Psykhomantus

has been around in the midlands underground scene for some time now. From 1991 he started out with the name Busta Scratch then use the name Psykhomantus from 1999 onwards.
Psykhomantus has over ten years of experience as a Dee Jay, and has been collecting records since childhood. Having a deep rooted and diverse background in music has given Psykhomantus the ability to amaze his crowds by manipulating or restructuring any classic record (having two copies of the same records) to produce a new composition from its original form (combined with his body tricks) into a frenzy. His set is range from Hip-Hop, Break Beats, Rare Grooves and Soul to Classic Funk, Nu-Jazz and Broken Beats.
As a turntablist, Psykhomantus has pushed his multitalented skills with musicians by performing with live bands and being able to be the main feature while most other turntablist in bands wheir just additional scratching, remaining in the background. Rockit (Herbie Hancock), Think (Lin Collins), Call Me Super Bad (James Brown), and Everybody Loves The Sunshine (Roy Ayers), to Booty La La (Bugz In The Attic), Super Amazing (DKD) and Crazy (Gnarls Barkley) (which was performed in his 07 DMC routine) are some of the songs that Mantus has been able to do as cover versions with local group Freestyle Collective (Leicester’s version of Mark De Clive-Lowe’s Freesoul Session), keyboard nu-jazz player Mike Sole and guitar singer Maryanne.
Born in the midlands, Psykhomantus was raised in a very musical household were he developed his taste of love for music at an early age. His Father had a very large collection of vinyl’s, mostly reggae (with funk and soul in between) so it wasn’t strange for Mantus when stepping up to the turntables at a later age. When the Hip-Hop Culture became this new phenomenon in the early 80’s in the U.K. many young kids wanted to take part, you ether Lock, Pop, Break, Tag, MC, Beat box or DJ (back then you was know as the don if you can do them all). After a trip to the cinema with his mother to watch the movie Beat Street, Mantus fell in love with the art as he sees the same similarity of the reggae culture. The turntables, the microphones and the vibes from the people when the DJ played the instrumentals from the turntables for the MC as he connected to the people, That’s when Mantus knew what he wanted to do, DJ
Listening to early rap groups, Psykhomantus ears was only open for the DJ’s like Knights Of The Turntables, Jazzy Jeff, Cash Money, Jam Master Jay (of Run DMC), Sammy B (of Jungle Brothers), DJ Premier (Gang Starr) and DJ Scratch (Of EPMD), if the artist didn’t have a DJ, Mantus wasn’t down with it. At 15, Mantus met his first local rap group that he joined a few months after hanging with them. The group was called Solid State (Mantus rapped back then) and even so the group was limited, it was the break that Mantus needed. The group met other local groups at the time at a place called Spectrum (Leicester’s version of The Apollo). Spectrum was the place to go for young black kids at the time and had many UK act’s performed on stage (DMC’s DJ Reckless, Manchester’s Krispy 3 and London’s rapper Blade to name a few), Mantus bounce from Solid State to another group called Nubian Element, Hip-Hop’s youngest local group at the time. Mantus became the DJ he wanted to be (going by the name Busta Scratch) and in that same year the group went on to a numerous radio stations, doing shows as a group in and outside the midlands, DJing at house parties and taking part of small festivals. In 1994 he went solo as he felt the crew was getting soft and focus more on his scratching techniques.
In 1998 Psykhomantus moved to Birmingham for work reasons, their he met E Double D, Roc 1 and DJ Raize, known then as the turntable crew A Few Good Men at his work place which had a monthly Hip-Hop gig’s at the time, it also had the DMC UK Heats were he remembers a young Tiger Style coming second to First Rate from the Scratch Perverts. A lot of DJ crews were getting together in the late 90’s as DJ’s felt they could move on from the behind the sence from their MC’s. Turntablists like The X-Men/X-Ecutioners, Invisbl Skratch Piklz, Scratch Perverts, The En4cers, The Beat Junkies and The Allies became very large. Mantus would practice with A Few Good Men at Punch Records or at The Drum where Mantus later worked there as a bar supervisor and promoted his Hip-Hop nights called Urban Matrix.
Birmingham was a great moved for Psykhomantus, He Got to see some of his idols (Mix Master Mike, Mista Sinista, DJ Apollo, Mr. Thing, DJ Noise…), started making mixtapes (Plug 1 and Plug 2) and collected some of the rarest records in some of the best underground stores. He filmed Souls Of Mischief, which featured DJ Apollo (His DJ Set was unbelievable), Ty and other acts that himself or friends put on at their gigs, and helped out in DJ workshops which was presented by Punch Records (and sponsored by The Sun). By then Psykhomantus name would find itself on underground flyers and posters for bigger soirees Like Moorish Delta 7, Ugly Duckling, Mark B & Blade, Maseo (Of De La Soul) Skitz & Rodney P, and DJ Noise.
2002, Psykhomantus move to London and took on DJing full time, which he felt moving to London, was the biggest mistake he ever made. With no links, a part-time job that didn’t work out and money not making, he quickly moved back to Leicester. This setback didn’t stop Mantus from continuing DJing full-time. He started working with two companies that worked with the arts in Leicester and started entering a few DJ competitions that earn him the right rep.
Psykhomantus returned with his new style (a ton of skills with an old style swagger) which landed him a job at 2 Funky records and helped a young lady with her Hip-Hop nights called Hiphoperation, which featured acts like DJ Skully, DJ MK, DJ Pogo, Rob Life, Jehst and young DJ IQ. 2 Funky also held nights, which did a lot of launch parties. Mantus was called in to do a Def Jam UK launch party as DJ Semtex couldn’t make it to the venue.
Psykhomantus landed a role in a theatre play in 2003 (Kompany Malakhi’s “A Hiphopstory-Looking For The Prefect Beat”) becoming the musical director for it too. Kwesi Johnson presented a gritty, fast-paced, time-travelling story of one emcee’s mind-blowing quest to find the ultimate beat that will save the life of his Dee Jay. He grapples with graffiti, battles with b-boys and mixes with other emcees whilst encountering gangster rap, bogus record executives and the energy of Public Enemy as he attempts to fuel his knowledge to propel himself back to the future. Featuring Psykhomantus as DJ Samurai and DJ Kool Herc alongside the masterful lyrical flow of poet, Beyonder and b-boys from Philadelphia, USA, Smart ReMarc, Flitz & Husain aka Whosayin’ Money. This show is mixed with the art of graffiti and interactive film to guide the viewers through a parallel, time-travelling dimension making this a fusion of hip-hop, theatre and the unexpected, and an experience that has to be seen. All additional sound effects were done on two turntables live for each show, which was something new in theatre
Summer 2003, BBC Radio Leicester put together a project called TASTE to celebrate the talent in and around Leicestershire during the summer of 2003. This festival showcased a powerful multicultural art in music, art, food, poet, dancing, and many other mind-blowing things. Psykhomantus celebrated the art of the Hip-Hop movement by performing his acrobatic skills on the turntables, bringing on local guests in Break Dancing, Body Poppin, MC’s and his young students on the turntables for their first live performance, the Jam Mastaz. The Same thing happens again the year after.
Yes Yes Y’all: Hip Hop from Scratch, the inaugural exhibition in the gallery at The Hospital, was a celebration of the first ten years (in 2003) of Hip-Hop. The exhibition tells the story of the birth of a musical form that grew to become a global culture phenomenon. Based around the evocative photography of Charlie Ahearn (director of the seminal Hip-Hop movie “Wild Style”), an audiovisual show by Jim Fricke of Seattle’s Experience Music Project, and specially commissioned graffiti and interactive elements, Yes Yes Y’All includes original artefacts, clothing and live music, to bring the early years of Hip-Hop to life. Psykhomantus delivered a live performance DJ workshop showcasing an educational lesson on what it was like in the late 70’s. Lessons on DJ Kool Herc on how he made Hip-Hop a phenomenon, on Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash on why we love the breaks, on Grand Wizard Theodore on the first scratch and the rest of those early turntablist. The Workshops were delivered by Tribal Tree and Raw Material, organisations associated with The Hospital’s arts educational arm, CA +BC.
Spring 2004, Psykhomantus worked on a project with a company called Pedestrian & Big About Music and took 12 school kids on a music course called Participants. Mantus, Big About Music and the School Kids will collaborate with the musicians from Sinfonia ViVa in the first ever performance of a new peace, called The Big Idea directed by Andrew Williams. Colin Riley, whose music explores jazz, electronics and improvisation, written a new 15-minute piece called “Sub Merge” for the show, which was performed by bass player Pete Wilson and the twelve players of Sinfonia ViVa. The second show was joined by electric cellist, Zoë Martlew gave another first time performance of a new piece written by Colin Riley. This one was called “Melted Track”.
In 2004 Psykhomantus introduced turntablism to music lessons in schools to help push the art with the help of a company called Big About Music, he was also asked to appear in a 30-minute documentary called “Word On The Street” which was aired on BBC 2 in June 2005 about the Hip-Hop slang.
In December 2005, DJs For Life was a two-day celebration of the DJ culture put together by Punch Records; featuring over 30 DJ’s from UK, Europe and the US. The conference gave people the chance to experience discussion, demonstrations, master classes, debates and performances from some of the biggest names in the industry. The Original Jazzy Jay, Grandwizzard Theodore, Rob Swift, D Styles, DJ Supreme, DJ Quest, Steve Dee, and DJ Pogo were just a few of the DJ’s who took part. Pedestrian, DMC, 2-Funky, Vestax, Undercovermagazine, Rane, IDJ and Choice FM were the few that support and sponsored this project.
Retuning to theatre, “LOOKING FOR A PERFECT BEAT-A HIPHOPSTORY (Remix)” 2006 winter/spring tour. Written, choreographed, and directed by Kwesi Johnson, this second version of Hiphopstory (see above) cast a international crew from France, America, Holland and the UK. For the second time round, the show follows MC Sleezee (played by shortMAN) as he embarks on a quest to find the perfect beat to save his life. Confronted by gangsta rappers and bogus record executives, the hero grapples with graffiti artists, battles with b-boys, lockers and poppers, and mixes it up with the DJ. Psykhomantus played five characters for this play including Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash and Grandwizzard Theodore.
J Dilla aka Jay Dee Tribute, August 2006. Since the untimely passing of the legendary producer and MC J Dilla aka Jay Dee – formerly of iconic Detroit group Slum Village – there has been a massive dedication to him from fans and fellow producers/MCs worldwide. His pioneering style has ultimately changed the face of hip hop, with heavyweights ranging from A Tribe Called Quest, Common and Q-Tip having enlisted the ingenuity of his signature beats and production. With these credentials, it only seemed right that a tribute was held… To start with the days proceedings, Psykhomantus hosted a workshop in the hip surroundings of fashion store Wellgosh, chronicling the history of J Dilla. With the help of Terror Wrist and a set of decks, Mantus had Wellgosh shaking – banging through the tracks with an explanation into the how, when and why of each track. There was also a lady to explain the symptoms of J Dilla’s illness which caused his untimely death. To any one who didn’t know about J Dilla this was a great history lesson into one of the greatest and the foundations that he has created in the industry. Next stop was Sumo, where in the basement Mantus hosted the J Dilla tribute DJ set – consisting of him playing a wide spectrum of J Dilla’s groundbreaking productions. There was a host of artists, MC’s – including Roc 1 and Mad Flow – photographers and fans paying their respects, with the dark, sweaty confines of the basement providing an intimate and electric atmosphere – with trademark tracks such as Raise It Up and The Official exploding the crowd! With artwork, posters and free promos of his new album, The Shining, to be won, this again emphasised the respect and gratitude that his fans had for him.
“THE MIC-CHECK SHOWCASE-CHICKS, CLICKS & CLICHES” Written, choreographed, and directed by Psykhomantus along side shortMAN (making them both official artistic directors) in August 2006, Chicks, Clicks & Clichés cast a crew of young up and coming talent (actors, dancers, singers, em cee’s, models, musicians, spoken word arties and producers) from Luton. The show confronts on everyday lifestyle, responsibility, bulling, family relationship, sexism, materialism, philosophy, religion, and racism, all sketches perform in dance, rap, poetry, and turntablism making this a mind boggling experience to theatre.
Edition 38 is one of VW’s biggest car showcases in the UK were proud owners kit up their cars and display their work on stage. 2nd & 3rd September 2006 saw Psykhomantus took part of the Tru-Skool stand and showcased his turntable-wizened tricks to make the two-day car showcase festival more entertaining.
Oxjam is Oxfam's biggest, most ambitious, music event ever. Oxjam ask musicians, and promoters to put on all kinds of music events throughout October 2006 to raise cash for Oxfam. There's no limit on how big or small the events are. From classical to club night, Mambo to metal, it’ll add up to one huge, UK-wide, Oxjam festival – raising hundreds of thousands of pounds to fight poverty. Psykhomantus was ask to take part of Oxjam Leicester, hosting upandcoming act’s El Mahioco, Time Square, Baby J, Alex Blood, DJ BFG, Loob Lover, The Devius, Rukus, and The Heard. Oxjam Leicester raised over £600.00.
Psykhomantus was ask to take part of 2006 Black History Season with Synergy Events at Leicester’s new arts centre, Peepul Centre. Mantus hosted the Hip-Hop music event (23 Oct), which featured K’naan (Mogadishu’s dusty foot philosopher), Texas-based Strange Fruit Project, London’s Grhymey and Leicester’s Cold Fever & Terror Wrists and hosted the Soul event (12 Nov), which featured Omar and supporting act Carol Leeming.
The world lost the greatest entertainer in show business on 2006 Christmas day. Psykhomantus and Loob Lover got together and presented a tribute night of James Browns work in February 2007. Four turntables, two mixers and a live saxophone player in Leicester’s Sumo basement stage. One of Mantus’s most remembered event he’s ever played. Mantus went back to back on the turntables with Loob Lover as they played Hip-Hop classic’s that sampled James Browns music to playing his unforgettable work with The J.B.’s, Lyn Collins, BobbyByrd… to just James Brown classics.
Bass Music Festival 2007 took place throughout June and featured a veritable smorgasbord of Uurban talent, celebrating Black Music and Art throughout the midlands (Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Birmingham). The Bass Programme saw high profile act such as KRS One to East Midlands-based up and coming acts. Psykhomantus took part of three events that was part of Bass 07. He hosted Tha Lo’Down Live Showcase, which took place at The Shed in Leicester on 5th June, Then did a Pre-Set showcase for a Hip-Hop theatre play called “The Hip-Hop Adventures Of Peter Peril” at The Drum in Birmingham on 8th June, and hosted the turntable battle for Bass Battle at Derby Dance in Derby on 30th June.
Psykhomantus returned back to theatre to help work on shortMAN’s new play called “The Early Years” for his new company called Laba Laba. The Early Years is a show about a teenage boy of African origin, raised in the Diaspora (England), discovering his identity. He falls victim to drugs and depression and subsequently separates himself from family life, using writing as his only means of expressing himself. ‘The Early Years’ dramatises a battle of consciences and raises awareness on the causes of some anti social behaviours that young black males from similar circumstances may also fall victim to. Mantus role was the musical director and the show was performed at the Decibel showcase in September at The Drum in Birmingham. Before the show hit the road, Mantus was dropped from the show as both artists had creative differences.
Leicester’s Phoenix Arts Centre Featuring the very best of local talent ’Gospel meets Motown promises to be an explosion of contemporary Gospel, Complimented with the sounds of Motown. Leicester Community Gospel Choir provide a positive message through uplifting music and song. Representing Motown are various artists, performing hits from this forever-popular era in true distinguished and uniquely polished Motown style. Hosted by Mr. Mantus aka Psykhomantus. This great night also celebrated Black History Season for 2007. Also a few weeks after Gospel meets Motown, Mantus was ask to do a Pre set turntablism showcase (where he performed a 15 minute set which included his famous James Browns “Call Me Super Bad” routine) for Banxy’s theatre play called Busk, Kings Of The Side Walk at Leicester’s Phoenix.
Psykhomantus continues to represent the DJ culture throughout his gig’s (Abosolut Mantus, Tablist With Sole, Donuts, V.O.I.C.Express), mixtapes (Future Sole Editions), theatre (A Hip-Hopstory to High Skool High) and live shows. His love of music shines through on all projects, whether it’s with shortMAN, Loob Lover or his own solo projects. Mantus continues doing what he loves…