Today, we’re thrilled to sit down with an icon of the UK garage and grime scene, none other than MC Bushkin from the legendary Heartless Crew! For over two decades, Bushkin, along with his crew members Mighty Moe and DJ Fonti, has been shaping the sounds of UK underground music, blending elements of reggae, jungle, hip-hop, and R&B to create a style that’s uniquely their own. Known for high-energy performances, genre-defining tracks, and their massive influence on UK garage, Heartless Crew has left an indelible mark on British music culture.
MC Bushkin is here to give us an inside look into his journey, the evolution of Heartless Crew, and what’s coming up next for him in this ever-changing music landscape. Buckle up for an engaging conversation with a true pioneer who knows how to bring the heat both on the mic and on the stage.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey into music? What inspired you to become an MC?
First and foremost big up to you guys for having me I’m really grateful for your time. I’ve got an older brother, Mr. P, who’s four years older than me, and I have to salute him because he had a sound system before me. You know what it’s like when you’re the younger brother, you aspire to be like your older brother. My brother was a cool guy in school and in our area. He had all the New Balance tracksuits, the Nike Air Stabs, everything: remote-controlled cars, turntables, he was the man. I just wanted to be like him.
He set up a sound system with our next-door neighbour and his friends, and they took me to a party at the YMCA. I think it was a girl’s 16th birthday, so I would’ve been around 10. I went with him, his friends, and my cousin, who was my age. I had this little lyric that one of the older guys had been teaching me, and they gave me the mic. I chatted the lyric, and the crowd went off. I got this euphoric buzz. All the girls came up to me, saying to my brother, ‘Oh, your brother’s so cute!’ From then on, I thought, ‘Wow, this is me.’ I was sold, and I never really looked back since!
How did heartless crew come together and how did you come up with the name?
Um, okay, so fast forward a couple of years. I would’ve started secondary school around that time. I went to an all-boys school, and I met DJ Fonti, who was in the same year as me. Fonti was always really musical. At that time, New Jack Swing was in, and he could do all the dancing. He had the Bobby Brown haircut and could play all the instruments. Plus, he could rap and sing, he could do everything.
Then there was another guy in my class called Ogwan, who was really clever. I went to both of them and said, “Look, let’s start a sound system.” Again, I wanted to be like my older brother, but I was clever about it. I knew Fonti was really musical, Ogwan was smart, and I had the network. I was popular and knew everyone, so I approached them. That’s how Heartless Crew was formed. In my head, I had the best person in music, the cleverest person, and myself. I thought it was indestructible, that was just my mindset back then.
At first, we went through a few names. Back then, all the sound systems had aggressive names, following the Jamaican sound system culture. You had names like Killmanjaro, Black Cat, Stone Love, and in the UK, Crystal Eyes, Saxon, Coxsone, and more. The youth sounds, which we were a part of, had powerful names too, like King Status, Black Mafia, Poizon, Lady Force, and Thunder Force.
Initially, we called ourselves “Wicked Intention,” and there was another name I can’t remember. But then I came up with the name “Heartless Crew.” This was around 1992, and it was such a unique name at the time. Even now, it stands the test of time. We needed a powerful name back then, but as the years went on, we redefined it to mean that our hearts are in the music, the music stole our hearts, which is why we’re “heartless.” But originally, it was just about having a strong name.
What are some of your key experiences that shaped your career as an MC?
I mean, again, I’ll take it back to sound system culture. Heartless Crew is essentially a sound system. Being part of a sound system taught us how to play music for the whole night. It taught us how to work as a team, read crowds, and talk to them. Sometimes, with sound systems, things go wrong, the sound might cut out, for example. So you have to know how to talk to the crowd and manage crowd control.
Back then, I didn’t realise I was honing my skills as an MC. Part of what makes us stand out as MCs is that we’re not just performing for ourselves. We speak to and interact with the crowd, making it all about them. A lot of today’s MCs don’t do that, which is why they may struggle to hold it down. They lack the hosting skills and aren’t as strong in that area. Sound system culture really developed my skills as a host. There are probably other experiences, but that was a pivotal one.
Are there any particular artists or genres that really inspired you?
I write about things that are happening, what’s going on, and experiences from my life. I’m quite transparent with my writing. I’m also a fun, jovial character, so a lot of my writing is more vibes-y and fun. I take inspiration from dancehall and sound system culture. Artists like Ninja Man come to mind, his whole stage performance, the things he says, and his actions. I take a lot of inspiration from him.
Also, MC Shabba, the Jungle MC, is probably one of my favourite MCs of all time. He definitely inspired me growing up. Then there are other artists like Tiger, Papa San, Lieutenant Stitchie, Yellowman, Bounty Killer, and Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel mostly from the dancehall and raggae culture. That’s where I draw the most inspiration from.
A lot of it also comes from my personal character and vibe. I’m a Gemini, and I’ve always liked standing out. I’ve always been quite popular and hype, thats just me. When I’m on stage, it’s an extension of my actual character.
How do you balance your responsibilities as an MC with running a record label now?
Jeez, it’s not easy. Firstly I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. I’m the type of person who just goes for it though. I’ve always had that style, I’m very unorthodox. If I were to do it again, I’d probably approach it slightly differently but my saving grace is I’m always optimistic and positive. I always think it’s going to work out, and because of that, it usually does. I always land on my feet, no matter what happens.
So yeah, I juggle it. It’s all me, it’s all part of the same thing. Sometimes I spend more time on the record label and the behind-the-scenes work, and then my MCing and performance might suffer a little. Then I’ll feel that and put more time and effort into the MCing side of things.
But you know what? The main thing is, teamwork makes the dream work. I should have said that first. As much as I’m juggling and balancing, I’m just one person. I have a small team around me, and they make everything possible. Teamwork really does make the dream work.
What motivated you to start your own record label and agency and what goals did you have for it?
Well, the agency actually came quite a bit before the record label. My reasons for that are, first, I’m very self-sufficient, and I’ve always been focused on building our own things so we wouldn’t have to rely on anyone else. When we came into this business, we were the underdogs. There weren’t a lot of people helping us. We were young, enthusiastic, but we didn’t receive much guidance.
So from that, I thought, you know what? Let’s just do it ourselves. We were our own act, we put on our own shows, and we made our own flyers. I figured if people were going to book us, they could book through our own agency. Doing it this way gave us control.
The reason I started all this was to make change and to spread love. Sometimes, I feel like other people don’t necessarily understand us and might not have the same intentions. That’s why I prefer to keep things in-house, I know that everything we do is coated with love, and there’s a reason behind it. No matter what, you’re going to feel that positive energy.
And to expand on that, where we came from, we were always the underdogs. It might not seem that way now, but we really were. I’ve always had a soft spot for the underdog, which is one of the main reasons I started the agency. There are so many talented people out there who just aren’t getting a chance, and it hurts sometimes because you can’t help everyone. But I do try my hardest.
That’s also what inspired me to start the record label. There’s this huge gap between the major labels and their top artists, and then you have this whole middle tier of artists – talented, many of whom have had some success and fame, but now they’re not getting noticed and feel almost forgotten. I wanted to set up a record label to give these artists the spotlight and the recognition they deserve.
What do you look for in an artist when considering them for your label?
Being the unorthodox person I am, I haven’t actively looked for artists so far. Artists have just found me, to be honest… it’s like a vibe, a connection that just happens naturally. But now, I’m planning to tighten things up a bit. I’m not necessarily seeking out artists, but if someone does come around, I’m going to make sure they meet a few criteria this time.
I do think appearance is key. A lot of artists think they can just dress any way they want, but to me, that doesn’t really cut it. I’ve always prided myself on looking the part as an artist, and I believe that matters. Also, the content of what they’re saying, their general presence, and confidence – these are all things I’ll be focusing on. It doesn’t mean that if you lack some of these qualities, I won’t work with you. But these are areas I’ll be looking to elevate and maintain with any artist I work with moving forward.
Since you started in the music industry, how have you seen it evolve? And what role do you believe your label has played in these changes?
The music industry has changed dramatically since we came in. I wanted to mention this earlier when we were talking off camera. Basically, there used to be a lot more freedom, people were more creative back then. Now, there’s so much red tape, you can hardly say anything without running into cancel culture. It feels like people are getting into music for reasons that don’t align with the same passion for the craft. They’re not going through the same schooling, the same vetting, and learning what the people before me did. Now, it’s like you just make a tune, upload it, and you can have a hit. But without that groundwork, without those 10,000 hours, the quality just isn’t the same.
The industry feels cheapened now. From DJs to performers, the overall level isn’t as high anymore. My label hasn’t made its mark yet, but when we do, I want to ensure that anyone coming through us can truly hold the stage. None of this performing over a track and cheating the audience, I know what quality is, I know what vibes are. As a raver before I was an MC, I know what things should be like. Sometimes I look at an artists getting paid so much money, and I just think they’re cheating their fans. It’s ridiculous.
So, with my label, I want to make a real difference. I want real quality artists, and when you see us perform, you’ll be able to see the difference.
How important is collaboration to your music, both within Heartless Crew and with the external artists you’ve brought on?
It’s important. Again, teamwork makes the dream work, but we’re not relying on anyone else. If we are going to collaborate with people, it’s got to be like-minded individuals, people who share the same energy and heart as us. I haven’t collaborated loads, and people often wonder why. But a lot of times, I’m not about just collaborating for the sake of it. As much as I like making money and I want to be successful and famous, it’s more than that to me. I’m not going to do things just for the sake of it or things that don’t fit with me. I’m not trying to do that.
What role does community play in music and how do you engage with your local scene?
Community plays a big role in music because things generally come from the underground, where people are just doing what they do. They’re not trying to make something happen. They’re just doing it, and it’s natural, you get me. And that’s always the best way, the organic way. Then, from there, it kind of translates and goes up and gets picked up by the overground. Communities are massive, It’s massive for the culture, It’s massive for music.
That’s just me. I love being around. You’ll catch me on my skates. Sometimes you’ll see me riding a mountain bike. I’ll be on the bus and train. I’m there, I’m in the community. I’m still in the midst of everyone I grew up with. Nothing’s changed, I’ll speak to anyone.
To me, that’s the best way because I really get an insight into what’s going on and what’s happening, and what people are really thinking and feeling because I’m able to speak to them one-to-one. I stick around, and yeah, man, I’m just about… I love it. I actually love it.
That’s the difference between me and a lot of these artists. Sometimes I moan because of the attitude of these big UK artists, you can’t see them anywhere. And it’s like, I get it. Yeah, you want to be a little bit exclusive, but at the same time, make it real. Give people something so that they can believe the dream, that they can aspire to that. When they’re seeing you and they’re around, it just gives it a different feel, man. But that’s just how I am.
Are there any upcoming projects you are particularly excited about? Is there anything you’ve seen that’s really just amped you up?
I’m always amped anyway. Recently i’ve been working with Camden Council, and we’ve teamed up with the Everyman Cinema. I made a documentary… Was it the beginning of this year? Or was it last year? I can’t remember. Time’s flying so much. There’s so much going on. I made a documentary about the record label called “The Story So Far”
Basically, my idea was to document everything I’ve done with the label from inception until now and then draw a line under it. So that’s why it was called “The Story So Far“. I did a friends and family screening, and then I did a big red carpet screening and then I shelved it. It was never to be seen again until 10, 15, or 20 years time. But I’ve been approached by Camden and Everyman Cinema to show it one last time.
So we’re going to be doing a screening for Black History Month on the 15th of October at the Everyman Cinema in Kings Cross. So yeah, I’m really looking forward to that!
I’ve also got a new tune coming out with the FaNaTiX, and it’s honestly a milestone for me. They are producers that I’ve admired for years, their work has been influential and a constant source of inspiration. Collaborating with them has been something I’ve been wanting for a long time, and finally making it happen feels surreal. The energy they bring to the track is incredible, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve created together. This release is something special, and I’m beyond excited to share it with the world.
What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?
That’s such a good question. I’ve had so many rewarding moments, but I’m going to say my most rewarding is yet to come.
How do you handle the pressures and challenges of blowing up in the music industry?
I deal with the pressure very well because I come from a grounded family. I live with my aunts, and my mum is very, very influential. She has instilled some really good foundations in me to keep my feet on the ground and just be level-headed. I deal with the pressure quite well. Anytime I feel the pressure getting to me, I take a short break or go on holiday. I love being a tourist. I often fly away for three days to take some time for myself, to think, relax, and to catch up with myself. That’s my coping mechanism.
I make it sound easy, but it really isn’t. I sympathise with artists because I see the pressures that they go through, I feel it myself, but I just don’t take it on board. I’m very robust. Everything is like water off a duck’s back to me but the pressures are out there, this music industry is tough. When you’re hot, everyone loves you. They don’t care what’s going on in the background; they just want you to be performing on stage and pushing out music. You have to be at the top of your game 24/7. You could have lost a parent, or your sibling, people don’t see whats going on behind closed doors and even if they did nobody cares. They just want to see that you’re firing and thats a real shame.
There’s so much pressure involved. You’ve got to be looking good all the time and maintaining that image. But pressure builds diamonds, and what I say to everyone is that no one forced you to do it.
What advice would you give to an aspiring MC or independent artist looking to make their mark?
Off the back of the last question, my number one thing is know thyself. You really have to know who you are. You have to dig deep into yourself and ask yourself the most uncomfortable questions. This is what I always do. Sometimes I lay on my bed and ask myself the hardest questions, and you’ve got to be honest with yourself. A lot of people can MC and do this music thing, but it’s not for everyone. The pressure builds up quickly, so you’ve just got to know yourself and understand what you’re getting yourself into.
I’ll tell you a story. My gran, when she was alive, I had such a great relationship with her. I love her so much. When I told her I was getting into music and taking it seriously, my gran begged and pleaded with me, “Please don’t do music. Do anything else other than music.” I was always laughing anyway; my family knows me. I’m always fun and laughing, and I was like, “Ah, gran, don’t worry.” But as the years went by and I really delved into the music industry, I knew exactly what my gran was talking about.
Like I said, I’m very robust, but if you’re not strong in this business, it’s going to break you—literally, physically and mentally. It will break you. I’ve seen loads of people, friends of mine, have mental breakdowns. You hear it all the time, from the biggest to the smallest artists, Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis, and everyone in between. They’ve all had issues. They’ve all dealt with the pressure of music, and when you couple that with life, it’s not easy.
So, to go right back to the question, anyone looking to get into music really needs to make sure they know who they are… “Know thyself.”
Do you have anything else you’d like to share?
PEACE, LOVE and PUM PUM ✌️
