Mazbou Q – formerly known as Unchained XL – is a UK-born, Tāmaki Makaurau-based Nigerian Kiwi rapper and producer. His unique musical background of golden-age hip-hop, West African highlife and heavy metal forms the backdrop for his non-formulaic style of hip-hop inspired by the likes of Fela Kuti, The Roots and Oddisee.
Mazbou Q frequently confronts his listeners with an unapologetic style of socio-political commentary, yet is unafraid to also bring them on his personal journey of navigating the complexities of his unique cultural identity.
He recently released the singles ‘To The Gates’ and ‘Blacklight’ which gave listeners an insight into his new EP which comes out today! Check out our brief interview and more on his EP below!
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CHECK OUT OUR LITTLE CATCH-UP WITH MAZBOU Q BELOW:
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1. Happy NZ Music Month! How did you initially get into creating music?
To you too! My parents pushed me into piano lessons from age four, which I resented in my younger years but am now incredibly grateful for as I believe it made my pathway a lot smoother. As I journeyed through school I picked up multiple instruments, formed bands and started creating my own music using a hacked version of Fruity Loops 3 (I’m showing my age here). After high school I went to college and continued songwriting and producing on the side until I finally landed on a project that would form the basis of my career up until now.
2. Tell us about your inspirations & motivations?
I have many. I grew up listening to punk and heavy music – MXPX, Slick shoes, Underoath, As I Lay Dying and the like – and remained in that scene up until 2014. Even though it seems wildly different to what I do now, the astute listener can hear those influences coming through. But my chief influence at the moment is (predominantly) conscious and afro-centric hiphop.
I’m motivated by the idea of being able to contribute to changing the musical landscape for the better; to have more mature, positive, challenging, inspiring and uplifting music saturate the airwaves.
3. What have you been up to in this lockdown and how has it affected you?
I’m fortunate enough to have my studio at home, so I’ve been making the most of not having any obligation to leave the house and producing a bunch of music. One thing in particular I’ve started is a series of covers (or “re-imaginations”) of well-known songs that I’ve been dropping on Facebook and IG.
Other than having to indefinitely postpone certain shows / tours (an experience most artist have at the moment), funnily enough, the lockdown hasn’t affected me all that much. My daughter was born in January, so we were basically ‘locked down’ looking after her beforehand anyway.
4. What do you think of the NZ music scene?
That’s a very broad and open ended question that I could probably write a book on. I will say though, that there’s a lot of talent In New Zealand. More poignant, there are a lot of talented individuals doing left-of-centre type music that our local industry has demonstrated it is not really ready for yet. I’m hoping it can continue to grow and expand past its comfort zone in order to give some much needed shine to these artists that are trying to push the boundaries.
5. Goal board time – where would you like to see yourself in a year’s time?
Hopefully social distancing will be a thing of the past and I’ll be gigging and touring again. I’d really like to have taken my music overseas and establish an active fan base in Australia or perhaps the UK that I can really cultivate.
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