New MC (a.k.a. Big Zach) is a longtime staple of the underground hip-hop movement in Minnesota. As a teenager, Zach jumped on the scene early with his crew the Kanser Troop, playing coffee shop shows and opening for Twin Cities pioneers such as Urban Atmosphere (now known as just Atmosphere, of course) the Abstract Pack, the Micranots, Musab, and others. In 1997 Kanser pushed over 1,000 copies of Now, an album produced on Atmosphere producer ANT's 4-track and dubbed by hand to cassette. By age 20, Zach was booking/hosting and co-running "Headspin Sundays," the now-legendary all-ages Hip Hop weekly held at the late Bon Appetit Cafe—it was an event that launched the careers of many in the current Twin Cities hip-hop scene. Groups like Brother Ali, Odd Jobs, Unknown Prophets, DJ K-Salaam, and Leroy Smokes are just a few of the many bands that played Headspin Sundays.
New MC also is a pioneer on the MN hip hop scene and he is releasing a solo album. HipHopClub had the opportunity to interview New Mc

Q- Give us some history behind the name NewMC how did that come about?

A- "NEW ONE" was my tag since I was 9 years old, I grew up down the block from "KILS87" who is the most OG graffitti writer on the south side. He would tell my mom he was baby sitting me and have me out on missions playing look out for him when I was like 10 years old. I paid a grip of dues in the graf scene early but I was never that good. But I kept my tag name and I still sticker bomb.

Q-Give the fans some insight of who Newmc is beyond the artist?

A- Man I would like to tell you theres allot to me but overall I'm just a rapper (LOL) its on my mind about 23 hours of every day. On the side my first love is Basket ball, I was a better MC/promoter than I ever was a hooper though. I'm a giant NBA fan and I still ball at least once a week.... matter of fact I turn 30 Friday and I can still dunk a ball. (LOL) I hope, I'll have to go make sure Friday morning.

Q-What prompted the solo album?

A- Dillon Parker, the dude who's been running Interlock wanted me to do it. I think he got drunk with ANT (of Atmosphere) one night and ANT was drunk enough to tell him it was a good idea. (LOL)

Q-Tell the fans what they can expect from this new album?

A- My solo shows a little more me than the music I've put out with Kanser & Traditional methods. I wana say its a little more street but not in the way allot of rappers use the word "street". I'm not that hard of a dude, but I am a south side dude, I've seen and felt a good amount of nutty things growing up here, and I try to express that South Minneapolis is a diverse fresh place to live but growing up in it ant always easy. I really hope heads from out of state or outside of the city get a good picture of how I see South Minneapolis the way I tried to paint it.

Q-Are you going to be touring to promote this project?

A- Man I just got back yesterday from a 8 shows threw the Midwest out to Montana. I booked it to start pushing the record, but we got a little backed up and the CDs wont be back till Nov 15th. I'm trying to book more shows right now, but what I and kanser need is to get on a big tour, or just go on the road opening for somebody even a little bigger than us. We're doing our best grinding on some do it your self mission but a nice hook up right now would be what we need to get to the next level.

Q-Can we expect more projects from Kanser in the future?

A-Kanser has a record on deck completely produced by Big Jess of the Unknown prophets. Its pretty good and real mature. We'll probably put it out a few months into 2008 behind my solo.

Q-How does it feel to be a pioneer of the MN hip hop scene?

A- (LOL) I'm glad you called me a pioneer, that will make my day. It feels good knowing you had a hand in building the basement of a house that lots of kids are living in. There was a group called the "Abstract Pack" out of St Paul that were popular when I was a kid, sadly one of the members passed away in 1996. His name was SESS and I am going to show a 10 minute video about him and the Abstract Pack at my CD release show. I would like people to check it out. The Pack were Twin cities Pioneers.

Q- Being a pioneer of the scene are you happy with the growth of the scene?

A- Yes we have one of the freshest underground scenes in America.

Q-What would you change about the MN hip hop scene if you could?

A- Man thats a tough one .... some times I feel that the scene is a little to soft, better soft than hater ville. I wish more "street rappers" like Musab, Guardians of balance, Tony bonez & Big Wiz ect sold more records. Sometimes I feel like its easier for me to get a underground following cause my music is a little softer. But those dudes are really the best rappers.

Q- If given the chance to go mainstream would you take it? why or why not?

A- Depending on the situation ....Fuck ya! If I could get into a situation like Kanya West or the Roots that would be the shit! But I never shoot that high, opportunity's like that are up to God. I will just try to continue to develop my skills as a MC.

Q-Where do you see yourself in five years career wise?

A- Man I don't know? When I was 16 I had no idea I would be the best I've ever been at 29. I will grind and hustle in rap in till it doesn't pay the bills any more than I hope God will guide me somewhere else. I wouldn't mind opening my own Hip Hop Club/cafe.

Q-Who are some local and national artists/producers you have worked with?

A- I haven't worked with anyone huge. I got a couple beats from ANT & Big Jess on my solo album. Also Musab who just signed with Heirogliphics is on my album, witch is kinda cool cause Heiro were my favorrite rappers when I was a teen.

Q- Is there anything else you would like to say?

A- Ya thanks Wizdom and Hiphopclub.biz for the interview and my CD release show is Saturday Nov 17th @the Foundation, all ages 6pm-930pm and its should be dope.

Q-Were can fans get more info about you and your music?

A- http://www.myspace.com/kanser or http://www.myspace.com/newmcsoloreleaseshow

--By Wizdom