 14/07/2008 If you’re not from Norway, as in you’re not a Norwegian, there’s a strong chance you wouldn’t have heard of Madcon. They’re a hip-hop duo, Critical (Yosef) and Kapricorn (Tshawe), who cross over into R&B, African music, Latino, rock, reggae and, um, television. Yeah, they’re so huge in Norway that they have they’re own TV show. Anyway, now Madcon are set to conquer the world with new single Beggin, a rework of the classic song by Italian/American crooner Frankie Valli. On the back of the track being made Radio1 DJ Scott Mills’ ‘Single of the Week’, we caught up with Critical to shoot the shit…
Who are Madcon?
Madcon are me (Yosef) and Tshawe, children of exile who originate from Africa. Located in Norway we founded Madcon in the early 90s. What really sets us apart from the competition is how we put a lot of our own background into our music, which brings both originality and honesty to the table. Many artists are influenced by or copy music that comes out of the US, but Madcon don’t! We express our truth and address issues that people over here can relate to. Also we try to spread a positive message; the world needs it.
What does the name 'Madcon' stand for?
As young kids we used to ‘obtain’ what we needed in life by not paying for it. Not by being thugs or gangsters, but by being smalltime hustlers or cons; hence the name Madcon.
It's such a fantastic re-working - where did the idea for Beggin' come from?
Me and Tsahwe were out one night, and Tshawe was feeling broken hearted. The guys were sitting down having a heart to heart conversation, when all of a sudden Beggin by Frankie Valli came out the speakers. Tshawe really felt the lyrics, and the track was a banger. So we took the song and made a 2008 new and approved version, that even Frankie Vallie himself approved of! So in short it was a coincidence; we were at the right place at the right time.
What can we expect from your album, 'So Dark The Con of Man'?
The title ‘So Dark The Con Of Man’ indicates the state of mankind being in a dark place. But, despite the name, the album is very uplifting! It’s a melting pot of musical influences touching everything from reggae, to African music, to Latino music, to rock, to Motown, to hip hop, r&b - and the list goes on. We’re very unafraid to cross borders and break boundaries when it comes to music; why limit oneself to being just one thing?
What's your biggest achievement?
Beggin went 7xplatinum in Norway, and the album went 2xplatinum in 30 days; that felt pretty nice.
What's next for Madcon?
The UK baby! Here we come!
If you’re not from Norway, as in you’re not a Norwegian, there’s a strong chance you wouldn’t have heard of Madcon. They’re a hip-hop duo, Critical (Yosef) and Kapricorn (Tshawe), who cross over into R&B, African music, Latino, rock, reggae and, um, television. Yeah, they’re so huge in Norway that they have they’re own TV show. Anyway, now Madcon are set to conquer the world with new single Beggin, a rework of the classic song by Italian/American crooner Frankie Valli. On the back of the track being made Radio1 DJ Scott Mills’ ‘Single of the Week’, we caught up with Critical to shoot the shit…
Who are Madcon?
Madcon are me (Yosef) and Tshawe, children of exile who originate from Africa. Located in Norway we founded Madcon in the early 90s. What really sets us apart from the competition is how we put a lot of our own background into our music, which brings both originality and honesty to the table. Many artists are influenced by or copy music that comes out of the US, but Madcon don’t! We express our truth and address issues that people over here can relate to. Also we try to spread a positive message; the world needs it.
What does the name 'Madcon' stand for?
As young kids we used to ‘obtain’ what we needed in life by not paying for it. Not by being thugs or gangsters, but by being smalltime hustlers or cons; hence the name Madcon.
It's such a fantastic re-working - where did the idea for Beggin' come from?
Me and Tsahwe were out one night, and Tshawe was feeling broken hearted. The guys were sitting down having a heart to heart conversation, when all of a sudden Beggin by Frankie Valli came out the speakers. Tshawe really felt the lyrics, and the track was a banger. So we took the song and made a 2008 new and approved version, that even Frankie Vallie himself approved of! So in short it was a coincidence; we were at the right place at the right time.
What can we expect from your album, 'So Dark The Con of Man'?
The title ‘So Dark The Con Of Man’ indicates the state of mankind being in a dark place. But, despite the name, the album is very uplifting! It’s a melting pot of musical influences touching everything from reggae, to African music, to Latino music, to rock, to Motown, to hip hop, r&b - and the list goes on. We’re very unafraid to cross borders and break boundaries when it comes to music; why limit oneself to being just one thing?
What's your biggest achievement?
Beggin went 7xplatinum in Norway, and the album went 2xplatinum in 30 days; that felt pretty nice.
What's next for Madcon?
The UK baby! Here we come!
'Beggin' Released 1stAug (Digital), 11th (Physically)'So Dark The Con of Man' Released 18th Aug www.madcon.co.uk |
