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?
I come from a very musical family with cousins and other family members who play musical instruments and are very talented singers. I’ve looked up to these family members since I was about 4 years old and have always been fascinated by the way they were able to play their instruments. This gave me the drive to want to learn about music myself.
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
I am Sugarae. I’m a rapper, singer, songwriter and music producer from Walsall in the UK. My love for music developed when I started taking piano lessons at 8 years old. After this phase, I got into playing the drums and mostly self-taught myself how to play. When I got older, I bought an electric guitar and used youtube tutorials to attempt to learn. I’ve always been around musical people and I started writing my first lyrics at school when I was 10 years old. Over time, I developed and learned about different delivery styles and cadences by listening to different types of music. At this point now, I’m addicted to music.
We set up RGM USA and many other countries in the world to share music with america and the UK, good idea?
I love this idea. As I say in my song, “No Flair”, “Above all, I’m a fan of the game”. I love music and I love discovering new music. Any opportunity to discover a new artist will always be a good thing. People have so much to say and so many different ways to say them. It’s always interesting to hear their different perspectives.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories?
The conspiracy theories I believe could result in me being put on some kind of watchlist. But, RIP Princess Diana.
Did you buy anything you don’t need in the pandemic?
I bought some terrible microphones to record music at home with. I regret that. Now I just go to the studio. Much better quality
What was the most fun you have had on stage?
I recently performed at The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham, UK. I performed my song, “For My Daughter” and the crowd sang the hook back to me. That was a moment I’ll never forget.
What was the worst experience on stage?
The only thing I didn’t like about that performance was that the stage was small and a live band was playing after me. The drum took up most of the stage so I couldn’t really own it the way I wanted to.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
I’m an accountant with a first-class degree from Aston University in Maths and Economics.
If you had to describe your music to an alien, how would you describe it?
My music takes inspiration from a variety of different genres that exist on Earth. I love using my voice to make melodic sounds and I use computers to make musical sequences.
What makes you stand out as an artist?
I’m very natural with it. My music is an extension of my personality. If you don’t know me personally but have listened to my music, you’ve seen a glimpse of me.
Right now, what’s pissing you off the most?
The UK Government.
What’s your favourite song to play live and why?
My song “All Day” is influenced by dancehall and gets me moving. I use this as an opener to get me comfortable on stage.
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it?
I have just released a new mixtape called “Closer Than You Think”. I always try to make music with undertones of positivity and motivation for the listener. The theme of this mixtape is that you shouldn’t give up because you’re closer than you think. I wrote two songs on there for my daughter because I want her to have something positive to listen to when she’s older.
Talk me through the thought process of the mixtape.
The mixtape is made up of the genres that I like to listen to. Hip-Hop, R&B, Dancehall and Afrobeats. I wanted to put my own spin on all of these. Some tracks are just straight bars, some have some singing, some are there just to party to and some are there to make you think.
What was the recording process like?
I spent a lot of time in the studio recording the vocals. My fiance came with me and we put a lot of energy into making sure that every word and line hit how it was supposed to.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the mixtape?
I was able to take a lot of time with the decision-making process and change lines if I felt they didn’t fit or hit as hard as they needed to.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
If I could change anything, I’d add a few more tracks. But I’ll save them for my next release.
What are your plans for the year ahead?
I’ll be shooting a few music videos for the tracks on my mixtape and as always, new songs are being created in the background.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I’d just like to reiterate the message I have. Don’t ever give up. Keep pushing. You can do this.
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