I’m not sure how to describe Will Rankin, a.k.a ‘High Rankin’. Eccentric? Maybe. Friendly? Definitely (When I met him he humped my leg). Talented? Without a doubt. However what left the biggest impression on me when I met Will was that he didn’t conform to the usual ‘Big DJ’ bullshit that most others in his position do. Instead of staying in the DJ booth the whole time and trying to avoid talking to drunk fans he spent the entire time he wasn’t DJing in the crowd, dancing and enjoying the music just as everyone else was, it was awesome and left a really good impression on everyone in the club that night. So without further ado I give you the weird and wonderful world of High Rankin…
Firstly, good afternoon mate, you good?
I am surprisingly well for a man of my age
How old are you?
25
Who is High Rankin? How would you describe best what you do?
High Rankin is a guy that used to be the guy but now the other guys don’t think he is the guy anymore. But he still is the guy just a different guy. A better guy.
Hahaha ok. Let’s go firstly to your dress sense, apart from Drop The Lime I’ve never seen anybody dress as well as you while DJing. do you think appearance is important in your particular profession?
Well the last thing I would want is someone mistaking me for a dubstep DJ
One other thing I noticed when you played Newcastle was that after your set you went straight into the crowd to enjoy Jay’s set, not like other DJs who just stay in the booth making small talk.
I like to get amongst it really. If you put yourself on the other side of the booth for a minute you get a whole new perspective. You lose touch by spending to much time talking blabbering crap to the rest of the record playing scum bags. Also it gives me a great opportunity to interfere with young women. Which is nice.
Ok next question, what the fuck is cat count?
Cat count is a way of life, it’s a world wide phenomenon.
What is it though?
Basically when I journey about my local area i count how many cats i see and people on twitter guess and if you get it right you get put on the leader board and get ’nuff props and glory in the ends. Regular players include MJ Cole, Alex Metric, Evil 9, Matt Jam Lamont and John B.
What’s the most amount of cats you’ve seen on your travels?
Five I think although I seem to see more when I’m not on official cat count duty.
Let’s talk about Suicide dub, your new record label!
I’m personally really into the whole fortune thing on the first release, tell us about that. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m something of an attention seeker and so i am big into interacting with fans and direct to fan stuff. I don’t like the image of the unreachable DJ/Producer. Without the fans you are nothing. So I wanted to do something personal that people would enjoy and would be a good talking point and unique selling point. I’m also one for foolish banter and general sillyness so i came up with the fortune fags.
I think they’re awesome, and on your next release, your new EP, you’re giving out crayons and blank covers?
Yeah I thought it would be cool to have people draw their own cover and then upload the pics and my fave would become a future cover. I’m not looking for some incredible piece of art but more something creative and funny.
And you know I’ve gotta ask, you created the ‘Meow is for pussies’ t shirt’, which has been a huge hit, what made you come up with that, and what do you think of all the Mkat taking kids buying them wearing them out of irony?
Just my annoyance with the Mcat kids, if they wanna take Mcat and wear a t-shirt cussing themselves off thats fine by me as long as they pay for it.
So what in god’s name made you want to sign Decibel? (Jay, from Decibel, is my housemate, I had to ask haha)
He noshed me of while I was playing in Newcastle and the boy had great technique, you gotta keep ya bitches sweet.
I hear you’re MCing whilst Jon Curtis DJs at Secret Garden Party. Can you tease with some rhymes?
No I cant
What MC with Jon or give away rhymes?
Well, I can but I wont give away rhymes, its all straight off the mental, freestyle shit you know?
Yeah man, I hope Jon records the set!
To be honest I am probably just gonna read out some Chekov while he playsor maybe another Russian play write, I’m currently undecided.
Gutted I’m missing it. So what’s next for Will Rankin?
Well the EP came out yesterday, hopefully that will do well. Then we have a heavy release schedule for Sdub. Another ‘This is Suicide Dub’ Compilation in SeptemberEp’s from Temper D, Evolve or Die and Cliffhanga. The next single is from some Pourtugese guys called Drop Top, its an absolute smasher. Also I should mention, Suicide Dub will be branching out into TV and Film later in the year.
Explain?
There will be a High Rankin show when I talk crap, interview people and pit two producers against each other in a ready steady cook style battle to the death. I’m also working on a film that I’m writing with my Dad ‘Robert Rankin’, he’s a famous Sci Fi author. It will be a concept album/film type thing, well fucking pretentious shit splashed with my questionable music and almost certainly shocking acting. Keeps me off the streets though.
Genuinely can’t wait, thanks!
No probs
Check out High Rankin’s new EP below…
