Words by Art Jefferson
Images courtesy of Incisive

In the 90s emcees such as Roots Manuva and Blak Twang helped to establish worldwide credibility of Hip-Hop coming out of the UK. Whilst delivering clever lyricism and stories coming from an English perspective, the next generation of British rappers completely and unapologetically kicked open the door, playing by their own rules. This lot of lyricists included acts such as Ms. Dynamite, Sway DaSafo, J2K and of course Incisive. Hailing from West London, Incisive has been on a steady mission of bringing forth the best Hip-Hop music possible, proving more than equal to his respective counterparts across the Atlantic.

Beginning his career as half of I.n.A, Reuben Adamah aka Incisive along with rapper Adrenaline recorded three albums, garnishing support on various radio stations around London. Reaching the finals of Rapology, a showcase presented by Choice FM, back in the late nineties, I.n.A would eventually take a break with Incisive later featuring on the massive Nutty P-produced single ‘London N.E.W.S’ featuring himself, Sway, J2K and Baby Blue. Although proving he was force to be reckoned with, Incisive took a step back from music to complete his degree in law.

Moving non-stop throughout the past six years with EPs such as Him & Her, Where Is He?, his 2014 album In-ci-sive, not to mention is 2015 release FM, Adamah’s musical journey has found him collaborating with the likes of Julian Marley, Hayley Cassidy and fellow West Londoner Shakka.

Back with his smash single ‘Push’ again featuring Shakka, the song is mainstream big with Incisive’s eye on the prize of number 1. The feel-good bit is a great closure to the Summer but a small taste of what’s coming down the pipeline for the future.

Going back to your beginnings, when did you first began writing rhymes?

Incisive – My big brother somehow got into producing real young and he used to make beats in the bedroom and my big cousin would come and rap. They always did little tapes etc. – I was the little kid in the corner listening, watching, learning. Eventually, I guess I did what every younger brother does and copied his big brother – I picked up the mic and started rapping!

Who were some of the artists that inspired you early on?

Incisive – At the time, there weren’t many (any) UK rappers that I could really name or find so beyond my big cousin who got me into rapping, I was into American rappers – Wu Tang, Method Man, Snoop Dogg etc.

You’re also a producer. When did you first begin tapping into the production side of things?

Incisive – It was pretty early, so I started rapping and my brother was my producer. He started producing for a lot of rappers we knew so it was always a ‘grabbing for beats’ situation and eventually, he lost interest and stopped producing but before then, he taught me how to use the studio in our local youth club. When he stopped, I could carry on myself so that’s when I started producing – more out of a need than a want.

Can you talk a bit about the formation of I.n.A with Adrenaline? You guys were quite young when you first started. How did you meet Adrenaline and was it an instant connection through the music?

Incisive – Yeah, I met Adrenaline when he joined my secondary school in year 8. One of the first questions I asked him was “can you rap?” haha – He could and straight away we starting rapping to each other – from there we were a group more or less. He doesn’t rap anymore but we’re still boys – he’s godfather to my daughter!

One track that got loads of play from me was ‘London N.E.W.S’. You featured on that cut with Sway, J2k and Baby Blue. All three of those artists were completely blazing a trail for UK Hip-Hop. How did it feel to sit alongside those heavy-hitters on a track at that time?

Incisive – At the time, it was exciting! I remember just thinking “I HAVE TO SMASH IT!” haha – That was my ONLY aim. I wasn’t going to be the weak link on that track. It’s always like that when you’re featuring with artists I guess.

You have a massive track entitled ‘Push’ with Shakka. You guys have also worked together on a track called ‘Sober’ from your ‘FM’ EP. How did those collaborations come about with Shakka? Is that a West London connection?

Incisive – Yeah defo a West London thing. I went to college and Uni with Shakka’s big brother Justin, who always used to talk about his younger brother and how he did music too. Eventually I bumped into Shakka at the youth centre I used to use the studio in. I was the engineer at the time and he was bringing a track in for me to put on CD to get ready for a music showcase. I heard his unfinished song that he was going to perform and from then told him we need to get into the studio so he could finish his stuff. We’ve been friends ever since and always dip into each others lives musically. Its been 9 years or so haha.

Over the past 10 years, Hip-Hop has changed dramatically in sound and lyrical delivery. How do you view the current state of Hip-Hop?

Incisive – It’s a weird one I think. Hip-Hop, in general has definitely dumbed-down and instead of using it to get your message across, most people use it to make money / to make a party song – a lot more about the vibe, and sounding nice sonically as opposed to LYRICS. But there are still lyricists and a respect for them and I think people are waking up. Also, this is the most UK artists have ever been respected and acknowledged in Hip-Hop so it’s good and bad.

What do you have forthcoming for the rest of 2016?

Incisive – I’m trying not to overthink things too much. I know I’ve got a joint EP with Nutty P (producer) that we’re going to put out at some point this year. Got more singles; I mainly just want to stay consistent with releases and have fun.

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