Meet ex-Scary Eire rapper Rí-Rá (no relation to the mag except from the same county as our editor) who has just released his first solo effort on Catalpa Records. Prior to this Rí-Rá contributed the excellent hard-hitting track Knuckles To The Marrow on Iarla O Lionaird's (Afro Celt Sound System) soundtrack of the film based on the book I Could Read The Sky.

Rapping in his native Midland accent, Rí-Rá has worked in the past with the likes of Howie B and Tricky. This three-track CD also features his old Scary Eire buddy DJ Mek. The title track, 40 Shades Of Green, takes a cutting swipe at the ongoing Irish political scandals. While the track, Groanin' 'n' Cheatin', Rí-Rá leaves us under no illusion as to how he feels about the Boy/Girl band phenomena with memorable lines like: "Dip-sticks with lip stick". Great stuff!

The release is available @ Rough Trade, Talbot Road, London, W11.

Q. Musical influences?
Mike Davis/The Ultramagnetic MCs/Dickie Rock.

Q. Favourite Cartoon Character?
Bono.

Q. Favourite food? Drink? Stimulant?
Sugar sandwiches/Fizzy Whiskey/Magic Sweets.

Q. Humanity's most useful/useless inventions?
Useful: Rizla. Useless: Ronan.

Q. Rap is?
A watered down version of hip hop.

Q. Reincarnation, who would you come back as?
Naomi Campbell's knickers.

Q. Favourite term of abuse?
Go an' shite.

Q. Peoples habits that annoy you?
Spliff hogging.

Q. Describe you music in five words?
Out on its fucking own.

Q. Idea of heaven/hell?
Heaven: Dole day. Hell: The day before.

Q. Greatest ambition?
To rid the planet of alcohol, by drinking it all!

Q. Favourite book/film?
Book: Notes Of A Dirty Old Man (Bukowski). Film: War Of The Robots.

Q. Dying words?
"That didn't taste like whiskey."