Hailed by listeners as "The only UK rapper I'd spend money on," Jovel Walker, also known as Random Impulse just released his newest independent album "Full Metal Alchemist".
Ucombo: We've had the pleasure listening to the tracks on your newest release "Full Metal Alchemist". I'm very much impressed by your clear sense of descriptiveness shown in the songs and your unique rapping style.
Ucombo: Could you tell us about the inspiration and story behind making this wonderful new project?
Jovel: you want the truth? anime! i'm a super nerd and i watch Japanese religously. The concept behind the album is based on a theory i took from the anime "full metal alchemist" (hence the album tittle) which is alchemy is understanding matter, breaking it down, then reconstructing it as somthing else, so what i did is take all my musical influences break them down, then take all the bits that i found amazing and used it to make something completely different. Nerdy as hell right?
Ucombo: You sold an astonishing 10,000 units of independently with your first debut release "Word On The Street" in a short space of 6 months. What do you consider to be the most important factor in making that possible?
Jovel: Id have to say plain old drive and determination if im honest. theres SO many ways to get yourself out there and rather then just think about doing something, i actually DO it. Whether it be hitting the roads of oxford street selling cd's or messaging 100 people every day on myspace, i get on with it, and it all helps. theres no smoke, mirrors or miracle walk through guides im afraid peeps, just work your ass off
Ucombo: You were signed to extremely successful garage label Social Circles alongside underground superstars such as Dexplicit, Donae'o, ms dynamite and sticky as early as 2003. You must have only been around 17 years old at that time. Could you tell us more about your early musical life? How did you get started?
Jovel: I got into music really late, i spent my days studying to be a genetic engineer, then my friend showed me jay-z's blueprint two and it changed my life. next thing you know i was on stage with dizzee rascal at the 2003 peoples choice awards. I cant explained the actual trasition from science to music, it just flowed and i picked it up really quicky. I've still got loads of catching up to do though music wise: i still havent heard any of 2pacs or biggies albums, i havent even got around to hearing nas's illmatic yet!
Ucombo: Who are your most important musical influences?
Jovel: firstly id have to say alex turner from the arctic monkeys: hes my writing idol. At close second is jay-z, if it weren't for him i wouldnt even have started. there are so many more people that I look to for inspiration but i'd have to say those two are at the core.
Ucombo: Any future project plans?
Jovel: hell yeah dude! im doing my "collaboration runs" now that the albums out, ive got a song due out produced by terror danjah with me and dizzee rascal, an indie-based 7 track free mixtape/ep called indie-pendance day and of course the new album which is easily my best work to date so keep your eyes peeled!
Ucombo: It's been our pleasure listening to your songs and thank you for agreeing
to let us interview you. Look forward to hearing more music from you and best of luck to your new release.
Jovel: the pleasure was all mine dude, thanks for having me! :)
