Barry Watson AKA Kraze One

This interview with Barry Watson (artist name Kraze One), born in 1976 in Aylesbury and raised in Buckingham, traces his journey into hip-hop culture and music-making in and around Milton Keynes from the 1980s onward. As a child, he first encountered music through records and radio recordings, but his interest in hip-hop was sparked by films like Breakdance, early electro tracks, and artists such as Doug E Fresh, Run-DMC and Public Enemy. By his early teens, he was collecting records, taping music from television, and immersing himself in the developing sound of late-80s hip-hop.

Watson became involved in hip-hop not only as a listener but as a participant, exploring graffiti, dancing, and eventually rapping and DJ culture. His first group, Undercover Prophecy, formed during his school years with friends who shared an interest in hip-hop. Initially unsure about rapping, he gradually built confidence by writing lyrics, recording demos on basic home equipment, and learning the fundamentals of sampling and turntable techniques.

After leaving school, he continued developing his skills through new projects such as Justice Element, performing locally and making rough demo recordings. A supportive youth centre environment helped him gain access to turntables and a PA system, allowing him to practise DJing, recording, and collaboration. Over time, his focus shifted more strongly toward producing and improving his technical understanding of sound.

A key turning point came when he joined an audio production course at a local studio. There, alongside collaborators including Lady of Funk, Mr Lusta and DJ Delta, he formed Phase Four. This project led to a recorded track being included on a local compilation cassette, marking one of his first appearances on a released project and deepening his interest in studio production.

Watson then began working more independently, releasing early material under his Kraze One name and developing his own production skills through access to studio equipment. He later created the project True Element, initially as a recording collective rather than a performing group, collaborating with different rappers and DJs from Buckingham and Milton Keynes. After moving to Milton Keynes in the late 1990s, True Element evolved into a more defined group performing live and producing original material.

Overall, the interview charts Watson’s progression from a fascinated fan in a small market town to an active contributor to the local hip-hop scene, highlighting the importance of community spaces, friendships, and self-taught experimentation in shaping his musical identity