The Untouchables are a rap duo out of Edmonton Alberta. Formed in late 2013 they have been gaining momentum all year. Performing live atleast twice a month, since January of 2014. They have opened for Swollen Members, Evil Ebenezer and many others. From local radio interviews, a review from Hip Hop Canada then to being featured in the local university newspaper. They have a grind and determination that shows in everything they do. Their debut album is called, “The Puppetmasters”, and will be released this summer.
1. For starts how did you guys form a group?
KeyLow– We met at a battleaxe warriors bbq in late 2013. Started making music, did our first show in Dec 2013 and been going hard ever since.
Basix– It was actually during an open Mic cypher that we met, like Key said it was a bax bbq and there was one of yegs livest DJs there CreeAzn spinning.
2. It’s not often you hear about a Hip Hop scene in Edmonton Alberta, how would you describe the sound and Hip Hop culture of your region in Canada?
KeyLow– It’s very diverse. Alot of different styles but mostly all underground raw type styles.
Basix– Edmonton is over a million and a half ppl so of course it’s a Lil saturated. I find for the most part there’s alot of negativity and alot of groups/artists that would rather tear everyone else down than build together. Then you have ppl like Brothers Grim (one of the more known groups) who show true love for the culture and spread their support to all corners of the city. I think we are beginning to be more recognized worldwide which is fitting since we have
so many dope artists here.
3. We’ve heard a lot of songs from you and heard a very dope one from you on the DD34 (Hosted by Ill Bill) mixtape appearance. It has us wondering are the songs that are out now on the debut album “The Puppet Masters” or are these some appetizers before the meal?
Basix– There are some released that are going on the album, and lots that aren’t. Trying to save most of them until the album drops. The song “Name Sake” that you might have heard on Digital Dynasty 34 will be the opening track.
4. What do you guys think of the current state of HipHop and how do you think The Untouchables can change it?
KeyLow-it’s going soft and I’m not sure if it will ever harden back up, but me ill stay solid regardless.
Basix– I feel that it mostly exists underground. I don’t hear many mainstream artists that I would even consider hip hop, rnb and rap included. The only thing I think we bring the table is what every true rap head wants, that raw street poetry. Might not change anything but keeping what we love alive is a definite goal.
5. Lets talk about you guys as solo artists. What’s the difference in your artistry as solo artists compared to the group works?
KeyLow-My style, I always try to paint a picture. I try to be as vivid as possible.
Basix– My style is a lil more vague, I like to tell the story without actually telling it, if that makes sense. Leaving it up to the listener to paint the picture.
6. You guys really flexed on “Life Your Life”. That track really showed your diversity meshing together. It’s almost like a perfect formula. What were the studio vibes like that night you crafted that record?
Basix– It was actually Ryan Richards aka “Lil Man” that crafted that, he came to the studio with the hook already written. Ryan is an original member and kind of a part time Untouchable, he’s gotta lot of his own shit going on at the moment, but we are in talks of bringing him back on full time after our current album drops this summer.
7. On “Life Your Life” one of the lines that stuck out to us was, “now this a message for all the thugs and gang bangers/ in the club with your weapon drawn, you need to kill the anger”. That’s a bold and very true statement. Why do you think Hip Hop artists are always the ones getting in trouble for violence?
KeyLow-It’s because it’s rap music, it’s violent cuz it’s a direct reflection.
Basix– Again that line was by Ryan. I think it gets the most attention for violence because shits always going down at rap shows. Whether someone gets stabbed or stomped it’s 8 out 10 shows something happens. It’s the voice of the streets though. Where there’s street music, there’s street people.
8. Who were your influences to get into emceeing?
KeyLow-My main influences are Big L and Biggie.
Basix– I mostly listened to people like Pac, Red and Meth, Naughty by Nature and Eminem (for a period when he was destroying Mics). Which I think really shows in the difference of our styles, that being said it was them that inspired me to write, but it was terrible “emcees” that inspired me to emcee.
9.What can we expect from The Untouchables for the rest of the year?
KeyLow– You can expect a lot this year, many things to come.
Basix– More charity events, including the first annual rap for the cure that I’m hosting. After beating cancer I feel the need to give back. Debut album and possibly a mixtape, and the first visuals from us will be dropping soon as well.
10. What your ultimate goal in the Hip hop game and where do you think you will be 5 years from now?
KeyLow– Hopefully living the dream.
Basix– My goal is to live off my music, being rich isn’t important, but to live comfortably off doing what I love is a definite goal. The ultimate goal is always the same, to be heard.
11. It was cool chopping it up with you guys, in closing let our readers know where to check you out.
Thanks for having us was a pleasure, shit we are everywhere.
Twitter: @UntouchablesThe
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoL1mqJLkqWCS8emhABPpVA?app=desktop
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officailtheuntouchablesfanpage?ref=bookmarks