Kohta, Hirofumi Asamoto, E-mura from Rub a dub market, Mitsukuni from Pentagon, Wise from Cycle, DJ Aki and Takeo, Akira, Velocity, Heavy1 a.k.a Futek, Quantrek, Yoneda from Dogma, DJ Soma, Kentaro from Junglistyouth, Hiroshi a.k.a FU1, Kom, Kenzi, DJ Ichi, Anode, Medico, DJ Kentaro, DJ Aru, DJ Baku, Skyfish, Largemouth, Adam3, Tetsuji Tanaka and, of course, Makoto, T-ak, DJ Go and more.

The future's bright, haha. But some producers seem to mainly be focused on spreading their work outside Japan. It's good and positive to make their own name big but I think DJs and MCs need to be united together to do something new for the domestic scene to make it bigger and wider.

How do you think d&b has changed in the last few years with the rise of dubstep in Japan?
It doesn't feel like much has changed but you can hear some dubstep at d&b events round here. I like dubstep and the d&b DJ's here are interested in it as well.

Tell us about your collaboration with The Upbeats on their Big Skeleton album...
I MCed for Jeremy and Dylan, The Upbeats, a couple of times when they were here as guest DJs at DJ Ken's Hangover party (he runs it with DJ Satoshi and DJ Shige). Ken gave my contact details to Jeremy, and that's how it happened. It was an amazing experience for me; I really appreciate The Upbeats and Ken for making it happen, and wanna say arigato [thanks] to them!

What have you released in the past and what are you working on at the moment?
In 2008 I released the Cardz & Ena - Deadstock album on my label IAI Recordings. "IAI" comes from the Japanese martial art "IAIDO". I wanted to release some cutting edge stuff with a feeling of the Samurai spirit.

Ena's my partner in the label and a really talented producer (he recently did an interview with Kmag). We've been working together since 2004.

I've also worked with some people from other music scenes. Right now I'm working with Hirofumi Asamoto and AICO (a Japanese r&b star with the stage name Sugar Soul) on our group's ("KAM") album. The first single will be released in spring with the album due to debut at the end of 2010. I'm also gonna drop my first solo album this year.
    
Anything else you want to tell us about the Japanese DnB scene?
2010 is gonna be a big year for our scene, so keep an eye out for us.

Iai rec deadstock preview by cardzmc

Related Links:

• Interview: MC Cardz
• Japanese Dubstep: Harikiri
• Virus Night In Tokyo
• Japanese Dubstep: Greg G
• Japanese Dubstep: Hyaku-mado

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