DJ MOS:
When I was young we had two types of people - rappers and rockers. I couldn't decide so I mixed them . Also, I looked up to american extremes like inline skaters and snowboarders.
At that time, in the late 90's, I listened to 311, early Sugar Ray, Kid Rock, Green day, later – Russian punk-rock band "Smekh" (eng. Laugh, rus. Смех).
I didn't get into rap until I listened to the Soundbombing 2 compilation.
I tried so hard to be different. I did my best. Back then in Novosibirsk, only informals or gays wore earrings, and I did too. I just enjoyed being totally confusing. I mean, come on, if you're not a punk or a gay, but you wear earrings - who are you then? In the 90's it was easy to stand out in the crowd. Plus, I was searching for music in extreme videos from the US. Only a few people bothered the same way.