Tag: London

Valhalla Kid – There’s Good Days and Bad Days [Interview]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Sad lefty boi

What is the main topic of your lyrics?

For my last EP it was definitely a drive to convey an emotional/political rock bottom I had reached a few years back, as well as how difficult it felt to get out of it because of internal and external pessimisms.

How Important are political statements by music artists? Can music have an impact on politics?

Very. Everything is political, even a lack of politics is a passive affirmation of the status quo. So yeah, 100% if anyone has a platform and they do nothing with it they’re complicit in purely funding themselves. All art can have a political impact, but politics shouldn’t stop at art, material change is fundamental.

What would you change in the music industry?

It’s incredibly predatory. The mainstream face of music is run by execs who not only dip their toes in creative control, but abuse the artists in all kinds of ways and are protected by capital. All of that would need to go. The commercial aspect of the music industry does just as much to choke out the beauty of music as it does to source out talent, but much of that change can’t happen without systemic change, sadly.

Favorite UK Hiphop album of the past decade?

If we’re talking strict hip hop I still keep going back to Jam Baxter’s Touching Scenes regularly. If this were about grime tho, I’m yet to hear anything as colourful and wild as The Calm Before the Storm by Ghetts.

Best film you watched during the last year?

One film that really spoke to me recently was Wages of Fear by Henri-Georges Clouzot.

One last thing we should know about you?

My music wouldn’t be possible without the help of 3 other amazing artists I regularly work with: LumbeRoss, Orange Bloom and OS Elliott.

Thank you!

Follow Valhalla Kid
Facebook/Instagram

Casscade x Raj Forever -Crazy Scenes

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North West LDN rapper and creative Casscade returns with his new single ‘Crazy Scenes’, this time teaming up with the hotly tipped artist/producer Raj Forever. Out 23rd October, ‘Crazy Scenes’ was produced by the prolific American producer Saint Cardona (whose credits include; Young M.A, Octavian, Fivio Foreign and Mariah Angelica). With its accessible drill-flavoured beat, mixed with Casscade’s playful bars and melodic approach, there is something genuinely fresh about the track, as Raj Forever punctuates things with a memorable chorus hook, nailing down its radio friendly vibe and positive message.

Lyrically, Casscade takes the commonly used phrase ‘Crazy Scenes’ as inspiration to build the track around an aspirational message. Looking back at the harsh environments both artists grew up in, to where they are now Casscade explains: “The ‘I still hear the screams part’ in Raj’s hook just signifies that although we may not particularly be in bad situations anymore, they’ve left their scars. Nobody is perfect and I think it’s always good to remember where you came from.”

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Ramonie – Monie [Interview]

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Describe your sound in three words

Humorous, Chilled, Flirtatious

What is the main topic of your lyrics? Tell us a few things about your creative process.

I often find myself talking about things every other teen idolises.. Money & Women. It often starts with me saying a catchy one liner, an example of this is in the intro ‘Monie’ where in my first line I say “Nickname Monie, they all wanna get to know me”

You blend grime with lofi and chill beats. How many beats do you listen to before you end up using one?

I listen to multiple genres, I even find myself writing to drill beats & I’ve actually used the lyrics.

Best UK Hip Hop album ever?

Dave – Psychodrama

Why is it still difficult for UK rappers to break through to America?

I feel like there isn’t a strong enough link in between the both & when there is it’s more mainstream based. We need more underground collaborations, then it would help to open different opportunities.

What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?

Queen&Slim

Any future plans?

I plan to drop more than one project in 2021.

Thank you!

Follow Ramonie
Instagram

MAUVEY – Vancouver [Interview]

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Describe your sound in three words.

Honest, Hopeful, Different

For which lyric you are most proud of?

“These haters didn’t help at all, they’re way too small, and shame on me I turned the volume low, now your prayers aren’t getting to God. I never learned the guitar, I never was all that smart, but I have come way to far, and do it for love, and I aim at your heart.” – ‘Mauvey’ – Vancouver

What is the true underground sound today (if there is one)

I don’t think there is a true underground sound.

Best Hip Hop album ever?

The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, and Lauryn Hill is the best rapper of all time, Andre 3000 is second, I don’t want to discuss the matter further haha.

What would you change in the music industry?

Creators should be compensated more for their creations. How streaming services operate should change.

Oh. and the elephant in the room; could get some more people of colour holding key positions in the industry.

Favorite music related film?

8 Mile – my man was in every single scene!

Any future plans?

I’m releasing A LOT more music in 2021, and heading on tour, if the world doesn’t shut down again.

Thank you!

Follow Mauvey
Website/Facebook/Instagram

Trannieboi x Shurk – Lipitor [Interview]

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Describe your sound in three words

Psychosis, but catchy

Tell us a few things about your creative process

The notes app on my phone is full of song ideas and snippets of possible lyrics, leaving voice memos for myself of melodies that i might think of, but mostly when I get in the studio with Shurk, we just bounce off each other so naturally that we start writing something straight off the bat

Why is sexism so pervasive in Hip Hop culture?

There’s always been a lot of fragile masculinity in hip hop, but tbh most of the stuff I’m really excited about in the scene rn is from queer female rappers

Best Hip Hop album ever?

Umm, its tie I think.
British: Constant Dikestar
American: Miseducation of Lauren Hill

What would be your dream performance venue?

I’d kill to play Love Supreme

What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?

Probably the documentary ‘Fursonas”

Any future plans?

I just cant wait for this rona situation to wrap up so i can get back to the club!

Thank you!

Follow Trannieboi
Instagram/Twitter

Follow Shurk
Instagram/Twitter

Israel Nke – Dream State [Interview]

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  • Describe your sound in three words

Soulful, storytelling, rap.

  • Is there a happy memory from your prison experience you would like to share with us?

The fact that i was able to do an exam( A Level Maths) and got an A grade, I was stoked because i put the work in then got the results.

  • What are the top three things that need to change in prison?

The food, more intense Education and More visiting time.

  • Best Hip Hop album ever?

Get rich or die trying

  • Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?

Kendrick Lamar, Jcole and am not sure

  • Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

Sorry not sure

  • What would you change in the music industry?

Sexualisation and racism.

  • Any future plans? 

My future plan is to use my sound to wave.

Follow Israel Nke
Website/Instagram/Facebook/Twitter


RAAD – Trees ‘n Ties [Interview]

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  • Please Introduce yourself

My name is RAAD. I’m half Cypriot, half Lebanese and I spent most of my young adulthood exploring the streets of East London , myself and my creative nature.I write, sing and produce my own music; blending flavours from the Middle East and the British urban underground scene. I take all this and fuse it together with hip hop and soul to produce a cultural melting pot of genres, reflecting the diversity of influences I then express through my music.

  • Describe your sound in 3 words

Honest, Simple and depends on where the wind is blowing really

  • Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer

Favourite Rapper – Little Simz   
Favourite Lyricist – Loyle Carner and George The Poet   
Favourite Producer – James Blake

  • Best Hip Hop album ever

Very Necessary by Salt N Pepa (1993)

  • Top Hidden Gem Artist

It has to be me but if I need to be humble I’d say ‘Zaia’.

  • Future plans

To be honest I want it all. I want to learn from the best and become the greatest. So Imma keep writing and releasing music that represents the realest version of myself, my deepest fears until I make my passion a career based on authenticity. I want to be remembered and recognised for my music but also for looking half of my age and cute af (jk)

Follow RAAD
Instagram/Soundcloud