The Assassin released his first cassette e.p. on November 28th 1998 . It had 6 track's which 3 were produced by Glasgow producer Steg G 3 by Dublin Producer The Expert . The e.p. was called Lyrical Assassination and went to Number 1 on Cork Multi Music Channel's Music Box . In 2003 The Assassin released Universal Boogie and has been writing and doing show's since . At the moment he is working on his debut album yet to be titled which is set to be one of the hottest Irish hip hop album's for next year . The Assassin own's his own label Off The Hook Record's and used publish his own Mag called Off The Hook . Also he plan's on starting his own clothing line called Off The Hook soon . Watch this space for more detail's . The Assassin a.k.a. Maurice Coveney a.k.a. Sassy has alway's been in love with music . Since the age of 7 or 8 he remember's organising concert's in his back garden in where he used to dress up as Micheal Jackson and perform his song's . He explain's " I remember when I was 7 or 8 we used to get ticket's photocopied and sell them around my school for a concert I was holding in my garden at the weekend . I alway's loved performing and as long back as I can remember music was my ultimate passion . " The Assassin first got interested in hip hop after watching the movie Boy's N The Hood " Man that movie set it all off for me after watching Ice Cube's performance and hearing the music then I bought N.W.A.'s album and from there I loved the culture they call hip hop . I started rapping when I was about 11 or 12 and used to record demo's at home I had various mc name's such as Dr. Juice and MC E . " Some people might wonder where The Assassin got his name from here is what he has to say about that . " I got into Graffiti at the age of 14 but I did'nt write that much but when I used to tag a few place's I used the name The Assassin or T.A. Myself and my mate were in school one day in Irish class and we were asked qeustion's regarding the movie The Assassin so that's where I got the name in the first place I say ." Lot's of people have different influence's in what they do The Assassin has a list of people that he clearly state's influenced him . " Whoo I have a lot of people that have influenced me first Micheal Jackson I think that he was definetly the king of pop and such a brilliant performer and then Gun's N Rose's I know some people might be surprised why I mention a rock group but they were so cool when they were at there peak . Now hip hop wise deffinetly Jay Z . He is probably my main influence . I admire his buissness savvy and lyrical skill's also Eminem , Dre. and Fiddy them cat's are genius's . Ice Cube and N.W.A. were early influence's . Eazy E was one of my favourite rapper's and I think he was one of the best Gangsta Rapper's . I was shocked when I learned of his death . Also when it come's to consistency I think Too Short is cool as he must have about 15 album's under his belt already . " A lot of r&b artist's also influence me like Destiny's Child , Jodeci , Boys 2 Men , R Kelly and Joe . Also he expresses his love for dirty south hip hop " Also i love all the dirty south stuff like Paul Wall , Slim Thug and Young Jeezy ". Lot's of Assassin fan's have probably been wondering was The Assassin going to release anymore music since the long wait in between the release's of Lyrical Assassination and Universal Boogie . But good news The Assassin plan's on been consistent this time and explain's his plan's for the future . " I know there was a big amount of time inbetween my last release's and even with the next single Vibe but I was sitting back evaluating my game and my life and what I really wanted to do with my label Off The Hook . 2006 is going to be a big year for Off The Hook baby because first there is the release of Vibe which I know will be my most qauility and advanced track I released so far . " Then hopefully the album will be released maybe in the summer . I don't know yet but you can be gauranteed that it will be slammin' . " I have plan's for a clothing line and to publish the 7th issue of my magazine Off The Hook but right now my main priority is to make good music and I think that I have to concentrate on that before starting on the mag or clothe's . There will be a limited edition of top's for the ladie's on sale to co incide with Vibe and there will be a few top's for the guy's also and they will be the first venture of the clothing line but down the line I hope to have a full range of men's , women and kid's clothe's . I have not sighned any artist to Off The Hook as yet but I am working with an r&b singer called Catriona Hughe's who will be singing the hook on my next single Vibe and on about 2 or 3 other track's on the album . " Well after asking The Assassin about his influence's and plan's I thought I might ask him what can his fanbase expect from his debut album . " People can expect good hip hop and r&b music . I say hip hop and r&b because there are going to be a lot of track's with r&b hook's . Also expect some dark , grimy and reality track's on a concious tip . Overall it's going to have lot's of diversity and I want to make good music so I hope that the street's will feel it and anyone that like's good music also i'm gonna be releasing a mixtape hosted by Tim Westwood soon so keep and eye out for that cause it's gonna be hot " That's about it for your introduction to what The Assassin is all about I hope you enjoy the site and remember Universal Boogie is in store's now if you have any trouble getting a copy email The Assassin75@hotmail.com If you would like to keep up to date with The Assassin's release's and tour date's etc. then join his Online Street Team's mailing list by sending Street team to The Assassin75@hotmail.com Peace !