Steffan Cravos
Steffan Cravos / Lambchop | |
---|---|
Birth name | Steffan Cravos |
Also known as | Lambchop |
Born | 1977 (age 36–37) |
Origin | Cardiff, Wales |
Genres | Rap, hip hop |
Occupations | DJ, musician |
Instruments | Turntables |
Years active | 1991–present |
Labels | Fitamin Un |
Associated acts | Curig Huws, Tystion, Afal Drwg Efa |
Steffan Cravos (born 1977, Cardiff) is a Welsh rap and hip hop artist.
As "DJ Lambchop", Cravos is known for his "cut, scratch, and mix" turntablist. He is also the founding member of Tystion, a Welsh hip hop band.
He was briefly involved with an early line-up of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci playing violin and sound effects, and is credited on several songs on their early-years compilation Patio.
Projects
DJ Lambchop
The name combines the Welsh stereotype of the lamb with the cut, scratch, and mixing of turntablism. As DJ Lambchop he released a cassette-only release called "Cashing in on Cool Cymru" in which he slags Kelly Jones over a break beat. The other tracks are "Terfysgoedd Daear" and "Distort the Truth, Distort the Facts, Distort Everything Dub".
Fitamin Un
In 1996, Cravos set up his own record label, Recordiau Fitamin Un. Fed up with the scene in Wales, he created it to be an outlet for some of his projects (like Tystion) and other underground material. Other bands released on the label include Llwybr Llaethog, "Pep Le Pew", "Trawsfynydd Lo-Fi" (aka Liberation Front), and "Continuous Sound Labordy Swn Cont". All of Fitamin Un's releases have been archived by The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales at The National Library of Wales.[1]
Radio Amgen
Radio Amgen provides numerous rare mp3's to listen to on the computer. The tracks are from an eclectic mix of artists in both Welsh and English languages, as well as links to artists, labels, other mp3s, and institutions. Radio Amgen translated as Alternative Radio, also gice many amateur djs and music producers the opportunity to showcase their creations. Such successful introducing radio shows include Dander Radio, produced by Aron Jones.
Tystion (1991-2002)
Tystion began in 1991. Cravos, aged 16, and influenced by the sounds of Dead Kennedys, worked from his bedroom in Carmarthen using two tape decks and a mixer. He wanted to create an answer to the current state of the Welsh musical mainstream. By 1995, he was joined by Gruff Meredith.
Lo-Cut and Sleifar
Cravos worked on this project with Murry the Hump member/producer Lo-Cut (Curig Huws) and put out an album in 2004 on Boobytrap Records. They are based in Cardiff and established their partnership in Paris.
"Music for the feet and music for the mind"—their definition of hip-hop - is the English translation of the title.
Quote
"What does it mean to be a Welsh band singing in Welsh? To me, it’s the natural thing to do, Welsh is my first language, and I wish it would be the natural everyday language of Wales. If it is used enough, then maybe one day Welsh will return to be the main language of my Country. The eradication of the language will mean less and less of an identity for the Welsh nation, it will turn Henry VIII's and the wishes of the English ruling establishment since him into a reality—that is, Wales becomes western England" (from a 30 July 2002 email).
Discography
Albums
Year | Album | Label | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | Miwsig I'ch Traed A Miwsig I'ch Meddwl | Boobytrap Records | |
See also
References
Projects
- Brechdan Tywod (in Welsh)
- DJ Lambchop
- Lo-cut and Sleifer
- Radio Amgen (in Welsh)
- Tystion
- Tystion page (with lyrics)
MP3s
- Sleifar a'r Teulu, Sesiwn Radio 1 (in Welsh)