Episode 29: JoSoSick - Grime Roots, Creative Growth & Pushing Boundaries

THE CRAFT #1. How I Made A Mixtape In 7 Days - Fokus

The Craft #1: How I Made a Mixtape in 7 Days About The Craft The Craft is a new series within Mic Minded People. Alongside the guest conversations you've come to expect, these episodes take a deeper look at the art of MCing - exploring the creative processes, tools, techniques, and mindsets behind the music. Episode Notes What happens when you give yourself just 7 days to make a mixtape? In this first episode of The Craft, Fokus breaks down the making of his 7 Day Mixtape - from beat selection and rapid-fire writing sessions to trusting instinct, embracing vulnerability, and letting the music lead. He shares the mindset behind creating under pressure, how storytelling shaped the project, and why documenting the process became just as important as the finished music. A conversation about creativity, discipline and getting out of your own way. In this episode: * The idea behind 7 Day Mixtape * Writing and recording at speed * Trusting intuition over overthinking * Using personal stories to build deeper songs * Blending styles, skits, and older material into a narrative * Finding the balance between quality and quantity * Keeping momentum and energy alive after release Key takeaway Sometimes the best way to unlock creativity is to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start creating with a deadline. Just start! Listen to The 7 Day Mixtape 🎧 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/mc-fokus/7daymixtape?si=d7ed10c9ddab4baa94b8e8cbca1c213a&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing [https://soundcloud.com/mc-fokus/7daymixtape?si=d7ed10c9ddab4baa94b8e8cbca1c213a&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing] 👇 Tap below to watch, listen and follow 🎧 Listen * Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com [https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com/] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd [https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810] 📺 Watch * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople [https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople] 📱 Follow * 🎙️ Mic Minded People: https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople [https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople] * 🎤 Fokus: https://instagram.com/mcfokus [https://instagram.com/mcfokus] For the love of MCs — the culture, the craft, the conversation. 🎙️🎤🔥

Episode 30: How A Girl From Jordan Became A Drum & Bass Artist | Ayah Marah

Fokus sits down with Ayah Marar for a candid conversation about her journey from growing up in Jordan to becoming one of the UK's most respected voices in drum and bass. Ayah reflects on her early musical influences, breaking into the scene, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career as an MC, singer, songwriter, and artist. The conversation explores the culture and evolution of MCing in electronic music, the challenges of navigating a male-dominated industry, and the lessons she's learned from artist management and career development. Ayah also shares stories from her work with major artists, including Calvin Harris, and offers valuable advice for emerging artists looking to build sustainable careers in music. They also discuss music production, publishing, licensing, the impact of AI on creativity, and why supporting grassroots music culture remains more important than ever. 🔥 In This Episode * 🎤 Ayah Marar's journey into drum and bass * 🎶 The history and role of MCs in electronic music * 💪 Breaking barriers as a woman in the scene * 📈 Artist management and industry lessons * 🌟 Discovering and supporting emerging talent * 🎛️ Music production, publishing, and licensing * 🤖 AI's impact on the future of music * 🚀 Advice for aspiring artists and creatives * 🌱 The importance of grassroots culture and community support A thoughtful and inspiring conversation packed with insights for music fans, artists, and anyone interested in the realities of building a lasting career in the music industry. 🎤 Connect with Ayah Marar 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ayahmarar/ [https://www.instagram.com/ayahmarar/] 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AyahMarar/ [https://www.facebook.com/AyahMarar/] 🌐 Website https://ayahmarar.co.uk/ [https://ayahmarar.co.uk/] 👇 Tap below to watch, listen and follow 🎧 Listen * Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com [https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd [https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd] * Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810] 📺 Watch * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople [https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople] 📱 Follow on Instagram * 🎙️ Mic Minded People: https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople [https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople] * 🎤 Fokus: https://instagram.com/mcfokus [https://instagram.com/mcfokus] ❤️ For the love of MCs — the culture, the craft, the conversation. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves MC culture, creativity and real conversations.

Episode 29: JoSoSick - Grime Roots, Creative Growth & Pushing Boundaries

JoSoSick joins Fokus for a deep conversation on UK underground music, South London culture, pirate radio, and building a career independently without following trends. They talk grime roots, DIY hustle, clashes, live shows, and how Jo evolved his sound into drum & bass, melodic styles, and genre-blending experimentation - all while staying authentic in a fast-changing scene. The episode dives into the grassroots side of UK music culture, highlighting the importance of community, independence, and staying true to yourself as an artist. A must-watch for anyone interested in underground music, creative growth, and pushing creative boundaries. ⏱️ Topics include: * South London & pirate radio culture * Grime clashes and underground sets * DIY videos, branding & independence * Genre-blending and musical evolution * Mental health, authenticity & longevity * Building community in the underground scene 👇 Tap below to watch, listen and follow: 🎧 Listen: Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com [https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com/]Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd [https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd]Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810] 📺 Watch: https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople [https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople] 📱 Follow on Instagram: 🎙️ Mic Minded People — https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople [https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople]🎤 Fokus — https://instagram.com/mcfokus [https://instagram.com/mcfokus] Connect with JoSoSick: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jososick/ [https://www.instagram.com/jososick/]TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jososick [https://www.tiktok.com/@jososick]YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jososicktv [https://youtube.com/@jososicktv]Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4plADgQTqVwQboafH6KsGL [https://open.spotify.com/artist/4plADgQTqVwQboafH6KsGL]Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jososick/1460808700 [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jososick/1460808700]Bandcamp: https://jososick.bandcamp.com/ [https://jososick.bandcamp.com/]

Episode 28: Limmz - From Lockdown Freestyles to DnB Breakthrough

Fokus links up with rising star Limmz to talk journey, versatility and the grind behind building his name. From lockdown freestyles with friends to making waves in drum & bass, Limmz breaks down how it all started and what drives him. They explore his early influences - from US rap to grime via Pow - and how that shaped his sound. He reflects on coming up in Bristol’s underground, building confidence on the mic, and the difference between hosting and recording. Limmz also gets into the realities of being independent: self-releasing, handling social media, and balancing creativity with business. He touches on his earlier, more personal rap versus his current high-energy rave sound. The episode wraps with his latest DnB EP - a high-energy, collaborative project that marks his growth and positions him as one to watch. 🎧 Listen on Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com [https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com] 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople [https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople] Follow us on Instagram: 🎙️ Mic Minded People: https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus [https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus] Connect with Limmz: 🎵 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/elimo-njau [https://soundcloud.com/elimo-njau] 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4cm0e6rUO2nxaJjkbNqNwf [https://open.spotify.com/artist/4cm0e6rUO2nxaJjkbNqNwf] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limmzofficial/ [https://www.instagram.com/limmzofficial/] For the love of MCs — the culture, the craft, the conversation.

Episode 27: Vispera - Spoken Word Roots to DNB Shellings

Vispera joins the podcast to talk about her journey from spoken word and poetry into the world of MCing and the UK underground scene. We cover: • competitive poetry slams  • developing flow, cadence & mic control • Manchester & Bristol scene connections • grassroots raves, community & DIY culture • linking up with Sofa Sound • the creative process behind her studio works Real conversation on growth and versatility from an exciting artist reppin' fresh Drum & Bass talent. As ever — expect ‘ultimate MC cyphers’ and acapella bars. 🎧 Listen: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com [https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com] Follow us: 🎙️ https://www.instagram.com/micmindedpeople 🎧 https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus [https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus] Connect with Vispera: 📸 https://www.instagram.com/__vispera/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/__vispera/?hl=en]🎧 https://open.spotify.com/artist/1gIF11bskGHBzo32hbNO9J?si=jLzTSONeRhCpq-RqcMTHjw [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1gIF11bskGHBzo32hbNO9J?si=jLzTSONeRhCpq-RqcMTHjw]