Mic Minded People - The Podcast

Mic Minded People

The Culture. The Craft. The Conversation. This podcast takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of MCs from across the musical spectrum. Hitting it from all angles - discussions, interviews, freestyles and much more. Hosted by Phil Fokus - a Drum & Bass artist with over 25 years of experience in the underground music scene. Listen: Apple Podcasts & Spotify (link below) Watch: You Tube (@micmindedpeople) Connect: Instagram (@micmindedpeople)(@mcfokus)

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 30: How A Girl From Jordan Became A Drum & Bass Artist | Ayah Marah

    Fokus sits down with Ayah Marar for a candid conversation about her journey from growing up in Jordan to becoming one of the UK's most respected voices in drum and bass. Ayah reflects on her early musical influences, breaking into the scene, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career as an MC, singer, songwriter, and artist. The conversation explores the culture and evolution of MCing in electronic music, the challenges of navigating a male-dominated industry, and the lessons she's learned from artist management and career development. Ayah also shares stories from her work with major artists, including Calvin Harris, and offers valuable advice for emerging artists looking to build sustainable careers in music. They also discuss music production, publishing, licensing, the impact of AI on creativity, and why supporting grassroots music culture remains more important than ever. 🔥 In This Episode 🎤 Ayah Marar's journey into drum and bass 🎶 The history and role of MCs in electronic music 💪 Breaking barriers as a woman in the scene 📈 Artist management and industry lessons 🌟 Discovering and supporting emerging talent 🎛️ Music production, publishing, and licensing 🤖 AI's impact on the future of music 🚀 Advice for aspiring artists and creatives 🌱 The importance of grassroots culture and community support A thoughtful and inspiring conversation packed with insights for music fans, artists, and anyone interested in the realities of building a lasting career in the music industry. 🎤 Connect with Ayah Marar 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ayahmarar/ 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AyahMarar/ 🌐 Website https://ayahmarar.co.uk/ 👇 Tap below to watch, listen and follow 🎧 Listen Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810 📺 Watch YouTube: https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople 📱 Follow on Instagram 🎙️ Mic Minded People: https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople 🎤 Fokus: https://instagram.com/mcfokus ❤️ For the love of MCs — the culture, the craft, the conversation. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves MC culture, creativity and real conversations.

    2h 49m
  2. Episode 29: JoSoSick - Grime Roots, Creative Growth & Pushing Boundaries

    May 15

    Episode 29: JoSoSick - Grime Roots, Creative Growth & Pushing Boundaries

    JoSoSick joins Fokus for a deep conversation on UK underground music, South London culture, pirate radio, and building a career independently without following trends. They talk grime roots, DIY hustle, clashes, live shows, and how Jo evolved his sound into drum & bass, melodic styles, and genre-blending experimentation - all while staying authentic in a fast-changing scene. The episode dives into the grassroots side of UK music culture, highlighting the importance of community, independence, and staying true to yourself as an artist. A must-watch for anyone interested in underground music, creative growth, and pushing creative boundaries. ⏱️ Topics include: South London & pirate radio culture Grime clashes and underground sets DIY videos, branding & independence Genre-blending and musical evolution Mental health, authenticity & longevity Building community in the underground scene 👇 Tap below to watch, listen and follow: 🎧 Listen: Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810 📺 Watch: https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople 📱 Follow on Instagram: 🎙️ Mic Minded People — https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople 🎤 Fokus — https://instagram.com/mcfokus Connect with JoSoSick: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jososick/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jososick YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jososicktv Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4plADgQTqVwQboafH6KsGL Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jososick/1460808700 Bandcamp: https://jososick.bandcamp.com/

    2h 21m

  3. Apr 24

    Episode 28: Limmz - From Lockdown Freestyles to DnB Breakthrough

    Fokus links up with rising star Limmz to talk journey, versatility and the grind behind building his name. From lockdown freestyles with friends to making waves in drum & bass, Limmz breaks down how it all started and what drives him. They explore his early influences - from US rap to grime via Pow - and how that shaped his sound. He reflects on coming up in Bristol’s underground, building confidence on the mic, and the difference between hosting and recording. Limmz also gets into the realities of being independent: self-releasing, handling social media, and balancing creativity with business. He touches on his earlier, more personal rap versus his current high-energy rave sound. The episode wraps with his latest DnB EP - a high-energy, collaborative project that marks his growth and positions him as one to watch. 🎧 Listen on Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@micmindedpeople Follow us on Instagram: 🎙️ Mic Minded People: https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus Connect with Limmz: 🎵 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/elimo-njau 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4cm0e6rUO2nxaJjkbNqNwf 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limmzofficial/ For the love of MCs — the culture, the craft, the conversation.

    2h 23m

  4. Apr 3

    Episode 27: Vispera - Spoken Word Roots to DNB Shellings

    Vispera joins the podcast to talk about her journey from spoken word and poetry into the world of MCing and the UK underground scene. We cover: • competitive poetry slams  • developing flow, cadence & mic control • Manchester & Bristol scene connections • grassroots raves, community & DIY culture • linking up with Sofa Sound • the creative process behind her studio works Real conversation on growth and versatility from an exciting artist reppin' fresh Drum & Bass talent. As ever — expect ‘ultimate MC cyphers’ and acapella bars. 🎧 Listen: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com Follow us: 🎙️ https://www.instagram.com/micmindedpeople 🎧 https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus Connect with Vispera: 📸 https://www.instagram.com/__vispera/?hl=en 🎧 https://open.spotify.com/artist/1gIF11bskGHBzo32hbNO9J?si=jLzTSONeRhCpq-RqcMTHjw

    1h 19m

  5. Mar 13

    Episode 26: MC Flux - 36 Years of Jungle, Drum & Bass and Rave History

    This one is the real deal! True pioneer MC Flux tells the story of his 36-year journey through the UK underground music scene - from the South London sound system culture of the 1980s to the explosive rise of rave, jungle, and drum & bass. Flux shares first-hand stories from the early days of sound clashes and illegal raves, and how legendary venues like Stearns helped shape the UK rave movement. We dive into the evolution of MC culture in the 90s, the rise of jungle in 1994, and how the scene transformed into modern drum & bass. He also opens up about the garage era, changes in club culture, the impact of COVID on nightlife, and how resilience, work ethic, and community have kept him going for more than three decades in music. This conversation is a deep dive into the real history of UK rave culture from someone who helped build it. In this episode: The early South London sound system scene Rave culture in the late 80s & 90s The rise of jungle and drum & bass MC culture and pirate radio Life as an MC during the rave boom Longevity, resilience, and staying relevant in music Featuring: MC Flux Topics: Jungle, Drum & Bass, UK Rave History, Pirate Radio, MC Culture, Sound Systems 👇 Tap below to listen and follow 🎧 Listen to the episode https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com 📺 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@micmindedpeople 📱 Follow Mic Minded People 🎙️ Mic Minded People https://instagram.com/micmindedpeople 🎤 Phil Fokus https://instagram.com/mcfokus 🔥 Follow MC Flux 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fluxthomas2 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/flux_mc/ 🎧 Also available on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/16ZUeZQGwA8oSvJPZCpgAd Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mic-minded-people-the-podcast/id1804623810 For the love of MCs - the culture, the craft, the conversation. Keywords: MC Flux, Jungle music, Drum and Bass, UK rave culture, Sound system culture, Jungle history, Drum and Bass history, UK underground music, Pirate radio, MC culture, 90s rave scene, Jungle MC, Drum and Bass MC, UK rave history, Sound clash culture

    3h 8m

  6. Feb 20

    Episode 25: More Than A Host - Visionobi Carves His Own Lane

    Phil Fokus chops it up with Visionobi, diving into his journey from growing up in Hertfordshire to finding his voice as an MC in Southampton. They get into early Garage, Grime and Hip Hop influences, pirate radio days, and how community helped shape both sound and mindset. Visionobi breaks down his approach to mic work, storytelling and hosting, plus the realities of navigating the scene while staying true to yourself. There’s real talk on his time working with Wilkinson, what that era taught him, and how it pushed him to carve out his own lane. The convo also touches on creativity, writing lyrics with longevity, collaboration vs gatekeeping, and why MCs need space to evolve into full artists, not just hype men. To round it off, Visionobi introduces Colony - a new grassroots event focused on bringing people together and celebrating drum & bass culture at its core. 🎧 Listen on Podbean: https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@micmindedpeople Follow us on Instagram: 🎙️ Mic Minded People: https://www.instagram.com/micmindedpeople 🎧 Phil Fokus: https://www.instagram.com/mcfokus Visionobi: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visionobi 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/54llsSjxdbdGegB0X5uXEP?si=ieDGyaQOSHWDNcz_BGHXvw

    2h 52m

  7. Jan 23

    Episode 24: Pirate Sets to Private Jets - Messy MC on touring and the real music industry

    In this episode, Phil Fokus sits down with Messy for a deep dive into MC culture, pirate radio, and the realities of life on the mic. From the raw energy of pirate stations like Renegade FM to the influence of tape packs and iconic MCs like Dynamite, Messy breaks down how the foundations of drum & bass MCing were built - and why crowd connection has always mattered more than hype. Messy reflects on his journey from university and illegal raves in Norwich to touring with DJ Fresh and performing on major stages in front of huge crowds. The conversation pulls back the curtain on touring life: the brotherhood, the pressure, the music industry, and the emotional highs and lows of performing night after night. This is an honest look at growth - not just as an MC, but as an artist navigating identity, expectations, business, and balance in an ever-evolving scene. 🎧 Listen on Podbean: 👉 https://micmindedpeople.podbean.com 📺 Watch on YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@micmindedpeople 📲 Follow on Instagram: 🎙️ Mic Minded People: https://www.instagram.com/messymc For the love of MCs — the culture, the craft, the conversation.

    2h 19m

  8. 12/28/2025

    Episode 23: Christmas Special - Phil Fokus Talks UK Music and MC Culture w/ MC AD & Mantmast

    Phil Fokus links up with MC AD and Mantmast for a no-holds-barred festive convo covering everything from standout moments from 2025 to the real state of UK music. From Christmas dinners and legendary gigs to grime, drill, and Drum & Bass culture, this episode goes deep. The crew break down the impact of MCs, the grind behind the scenes, industry pay gaps, social media shifts, and why community still runs the culture. Plus, reactions to the buzz around the Dizzee Rascal & Wiley reunion, debates on UK vs US hip hop, and Skepta’s challenge to the States. It all wraps with a fun Ultimate MC Cypher and there’s even time for a game of Grime Wars!   🎧 Listen on Podbean: micmindedpeople.podbean.com 📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@micmindedpeople Follow us on Instagram: 🎙️ Mic Minded People: @micmindedpeople 🎧 Phil Fokus: @mcfokus Connect with our guests on Instagram: 🎤Mantmast 🎤MC AD

    2h 37m
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About

The Culture. The Craft. The Conversation. This podcast takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of MCs from across the musical spectrum. Hitting it from all angles - discussions, interviews, freestyles and much more. Hosted by Phil Fokus - a Drum & Bass artist with over 25 years of experience in the underground music scene. Listen: Apple Podcasts & Spotify (link below) Watch: You Tube (@micmindedpeople) Connect: Instagram (@micmindedpeople)(@mcfokus)

Information

  • Creator
    Mic Minded People
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Mic Minded People - The Podcast