Straight Outta Manny: Freddy B on the City's Underground Scene
Phil Fokus sits down with Freddy B to talk Manchester’s underground scene, sound system roots, and the evolution of MC culture. From Boomtown vibes to drum and bass energy, they explore the power of community, collaboration, and creative freedom in keeping the scene alive. Freddy drops insights on music production, self-sufficiency, and the future of MCing - all with that raw Manchester spirit.
🔥 Highlights:
Manchester’s unique community vibe and sound system roots
How Boomtown changed the game
Balancing creativity, collaboration, and survival in today’s scene
Freddy B on music as unity, therapy, and expression
A glimpse into his upcoming projects and collabs
🎧 Listen on Podbean: micmindedpeople.podbean.com
📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@micmindedpeople
Follow us on Instagram:
🎙️ Mic Minded People: @micmindedpeople
🎧 Phil Fokus: @mcfokus
🎤 Freddy B: @freddyb_mc
For the love of MCs - the culture, the craft, the conversation.
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Episode 19: Echoes of the underground - Mark System reconnects with his MC-roots
Phil Fokus links up with the mystical Mark System (aka MC System) for a deep dive into the roots of drum & bass and the art of the mic. The two go way back, and they unpack those early days - pirate radio sessions, sweaty club nights, and the moments that shaped their sound and friendship.
Mark opens up about his come-up as an MC, the mentors who guided him, and how the craft evolved from small rooms to big stages. They get into the finer points too - echo tricks, mic control, crowd energy and so much more.
From there, the convo flips into Mark’s journey from spitting bars to producing tunes and DJing, his time with Sun And Bass, and what it means to stay true to your roots while still pushing forward. Expect talk about failure, growth, and why authenticity still cuts through in a scene that never stops moving.
For anyone who came up on pirate stations, warehouse vibes, or the golden era of DnB MCing, this one’s full of nostalgia, honesty, and proper insight from a man who continues to live & breathe music.
Additional notes:
The festival mentioned at 1:14:48 is Rise Festival
The Loxy and Ink track mentioned at 1:17:11 is Manifested Visions
Links:
🎧 Listen on Podbean: micmindedpeople.podbean.com
📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@micmindedpeople
Follow us on Instagram:
🎙️ Mic Minded People: @micmindedpeople
🎧 Phil Fokus: @mcfokus
Connect with Mark System:
Instagram: marksystemuk
Soundcloud: marksystem
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Episode 18: Dizzee Rascal & Wiley Reunited - A Moment In Grime History
Phil Fokus dives into the epic reunion of Grime heavyweights Dizzee Rascal and Wiley. We’re talking about two icons back on stage together, the vibes they brought, and why it mattered so much for MC culture. Phil unpacks the history of the scene, how both artists have evolved, and gives props to DJ Mak 10 for making it all happen. Expect stories, context, and a real look at the magic between Dizzee and Wiley.
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Episode 17: Grime, Growth and Greatness - Inside The Mind of Kaisan T
Phil Fokus and Kaisan T dive deep into the art of MCing, sparked by the buzz around the recent Shell Season Cypher. They break down what makes a cypher tick—the energy, the performance, and the persona that brings it all to life.
Kaisan takes us from his roots in Ledbury through his first encounters with grime, sharing the sounds and clashes that shaped his style—from pirate radio to Lord of the Mics. Along the way, he reflects on the thrill of collaboration, the struggles of self-critique, and the shifting landscape for MCs in today’s music industry.
This episode is packed with stories, influences, and future visions, giving listeners a front-row seat to the evolution of grime, dance music, and Kaisan’s own artistic journey.
🎧 Listen & Follow Kaisan T:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/3uNaJHQBsOUqCOU9pXjW7O?si=salcv5Z7QtSYj_sooX0LTw
Instagram: instagram.com/kaisant_
YouTube: youtube.com/@kaisant908
🎧 Listen on Podbean: micmindedpeople.podbean.com
📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@micmindedpeople
Follow us on Instagram:
🎙️ Mic Minded People: @micmindedpeople
🎧 Phil Fokus: @mcfokus
For the love of MCs - the culture, the craft, the conversation.
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Episode 16: Unlock Your Creativity
Phil Fokus explores the concept of creativity, emphasizing that all humans possess the ability to create. He debunks the myth of 'natural creativity' and discusses the importance of showing up and engaging with the creative process.
Phil encourages listeners to give themselves permission to create, highlighting that creativity can be a light and enjoyable experience rather than a form of torture! He invites everyone to explore their creative potential without the constraints of societal norms.
🎧 Listen on Podbean: micmindedpeople.podbean.com
📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@micmindedpeople
Follow us on Instagram:
🎙️ Mic Minded People: @micmindedpeople
🎧 Phil Fokus: @mcfokus
For the love of MCs - the culture, the craft, the conversation.
The Culture. The Craft. The Conversation.
This podcast takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of MCs from across the musical spectrum. Hitting it from all angles - discussions, interviews, freestyles and much more.
Hosted by Phil Fokus - a Drum & Bass artist with over 25 years of experience in the underground music scene.
Listen: Apple Podcasts & Spotify (link below)
Watch: You Tube (@micmindedpeople)
Connect: Instagram (@micmindedpeople)(@mcfokus)
UK