Jinn Records, Brighton's newest label, brings out its first EP, Eyes Of A Gemini, which sees a collaboration between Sudanese rapper Mahdi Norie, aka MaMan and Brighton producer Abraham Moughrabi, aka Aaamouai over the course of four intense hip hop cuts. On the eve of the release we fired some questions over to MaMan in Khartoum, to get a little more insight into the origins of this unique hip hop collaboration and what life is like for a hip hop artist in Sudan.

Where are you from?
I’m from the space where it’s occupied by people that can't find a good use for it. Answers in-front of them but they stick to the most comfortable and easy. I’m from the Sudan, where it loves us but it's own children flee for help.

What is life like in Sudan?
The lifestyle in Sudan is calm, average and slow, but it's moving towards being more productive. I have a degree in multimedia and I’m using it, but it won't pay the bills frequently. We choose the day-to-day hustle to have our basic needs covered, and start the same tomorrow. The ones that do find a regular job become professional time wasters. So we fill it with drugs, a lot of herbs, ladies and hanging in the street talking all night about what was and what could have been.

What is it like being a musical artist in Sudan?
An artist in Sudan has poor ties towards achieving success. Certain genres of art are more welcomed than others. Theatre and TV is what will sell. Sudanese musicians have a big role but only if it conforms to the criteria of the cultural agenda. So you see the picture for a Sudanese man/women, a hip hop artist has to climb all the objection and misunderstanding.

What kind of music were you brought up on?
My base was the best music I think Sudan had to offer. We called it the golden bag, meaning it contains the greats of the 70s. Back then my parents had the gratitude for showing me the different music genres they were influenced by. My dad showed me Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, BB King, Fela Kuti and even Keitaro (a Chinese composer). I loved it when my mum used to sing to me 'No Woman No Cry' (Bob Marley) ‘cause it makes me happy. From there I took a deep dive in all those different flavours of music and found my way to hip-hop bay. There I had to walk on my own, I can't name them all but Kendrick Lamar and J Cole take the ranks at the top. But of course, who wasn't in the wave of 2Pac, Biggy, Nas and Jay Z?

Can you remember the first album you owned?
The first album I owned was a gift by my pops – he gave me a record of the album Kaya by Bob Marley. And the first cassette I bought was called Rap City. It included many old school rappers and the hot singles of that time, the club bumping type.

Who are your biggest influences?
How I was influenced was parallel to my process of growing mentally. From thug rappers in my adolescence that fuelled my rebellion and the desire to hustle (work); like 2Pac, DMX, Ice Cube and Wu-Tang Clan. But then I started to see how my life is going, that I’m more than a thug or a day-to-day hustler, so I wanted to grow and started listening to Immortal Technique, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole etc.. An artist that could touch me at any time was a best friend to me.

When was the first time you started rapping?
I started rapping seriously at the age of 16. It's funny, I did my best to impress the ladies!

You recorded here in Brighton, how did this collaboration with Aaamouai come about?
Through the British Council in Sudan – Abraham (Aaamouai) is part of a band called Resonators who came over to my town. I ran an Arts Centre back then, so it was the council’s best option to put them with me, to teach and learn from Sudanese artists. I was one of the lucky ones. Abe loves hip-hop so we said, let's try to make an EP together, and we did it despite the distance. I come to Brighton when he needs me to be there and get the job done.

What's behind the title 'Eyes Of A Gemini'?
My eyes are those of a Gemini – each one sees something different. I think of myself as a person with two characters inside. One is deep and spiritual and the other doesn't want to depend on the first, he just wants to be free and do what he pleases. So in the EP you can feel the cynic, it happens in every song. They air my confessions between the two inside my brain.

Tell us about 'Trouble' – what's the message in that track?
Have you ever felt like you’re in trouble and your sinking like in quicksand? The feeling that you run from trouble but when it confronts you and you face it it’s ugly. “Man I’m in trouble/ Drowning to the bottom of the bottle/ Looking for the answers in the rubble”. That says a lot.

Do you think music can be a force for change?
Art is the answer for conflict, racism and inequality. Music is its strongest weapon. It's universal. There’s no need to understand the musician as long as you both feel the message behind the song. I am trying my best to be the strongest warrior holding that weapon. I got a lot to do, many need me, the world needs me.

What has been a musical eye-opener and how has it affected you?
My eye opener is when I see hip-hop artists get shot or prosecuted for their brave messages. That fact that hip-hop is climbing to become one of the most listened to genres. Before that, my eyes opened to my own potential when I started to love my words and the lyrics started to make sense.

If you could work with any artist, alive or dead, who would it be and what would they bring?
Bob Marley, because he continues his movement of awareness and direct effect by his music. I would love just to be at a concert, watching him share his energy to everyone unconditionally.

Do you get to go to many gigs?
No, in Sudan I don't. We have poetry nights that I love. Sudan does have gigs, but not my type. I’m not that go-to-the-club frequently type of guy. I love to turn up but on my time and rules and place. But when I leave for holidays I go to see certain artists.

What music are you listening to at the moment, any recommendations?
These days I’m listening to old soul music and R&B. But mostly Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Chance the Rapper.

What are your future plans after the release of Eyes Of A Gemini?
I have already started a mixtape with some of the best Sudanese artists, trying to show all our weapons. And at the same time I’m working with Jinn Records in Brighton on some new singles, maybe an album. I record a lot of songs in my project files, but I need to set my thoughts straight and put them in order.

Facebook: facebook.com/mamanthereal249
Twitter: twitter.com/mamanthereal249