Mugsy is a Hip Hop artist from LK, Donegal, Ireland. He has released 2 albums and has performed many gigs nationwide. He has his music played nationally on stat
Rappers are 'Havin The Craic'
BY SEÁN P. FEENY
A group of rappers who have been flying the flag for Hip Hop in the North West for the past five years have just released a brand new EP.
Restless Ambitions have fought hard for years to be recognised and get their music out there and with changing trends in music tastes, these guys are no longer Underground and are sure to break into the mainstream market.
The group is made up of artists from Donegal and Tyrone - they are Mugsy (Paul McMullan) and BKoz (Brian Kelly) from Letterkenny, FreeState (William Gallagher) from Muff, Gerard i2 (Gerard McDaid), Mr Mills (Stephen Mills) and HC Baby (Danny Houston) from Strabane.
Although they have found it hard to get regional airplay, they have found support from the vibrant radio station i102104 and DJs such as Lisa Brady who have played their music across the West and North West and brought them to the masses.
Now with the release of their EP Havin The Craic the Donegal rappers show that their talent is really maturing with top class production and great lyrics.
It’s three years since the group released their album Smoke Signals and it has been a time of a lot of ups and downs, but according to one of its members thankfully more ups than downs.
Mugsy said: “The only down we've really had was our planned trip to Toronto on St Patrick’s Day last year where we were meant to be performing.
“As you can imagine, we were excited about being asked to travel to Canada and perform there but at the very last minute the sponsorship was pulled.
“That hit us like a kick in the teeth, but we all pulled together and did a cracking gig in Sister Sara's in Letterkenny with the 'Flat' boys instead. We also had a young member of the crowd perform with us that day - Morgan, we haven't forgotten you!”
While they’ve also been working on their solo projects and still performing live gigs, the rappers decided it was time to get back into the studio together and with all the time they spend working on their material and recording new tracks, they feel they are progressing all the time.
“Yeah, it's definitely progressed. I think we progress with every track we do and as long as that continues to happen, we'll be happy,” said Mugsy.
“Our production continues to impress and that’s all down to Gerard i2 and Zenemy Productions. The flow, lyrical content and rhyming schemes have improved too and as before in the previous album, we have a few tracks to make you dance and a few to make you think.”
One track that should be on everyone’s playlist this summer is Summer Beatz as it is sure to get you in a good mood driving a long on a sunny day while War Without Violence is yet again another song from the group with a real message.
Mugsy revealed that 2011 is going to be a big year for the group performing at various festivals and you can see them perform locally next at the newly established Finn Fleadh in Ballybofey on April 30, where 12 bands and three DJs will perform over 12 hours in aid of Donegal Hospice.
“It's in aid of the hospice so I hope we see a good turn out. It's good to see an event like this being organised in Donegal and as it's limited to 1000 tickets I can see it being sold out very soon so make sure to get your tickets,” he said.
To listen to and download Restless Ambitions’ new EP Havin The Craic log onto soundcloud.com/mugsy
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