Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
A wheel up in the Claverings Building Centre off Montagu Road in Edmonton – growing up in my area music was not everybody’s priority. Me and my crew grew notoriety from doing music. One of our first performances was special and at this first performance, I got a wheel up from Tony Touch. A wheel up in a rave back then was worth gold so that was the deciding factor that let me know music was for me.
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
My history started with my father bringing me to the studio while he sang reggae music accompanied by my uncle toasting everywhere whilst his brother had a Jamaican sound system. So those people was my origins.
As I got older garage music was turning dark, matching the feel of London living at the time. This turned into grime which I loved because it was like a British version of my original music – dancehall. I attacked grime with all my musical influences then (rap and dancehall) which is how I create my fundamental sounds now.
What was life like for you before music?
FOOTBALL, girls and typical street life really. I enjoyed the culture and current trends, before I was recognised for making music I took pride in being a music lover and I still am to this day. I’m gonna write a book soon.
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
Firstly was Shaba Ranks performing on the Pum Pum riddim and Super Cat on the Sleng Teng riddim. But also Eminem and Sisqo going solo was really the tipping point for me. I bought Sisqo at Edmonton Green and Eminem at Roman Road Market. I knew something was changing for me because at that age I bought it on my own and usually you would do EVERYTHING with your friends then lol.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
I feel like I sit in a great place within the music industry. Firstly if you told me when I was on pirate radio that I would be getting press interviews I would have called you a liar. But honestly, I feel like my innovation and reception from music now can really lead me to achieve what I really want to achieve which is creating a music enterprise. But I am grateful as I am currently number 1 on iTunes Reggae Charts with “English yardie” as I am doing this interview so the work speaks volumes.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned from someone else in the industry?
Ghetts really taught me how to get it. I can be as technical and musical as I want and the marketing and the product don’t need to be compromised.
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you.
I am an eccentric and think outside of the box. I have a Bachelors of Art In Music Business. And the lie is that I’m a sad person! I am as joyful as they come. (laughs)
If you could wish for one thing to aid your career what would it be?
This is actually a great question! Right. One thing to aid my career would be me having DIRECT access to all my supporters. For example, when this interview is published I would like to present it to them at the time and place that they want to receive it. For instance, if supporter A wants Doller on a Monday via email they get it then and if supporter B wants it on a Friday night after work via a text message they get it then. Basically, human behaviour and marketing make a marriage.
Do you ever worry about people taking things the wrong way or cancel culture? Discuss….
Yes, all the time. I try to be very delicate with people’s emotions and try to always think of different paradigms and maturity levels. So life experience and reading more make me more introverted and reserved. Really I’m just not into upsetting ANYBODY or ANYONE.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories? If not why not?
I like to think of myself as a critical thinker so I almost explore everything. But at the end of the day I believe there is a higher spirit and give thanks daily.
What was the worst experience on stage?
The worst experience on stage was when my managers at the time, bless them, put on a show for me in Westbourne Park Centre. HUGE. I had my band with me which they had set up for me. What made it the worst experience is the Centre was not fit for music gigs so the sound acoustics was terrible. Simply imagine listening to your favourite songs being played from the other end of your road on normal speakers. Great experience although now I sound like checking EVERYTHING.
Tell us something about you / each member that you think people would be surprised about.
I read a lot. Never never smoked in my life. NEVER
What makes you stand out as a band/artist?
What makes me stand out is a bit of a difficult question but I would say it goes from the colours of my clothes to my adlibs and the tones I use, the lyrics and the flow. And on a basic level, I’d say that not many artists are as comfortable as me in different genres, a case in point being my latest release, the “Call Me” EP.
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it.
I like to think about music practically after it’s complete. Take the 3-track EP that I have just dropped – the garage version can be played from 7am till 6pm then the trap-dancehall version can be played from 6pm to 12am and the trap-soul version can be played from 12am to whenever you want if you know what I’m saying lol.
What was the recording process like?
The recording process was amazing. Throughout I was thinking I wanted to evoke emotions by spitting fewer bars following the “Less is more” theory. I counted and I spit like 68 bars throughout the whole EP but this does not take away from the energy and effort within the music. I wanted to really lean into my executive producing skills as well as my songwriting/ rapping skills. Big up Zara W for writing a monster of a hook and concept.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
The biggest learning curve was that I could truly produce different genres and be accepted.
Would you change anything now that it’s finished?
The only thing I would change is making the last line on the pre-hook on Cellular a bit clearer: “Love fluffy gal and dawg love bone”
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Big up the producer of the whole project “Ace Of Spades”. Big up my engineer and brother “Bruts”, always recording and mixing me 9 times out of 10. Big up my camp “Beyond Dis World”. I have amazing artists, hit songs and shows to bring to the world. Oh, and I’m dropping the prequel to my trap soul project on February 14th called “Trap Love 2”.
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