Garage Legend Sticky Made Us A Mixtape!

The lads at London's best hip-hop night, Livin' Proof, are branching out into something a little grimier with the launch of new night Sippy Cup this Friday and they've only gone and got garage legend Sticky in to kick off proceedings. No big deal. It just so happens that Sticky is one of my favourite garage producers, case in point after hearing "Booo!" for the first time all I wanted to do was be drip fed UKG forever, so after dropping us a mixtape I called him up for a chat. It sounded like he'd been woken from a cryogenic slumber but I managed to squeeze out some conversation about the UKG revival and, umm, sticky situations.

Noisey: Hi Sticky. What are you up to?

Hello. I’m in the studio at the moment, been working with General Levy.

Oh yeeeeah. How’s that been?

Fire. Absolutely fire!

Is that the name of the song, or the emotion it evokes? Or both?

The emotion. It’s just so hype.

How’s your summer been? It’s coming to an end now, so I guess I can ask you that.

It’s been OK. I was just in the studio.

That’s not very party filled?

You got to create your own party. I was just at Outlook, for a couple of days.

What’ve you got planned for the winter months?

I’m releasing an EP at the end of the year. Not sure which one yet, but that’s planned, then an album planned next year. Got some nice collaborations on it. You’ll just have to wait and see.

Sooo. You’re a pioneer of garage music. What do you make of the state of it at the moment?

Yeah, really pleased. There’s a new fresh air to it, it’s come round again, like a circle.

Who do you reckon is flying the flag best for it at the moment?

For garage-esque tracks, I’m looking at Disclosure, Naughty Boy.

There’s a lot of buzz about Naughty Boy at the moment. I’m not sure what I think. Do you really rate him?

Well, I know him. He’s a good boy really.

What’s the naughtiest thing he’s ever done?

Haha. I couldn’t say. I‘ve got no information for you, love.

Lulz. What do you reckon are the top three garage tracks that still manage to fill the dancefloor?

Hmmm. That’s hard. "Gotta Get Thru This", ummmm, "Sorry", by Monsta Boy and "Just in Case".

They’re all pretty big crossover hits. Do you think it’s important for garage to sound as good as it does on prime time radio as it does in the club?

I’m glad it is happening with the next generation of people, because it kind of makes me current again, know what I mean? It’s a blessing.

Whose been your favourite to work with out of Stooshe, Lady Chann and Ms Dynamite?

I love them all equally! It’s Lady Chann’s birthday today.

Happy birthday to her! What’s in your garage?

If I had one, a car.

That’s rubbish. What’s the stickiest situation you’ve ever been in?

Being stranded in a car that doesn’t work, 200 miles away from home. We were in Pontifract, coming back from a gig in Leeds and the car died. I was with my brother and two friends. I called the AA, they came out, found out we didn’t have coverage. They left us there. This was at 6 in the morning. This was ages ago. I think breaking down was the highlight of the evening.

That’s a decent sticky situation considering the garage question bombed. What was the last song you played on your iPod?

I don’t have an iPod.

COME ON STICKY. Work with me. What was the last song you played?

Probably Jessie J.

Have you ever tried to get her on one of your tracks?

I’ve never actually tried.

Don’t ask you don’t get. Got to persevere.

Story of my life darling.

Finally, what’s your favourite track that you’ve ever made?

"Triplets". It’s classical composition, and it’s so simple, but so effective. Everyone has their favourite of mine.

I know I do. Thanks Sticky!

TRACKLIST

Sticky & Ms. Dynamite - Booo!

Sticky & Kele Le Roc - (Triplets) Things We Do

Sia - little man

DJ Zinc - 138 Trek

Jaheim - Just In Case (Dubaholics Rollers Revival Mix)

Mosca - Bax

Scott Garcia ITS A LONDON THING

Double 99 - RIP Groove (Radio Edit)

Sunship - Check One Two (feat. M.C.R.B)