Tell us a few things about your new EP “Happy Ending”. What is the main idea behind it?
It’s my story told of hunger for love in a time where social media and dating apps play games with our minds.I share my not so nice experience but it does have a happy ending. I love happy endings!
Which song of the EP is your favorite?
No Guts
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
Beatles, Lady Gaga, The Cure, Ariana Grande, Zara Larsson and The Weeknd
What would be your dream performance venue?
Madison Square Garden.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
Any. My songs are not sad even if they touch base upon Sadness.Before the party, at the party, on the way to work, in the shower or even in the bed with your loved one. Anything goes with these ones!
You’d give up making music for…
Shoot me. If I cannot. Honestly. I cannot see a reason at which I would have to give it up.If anything would threat my children or family then I’d of course consider it. Let’s not jinx this one..
“Whoa” was originally gonna be a solo track but I was in the studio chucking beats around with MC Beastly and Weez and I told them I have this one to hand because we were looking for something weird. They gravitated towards this one so I told them I’ll take my verse out, we’ll extend the beat to create a 3rd verse and we’ll get it cracking. I also re-wrote the hook to be catchier and voila…”Whoa” was born!
How many beats do you listen to before you end up using one? Tell us a few things about your creative process.
I’m actually on the verge of changing my creative process as I’d like to stop using leased beats as much (keep your ears peeled for song I’ve produced myself!) but usually I’ll jump on something like YouTube or dive into my inbox where producers have sent me beats and I’ll pour over those until I get something. I usually know the mood/vibe I’m going so I’ll search by that. There’s not really a number of beats I’ll go through before I strike gold, sometimes it’ll be the first beat I click on, often times it’ll be within the first 10 beats, sometimes I’ll be 20+ beats in and still haven’t found something. Once I land on it though it’s time to get cooking and so then I’ll start writing my lyrics in direct accordance with the beat, taking into account how the beat varies and matching my bars to that. It doesn’t take me long at all to write my songs from beginning to end (these days it’s never really more than 2 hours including time to practice and perfect the performance of it) but once I’ve got it done and dusted I’ll record a video of me doing it so I remember how the song is meant to sound/so I can hear it back and eventually I’ll lay that down in the studio.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
It’d either be “I’ll always show love and I’ll always show respect // But I’ll die before I ever claim to be content” from my song Content (the last song I wrote right before my dad passed away in 201or “My dear beloved pops, I’ll do my best to stay alive // But I can’t believe I lost you at the age of 25” from my song Letter To My Dad
Favourite album of the past decade?
Of the last decade?! I can’t choose! I’ll just go with my favourite album of the last year which is “The Off Season” by J. Cole.
Trap music came to rule the world, but at the moment the genre feels stagnant. What does the future hold for hip hop in general?
The great thing about Hip Hop is that it’s ever-evolving and only getting stronger and more popular year on year. Think about how things started in Hip Hop from the 1970s and where we’ve ended up…the past gives way to the present and that’s simply what we’re seeing with trap. It’s already going into drill music and that, too, will give way to something new.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
Some of my fans tell me they’ve got my song in their gym playlists so I imagine they’re trying to get hyped and motivated whenever they’re listening. Otherwise I imagine they’re looking for a vibe while they’re driving so they’ll bump my music.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I’d say it was when I was falsely arrested for suspicion of possession with intent to supply. I wasn’t actually in any trouble whatsoever and the police even admitted to me that they didn’t think I was a drug dealer but purely because I was with people where drugs were found nearby THEM that’s why they arrested me. I’d never been arrested in my life and I was furious that I was targeted for it when they knew and I knew that I was innocent. It was also extremely embarrassing to be put in handcuffs in front of a growing crowd of people for a crime I didn’t commit. I’m a person who likes to avoid trouble at all costs so I don’t take chances with legal things. I don’t drive without insurance, I don’t dabble in drugs, I don’t pick fights with anybody, I just keep myself to myself and live my life accordingly so to still be singled out by that really made me feel a certain type of way at the time. Being a young black man never gets any easier
Tell us a few things about your new song “Overtime”. What is the main idea behind it?
I started with the bass line for Overtime. I imagined it on a double bass and thought it had a bit of a cheeky swagger, then heard this walking chromatic blues bass for the pre-chorus which added a quirkiness. As I started to write the lyrics whilst feeling the groove of the bass it unfolded as a song about hypnotic attraction to someone. The idea in my mind is based on a few real life incidents. Imagine being at a crowded house party where everyone around starts to become a little bit blurred as your focus is completely drawn to this one person who seems to completely capture your attention and you can’t keep your eyes off them. The quirky blues walk captures the feeling as they come closer to you, then maybe they meet your eyes before they then pass by. The music then for me encapsulates a blurring between fantasy and reality but that hypnotic attraction remains throughout. The ‘do do do ba dow’ harmonies are also supposed to be part of this fantasy feeling and are inspired by close harmony female vocal groups from the 40s and 50s.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
Tough question. There’s a few for this one but I’d say right now ‘playin’ out a part again but will I stick it? Oh no…’ is one that resonates. Being an actor I like the idea of exploring the roles that we play as performers and also the roles we play in life – the narratives we create for ourselves out of our own experiences and beliefs. This lyric alludes to the fact I’ve felt this way more than once, and there have been times in the past that I was worried I was always going to fall victim to these hypnotic feelings for someone so strongly that I wouldn’t ever be able to commit to one relationship, aka to stick to the part I’m playing instead of being pulled off-course and going elsewhere.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
I’m a lover of lots of different genres, I’d say my biggest influences currently include Celeste, Melody Gardot, Jacob Collier, Erykah Badu, Jamiroquai, Lizzo, Robyn, Shura, Jessie Ware, Liane Carroll, Jamie Cullum, Amy Winehouse and Anaïs Mitchell.
What would you change in the music industry?
Gosh, another tough one as there are a lot of problematic elements of the industry. Right now I would say the fact it is so age-obsessed. I would take away the cultural obsession it seems to have with youth. It’s not healthy for anyone whether you’re very young or older. Age is something we have no control over so I’d prefer to see everyone feeling free to celebrate their real age in honesty instead of feeling the pressure to lie about it in order to attract more fans or label interest. It’s tough because there is a real encouragement of artists to be young or say we’re younger than we are. But the more we perpetuate it, the longer the culture will last.
Favorite film ever?
Impossible to say I have one favourite. I love Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe – beautiful film! I’m a big fan of Labyrinth with Bowie and the Jim Henson team, and I really like Studio Ghibli movies and love Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away and Nausicaä
You’d give up making music for…
Probably Acting haha, my other passion. Or else, I’ve considered training to be a therapist or Life Coach. I’m really interested in psychology and have taken a lot of great courses that have taught me a lot about the power of the mind and engaging with life in a more proactive, empowering way. So I would seriously consider working with people in that area if not music.
Tell us a few things about your new song “What It’s Like”. What is the story behind it?
I wrote What It’s Like because I was feeling very heavy with the current state of the world. Everything I saw looked like “doom & gloom” and it felt like the only thing getting me through at the time was looking back at memories. It made me wonder if we’d ever get back to those things. That’s why I got the lyric “do you remember what it’s like.” It seemed like the last couple of years have gone on forever. I also decided to do the production myself on this one because it felt very personal and I knew the feel I wanted.
What first got you into music?
I started music at home. We’re a very musical family so I was born with the ability to sing. I then got into band in middle school where I started with percussion and as I got older got very heavily involved with music in church.
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
I definitely enjoy writing music better. I’m a bit of an introvert and get in my head a lot so performing live makes me really nervous. I’m trying to get over that though!
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
My biggest challenge is promoting myself for sure. There’s a part of me that feels like I shouldn’t really talk about what I do, but I know it’s necessary. It’s just really awkward for sure.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
Most of my music is pretty mellow and chill so I think they’d listen either when they’re relaxing or in their feelings. Most of my heaviest lyrics come from when I’ve gone through something traumatic and I think that resonates with a lot of people.
You’d give up making music for…
Oo that’s tough to think about, but I’d give up making music for my daughter. If me making music stopped her from achieving something or from her happiness, then no question, I would quit.
Tell us a few things about your new song “Lifeline”. What is the main idea behind it?
Lifeline is a song about temptation and vices. Using your vices to feel a little closer to consciousness. We all have a lifeline, it’s about how you use it and if I have the willpower to avoid it.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
“I never said I needed savin’ I just needed a safe haven”
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
Snoh aalegra was a big inspiration to this track, just based off of her production alone, but vocally I am always influenced by soulful powerful women. Alicia keys, Adele, lady Gaga, are such some of the women that inspire me.
What would you change in the music industry?
I would change the constant need to fit into a mold, because great legendary music doesn’t fit anywhere. The music that stays on the radio, or in people’s minds for decades is the stuff that isn’t going with the grain of the times, it’s a new innovation of sound, and we can’t hear these innovations if we don’t allow them to exist outside of a mold.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I have ever gotten was from a teacher who was giving a lesson on auditioning, he said “do not forget, you have a right to be here”, something so simple yet so powerful when repeated to yourself can completely eliminate your imposter syndrome. When you’re in a room with a lot of important people, or people that you might feel are more experienced than you, it’s easy to crawl into a shell and hide yourself, but if you just remember that you have just as much a right as anyone else to be in your position, you’ll be okay and you’ll stand up straight again.
What would you say is your biggest vice?
My biggest vice is probably feeling like I’m never doing enough. It’s a lie that my mind will tell me over and over again even while I am overwhelmed. It causes me to feel paralyzed like I do not want to work on anything and I just want to go out and party.
This is a tricky one- I think open, cathartic and free are perhaps the clearest words to use.
Tell us a few things about your new song “Nothing”. What is the main idea behind it and what is your creative process like?
“Nothing” is the first track dissecting a larger concept that makes up my LP, “Nothing I see means anything”. I sonically examine and meditate on each word of that sentence through the record- and the track examining “Nothing” very quickly became about anger and rage. The feeling of being stuck in and defined by a box and the injustice of it. I wrote the song by meditating on vocal loops on each letter of the word “n” “o” “thi” “ng”- these loops are layered into the backing track as the spine for the rest of the instruments to land on. You can hear that the best in the beginning. That grew into lyrics sharing my personal experience facing the realities of how society has defined me by my body. I wanted to honor my anger in this track so it could shift and change.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
For me its the bridge: “Have you ever felt emaciated? Close to nothing as you can be? It is a foreign feeling to bloom away from the lady like roots the male gaze gave me.”
Because it is probably the most honest and raw moment from my personal perspective. I have literally starved myself in my life to fit into the boxes others needed me to fit into and growing away from that is so strange- also great. I have many friends who have expressed to me they feel the same. It felt really vulnerable to sing that and share that with others who have felt it.
Your vocal delivery is impressive. Tell us your favorite vocalist!
Aw, thank you! I am not sure I can choose ONE favorite vocalist. I am pretty old school, so my mind jumps to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Barbra Streisand first- but I am also a huge fan of Dolores O’Riordan, Sarah MchLaughlin and above all, the queen- Beyonce. If you can’t tell, I listen to a lot of singers and a lot of styles, and I feel a bit guilty to not list at least twenty. But I will practice some self control here and leave you with these six. 😉
Favorite album of the past decade?
….I will try! Im really in love with Deacon by serpentwithfeet and What Now by Sylvan Esso- but there are so many more! Alt J’s “this is all yours” AND Beyonce’s “Lemonade” have been evergreen favorites for me FOR the last decade, so that must be listed.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
I do a lot of yoga, astrology study and meditating. This record got me involved in Tibetan singing bowls as healing practice and I have been super focused on how sounds can heal. I also practice singing a lot (I’m a professional opera singer too), and love to interpret the works of other artists. Other than that, I spend lots of time with my amazing partner in crime and our cute cat Lyla making pizza and hanging at the farmers market in Brooklyn.
Should we expect an album in the near future?
Yes! “Nothing” is the first music video release for my first ever concept album “Nothing I see means anything” which releases on 11/19. I am really looking forward to discovering who it belongs to. 🙂
Tell us a few things about your new work “Lyric Lockdown Live”. What is the story behind it?
It is a live album recorded at the beginning of the lockdown in an empty theatre, where we were about to launch the band with our new material. We didn’t give up, we used it as an opportunity to thrive and have something positive to focus on during the months of uncertainty and a fear of change. Songs were written between 2017-2020 by Magdalena who had been experiencing her own inner transformation dreaming about spreading her wings. That dream has been hatching for a long time and needed lot’s of nurturing and patience during the lockdown. The album is a reminder to keep dreaming, working behind the scenes and being patient for the right door to open… “It has been only … a little challenging year…”
Which song of the album reflects you the most?
“This Love isn’t mine” or “Shaking hands with the Devil”,
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
The band has many influences as each member has a story and style to share. Magdalena is the main singer-songwriter in a band. One one hand she has deep foundation in music with master degree in musicology (Like Bjork) on the other hand – she loves silence and catches up inspiration when it comes to her. We could say that she has been influenced by Frida Khalo, Rumi or Bjork or many mystics and brave people who dated to be themselves. Music and lyrics with Mystical Birds are deep on one side and uplifting on the other. The listener is always lift up by being encouraged to “Rise and Shine”, to know that “love is much bigger then a piece of cake” or that “good girls go to heaven on their own the other go where they want…”
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
biggest challenge 1) to let go what people think about us 2) to create and enjoy life despite of all obstacles and restictions.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
This is music for those who dare to go deeper and transform themselves into who they want to be. This is music for those who like an authentic sound (well, is is a live album at the end) a bit of uplift, blues and energy.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I can answer this question only as myself not a band, and out of musical context but here we go. I remember when I was about to land in Jakarta (Indonesia) at night time with a one year student visa to study in Bali, $200 in my pocket only and realizing that my big dream was about to start but I have no clue where to stay overnight, how to speak a foreign language and how to survive on my own! Luckily the spirit of adventure was bigger than my fears and I found shelter, friendship and confidence – all in one night!
How many beats do you listen to before you end up using one? Tell us a few things about your creative process.
Well honestly when I first was coming up my homeboy who also raps, he goes by the name of JC 1700, made a bunch of beats for me to rap on and I really fw his beats because of how unique they were so it’ll be like one or two listens and I’m already making a new song
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
If you ever check my catalog, my song Skye has many honest lyrics it’s about my daughter Skye who passed away in 2019 and also the lyric on Money Talking “Getting money I can’t chase a hoe” always live by those words because they come and go but you gotta keep them pockets swole
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
Honestly I used to fw mainstream artist and producers but the underground is killing it right now! My homeboy JC 1700, RedTheKid (@redthekid__), Prod. TUGIN, My homeboy upo_surge on Instagram, and Prod Deliriousare my favorite producers right now plus more to come. And I’m my own favorite artist I love listening to myself I mean I’ll listen to Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi, Lil Yatchy, YN JAY, Kasher Quon, and even Wu-Tang Clan from time to time
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
Hip Hop symbolizes growth and just the love of sound. I’ve heard so many artist be creative and do things others wouldn’t even attempt to do. Ol’ Dirty Bastard is definitely a great artist to listen to he was unique and ahead of his time
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
I binge watched Regular Show almost all Quarantine Rigby be having me crying lmao
One last thing we should know about you?
This is only the beginning. Soon Ovtsxder will be a name to remember, Music Videos, Video Games, Comics, Movies, Collabs, Fashion, so much will be coming involving Ovtsxder. I’m here to stay. Also add me on Instagram @ovtsxder_ for all new content I got a bunch of new songs dropping and soon an album so look out for that and don’t forget to stream “Who I Am” on all platforms. Shout out to my boys y’all will know all our names soon so be on the lookout
Tell us a few things about your new song “Old You”. What is the main idea behind it?
“Old You (Video Edit)” is a futuristic R&B track that explores the grief of drifting away from someone you used to know. As we continued to produce the song, the vibe slowly morphed inward, exploring traumatic memories that I find challenging, but creatively rewarding places to write from.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
“I blame it on a lot of things / On the booze / I think I gotta be smarter / And start blaming it all on you”
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
Collaborating in the studio with our featured artists and musicians is the most invigorating part of making a song. Encouraging those new perspectives, so everyone feels like they’re contributing something special and uniquely their own – is very important to us.
What would you change in the music industry?
Greater inclusivity on behalf of labels to hire more women, dismantle false justifications that support toxic work behavior and invite diverse perspectives to the table to creatively drive innovation in new music and support new artists.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
Jogging at night! And trying to read more.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Back when you actually had to rent TV shows on DVD, I once had one of the discs for “Six Feet Under” checked out for three months past its due date. I had lost it in my old apartment in San Francisco in 200The late fees were outrageous.
‘Fear’ is my debut album which has been in the works for over a year. I’ve worked with artists from all over the world. United States, Japan, Brazil, Grenada, and my home the UK. I don’t stick to one genre, you will find some hip hop, r&b, chill out, drill and uk garage, all the genres i grew up listening to. You can definitely hear who my influences are on this album and a couple of the songs are very personal.
Which song of the album reflects you the most?
This is a tough one to answer but i’ll go with ‘Radio’ just because its a really personal song about a friend of mine who passed away a few years ago. When i started DJ’ing over 20 years ago he was the one that helped me the most, at the time he was the best underground DJ on the pirate radio scene and his shows were legendary. This song is all about wishing I could hear him on the radio one last time. I think this song reflects me the most because it’s about the man who got me started.
Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?
Oh definitely, there are so many independent artists out there doing their thing and i thinks that’s where its found. It just takes a bit of effort to find it but it’s there. You listen to Grizzy Hendrix, Locksmith, all the rappers on my album etc.. THAT is underground hip hop.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
To me it symbolises a way of living, a culture. Growing up as a teenager in the 90’s it was my escape, my hobby, my life basically and still is to this day. It symbolises honest truthful music and i think it also symbolises hope to people from all walks of life.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Believe in yourself and don’t let other peoples opinions stop you in your tracks. This is the reason I called my album ‘Fear’ because I was always scared to put music out or let anyone hear it. That fear I had in me that someone was gonna say they didn’t like it but you have just gotta believe in yourself, and finally that’s what i’ve done. Also younger me, invest in bitcoin lol.
HipHop Paranoia 