Urban Vault caught up with Austrian Hip Hop producer/DJ/emcee Flip on the launch day of his new instrumental album EXPERIENCES, via Munich-based Beat Art Department, to ask him some questions about the 16 track project & more…

As instrumental Hip Hop albums seem to be at an all-time high, ranging from so-called lo-fi aesthetics to progressive sounds with electronic vibes, one of Austrian Hip Hop’s godfathers and OG’s on the boards has finally dropped an instrumental album on his own. The title ‘Experiences’ has been chosen not without reason as it both reflects the personal experiences the artists Flip has gone through in his 25 years plus career but also hint the influences and musical aspects that went into this album.

Flip has tried to give insight into his musical influences that began in the 80s with groups like Public Enemy or EPMD into the 90s era with sounds ranging from Native Tongues territory to a DJ Premier or Pete Rock or the DITC producers when he started making beats on his own for his rap group Texta. You can hear links to other production wizards like J Dilla, Hi-Tec, or Madlib that changed the sampling techniques post 2000 with albums like ‘Donuts’, ‘Hi-technology’, or ‘Madvillain’. So yes, ‘Experiences’ is sample-based but further developed by Flip with original basslines, keys, guitar riffs played by the producer himself. The final result though is not just a simple look back into the golden era but more a retro-futuristic approach that FLIP tried to execute within those sixteen compositions.

Additional scratches and vocal chops add more flavor to the tracks and as one song flows with ease into the next one, this makes ‘Experiences’, an experience for the listener, too. While a lot of Hip Hop instrumental albums just let some loops run for two minutes, FLIP took a more ambitious approach where continued listening to the album will reveal new details and musical ideas every time.

Another fact that won ́t go unnoticed is the heavy punch of the drums which is due to the usage of old samplers like the legendary SP-1200, the ASR-10, or the MPC 2000XL that Flip is still using, blending it though with the power of modern soft and hardware.

What is your name?

Philipp “Flip” Kroll

Where are you from?

Linz/Austria

What‘s the Hip Hop scene like in Austria?

We got a broad scene from emcees to DJ´s to Producers that started at the beginning of the ’90s and has reached a broad audience, from underground to mainstream.

How long have you been making music?

I started producing and rapping in 1993 when we started the rap group Texta.

Can you tell us more about your latest Instrumental Hip Hop album ‘Experiences’?

I tried to show a little bit of my roots, music that inspired and still inspires me, but done in a modern way. I picked lots of jazzy samples that reaches back to that golden era sound, a little funky bassline that gives a nod to the west coast here and there. Form e drums have always been the foundation of my sound, so I still use the old samplers to give that extra punch to my music. No sample packs allowed.

The album is available on digital platforms, vinyl, and cassette. How important is a physical release (for you) in 2020?

As I am a vinyl digger owning thousands of records, vinyl is still important to me. As I DJ too, I still am one oft he few DJ´s that brings he records to the club and does not use Serato.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?

I have worked with lots of Austrian, German and swiss artists, of course, the last 25 years, but I also work with international artists too. I released the producer album ‘Reflections’ in 2015 on Ill Adrenaline Records with features like Elzhi, Killah Priest, Guilty Simpson, Kev Brown, AG and many more, I did some production on some US underground records, I am currently finishing an EP with Edo G, I did a whole album with Atlanta rapper Heem Stogied in 2018. And more to come!

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

Basically talented artists. But I am not to keen on commercial production, plus I am still a fan of rapping not mumbling, so basically a mix of the legends from the ’90s plus the dope artists from nowadays.

What inspires you when you make your music?

Well of course every producer gets inspiration from others in the game, so there is an influence on my beats too, but in general I just like digging samples and get my vibe from there. Though recently I played a lot of samples myself, as I know to play bass, guitar and keys (latter not that good) and resample them myself. That’s what I focused on since the corona breakdown.

How have you ended up in the music industry?

Well, it was a process from having this little rap group to releasing records to going on tours and so on. It was a gradual transition that made me a professional musician so to say.

What do you think of the music industry in 2020?

Hm. A lot of bullshit but also a lot of great music is made. But as the tools of the trade became more affordable, plus there is no need of labels anymore to release music, I think the market has been flooded too much. I try to keep up with the new music out there, but it´s nearly impossible honestly.

What do you do when your not making music?

Spending time with my son and wife, riding BMX, organizing shows at a local venue.

Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram?

All, but for different reasons.

In a few words sum up your thoughts about Urban Vault and what we’re trying to do?

It´s a one for all site, for all those interested in the Rap game and beyond, so that´s a big challenge but you seem to have it mastered!

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making dope, fresh music…

Flip – Experiences
Stream/Purchase HERE

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