by SCOTT C

L.A. duo Styles of Beyond are ready to get behind their second album, Megadef. After a four-year break, MCs Takbir and Ryu and the production of the Flavor Crystals (Cheapshot and Vin Skully) have come up with a fresh flip on the hip hop/metal crossroads. Backed by their own Spytech Records, these solid MCs can clearly hold their own on the mic, and are worth every penny live. The Mirror spoke to Takbir.

Mirror: I remember when the "Part 2: Endangered" 12-inch came out, and I got all excited to pick up the 2000 Fold LP. I also remember checking for you guys quite closely, waiting for that next record to come and blow me away. Is it me, or is four years a long time to make a brother wait?

Takbir: Well, yeah, I would definitely agree with you on the whole four years thing, but you know what? Perfection takes time, and when you're a creator, you need time and space to grow, and that's exactly what we did with Megadef. We took our time as artists to mature with our music and pump out hot product.

M: I gotta confess that I was a little scared that I wasn't going to like Megadef as much as I wanted to. You did revisit the whole rock-rap thing, and even though I'm still not sold on the overall production of the album, lyrically, you guys are still in control. What made you take the metal route?

T: Well, first of all, I feel that there is a major difference between metal and fusing the energy of live instruments with raw, gritty, gutter hip hop percussion, and that's all we did by bridging the gap between the two.

M: If you could tour with anybody right now, what would be the perfect combination coming to a city near you?

T: One of my favourite groups out right now is Alien Ant Farm, so I would have to say they would be my ideal group to tour with.

M: You got any kids calling you up, trying to get you on their first 12-inch, or cats sending you beats in the mail, hoping you'll bite? Has anybody ever asked you to collaborate with them during an interview?

T: Well, now that Spytech is established, we get plenty of traffic, whether it be fans or people curious about our label. However, we are extremely selective about who we bring on board, ya heard?

M: There's something about you guys that gives me the distinct feeling that they probably love you in Japan. True?

T: Yep. Yeah, man, it's crazy, but we actually get a lot of love in Japan. We're definitely looking forward to travelling out there this year, and takin' over!

M: Gimme the name of a group that is absolutely necessary to your listening enjoyment at this very moment.

T: I would have to say Leaders of the New School and any authentic hip hop of the early '90s.

M: I noticed you responded quite favourably to Michael Bolton on my answering-machine message. Is he someone you guys would like to work with in the future?

T: Yo, Michael Bolton is da shit! I would donate my left arm and voice box to work with him!

At Blue Dog on Wednesday, March 24, 9pm, $5

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