More or Les Interview: SXSW 2010

Ever since Nas proclaimed that hip hop was dead in 2006, fans have lamented over the passing of the genre's "Golden Era" of the '90s. With help from producer Fresh Kils, one MC carrying on the tradition of hip hop's heyday is Canada's own More or Les. Prior to his upcoming stint at SXSW, he spoke with Spinner about his influences, favorite MCs and what song is on his wish list to perform.

How would you describe your sound in your own words?

Eclectic. We try to take different elements and styles of music and blend them together. It's a modern, funky version of the Bomb Squad [the production group behind Public Enemy]. We're about layering different sounds to give you something new. We also try to hit people with a bombastic rap performance. It's back to the beats and rhymes with us. We try to entertain people with a straight out hip-hop vibe.

What made you start rapping?

Rap made me start rapping. People just have something they want to do; I figured that out in high school. I've been DJing since I was 12. My brother was DJing as a teen and like most younger brothers, I snuck behind his back and did the things he was doing so I've been DJing since forever. Rapping came immediately after that and things just fell into place.

You mentioned Bomb Squad, but what are some of your other influences?

It's all over the place. From Bomb Squad to J Dilla, a little bit of Diamond D in terms of production. On the rap tip: Mr. Lif, Beatnuts, KRS-One, Chuck D and Jeru the Damaja. Even the production of guys like Blu and Exile. Gang Starr was a huge influence as well as elements of the Wu-Tang Clan. Method Man is lyrically off the scale. I don't feel like people totally recognize that. Redman as well. The metaphors that Redman drops are just insane. A Tribe Called Quest is another focal point. They weren't necessarily about coming out hard in terms of image, but they came out hard in terms of their dedication to what they were doing and showing that you don't have to be all about guns to be dope.

How did you come up with your name?

[Laughs] It came up in a 10th-grade biology class. A friend and I were coming up with different rap names -- goes to show how much we paid attention in class. He came up with the idea for More or Les and I was like "yo that's so dope!" I was so into trying to come up with something that exemplified me. Other people were going for the obvious saying it should be "Les is More" but that's too arrogant. That's what you expect from a rapper. I wanted an odd angle, and it's sort of a question and an answer at the same time. No matter what you get, it's me.

If you could perform one song by anybody else, what would it be?

The first song that comes to mind is Del the Funky Homosapien's 'Eye Examination.' It's a song that no one seems to remember. I'd say either that or this song 'Undisputed Champ,' which is also by Del and features Q-Tip. I also co-host [Toronto's] Hip-Hop Karaoke, so it's like I already perform other people's songs.

David Dennis Jr. is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.