Young Fathers: Straight Back On It

At the mention of the words ‘boy band’, many a Skinny reader may feel the urge to hurl. Quite violently. But hold fast, because Young Fathers – Scotland’s bigger, better and sexier JLS – ain’t no regular boy band.

All in their early twenties, MCs Ally Massaquoi, Kayus Bankol and Graham Hastings – otherwise known as ‘G’ – met at an under-18s night in Edinburgh’s Bongo Club in their early teens. Officially rising as Young Fathers from previous moniker 3 Style some three years ago, the trio bring a certain edgy ‘tude to hook-laden hip-hop with pop tendencies.

“I'll tell you what’s not fair – boxing all those sardines into that little tiny tin,” they tell us as a collective statement, describing their music as “a glorious mess of organized sounds.” Since the release of acclaimed debut single Straight Back On It under two years ago, the Fathers have further found their swagger-filled stride, playing the BBC Introducing stage at various festivals last summer, taking props from copious Radio 1 DJs and appearing on Big Brother’s Big Mouth. “Davina wanted it,” say the Fathers. “She’s more powerful than you think. Like on some illuminati shit.”

The NME went so far as to dub Young Fathers as “the best rap group in Scotland [...] locked somewhere between De La Soul and 3T, but re-imagined for the hipster generation.” Back-handed compliment or not, others have less awkwardly likened their vibrancy, energy and downright cheek to that of Spank Rock.

“We never had any desire to be known as just a 'rap' group,” they tell us. “But again, think about the sardines. I don’t think they wanted to be all stuffed in like that, but how else are they going to store them in the supermarket?”

There are fast-spat lyrics, dirty beats, smooth counter harmonies and slick synchronised dance moves, culminating in a live show that blows the latter-day ‘Edinburgh music is boring’ theory to bits.

“We hate dancing but our manager makes us do it because that’s what A1 did and look how successful they were,” they joke. “We go for enjoying ourselves and keeping it exciting for us, which will in turn keep it exciting for you… I like the thought of ‘intensive humour’, though.

Appreciated more in the south than on home soil, Young Fathers seem to be quashing any assertion that the Scottish hip-hop scene is not worthy of a second look, adding in elements of soul, dub and electronica to boot. “If you do go to London, go with something ready. That’s where the separation comes from, and they respect you for it too,” they advise. “We'd like to see the music scene in Edinburgh be able to do more stuff outside of the festival. Don’t know if the council can handle that though, bless them.”

New single, Fevers Worse, is released this month, with their debut LP – recorded with producer Timothy London – to follow.

“This is no half-hearted hobby. Believe in this,” they state in parting, exemplifying the strut which sets them apart from their peers. If the inexplicable success of Colin ‘cannae really act but still gets jobs’ Farrell has taught us anything, it’s that ladies love that bad boy thing, and Young Fathers are working it just nicely, tongues firmly wedged in cheeks.