@TheSqueeze_ (@HelzzzRich @JordanAmy) Interview: Rascals (@RascalsOfficial)

THE RETURN OF RASCALS: RENAMED AND REINVENTED
UK Rap group Rascals are back on the UK Rap scene with a new name, a new member, & new material.

Nothing could prepare UK Rap fans for the return of Rascals. After three years of lying low they have impressed audiences on how much they have matured physically and musically.

“Everyone says we’re Grime, we’re not Grime, we just love to make music. We don’t want to be put into a box. We do everything”.

East London’s Rascals, (formally known as Lil Rascals), burst on to the UK Grime scene in late 2007. Aged just twelve and thirteen, the trio at the time, Shizz, Tempz and Merkz, released their debut double sided single New Era/Future Wifey.

“Before when we first started we were inspired by Wiley for building us. He brought people through and we used to see him a lot because he was local; and Dizzee Rascal for doing his thing”.

New Era went straight into the Channel AKA (formally known as Channel U), Chart at No.5 and remained there for thirteen weeks afterwards, followed by another twelve weeks in a Top 20 position.

The year 2010 brought the group a success of over four million internet hits, generating approximately 10,000 combined YouTube hits per week and with new recruit Kay Willz – singer/mc and childhood friend, the four hit the studio.

“This mixtape is the result of the years we was working. There were loads of tunes that didn’t make the mixtape … We’re getting a good response”

The group have an impressive list of artists they have worked alongside, including Roll Deep, Wiley, Ironik, J Cole, Sway, Ghetts, Crazy Cousins, Tinchy Stryder, Maxsta and Tinie Tempah however they seem to have a more laid back approach to collaborations at the moment.

“There are a lot of artists we can work with but right now we want to focus on ourselves. We already are three rappers and one singer”.

With an album releasing in the summer of 2013, a single out on the second week of January 2013 and the video shoot for the single scheduled for this month in addition to having recently signed to British flagship label EMI Records, the group’s future looks promising.

“It’s nice to see that someone actually believed in us and are taking us to that next level. It’s still the beginning and we’re still learning”.