Dominic Smith, who tears up the mic as Dynamite MC, is one of the greatest MCs in the drum and bass scene. He’s performed with Roni Size and Rapresent, Zinc , Andy C , Marky and a host of other dnb superstars, as well as performed with accomplished hiphop outfit the Scratch Perverts, beat masters the Nextmen, breaks supremo Krafty Kuts, and had his own albums incorporating hiphop and drum and bass. One of the reasons he’s so versatile is because his father was in the armed forces, so his accent is a blend of European accents from everywhere and nowhere. He’s also got a quick mind and a demon wit that helps him perform so strongly on stage in a club of hundreds or in front of tens of thousands.

Smith was forced into MCing “coz I couldn’t afford decks!” he chortles. He fell into performing it as a living “very naturally. I never planned it as a career,” he grins “I had a genuine love for the music, back in the day, and I was happy to be on stage and getting into a party for free, but I’ve improved on that!” Smith laughs again.

I’ve always wondered how MCs do their thing, and found it fascinating that so many can just spit lyrics off the top of their head. I ask if education plays a role in being able to rhyme so well. “I think it’s paramount!” he exclaims. “A stupid conversation leads to stupid rhymes! Education still is and will always be the key.” He mostly rhymes off the top of his head, saying in this way he can customize them for any beat, fast like dnb or slower like hip hop. “I used to have a bunch of writtens (pre-written rhymes) in my mind, but by the time I figured out which one fitted best on top of what was playing, I’d missed the moment! I still got a couple though, I let them stretch there legs at some point,” he laughs.

Smith has worked with a variety of DJs on both their albums, as well as his own tracks. His versatility shows in the fact that he sounds at home busting it to Roni Size or tearing up the tracks alongside the Scratch Perverts. “Different tempos alter the flow, hip hop vocal tracks don’t need MCing over them so I change modes, get behind the scratching, sing more in places; it keeps me on my toes and always interested”. But he does sometimes find he’s rhymed himself into a corner, with a word like orange for example. “Yep, I call it the “MCs cul-de-sac”. It happens but you learn how to style it out! Syringe rhymes with Orange, depending on how u say it,” he adds, chuckling, and then aptly demonstrates.

I try and pin him down on which DJ or which gig has been his favorite, but he’s rather complimentary about all those he’s worked with, and the gigs he’s played. “Honestly, there’s too many to choose from! The Exit Festival in Serbia is amazing, the Big Day Outs I’ve performed at have been wild, Tokyo is always on fire, and Fabric is a winner! As for DJs I’m fortunate to work with some of the greatest , working regularly with Roni, Zinc, Andy C, Marky, Scratch Perverts, Krafty Kuts, The Nextmen… they all bring there own style to the table and are great to work with.” When I inquire if there’s anyone he’d like to work with, quick grin he says “Toni Braxton… And she don’t have to do nothing!”

Dynamite MC plays alongside Roni Size, TC1, Keir, Diamond D the Beatsmugglers, Djon & Skyver plus locals on Sat 30 Sept at Earth