If you are down with us kidz in the music scene you will be aware of MCR-T aka MCNZI is a German DJ and producer (real name Julian McCarthy) who is known for his fast beats. He has delivered heavy trap and ghetto tunes for several years and is always playful and experimental, lately, he has slowly found his own unique sound by combining different genres and styles.
In a B2B with Broke Magazine, we chat with MCR-T about his backstory, music history, and influences, ask about his sexy relationship with Miss Bashful and find out a whole lot more!
Hey MCR-T, thanks for chatting with us at Broke. To dive right into it we want to know your backstory, can you give us a glimpse into the upbringing of MCR-T?
Hey Broke Magazine, thanks for having me. So to jump right into it and to keep it brief because the story is extensive, MCR-T is the Brainchild of my older RAP / PUNK alias MCNZI pronounced (MC-NAZI). The MCNZI Era laid the foundation for the MCR-T era. Obviously, I am not a NAZI and not right-wing-oriented or anything like that. This Name came from my first experimental years embracing my PUNK – SKINHEAD Skaterfueled anti-establishment attitude. I am bi-racial of Jamaican, American, German and even Irish descent. As I’ve learned the Skinhead movement had nothing to do with being a Nationalist Racist at first. It was the influence of the West Indian immigrants combined with the UK´s white working class that brought upon a tough yet smart attitude in the late 60s- with a style that represented something they could call their own going against the flamboyant ethos of the time.
Having that said. My path has been paved by an initial lack of identity. So the answer was. I’ll create my own: MCR-T, MCNZI, and other smaller aliases INGO ZAPPERONI, y.habébé, AVANT GOD. My path was paved by a lack of being heard and taken seriously. So the answer was: I’ll make myself heard and I’ll occupy space with my friends to facilitate a stage for us to express ourselves when no one else took us seriously enough. My Path was paved by a lack of sense of belonging. So the answer was: I’ll create my own – building a team of like-minded people. That would function as a Team, Gang, Crew you name it. The ones existing to this day: Live From Earth (since 2017), SESH (Clara Cuve Rapha and my own Label since 2022), [selected] (oldest collective I’ve been a part of since 2015).
So the short version is: Experimented with the same sound I play today, Visual Arts and Crafts prior to my MCR-T Era all the way from 2012 to now. I released Ghetto Tech / Hip House Records in 2016 which garnered attention from the LabeI Call family now. Live From Earth. 2018 – I was urged to come up with a new name as MCNZI was becoming a problem for people to promote. I always wanted to showcase that under one Alias I could release any genre and you would always be surprised what I had to offer. Since I’m not a rapper, producer DJ, MC etc. I love SOUND. I’m a Musician and an Artist. So after great consideration, I came up with MCR-T a shorter abbreviation of my last name MCCARTHY.
And let’s talk about influences, where do you pull inspiration from to create your music?
This list could be super long. But I’ll try to keep it brief.
Creation is lived through experience. I feel as an artist it’s my “job” to be. If I experience things in life therefore I AM and I channel how I feel and think into my records. Always raw real and and from the heart. I’d like to think you can feel that my Soul is in everything I put out.
Production and Crafts(wo)manshipwise I’d say I draw inspos from – Tyler The Creator, FREDDIE DREDD, YE (Kanye West), BK THE RULA, CLIP, JEFF MILLS, RAMIREZ, NEMMZZ, TOMMY RICHMAN, DAF, RBL POSSE, 2LIVE CREW, EAZY E, Pharell Williams, VAYDA, TIA CORINE, HANS ZIMMER just to name a few.
Having travelled around the world to play your tunes, where do you feel most at home and why?
The Most Home id have to say I feel like in AMSTERDAM. First off the most frequented Airport I fly to is Schipol. I love the energy and the rich musical heritage the Netherlands have. So Amsterdam + Rotterdam have a very special place in my heart. SO many beautiful beautiful memories. NL ULTRAS were the first Foreign Ravers to welcome me into their heart within the EU outside of the GERMAN AUSTRIAN SWISS realm.
Most Home in NA I’d have to say I feel like is in LA. Craziest and funniest Crowd at the DIY Function. Even more than NYC and that is my Number two. It’s hard to decide really because once you’ve really connected with the City and its people everywhere starts to feel like home.
Honorable Mention: Australia and particularly Melbourne is definitely the new prospect tho. Their energy on tour this year was beyond anything I had expected. I found myself shedding a tear of joy amidst my lonely cross-continental flight.
If you had to describe the electronic music scene with 3 words, what would they be?
1. UP 2. THEIR 3. ASS
People take themselves so fucking seriously. Promoters who sometimes don’t even have anything remotely to do with the Scene capitalise and taint the climate of operations. Having fun is stonewalled by hyper-masculine internet keyboard warriors and Techno Connoisseurs who must have been around since 3000 bc with the amount of knowledge they claim to possess. Negativity within the scene towards – freedom of expression, the way you dress, talk, walk breathe. You can be serious about your music-making without denouncing someone else’s. But I get it its a cutthroat and competitive business and I’m very competitive too but if you don’t like where you’re at in life? Grind harder – make a change! Willpower = Everything.
Electronic music has evolved a lot over the years. How do you see your sound evolving in the future?
The evolution of music is a very exciting topic because I can’t fathom what new genres could look like because it always seems like every thinkable thing has been done. As an artist, I have accepted that I will always be a student of my craft and a student of life. So I eagerly await what the next genius is going to come up with so it can rub off on me and influence me to maybe come up with something envelope-pushing one day. BUT I will say this. I love the fact that music production has become so accessible and easy to use for everybody BUT I hate the fact that more accessibility inevitably came at the cost of lack of creativity. A lot of people call themselves producers and end up just getting premade loops, melodies grooves and everything from Splice. You can literally tell who uses the Loop-based productions sometimes. It’s sad to see because people cheat themselves into thinking THEY are producing art here. So we sadly have a lot of the same people with the same ideas using the same tools and don’t know how to do the hard and dirty work of creation.
Even though it is enticing to use I stay far away from anything like that and try to make everything myself as much as possible. Self-made head to toe.Period.
We are super intrigued to learn about you and Miss Bashful’s relationship, you guys are a super hot couple! What is it like to be creating with your partner in crime?
No Comment. But I will say this: Creating with your Partner in Crime is the most fulfilling experience you can have. One Team. One Common Goal. One shared Vision.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming DJs who resonate with your sound?
1. Listen to my Track “Getting Up 101” when it drops on my Album (≠ (NOT THE SAME) 2024) late Summer, as it literally outlines EVERY feasible aspect I have learned so far about Getting up in the Industry.
2. Short Rundown. Get yourself out there – FOR FREE. You gotta own your space to claim it for $$$. Master your craft. Master your selection. Do Podcasts for Collectives across the Globe to get your name up. If you don’t have the infrastructure to host a Night in a Club. Do it like we did. Occupy your own space – throw DIY raves for free and draw your Crowds there. Get Active. Get your funds up – make sacrifices if you really want to know how badly you want to earn something / make something happen. Just keep recording quality mixes, and play every opportunity you have – for money or free. Get out there. Once you have a little REP. b2b´s, podcast slots for local/regional promoters might arise. HELL, maybe even bookings at your local clubs. The point is you have to try and don’t expect the universe to give you freebies. Rule of thumb: ALWAYS EARNED NEVER GIVEN! Maintain an authentic online appearance on socials to accompany your vision and what’s real will (or at least should) always prosper!
What’s next for MCR-T? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you can tease for your fans?
I know it might pain some ULTRAS to hear, but I’m literally sitting on a mountain of music that is waiting to be released.
1. “≠” (NOT THE SAME) 2024 ALBUM – releasing late Summer.
2. PURRR (EP) with my talented Sister Catlaine.
3. 3 Track EP via my own Label SESH + Multiple Various Artists Compilations.
4. Collabs with VTSS, COBRAH, LA GOONY CHONGA, MJ NEBREDA and many more to come. 😉
5. NEW MCR-T ULTRAS – MERCH DROPPING Soon. Three New Items!
6. NEW SESH MERCH JERSEYS
7. A Variety of New One-of-a-kind SESH Events. Stay Tuned!
This is just to name a few things that happen weekly and are always in the works. Theres more. But you will be the judge of that as long as you tune in to my IG and keep your eyes peeled for one-of-a-kind Content.
I’d like to claim the title of the hardest-working underground industry cat in the biz. The busiest Bee will be the Buzz of the Hive.
Thanks for having me Broke Magazine!