BeeJay’s still Goodz to go
Scottish hip-hop pioneer Brian Jamieson on mental health and his big return with new EP
FOR nearly 30 years, Brian “BeeJay” Jamieson has been at the forefront of Scottish rap.
He was in the second wave of young Scots taken up by hip-hop as a way of life and, as Damaged Goodz, paved the way for the success of the likes of Young Fathers.
After mothballing Damaged Goodz in 2015 to work on other projects, BeeJay is bringing his alter-ego back. When did you start and why did you finish Damaged Goodz?
I started around 1995 after a few years of being in a collective with my cousins called Project Moore. My first release under Damaged Goodz was Expect the Unexpected in 1996. I decided to stop using it because it was beginning to be mentioned regularly in the dreaded “Old Skool” bracket.
In the 90s, Scottish rap was seen as a joke but now Young Fathers can win the Mercury Prize. Do you feel you get respect for what you did?
I think I’ve done a lot more than I’m credited for, like being the first Scottish hip-hop act to have a session on the BBC and opening shows for the likes of 50 Cent, Xzibit and The Game. I think A lot of top-notch acts in this country said I was their introduction to Scottish hip-hop. I just wish they’d say it online.
After hip-hop/heavy metal crossover bands The Paradox and Skeleton Verse, your Mariachi punk band The Danger Chokes, hardcore hip-hop group Def Concerto with Big Div and Nity Gritz, Bar-Barian BTZ and releasing tunes under your own name, what made you bring back your old name?
When I’m gigging, people still call me it like its my actual name and I’ve been introduced onstage as Damaged Goodz, it made me realise I’m never getting shot of it. I’m an impulsive nightmare and I made a mistake by dropping the name. I should have just worn it with pride. After all, I have literally fought for the name for over two decades.
What do you think of rap music now?
I like Grime and Trap but mumble rap is mince. I like hearing clever, concise lyrics. Right now, you’ve got clowns dressed as rainbows repeating the same four lines over a three minute song I could have made on a Casio keyboard and it gets a 100million YouTube views. The world’s gone mad.
Tell us about the new Damaged Goodz From Darkness to Light EP?
The EP starts with the optimistic Welcome Home 99 when I move back to Glasgow from Fort William, F-T-L-O-Y is me against the world as I was paranoid and had no real friends left. Rabbit in the
Headlights is about me tucking my tail and heading back to Fort William to sort out my head after being blinded by the lure of Glasgow. The Leaves Turn Green is about me turning a corner when I met my future wife Julie. In the Presence of Greatness is about Dylan, my great nephew, bringing some much needed happiness to our family. Torch Bearer is the EP closer and is about being an example to my friends and family for coming through hard times.
Was it important to detail your own battle with mental health in the EP?
I was prescribed antidepressant pills when I first moved back to Glasgow, was once pushing 20st and lost three people close to me to suicide, so I’m well aware of poor mental health issues. Speaking of your issues in rap does work as I find it very cathartic but if