Spookrijders 

Some find it spooky to travel beyond what they know.

Amsterdam, 22-09-1999. In spring '96 the 'Spookrijders (Ghostriders)' rocked the boat on the second Dutch HipHop compilation CD from DJAX records 'De Posse'. "We are going to blow up! We got all the qualities etc.", said Clyde in ART12. Many crews came, many crews are gone. On the top is where Cliff, Stefan and Clyde think they belong. Their first CD 'De Echte Shit (The Real Shit)' released in 1996, proved to be the bomb with very difficult and deep lyrics. The Osdorp Posse was the most successful HipHop band on the DJAX label. Who was in position to take over that number one position, not only because the first left but by earning it? The Spookies had a rep for there first album, they brought HipHop in a long missed total different sound than pioneers O.P. Only two other crews than 'Spookrijders' from the DJAX stable, where able to deliver a better album.

A classic.

AQ: "You guys are one of the few Dutch rap groups, who brought music with a dope mood, soul. Why did it took so long?"
Stef: "Three years ago it was just the same, we did it again."
AQ: "Sometimes people say that the making of the second album is harder than making the first one?"
Clyde: "People often say that, but I personally did not find it hard. The lyrics I wrote on the first album where deeper. I think that Stef can speak for himself. My lyrics on this album are more superficial. I felt the beats and I just wrote my shit down. The first album was harder."
It is a harder album because the lyrics are harder, although it seems more softer. It's an album that you put on, sit back and listen to it. Of course about bragging and boasting. What made it classic were the difficult and realistic love and live songs. About the love for your homies, or your woman outside in the free world while you're locked up 'Vier Muren (Four Walls)'. Rapping about death. 'Er Staat Een Man Voor De Deur (There Is A Man Standing At The Door)'.
Clyde: "The first album was an introduction of who we were, it was a very personal album. We could have continued this, but that was what the people expected. We did not want to do the same, did not want to put too much drama in it. When you start with a new album it's easier to make B-Boy tracks. Soon after that you will see that there's more to tell and then the serious shit comes. This album is filled with B-Boy tracks. We did not want to get too personal, because the people will always compare your new album with the last one. I find it important to stay interesting for the people, also for your self."

You can shoot a clock, but it makes more sense to be a carillonneur

But they succeeded to deliver a good album, the beats developed but the lyrics where more suitable to rock on stage.
AQ: "How did 'Klokkenluiders Van Amsterdam' come to age?"
Clyde: "It was difficult because we had classic songs, things which no other group has done yet. Songs such as: 'Zoals Mannen Van Elkaar Houden', 'Vier Muren' and 'Voordat Het Te Laat Is'.
Stef: "It was very personal, we really showed our hands and that was for us a revelation."
AQ: "How do you cope with it, was it hard to put it on CD or to perform?"
Stef: "Sometimes it's a bit difficult for me to rap some songs live. Such as 'Pappa's Kleine Meid (Daddy's Little Girl)'. That was a pure personal song. I haven't done that song live to many times. It was just like Clyde says, the second album was less difficult than the first one."
AQ: "Some songs you do not perform because they are too personal, why is that?"
Clyde: "You have to experiment everything. Some songs don't work on the audience. In the studio it's different. Some songs work good while sitting at home."

AQ: "Why do you think that this album is more successful than the first one?"
Clyde: "Because this one is more solid. It's a better album, it's not a nicer album. The quality of this album is better, it's mixed properly. It's easier to listen, it's a bit hard to describe it.
AQ: "There aren't many rappers who make clips, do you achieve something with it?"
Clyde: "Only if you sell records. With the release of this clip it don't matter if you sell or not. The message is clear. You can hear it every day on 'The BOX'. The message we sent was received by the people. 'TMF' does not want to show it because they are scared for the truth." Right now TMF only shows it in the evening.

Clyde: "I have read that they don't want to show it because of the so called 'bad video quality', but that's bullshit. 'Zwaai Je Handen (Put Your Hands In The Air)' our first clip was also made on video (like ACDA & De Munnink) and they showed that one. I mean we are a mega hit, you can hear us on the radio every second. There is no turning back, we are here. They say that its on our self, I find that very dangerous to say. What they really want to say is that the youth can't listen to rap. That's bullshit. If so, they should not play Extince or Nas who's carrying a cross on his shoulder."

Txt & photo: AQ