It’s been almost six months since my last interview with Sami Omar (Up2Stndrd), where our conversation centred around one key thing: infrastructure in Scotland’s hip hop scene, and building the systems needed for its talent to prosper. 

As we return to our second interview, it feels like we’ve picked up on the perfect sequel to that conversation. The hype has been circulating, and it’s almost time for The BSMNT to open its doors.

Glasgow is widely regarded as one of the UK’s pre-eminent arts and culture hubs. With Glasgow School of Art having played an important role in the careers of David Shrigley, Peter Howson, Sharleen Spiteri, and Peter Capaldi; Oasis getting discovered by Creation Records’ Alan McGee at King Tut’s; and numerous celebrated bands originating from the city, like The Fratellis, Primal Scream, and The Blue Nile, Glasgow has nurtured and produced some of the most recognisable names in the arts.

From Fontaines D.C.'s very band name—where "D.C." stands for Dublin City—to their Ireland-themed stage logos featured at live gigs and the raw, unflinching poetry of their lyrics, it is impossible to miss how a city, a culture, and a country leave an indelible mark on a band and its sound. Every creative choice the group makes is rooted in the identity of their homeland, turning personal art into a love letter to the place that forged them.

The music industry throughout its history has gone through a variety of changes that have shaped how music can be performed, recorded and distributed. It has taken on many different forms throughout history. A large part of this is due to the digitalisation of key components such as musical formats and digital equipment.