Interview by Victor Crezée & Passion Dzenga | Photography by Henrik Dieber & Jonathan Pieterse
Get familiar with Macksta C, a prominent Memphis rap-focused musician, collector, designer and archivist. Originally hailing from Hamburg and now based in Amsterdam, Macksta C has made a significant mark on the underground scene. His unique approach - working primarily with tape decks and samplers - brings an authentic flair to the world of Memphis-style rap.
As a key player in this vibrant genre, Macksta C is set to curate an exciting exhibition together with Ruben Steell opening on October 19th at Warmoesstraat 67 in Amsterdam. This event not only showcases his extensive collection but also highlights the enduring influence of Memphis rap on modern hip-hop. Attendees can look forward to the exclusive release of a rare compilation featuring the collaborations of artist Ray Fuego and producer Styn from 2016 to 2018, with these unreleased tracks available solely on cassette.
Join us as we delve into Macksta C's creative process, his insights into the Memphis rap scene, and the significance of preserving its rich legacy in contemporary music.
Hi Macksta C, tell the people who you are ’n watchu do.
Wassup! I was born and raised in Hamburg aka Hamphis, Germany. I produce music, which I release on cassette tapes and sometimes digitally. Besides producing beats, I like to stay involved in the craft, Macktapes, Loced Out, Memphis Gangsta Rave, Spielersache, Mackin Sports are all projects or brands, we and I created to push tape-culture, create spaces and products to connect, educate, dance, or just vibe.
How did you get mesmerized by music from the city of Memphis?
It is hard to put my finger on it. I was listening to cloud and phonk already, recognized the memphis rap elements, and heard a few Triple Six Mafia or Tommy Wright III songs here and there in between. The moment of true realization probably was at a Raider Klan live show in Hamburg, where I heard this stuff in the club for the first time. Mesmerized and hypnotized by the bass and the atmosphere, I asked the DJ for all the track ID’s, and started digging - after that, my brain just started to layer samples, lyrics, elements, and created beats in my mind - I was hooked.
With the surgence of the blog and tumblr era many unknown Memphis tapes were digitalised and shared. Backstories were highlighted which lead to a core audience digging deep into Memphis music.
Did tumblrs like Noz’ Tumbling’ Erb and A$AP Yams’ Real N***a Tumblr influence you at all?
Tumblr had a great influence, the all black movement from Spaceghost Purrp and the hieroglyphs just did something to the youth. It did influence my fashion style more than it inspired my music.
How about Raider Klan? Have you checked out the new Denzel Curry project?
Rxidxr Klvn played a big role for me, youngin’ smoked out in the park to some chopped & screwed Spvceghostpvrrp mix, or rapping along Threatz with the homies back in the days has been crucial.
I fuck with the new Denzel, he paid great hommage, while still having his own style and keeping it trappy - he has some real bangers on there. I especially liked how he, as an ex Raider Klan member, collabed with A$AP Mob members, that felt pretty huge after the beef.
You are part of the Katzenbuckel Click. Tell us more about y’all.
Mane, we consist of Skinny Finsta, Caramelo, Dr. Törner and myself. Some time ago, we rented a house on the Katzenbuckel hill in southern Germany, put up big speakers, subwoofer, synthesizers and drum machines there. We made a 14 track album in 3.5 days. That was sort of the birth of our click. We all had individually put our stamp and made our names in the german underground scene before, coming together was only a matter of time.
How was it like growing up in Germany and what made you move to Amsterdam?
Germany has always been great, but from my perspective plagued by wrong arrogance and unnecessary distance between artists in the different scenes. When I visited Amsterdam during the lockdowns, I greatly appreciated to get a good insight on who the locals/regulars are, and how people treat each other and new faces around here. I was more than impressed on how much this city fits me, quit my job, and got to movin’. I still fuck with my hometown heavy, and have nothing but respect, it’s just not my place to be fulltime right now.
You mostly drop instrumental projects. With the exception of a few vocal tracks by local German artists. Can we expect a full body of work with vocals any time soon? Can you highlight some of the artists you've worked with?
In the beginning, I just could not find any rappers that could meet my expectations or fit my beats. I made beats that would fit the likes of K-Rock, Tommy Wright III or other rappers that spit 32 bar verses, and sound like they had a career as auctioneers or are tongue breaker specialists. That lead to me just making instrumentals and chopping vocals in, to my liking. I have releases with a few rappers outside of Katzenbuckel Click too, like Moneymaxxx aka Donvtello, Clizzod, DJ Eerie E or Nobel.
Without giving away all your secrets, can you give us a peek into what equipment you use to make your beats and how you make them sound identical to overdubbed 90s tapes from Memphis?
Well well, I am sportin’ a few different 4-track cassette recorders like the Tascam Portastudio 424 or Akai MG 614, a few tapedecks, Akai MPC 2000, a 16 channel analog console, physical delay’s and sample based synthesizers. It’s all about the grittyness and glue!
Are you only making your own tapes, or do you also work on other releases?
I started to do my cassettes myself some years ago, to cut out having to rely on others, and do my own quality control! I also offer this service to others, I have done releases for great independent artists, but also for labels like Sony Music.
You make all your artwork yourself. Where did you learn your craft and can we expect any merch dropping soon?
Well, through my watersports background I had some photoshop skills since I was a child, and looking at old blogs and forums with memphisrap covers has left an impression, I’m a hands on person so I had to get into the mix myself. I worked 4 years full time as a graphic designer and advertising technician, where I could dive further into the craft.
Have you ever visited Memphis?
It is super high on my list, but I didn’t get to go there yet. There is so much to learn in the city, and so many rare cassettes I need for my collection, it feels like I’d need 50k $ and a couple months to do everything I’d wanna do over there.
Give us your Top 10 of favourite 90s / early 2000s Memphis tapes and albums and why.
This is a hard one. There is so much good music, I could not even pick a top 20! Here are a few that struck me as important, or I just enjoy them a lot.
D.J. Zirk - 2 Thick (1993)
D-J. Zirk is one of the true godfathers of memphis rap. The song 2 Thick is one DJ Paul and Juicy J took apart and sampled countless times, as well as biting the lyrics and never properly paying. (Slangin Rocks, Grab Da Gauge and more). This tape sounds bass heavy, ignorant, dark and gangsta. Memphis in its essence.
Triple Six Mafia - Smoked Out Loced Out (1994)
What can I say, a timeless classic, sounding super gloomy and hazy, many great soul songs were sampled here, and the sound is just one of a kind.
Blackout - Dreamworld (1996)
One of the most impressive albums I’ve heard. It sounds like a super eerie horror movie soundtrack, but the music alone is more exciting and entertaining than any horror movie I’ve watched. I can listen to this for days and have my mind wander and create it’s own images.
MC Money & Gangsta Gold - Da Hard Ov Frayser (1995)
My favorite female rappers debut album, produced by the legendary D.J. Sound. They were around 14/16 years old when they recorded this, lyrically stood up and made fun of all the men rapping about having it all, pimping etc.
Playa Posse - Bigga N Betta Thangs (1995)
Again, a flawless Blackout production. In the 90s most hip-hop producers would sample from soul and jazz records. Blackout portrays his incredible keyboard skills here, with almost all beautiful and interesting melodies and beats written and performed by him, my favorite song here: Murda Case.
2 Lo Key — Test my Nutz (1994)
This is one of the most on point tapes. Rough, loud, hard, bass heavy and fast paced.
Criminal Mafia - Tha Crucifixion (1996)
An album with an interesting sound, happy and funny tracks paired with dark lyrics, fast raps on jumpy beats with super creative samples and melodies.
Tommy Wright - On The Run (1996)
An album, that gives you that indestructible feeling, when you walk through the streets listening to this, you know you’d easily win a 5 v 1 street fight hahahah.
Skinny Pimp - Skinny But Dangerous (1996)
This album is just very well produced, featuring many of his underground hits from the early 90s, also it sounds a bit more like traditional hip-hop, a great mix.
Duke Deuce - Memphis Massacre III (2022)
Mane, this one is full of bangers, trappy and memphis heavy at the same time. Also featuring great female rappers like Glockianna or Gloss Up.
There’s a lot of Memphis artists leading the charts currently. Producers like Tay Keith and artists such as GloRilla. Can you give us some of your current Memphis favourites and why?
Current favorites are Duke Deuce, Glockianna, Hitkidd, Glorilla, Key Glock, Aleza. Most of the actual memphis rappers only portray one side of their city, but lacking to show the versatility of rapping 3 -4 different flows on beat in the same part, Duke deuce is one of the few ones starting to showcase this, and the females all go crazy!
You’re doing an exhibition on October 19 and 20 at Gallery De Schans, focussed on iconic artwork from Memphis rap tapes. Can you tell the people what they can expect?
Hell yeah! I am super hyped about this one. With “Loced Out”, we are shining light on memphis rap covers, as well as the music, so expect an audio-visual experience. You can expect to see some great and gritty visuals and hear some 90s music, that still influences many of the big hip hop acts, and is still getting sampled by the likes of Beyoncé or Playboi Carti.
Name your 10 favorite artworks of classic Memphis tapes 'n albums and why.
If you want to see some of my favorites, you can check them out at our “Loced Out” exhibition, on the 19th October 2024.
What are Ray Fuego and Styn’s involvement?
Ray Fuego is known to be inspired by memphis rap since more than a decade, he & Styn revisited some of their super rare 2016-2018 unreleased memphis inspired work, straight out of Amsterdam! The body of work won’t be released online, but only on cassettes, which you’ll be able to buy at the exhibition.
Over the years you’ve released a bunch of limited physical cassettes. A lil birdie told me you’re about to physically release some new material. Please elaborate.
I almost lost count, it must be around 25 different releases I produced so far, all full length. Coming up still this year: Katzenbuckel Click - Spring Mix (Album), Macktapes Radio Vol. 2 Mixtape, (in collaboration with Radio TNP) and Macksta C - Solo Tape (Album)
Any closing words?
Thank you for the great questions. Anybody interested in discussing more, check out my IG, Macktapes or Loced Out.
