About to come out with his new album 'Blissphemy' we caught up with Damaged Goodz and asked why this is his last album.

You have been in the game for over a decade now, how much has Scottish Hip-Hop changed since your started?

I think people involved in hip hop now in Scotland are a lot more confident in their ability than that of a million crews I could name (but won't) from back in the day! The level has also risen dramatically whether it be Mcs, DJs or producers! Also, radio and venues in Scotland no longer turn their nose up to hip hop and on the whole are quite supportive (except Radio Clyde!) so its up to the artists to stop fronting and put product out!

What inspired you to get into hip-hop in the first place?

I grew up on motown and my big sister Anne used to play Rappers Delight all the time, so it kind of grew into me and my mum never said 'turn that shite off'. Her favourite rap songs were Geto Boys 'Mind playin trix on me' and Cypress Hill's 'How I could just', so I never lacked support in my passion for hippety hoppety!

Most of your career has been with Powercut Productions, why do you feel you needed a change for your 'last' album with a move to Kriminal Records?

I wasn’t just 'with' Powercut, I helped build it along with Steg and Davie (Freestyle Master) and I left to simplify my life and had no intention of joining any label! I was gonna shop 'Blissphemy' to Management but I got bored sitting about waiting and just said fuck it ill see if Div wants this for Kriminal, and after helping me get my deejay I thought I would return the favour by putting it out on Kriminal! P.S If I record another LP its on DROP ZONE I'm such a whore!... lol.

So, are you still good friends with the guys at Powercut?

Yes we are still friends! You can't just wipe out 10 years of history in a couple of months! I had a brilliant time there and some of the shit we got up to will be a great laugh when we meet up in a pub when we are all 60!

As I just mentioned, you state that 'Blissphemy' is your last album. Why do you feel the time is right to stop and how hard a decision was it to make?

I always said I would push it until I was 30 and my mind never changed, it was like a test to myself to see how much I could achieve in that time!, and I can't be bitter!. It wasn’t a hard decision but I became more anxious as the clock ticked, so unless 'Blissphemy' is a roaring success I can't see another Damaged Goodz release!

How different is 'Blissphemy' from your last release 'Audiobiography'?

With 'Audiobiography' I was using hip hop as a means to get right with myself (therapy couch style!) and with "Blissphemy" I'm using the template to get right with god! 'Audio' was straight fact start to finish but 'Blissphemy' has a bit of fiction to keep the concept alive!

Is it true Respek BA threw up all over the studio during recording?

Yes!, I knew he was a sick MC, but he out did himself on that one!, the poor cleaning lady!

What made you come up with the 'Confused Angel' concept for the new album?

I am not religious, but sometimes I feel like I'm an angel because of some of the shit I've came through and still kept faith in myself as a person! I know this sounds a bit deep but sometimes I feel like I'm the only living thing on the planet and everything else is a test to see if I go on to a greater world! (I don’t smoke dope by the way!). So that’s where the confused angel comes from!

You have played with some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Who has been the highlight of your career so far?

I used to watch all the best hip hop live at the Barrowlands (Public Enemy, Rundmc, Cypress Hill, House of Pain, Ice Cube!,etc), and to play the Barrowlands was always my biggest aspiration. Then when I was living in Fort William I was going through a terrible time!, my cousin and 2 best friends committed suicide within a 6 months span of each other and I was a bit dead on the inside, but I was reading Kerrang cos I'm a 'System of a Down' freak and noticed Xzibit was booked to play at the Garage in Glasgow so I said fuck it I'll apply for it! Next thing they switched it to the Barrowlands and phoned Steg the day of the gig and he phoned me and I raced down the 100 mile road at about a 100mph missed the soundcheck, but me Davie, Steg and Kim Wilson ripped it that night!, and I fulfilled my dream! (cue the Hovis music!).

Do you feel you have achieved everything you set out to do?

I still want to meet some of my heroes (Chuck D, Ice Cube, KRS 1, Daron Malakian, Dr Dre!), but yes I do.

Will there be a 'final' tour to promote the new album?

I hate the word 'tour' there will be as many gigs as possible till it runs out of steam!

So, is this really your last album?

Yes its not exactly on par with JAY-Z retiring is it?, the haters will be swingin from the lamp posts!... BUY MY LP! pretty please!

All at bringdaruckus.com would like to wish Damaged Goodz all the best for the future in whatever he does. 'Blissphamy' album launch is at 13th Note in Glasgow on the 08.10.06...Gonna be a good night!

www.myspace.com/damagedgoodzofficial

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