Scribe has notched up no less than 25 Big Day Out gigs in hiscareer and this year the biggest - and without a doubt the coolest- name in Kiwi hip hop is back for more.

The Christchurch-based star, who released his much-anticipatedsecond album Rhymebook last year, has played every Auckland BDOsince 2001 and countless across the ditch in Australia, where he’shailed as a hip hop hero.

After a stint on the main stage in 2007, Scribe is lookingforward to reclaiming his favourite BDO spot - the Boiler Room,alongside his good mate MC Dynamite and the legendary Carl Cox.

Here Scribe shares his BDO memories and a little backstagegossip with onenews.co.nz.

Q. You’ve already played quite a few festivals in NewZealand this summer, does that help when you’re gearing up for theBDO?

Southern Amp and Rhythm and Vines were the last couple I did andthey were awesome.

I think we do have an advantage because we play festivals inAustralia all year round, so we are more match-fit for big festivaltype events.

It’s cool to see New Zealand getting in there and putting onfestivals on a big scale like this and catching up in a way.

Q. Do you think festivals like the BDO have exposedKiwis to a more diverse range of music?

When you go to a BDO you definitely get exposed to differenttypes of music, whether you like it or not because it’s such a bigthing.

Last year I played on the main stage and that’s hard for hip hopacts because you kind of get lost in the main acts.

One year I played the main stage and it was quite dauntingbecause I was right before Slipknot. So, I had a whole crowd ofSlipknot die-hard fans who may not have even wanted to listen to mykind of music.

But it’s cool in a way - you might be curious to see what an actis like and not necessarily go out of your way to go and see themotherwise, so I think that’s the good thing about it.

Q. This year you’re playing in the Boiler Room - howdifferent is that to playing on one of the mainstages?

I love the Boiler Room. If I had a choice I would always playthe Boiler Room because it’s such a crazy place to play - it’s sohot and everyone there is so up for it.

Like I said, one year I played before Slipknot, which sucked.It’s hard going on before someone like Slipknot because they haveso many crazy fans.

So, I like the Boiler Room more for the fact that it’s intimateinstead of a big stadium.

Q. You’ve played seven BDOs in New Zealand and 25 inAustralia - had you ever been as a punter before you made it on thebill?

No. I probably wouldn’t have because I couldn’t have afforded$120 for a ticket and because I lived in Christchurch - that madeit even harder to save up for the flights.

I might have gone if there was an act I really had to see, whichwould only be a hip hop person. I probably would have come up forCommon [US rappers] when they played a few years ago. I would havesaved up for that.

Q. Which other acts will you be checking out at thisyear’s BDO?

I’ll be checking our Bjork and Rage Against the Machine, ofcourse, because who knows when you’ll get to see them again.

I’ll also check out Dizzee Rascal and MC Dynamite [English MC] -he’s one of my friends. And I love Shihad - oh, I’m on at the sametime. They’re my favourite New Zealand live act though.

Q. What are your best BDO memories?

My best memories are of getting to know iconic music and gettingto know superstars, and travelling and partying with them. Thosewill always be my best memories.

I partied with Metallica five years ago. I’ve also hung out withthe Black Eyed Peas, Lily Allen, The Streets and I’m very goodfriends with Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance - we became reallygood mates last year.

Q. Is it daunting meeting all of those bigstars?

It can be kind of scary but it depends on who it is. Like MyChemical Romance - they were on after us last year, so they got tocheck out the second half of our show and they liked it and theyapproached us. I think of them as being big superstars and it wasnice and refreshing to see that they could be down to earth enoughto come and talk to us.

But The Killers - they wouldn’t talk to anyone.

Q. So there’s a lot of interesting backstage dynamicsgoing on?

Yeah there is. Also, they go into a lot of detail backstage.They give us fun activities to do, like games rooms and things likethat.

That’s what’s so fun about the BDO - you never know what’s goingto be backstage for the artists.

Q. What are your survival tips for the BDO?

Wear lots of sunscreen - it can get really hot. Drink lots ofwater - keep hydrated. But mostly, just have a good time but besafe because it can get dangerous, especially if you’re in the moshpit.

Go to tvnz.co.nz on Wednesday to read an interview withSamuel Flynn-Scott from The Phoenix Foundation - also playingat this year’s Big Day Out.