Mic Minded People - The Podcast

Phil Fokus links up with Carasel, the Bristol-based mic controller whose journey runs from Worcester blocks to worldwide raves. They get into: 🎤 Flows for days - why a real MC’s gotta switch style depending on the dance. 📚 Bar library tactics and staying ready for any set. 🌏 NZ tour stories and seeing DnB’s global grip. 📼 Tape pack nostalgia — the roots, the hunger, the blueprint. 💽 Legacy building with his album Dreams of Paradise - born from real-life struggles and breakthroughs. 🥊 Hip hop vs DnB competitiveness, collaboration, and culture. 🔊 Live show energy - the pressure, the craft, the responsibility: “We have to enhance the vibes.” 🤝 Collabs, cyphers, and supporting new talent to keep the scene alive. Carasel drops gems on resilience, evolution, and why MCs today need both passion and product. If you love rave culture, bars, and honest convo about what it takes to thrive as an MC -  this one is the real deal. Carasel Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caraselmc/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tKJAusQAI9xHrHyDUTf0f?si=7ZZGx8w6SqGznAvQ-7DyoQ Bandcamp: https://carasel.bandcamp.com/album/dreams-of-paradise Listen & Watch 🎧 Listen on Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople Follow Us on Instagram 🎙️ Mic Minded People: https://www.instagram.com/micmindedpeople 🎧 Phil Fokus: https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus For the love of MCs — the culture, the craft, the conversation.

This time on Mic Minded People, Phil Fokus links up with independant rap artist and studio owner Big Gub for a deep dive into his journey - from building beats in his teens to stepping on the Royal Albert Hall stage with a full orchestra. They get into the grind behind his sound, the shift from house beats to rap, how lockdown reshaped his creativity, and why he’s committed to lifting up local talent through Lyric Lounge Studio. Gub talks cyphers, collabs, AI in music, and the stories behind tracks like “My Father Told Me.” A real look at an artist carving his own lane.   Listen & Watch Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople Follow Us Mic Minded People (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/micmindedpeople Phil Fokus (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus Big Gub Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggubmusic Lyric Lounge Studio: https://www.instagram.com/lyricloungestudio Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5pSgQsksx9inLGsQrtfcXH Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/big-gub/1547471492 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@biggubbeats YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLR_6KvXbXoSh15Xo2O71jw    

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.

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

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.