DJ Red 6 & Profisee - Hot Steppin'

After departing Livesciences in April last year, DJ Red 6 moved to London, but has maintained excellent relations with Edinburgh's stable of gifted MCs, vocalists and beatboxers. The resulting full artist album – Do What The Girls Do – is due out this autumn, and his current single – Adjust Your Life - features Profisee of Great Ezcape.

How is London suiting Red 6? "I'm loving London - I resisted it for years. I'm a proud Yorkshireman and we don't go South! But now I'm here... wicked! I'm really fortunate to be coming back to Edinburgh twice a month to DJ at the Bongo Club, so I've not had a chance to miss much about Edinburgh - just my close friends."

I ask about live instrumentation – a big part of the Livesciences sound. Has he used any on the album? "Not a lot," he replies. "It's mostly drum loops, samples, soft-synths and raps." I suggest that the tracks are quite downtempo: "You want to hear them in a club mate," he responds, "I don't think they're downtempo!" He's right - plugging his Myspace page into larger speakers evinces deep, textured bass and popping, crisp drums. "I never really have a plan when I make a beat," says Red 6. "It's much better to write what you feel at the time and then tweak it the next morning. I always make my best tunes at night."

When I ask about the guests on the LP, Red 6 is full of praise for his collaborators: "I met Profisee through my first club night El Segundo. It's getting on for ten years since I started that! We've both found it a really positive experience, so we're planning to do more - I've just got to make the beats first." Mikey Krumins of the Abdominal Showmen also features: "Mikey's a total legend! I've always loved his group, and it's wicked to see them doing well. I really like the quality of his voice and his raps are insane genius!"

I ask if, now that he has taken the reigns of production, he feels more like a musician or a DJ: "Well, I'm not really a musician, so that bit's easy. I think I'm a DJ first - that pays my rent anyway, and you can't beat a full dancefloor getting into a record you like. To be honest, I always feel a bit bashful about people liking the records I make - it's very flattering - there's so much amazing music out there that I'm always honoured if someone's decided to listen to mine."

Later, I catch up with Profisee, the lead single's vocalist. He and his partner Ema J have just finished collaborating with Hexstatic on their new LP. I put it to Profisee that he is the busiest man in Edinburgh's hip-hop scene. Where does he find the energy? "That's all down to my son! He's like a ball of energy, so I've been siphoning that! Ha! But seriously, my boy Elijah is a constant inspiration. Plus I learnt something really valuable about time... and that is that time is an illusion. You can't find something that's not there, you're either doing, or you're not."

Does Profisee set out to deliver clear, positive messages in his raps? "To be honest, it's not that complicated," he says. "Whatever comes out in the lyrics is what comes out! I don't set out to be positive or negative in particular. I just let the music dictate. I guess I do try and be clear, but that's more about communicating any type of message to the listener."

Like many artists from outside London, he is wary of the term 'regional' as applied to hip-hop: "I used to have more of an opinion on 'regional' hip-hop. But now, I'm like, is it good or not? I think hip-hop is so global that it's beyond regions. I think what the future holds is amazing, because now, if you're good enough (no matter where you're from), you'll be able to find an outlet. That wasn't always possible before, so that creates freedom and more choices."

The production skills of Red 6 are one of many such outlets for Profisee. Our local scene really benefits from the participation of such motivated, passionate producers and MCs. Red 6 has used some of Edinburgh's finest to craft a magnificent hip-hop debut. "The support of your friends is invaluable," says Red 6 "But if someone you have no connection with says they're into what you do, or is prepared to part with their hard earned cash for it, it feels pretty good." Get those wallets out, people.