Spinner

Mr. Sicc Interview: SXSW 2010

Mr. SiccKarlos Diamond, a.k.a. Mr. Sicc, is a realist MC from Otara, New Zealand. While pushing drugs as a teenager and living as a member of the intimidating gang 'The Flatbush Ward,' Sicc dreamed of getting out of the lifestyle and onto the stage. Now he brings us into the true intensity and violence of the street with his sonic depictions. We caught up with him to discuss his music and former lifestyle.


Describe your sound in your own words.

Don't-give-a-f--- music! I just do what the beat tells me to in my head.

How did you get involved in music?

I grew up on music and have always loved hip-hop, R&B and reggae. I got involved with making music in high school while playing around with an 8-track. Me and a few friends formed a neighborhood supergroup called Flat Bush Ward. I am the only one still here doing it. Just because I can!

What are your musical influences?

I have to say Marvin Gaye, Roger and Zapp, Bob Marley, Prince, Michael Jackson, Eazy E, Cube, Geto Boys and 2 Live Crew. Our native Maori and Polynesian music is a big influence to me as well. But I'm a city boy and really didn't grow up in my culture. I love that late '80s through mid '90s hip-hop. Especially the California and Texas scene. No one makes rap that makes you feel the way they used to back then.

How did you arrive at the name Mr. Sicc?

People started saying I am a sick motherf---er. Just a foul-mouthed hooligan. The name just stuck from there.

Is this your first time playing in the US?

Yeah, it will be my first time in the US, and I'm nervous being from another country. It is exciting as well.

What is in your festival survival kit?

My iPod, pen, pad, money and I can't forget the blunt wraps! I hope the weed in Texas is as good as it is here in New Zealand.

What is the hip-hop scene like in New Zealand?

For an island country of only 4.5 million I think we have a healthy hip-hop scene. You Americans probably don't realize it, but we love your hip-hop here. We have an overflow of artists. Some do the commercial style, others love the street stuff, and the back pack scene here is really strong too. We have a lot of hip-hop radio stations, stores, concerts and gigs all the time. Plus, my city of Auckland is probably the biggest city in New Zealand, with all the different cultures in my city everybody's got their own flavor.

You made the transition from the streets to playing music for a living. How did you do that?

I just did it because I could. The streets will always be there, but as you get older, it gets lame. The same people are drinking and smoking weed all day talking about how cool we are. They are fighting over stupid things when everybody should just be making money. There's no use being the toughest in your neighborhood and being broke. If you don't think big you will stay in the same situation your whole life. Nothing is impossible! If an African car thief like Akon can do it, we all can. Even in school, music was the only subject I paid attention to. I knew that music was my path. Whether it would be performing as an artist to booking shows or being involved in it somehow.

Tupac or Notorious B.I.G.?

When they were alive, I would say Pac. Now that they're both gone I'll say Biggie. No disrespect to Pac, but his music's on hard out overkill in New Zealand. He's like the Beatles or Bob Marley.

What is the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

After a show a girl smashed our tour bus window because we only let the pretty girls in. She looked like a female Gucci Mane!


Jackson Michael is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.

All the AOL Music info you want to know

L.A. Guns Singer Phil Lewis Says Nikki…

Noisecreep

L.A. Guns, Getty Images If what L.A. Guns singer Phil Lewis says is true,…

Eddie Blazonczyk Dead: Grammy…

Spinner

AP CHICAGO (AP) - Grammy Award-winning polka great Eddie Blazonczyk, who…

CMT Awards 2012: Luke Bryan, Eric…

The Boot

Getty Images The 2012 CMT Music Awards just added even more heat to the…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

2 Comments

Filter by:
Bobbito

Great, just what the world needs another fake wannabe gangsta. There aren't any real gangstas or hoods in Auckland. I know I live here! Jyeah don't say 'South Auckland', what nonsense.

March 09 2010 at 11:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Bobbito's comment
PROFOUND!

Oh yeah,is that right!,and where the f#@! do you live?. .if you live in botany,howick or some lovely,safe well tended to urban community,aren't you lucky and privelidged,or maybe you do stay in south auckland. . .on the fringes,not in no state-house,not where we've lived. . .seen,heard,breathed,bled,struggled,. . .and eventually,for some of the bruddas(R.I.P KNOX!. .2 DEF!. .MOJO!)like MR SICC! who wanted MORE!,decided to go to war with the beat!!!..SIMPLE!!!. .I personally don't know the bro SICC,more though his younger,equally talented brother Young Sid!. .Both of the brothers speak nothing but the TRUTH!,im from OTARA(E.T),born and raised!,grew up in a broken home,single mother struggling to raise her sons on welfare,drugs violence,so i chose and carved my own path because of my upbringing. .of cime,drug dealing,gangs etc. .anyways,enough about my B.S. .You live it,it leaves a mark on you. .you leave a mark on it. . .it being LIFE!. .Live the life many of us in OTARA have lived,to know it,breath it,speak it. . .and then to conquer it?,. .or at least to come out on top. .scarred,but still breathing and in one piece?. . .now thats showing form!!!. . .and to make something out of it like MR SICC!. . .and speak that realness?. .its over bobbito. .your either drinking way too much haterade. .confusing yourself between what happens over in the states and what happens here in N.Z. .or,your just overly arrogant. .maybe all 3 aye bro?. .who knows. .and now. .WHO CARES!. .or as MR SICC might put it. . .WHO GIVES A F!@#*. . . .L8R OW!!!.

February 02 2011 at 6:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply