June 15, 2025 • 39 mins
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/crazyjames/bthd
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BioLUTON, UK – June 2025 — British rapper Crazy James returns with his latest sonic
firestorm, “BTHD,” a track that fuses raw emotion, stunning lyrical agility, and head-
nodding production into one unforgettable ride. With lush piano flourishes and a beat
that’s as fresh as it is infectious, “BTHD” showcases Crazy James at the height of his
artistry—delivering a flow so passionate and magnetic, it’s impossible not to feel it.
“BTHD” stands for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Disorder—a title as intriguing as the record
itself. “I’ve always been a massive fan of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony,” James explains.
“They’re a big reason I started rapping. This song is really an homage to them and their
melodic sound.” While the Cleveland legends never had the same breakout fame in the
UK as in the States, Crazy James makes it clear that their influence runs deep in his
DNA.
From the first piano note to the final verse, “BTHD” radiates energy and intent. The
production strikes a balance between classic and current, evoking nostalgia while
sounding distinctly 2025. James’ delivery is sharp, emotionally charged, and beautifully
dynamic, with verses that dance between reflective storytelling and fast-paced
wordplay. “When I heard the beat,” he recalls, “I had the melody in my head straight
away—singing it in the shower, humming it constantly. Even if it was gibberish, I had to
get it down. Then I started shaping it into something real.”
Fans of anime will find something extra to love in “BTHD” too, with James sneaking in
references to Dragon Ball Z—a nod to his love of animation and layered lyricism. “I like
to play with words,” he says. “People always say I’m hard to categorize—but that’s the
point. There’s no sound for me. I just create what’s true.”
The single is part of a larger creative vision that includes his forthcoming LP, featuring
previous releases like “Whip It,” “Levels,” “Killer Instincts,” and “Show Me”—many of
which have already caught the attention of BBC Introducing. “Everything on the album is
intentional,” James says. “You won’t skip a single track.”
The new music video reflects that same cinematic ambition. It intertwines visuals for
both “BTHD” and “Killer Instincts,” carrying on a narrative thread started in the “Levels”
video. “The goal was to make the visuals feel like a continuous story,” James shares.
“There’s even a teaser for the next single, ‘Higher Learning in Berlin.’ We’re planning to
film in Berlin later this year.”
What sets Crazy James apart isn’t just his sound—it’s the spirit behind it. Drawing on a
childhood spent across Ghana, Belgium, Congo, Saudi Arabia, and the UK, James
channels a multicultural perspective into music that’s rich with soul, struggle, and
honesty. Whether he’s reflecting on mental health, fatherhood, or artistic integrity, he
does so with an unshakable authenticity.
“Performing live is hard,” he admits. “I give all my energy. But it’s worth it. I rap to
express what’s inside me—and to let people know they’re not alone.”
Outside the studio and stage, James juggles a full-time job and fatherhood. “It’s tough,”
he says. “But I want to leave something behind—not just for my kids, but for the world.”
With “BTHD,” Crazy James proves he’s not just rapping—he’s building a legacy.
“Thank you for the support,” he says to fans. “Please keep sharing. More amazing
material is on the way.”
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/creator-to-creators-with-meosha-bean--4460322/support.
Youtube
BioLUTON, UK – June 2025 — British rapper Crazy James returns with his latest sonic
firestorm, “BTHD,” a track that fuses raw emotion, stunning lyrical agility, and head-
nodding production into one unforgettable ride. With lush piano flourishes and a beat
that’s as fresh as it is infectious, “BTHD” showcases Crazy James at the height of his
artistry—delivering a flow so passionate and magnetic, it’s impossible not to feel it.
“BTHD” stands for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Disorder—a title as intriguing as the record
itself. “I’ve always been a massive fan of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony,” James explains.
“They’re a big reason I started rapping. This song is really an homage to them and their
melodic sound.” While the Cleveland legends never had the same breakout fame in the
UK as in the States, Crazy James makes it clear that their influence runs deep in his
DNA.
From the first piano note to the final verse, “BTHD” radiates energy and intent. The
production strikes a balance between classic and current, evoking nostalgia while
sounding distinctly 2025. James’ delivery is sharp, emotionally charged, and beautifully
dynamic, with verses that dance between reflective storytelling and fast-paced
wordplay. “When I heard the beat,” he recalls, “I had the melody in my head straight
away—singing it in the shower, humming it constantly. Even if it was gibberish, I had to
get it down. Then I started shaping it into something real.”
Fans of anime will find something extra to love in “BTHD” too, with James sneaking in
references to Dragon Ball Z—a nod to his love of animation and layered lyricism. “I like
to play with words,” he says. “People always say I’m hard to categorize—but that’s the
point. There’s no sound for me. I just create what’s true.”
The single is part of a larger creative vision that includes his forthcoming LP, featuring
previous releases like “Whip It,” “Levels,” “Killer Instincts,” and “Show Me”—many of
which have already caught the attention of BBC Introducing. “Everything on the album is
intentional,” James says. “You won’t skip a single track.”
The new music video reflects that same cinematic ambition. It intertwines visuals for
both “BTHD” and “Killer Instincts,” carrying on a narrative thread started in the “Levels”
video. “The goal was to make the visuals feel like a continuous story,” James shares.
“There’s even a teaser for the next single, ‘Higher Learning in Berlin.’ We’re planning to
film in Berlin later this year.”
What sets Crazy James apart isn’t just his sound—it’s the spirit behind it. Drawing on a
childhood spent across Ghana, Belgium, Congo, Saudi Arabia, and the UK, James
channels a multicultural perspective into music that’s rich with soul, struggle, and
honesty. Whether he’s reflecting on mental health, fatherhood, or artistic integrity, he
does so with an unshakable authenticity.
“Performing live is hard,” he admits. “I give all my energy. But it’s worth it. I rap to
express what’s inside me—and to let people know they’re not alone.”
Outside the studio and stage, James juggles a full-time job and fatherhood. “It’s tough,”
he says. “But I want to leave something behind—not just for my kids, but for the world.”
With “BTHD,” Crazy James proves he’s not just rapping—he’s building a legacy.
“Thank you for the support,” he says to fans. “Please keep sharing. More amazing
material is on the way.”
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/creator-to-creators-with-meosha-bean--4460322/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
If you love entertainment, current events, and Hollywood, don't miss
Creator to Creators. Hosted by the filmmaker Mio Shabine, known
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film Anatomy of an Anti Hero Redemption. This show features
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Speaker 2 (00:34):
Hi, guys, welcome to another episode of Creator to Creators. Today,
today we have a special guest.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Hello. Hello, my name is James Crazy.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
James, Welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I love going back to the beginning. I always say,
the beginning charge our trajectory in life. You know, our
little habits that we pick up along the way, follow
us into our adulthood.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
Tell me a little bit about your childhood. What was
that like.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Growing up and and when did you, you know, discover
a love for music.
Speaker 5 (01:06):
It started very young. So when I think when I
was about when I was six weeks old. I was
born in the United Kingdom, and then we moved to
the Congo in Africa. We spent some time in Africa,
and after that, I think when I was about three
four years old, my mom sent me a VHS of
Michael Jackson and it's cliches, it sounds, that's doubt. That's
(01:29):
what really started for me because I was blown away
with with what I have just you know, visually seen
and you know, the the form, the art they're dancing.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
And from there, I.
Speaker 5 (01:38):
Just started to practice how to dance and you know,
imitate him as much as I can. And as we
moved from country to country, you know, you pick up
different cultures and I guess, yeah, I guess the start
of my music or you know, me getting into music was,
you know, the King himself, Michael Jackson.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
I mean that's a great start to you know, a
person to start with.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Right, So yeah, I know exactly that it's only up
from there, right.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
Well, yeah, I mean the figure sometimes, yeah, you set
that standard so high that you always trying to try
to run towards it. But but yeah, it was beautiful.
And the thing is living in Africa as well. I
think I was six years old when I was put
into this like talent not kind of talent contest, but
like a showcase event, and you know, everyone supports each other,
(02:24):
so you had everyone's cousin's family. There's about two thousand
people at this concert, and I was six years old
and dancing for like three and a half minutes still
Michael Jackson's song, and I'll just yeah, never forget that.
Speaker 4 (02:34):
To be honest with you, that's pretty electric.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Like that's kind of wild to be that age and
to be like, I'm sure that was like whoa it was.
Speaker 5 (02:44):
And then I just remember the feeling and the you know,
the crowd erupting and thinking, do you know this is
what I want to do?
Speaker 3 (02:50):
This is what I want?
Speaker 5 (02:51):
That feeling again, I think, I guess I've just been
chasing it since, although I've never matched that two thousand crowd,
but you know, I still got time.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Absolutely that time appssolutely definitely. Let's get into you know,
this new single, which is super awesome. I watched it
and I listened to it, and I was like, it
was like just like super bold and it's a great,
you know, homage to to Bone Thugs in Harmony with,
(03:19):
which is super cool. I've you know, they're you know,
just legends in their own right, right, So what what
tell me? Tell me a little bit about the process
of of of making this powerful song.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
It's weird because you know, like the process for me
to make music is it just kind of organically happened.
So I can hear a beat or a riff, and
I'll just have like a melody, and I'll just keep
replaying that melody in my head, and even though it
might be gibberish, I sometimes tend to record it and
then from there I'll keep playing it back and then
now I'll know where words come out. And I don't know,
(03:57):
for some reason, I just felt that that song in particular,
that beat in particular, just had that kind of bone
fugs and how many if they were you know, if
they came back or they came out, now, possibly this
is the direction they would go at.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
So it just themed from there.
Speaker 5 (04:12):
So I had the idea for the chorus, but I
had no idea what the verses would be like. And yeah,
it just started to materialize while I was putting the
worst together. And then you know, using a lot of metaphors,
and there's you know, there's content about.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Dragon ball Z.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
Yeah, you know, to be fair, he's controversial now, but
you know, like you know k low Throw that he
was that it's pinnacle.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Then so I do mention him in there as well,
because you.
Speaker 5 (04:37):
Know that, you know, those first two albums were you know,
astronomical really what they had in the impact in the
music game as well. So yeah, it just it's just
like homage to the Bone Thugs, and you know, I've
always loved their music, and I remember the first time
I even heard them where I was in, which country
I was in, So yeah, it just all materialized and
became this you know, ground track, I think.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
So yeah, it was a great pro Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
No, I mean it's it's I mean even you know,
down to the visuals and stuff. Were you a part
of that process of when it came to like the
visuals and like what you wanted?
Speaker 4 (05:11):
Were you used to?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
I Mean one thing I've learned is obviously I'm a
proper solo artist, so I've gone against the traditional hip
hop artists having you know, the ton of people in
the background or cars.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
And stuff like that.
Speaker 5 (05:23):
So I kind of just want to keep it to me,
and it gives me that challenge to have to keep
the people captivated and engaged.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
So I knew what kind of one I wanted for
the video, and it was a.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
Bit of effort because I traveled to well, I don't
know if you know the UK, but for you guys,
it's probably nothing. It was like three and a half
hours west near Bristol when we filmed some of it
in the forest there, and then we drove to Cardiff
to do the in the studio with the with the
the rig as the camera was spinning around. So yeah,
I guess I wanted I wanted something different in some ways,
(05:55):
but also I just wanted to capture my you know,
my expressiveness. And as I said, you know, I started
dancing at a really young age, and for a long
time I think it was a bit taboo to be
a hip hop artist who.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Could dance, so I never did it. And then now out.
Speaker 5 (06:09):
Of nowhere, I'm doing you know, I'm expressing the lyrics
and it looks like I'm kind of body popping and
I don't know what it's like.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
But I don't know.
Speaker 5 (06:16):
When I watch it, I think, Okay, that looks pretty cool,
and yeah you know that. I guess you feel the
energy and you see the you know how much I
put into it.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
So yeah, no, it's it's beautiful and and I love
the UK. I actually miss it. I miss it it's
been it's been a while since I've gone, but I
definitely want to get back to I want to get
back to my traveling.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Bag back in the UK.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
You been then, Oh gosh, I.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Went to London, I went to Paris. It was just
so fun.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Belgium. I believe that was fun. We did like a
whole thing, and I was.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
I was there for a while and honestly, when I
didn't want to go back back, I was like, this
is Oh.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
You's pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
I mean, the weather's not the greatest, but there's some
places in your.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
Sorry are you are you? Do you go? Do you
go back often?
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Or do you?
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Are you in Africa now or I'm in the UK?
Speaker 3 (07:14):
I mean, if anything, I perform in Europe a bit.
Speaker 5 (07:17):
I mean I've just had a gig in Bulgaria Sophia
last month, and I've got Berlin in Germany coming up
as well.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
So yeah, still active, still quite busy, which is nice.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
How is the crowd? How is how is that? How's
the you know, your rapper you artists?
Speaker 2 (07:33):
You know? I wonder I'm sure the crowd is different
everywhere you go. What does that feel like? Do you
feel like when it comes to hip hop.
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Speaker 5 (09:01):
Yeah, I mean, if anything, I think the reception I
get in Europe is a lot better than the one
in the UK.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Yeah, because UK.
Speaker 5 (09:09):
English people could be quite standoffish, you know, so unless
you are actually accomplished and probably signed to a major,
people are just always a bit reluctant to show you love.
Is they've got a really bad hater like affiliation. I
guess it's strange. But when you go to Europe and
like there's no judgment. They just appreciate good music. So yeah,
(09:30):
they're incredibly receptive and you know, they always made me
feel like a star in a lot of ways. You know,
they'll at the end of a show, they will all
come up to me, you know, give me hugs, want
to take photos and stuff like that. Well, in the
UK it's hit and miss really. Don't get me wrong,
there's a good scene for it, but yeah, it's just
you have to go to actual hip hop events and
(09:52):
there's not that many great ones in the UK as
they used to be.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
I don't think personally.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
It's very interesting.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
I mean, I guess because I yes, from here in
the States, we hear a lot of you know, lady leisure,
storm storms, storms, Ormsy's gigs, little sins like I think
the I don't I'm not always sure if you would
call them like they've kind of transitioned also to kind
of the States artists as well, because.
Speaker 5 (10:18):
One, I mean the in their main street, so that's
what I mean. It's even so they're starting journey. I
don't think they spend that much time in the underground.
I mean storms he did, but he he he came
up because he was he knew how to utilize YouTube
and you know he had he had all his boys
knowing his lyrics and he was really out there.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
What he was doing.
Speaker 5 (10:36):
But as far if I bet if you ask them
as well, is where would you go to perform before,
like before he became a natural established artist, they'll probably
tell you it varied.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
It's not.
Speaker 5 (10:46):
It's not as it's a strange one. It's a strange one.
You end up going to a lot of like kind
of open mics or showcase events, but there's just a
few and far between. I know there's a place in
Bristol which is like the hip hop coffee Shop, and
I mean that's brilliant, and then I think there's one
in Brixton in London as well. But do you know
what I mean, you could probably count them in your hands.
How many of those actual events they are. I mean,
(11:07):
they our gold. They are actually brilliant. I mean it's
probably something similar to what you're have in New York
or in the States in general.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
You know, pure show.
Speaker 5 (11:15):
Of upcoming artists and everyone's giving love and everyone's there
for the same reason. But yeah, it's difficult, I think
because the music scene here has always been quite on
the indie or pop five. It's hard to get gigs
at times, but you make it work. I've been blessed
enough to have performed all over the UK and enough
(11:36):
performing in some great venues, so I can't be too
you know, to unappreciative of it, because yeah, it serves
me well, and yeah, it taught me everything I have really,
you know, give me that experience on the stage and
give me.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
That confidence too, definitely, And I love that.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
I love that that you you you're still pushing because
I mean, you're you're.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
You're very fast rapper, something that always came naturally to you.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
Because like I'm like, whoa, I gotta go back, I gotta.
Speaker 5 (12:05):
Yes, and no, I mean it's a weird one because
I used to be quite quite fast rapper and then
I found it quite hard to record what I was
trying to, you know, to make it into a song,
and then I try to slow it down a bit,
and I've found that it was quite difficult when I
used to perform as well. But and it's just reverted back.
(12:26):
I think that as you get wiser and you get
more experiences and performance under your belt, you're then able
to understand how to to to start rapping a little
bit faster as well. And it's all about, you know,
knowing the breath work and knowing what's right for you.
I mean, I know, for a fact, if I go
a studio before I perform on the stage, I can't
have too much food in my belly.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
I mean, I don't know if that's any other every.
Speaker 5 (12:47):
Other eyes, but I need that room inside my stomach
because it gives me more more capacity for my lungs.
And then that way I'm able to you know, rap
as quick as I can.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Really, I love that You're You're, You're your sound is
you know, I would say, is like it was very
like I was like, holy crap, you know, it was
so good and it's very kind of remind me a
little bit like Twister. You know Twister back in the Yeah,
I was like, man, he's good. What what's one lyric
(13:17):
n B T HD that hits the hardest for you?
Speaker 4 (13:20):
And why?
Speaker 3 (13:22):
All good question? Uh, I don't know. I guess if
you're a fan of anime and probably be the Jaggon
ball Z, hey that's it.
Speaker 5 (13:37):
But I also like the way the second verse starts,
you know, so I think, what was it setting you heights?
I facilitate heights, bringing you vibes, spitting our spikes, sights
and citizens strikes.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
I just yeah, I think I kind of like the
word play a lot in the in the in the
track nice.
Speaker 5 (13:52):
So yeah, it's hard to just pick one bit to
be honest with you about yourself.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
What did you think?
Speaker 2 (13:58):
No, I love that exactly in mine? Was was the
was the subtle you know Dragon ball Z reference because
I was.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Like, oh man, that was that was?
Speaker 2 (14:08):
That was my show growing up? Yes, I was like
nostalgic THT I just started back then. I was like,
oh that's a good day. It's good days, really.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Good days, then't it? What I love about the you know,
I know it's an animation.
Speaker 5 (14:21):
If you know the super Saiyans, they always want to
become better than they They always try to excel and get
sent to the next level.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
So yeah, I had to had to reference them.
Speaker 5 (14:30):
It's funny because a lot of UK rappers actually referenced
juggaball Z as well. Really yeah, yeah, you hear people
like A J. Tracy and gigs as well. I've heard
gigs like mentioned Margin Boo and stuff like that. So yeah, yeah,
I think we can help it nice.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
How is how is that like, you know, collaboration world
is is that a big thing? Because I know you
know a lot of artists. I know, sometimes it can
it can definitely help. And then sometimes sometimes in the
collaboration you do with as far as like you know
another artist that you want to feature in your or
yeah exactly.
Speaker 5 (15:02):
I mean again, I don't know if it's the same
thing in America, but it tends to be. There's a
lot of up and coming artists who you know, they're
underground artists. They'll collaborate and it's not a problem. And
then if you have, you know, the established art is
a bit more reluctant to probably collaborate with an unknown artist.
And there tends to be quite a lot of money.
I mean, there's a UK wrapper called retch Free too.
(15:23):
I mean, if you haven't heard him, he's pretty, he's
pretty dope and he used to used to, like I
think a few times a year. Just if someone reached
out to him, he would actually go in their track,
and you know it would help him, it really would,
I think, if anything, I think a lot of established
artists should do that just to help people.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
Whether you want to actually.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
You know, be a part of it in a long run,
but even just you having your name attached to someone's work,
mostly if they've you know, it warrants it and if
they're a decent standard why wouldn't, you know, because a
lot of DJs themselves, if they discover an artist, they
buzz off it and they use that for the rest
of their lives, don't they's like, oh, yeah, I discover
this and I discovered is rapper, you know, so.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
Yeah, it's one of It's one of those ones. Really.
I mean, for me, I've always wanted to collaborate.
Speaker 5 (16:09):
Some people, and I have like jumped on other people's
tracks as far as people are jumping on my tracks.
I've always thought I set myself that standard where I
think I don't really need anyone on my tracks and
I to come across wrong, but I could, I could
feel the track, you know. I like to keep people
engaged in the way I switch my flows and you know,
create my tracks, so it's not it's never monotonous, it's
(16:30):
never the same, you know, for me, it varies, it
goes up and down. It's you know, the speed changes,
the beat changes. So that's why in my first two
like videos, you've probably seen Levels and BTHD just me,
you know, I just want people to know it's just me.
Speaker 4 (16:47):
And I love that.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
I feel like that's real and that's and and I
feel like a lot of people don't really get to
It's like a lot of people think when they get
into the music industry and in other business it's just
like a bunch of people. But when you're doing when
you're special, when you're doing everything yourself, when you're you know,
the indie world, it's you're doing a lot of work.
You're you know, you're doing pressed, you're doing all the
behind the scenes, you're putting everything together, you're putting money
(17:10):
into it, which leads me to my question, how do
you balance an a rising music career? How do you
like what keeps you grounded.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
It's it's tough to be honest with you. I have
to say.
Speaker 5 (17:21):
It's so before I had my first my first child,
my son, I had a real time out of work,
and I knew that was the perfect time.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
To record it as many tracks as I can a
small time.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
Frame, because I knew once I had a kid, it
was going to be it's going to be challenging, you know,
like anyone that's got kids knows that too.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
It's finding that time.
Speaker 5 (17:42):
But now it's it's secretly as challenging because yeah, I've
got a full time job, you know when I say
my part time musician possibly, and I'm trying to be
a full time dad. But that's difficult too, So yeah,
I've just got to squeeze it all in. So I'll
try to practice my tracks for performances, cut a few
(18:06):
hours every week before you know, a big, big show,
and then I'm due to go to the studio at
some point soon as well.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
And then I've got I'm.
Speaker 5 (18:13):
Gonna at the end of the VTHD video, there's a
little teaser for higher learning in Berlin. Nice, So yeah,
we're going to go film that in Berlin in August.
So yeah, it's it's crazy. There's no time to sleep really.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
I know, right, It's like it's like you have like
your on like rocks are hours. Yeah, but you know,
but you're you're you're putting out amazing work. So it's
you're making some noise, is what I'm saying. It's like
you're it's getting out there, so keep it up up,
thank you. So what's one track from the upcoming LP
(18:51):
you think will surprise people the most and why.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
And not to put it down on it? I guess
I've got one track before before I say this track
it is, I'll have to say is my whole thing
mostly when I released my first LP is I've always
because I felt like for a long time I suffered
anxiety and mental health issues on my own.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
Mostly being a man in as well.
Speaker 5 (19:18):
You know, it's very old mentality where you know, we
feel like we can't speak openly and stuff, and we
found a way of using music to channel that energy.
And you know, it's always been a thing for me
to try to let people know they're not alone. And
then unfortunately there were circumstances with my sister. She passed
away sadly in twenty twenty two. And so right, it's
not it's not your father. But I wrote a song
(19:41):
about suicide and the it's a dark topic and I
don't think many people have done it before, and it's
got its three verses. It's incredibly strong, and it goes
through the whole stages of what that one person could
possibly think and how they are feeling, and you know,
how let down or secluded they might also feel. It's
(20:03):
a very strong, very strong track, but it's incredibly written
and put together. It's like it's probably about five six
minutes long as well, because at the end of it,
I was just pretty much freestyling by being melodic as well,
So you probably see the inspirations of bone Fogs in
Omni as well at the end, because I'm sort of
like holding a note but singing the pure passion if
(20:26):
pure energy and if you know, tears in my eyes
in a lot of ways. So I think that's one
track that would definitely surprise people. Yeah, it comes to
another anger. You probably weren't expecting that, So I'm sorry
to put it down on it, but no, I think.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
It's so important though, it's such an important topic and
being vulnerable and transparent. I think that that, you know,
I feel like a lot of as much as I
love you know, you know, hearing them. We know, artists
kind of go up about real you know, real life
things that that I think people can and connect to,
(21:01):
and exactly people are going through that every day, especially
men mental health and not being able to talk about it.
I was literally talking to someone about that topic about
how it's something that you know you're supposed to you know,
especially when a hip hop artist, a male artist, You're
not supposed to talk about your feelings. You're supposed to
suppress them. And it's like, no, you're where does it
(21:24):
go if you suppress them?
Speaker 5 (21:25):
Well, exactly, and that's why the suicide righting men is
the highest, isn't it. It's ridiculous over the last few years.
So yeah, I think that's why it's equally important. And
I don't mind, you know, whether people frown upon it
or not. I think the realization is that, you know,
I'm using music to channel that and people know that
it's okay to talk about openly and know it's not
an issue at all. And if anything, you know, champion it,
(21:46):
take it on, then yeah, let's look after each other.
Speaker 8 (21:49):
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(22:10):
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Speaker 2 (22:23):
Bean Official, BBC introducing it has spotlighted your work? Yes,
yeah right that? How was that recognition impacted your journey?
And I'm sure that felt really good to just to
feel like, Okay, I'm putting workout and it's something you know,
is I'm showing it.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
It's been seen.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 5 (22:47):
I mean I think because the first time they played
one of my songs, it is probably at the start
my career. Well, I say, that's pretty It was when
I was saying, oh god, it's probably about fifteen years ago,
and then I knew that. I thought, okay, this is
a solid track. But then you start you think every
every truck after that will get played on BBC and
it doesn't go your way, and then you come a
bit bitter and stuff like that. But then you know
(23:09):
it's just the way, you know, the cards are dealt.
And perhaps when I reflect and look back, maybe the
material wasn't as good as that that truck that was played.
But then obviously recently, yeah, I think there's three tracks
from the upcoming LP already been played by the BBC.
I've had a DJ from the BBC obviously say high
praises back in the day about me as well.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
So yeah, it definitely just it's a bit.
Speaker 5 (23:36):
It's a big name, isn't it in it it keeps you,
it keeps you on, I say, in some way that
keeps you anchored down and prowling.
Speaker 3 (23:45):
Through your work as well. So yeah, I think it helps,
definitely helps.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
Love that I have a fun question and I love
asking every guest this question, and there is no wrong answer.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
I promise.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
The three levels of influence, money, power and respect, And
if you could choose only one of those things, which
one would you choose?
Speaker 3 (24:05):
And why?
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Ah?
Speaker 3 (24:09):
How respect? Gosh, that's a tough one. That's a tough one. Ah,
you threw me off.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
There no pressure, no pressure at all.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
I mean for me, I'd always want more knowledge than anything,
So what would I use out of those free to
gain that knowledge?
Speaker 3 (24:35):
Of people? Power?
Speaker 5 (24:36):
Just seems like I'm trying to overtake and run a
you know, become a mathea being going through the money.
Money can buy some knowledge, but then it can also
lead to negative things.
Speaker 3 (24:49):
So possibly the most amicable one will be respect.
Speaker 5 (24:53):
Who doesn't want to be respected for the craft and
the art that they produce? And yeah, I guess it
depends on you upon respect, isn't it if you If
you're you know, if you're still about a street life
and you won't respect, then you're probably doing the wrong things.
But if you're like you know, for me, for example,
trying to send a message positive message from my music,
(25:14):
then having that respect will be pricess to me.
Speaker 4 (25:17):
I love that great answer. Great answer.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
If you could collaborate with any artists, dead or live,
who would it be and what kind of track would
you make?
Speaker 9 (25:29):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (25:29):
Gosh, another good one. See I'm not used to getting.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
I'm one. I'm so glad to hear that.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
God.
Speaker 5 (25:41):
Oh, it's a tough one because obviously I'd always gravitate
towards going through my first inspiration Michael Jackson. But I
don't know if that would be a good track, So
I don't know how well we could collaborate in that sense,
although I would love to see him recording because that's
just an incredible thing.
Speaker 9 (25:57):
But I've gosh, again, you throw me off, I'd say,
I'd say, I don't know, could you throw me off?
Speaker 3 (26:12):
I'd have to go.
Speaker 5 (26:13):
I'd like to record something of Eminem because I just think, you, yeah,
you'll just get the best out of me, you know,
because when you're that competitive nature, you just think, Okay,
he's just done this verse.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
It's time for me to do better, to better and
better myself.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
So yea, yeah, I think, yeah, you kind of throw
me off there, So I'll just go with Eminem for now.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
There's so many uk arsts I probably would like to
collaborate with, but.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
You're going to be listening as like, oh man then
says same.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Good. Yeah, I've just gone for the safe, safe option,
haven't I.
Speaker 4 (26:47):
Hey, Eminem's great. Eminem's great.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
He's still added at his ages. Insane, insane to keep
it going for so long.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
You know, yeah, me too, me too, to have that
hunger yeah, he is in credit. I mean, he's gone
up and down, there's no doubt about that.
Speaker 5 (27:02):
But he's one of the amazing run of the main
reasons why I rap because I'll never get two thousand
and three.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
Uh, you know, White America.
Speaker 5 (27:09):
When the album drop was the eminem Show, sorry, the
eminem Show that that that just blew my mind. And
obviously there was that massive movement. Fifty just came out
as well, and they had all the mixtapes drop in.
So yeah, he's just an incredible rapper and the way
he's far fast as well, with all the syllables and
you know, very.
Speaker 3 (27:27):
Thought provoking, and you can't you can't knock him. He's
definitely one of the greatest rappers.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
Yeah, doubt about.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
That, definitely.
Speaker 2 (27:34):
I have a very kind of it's well, it's it's
kind of like not I wouldn't say it's like deep,
but I'm just curious of you know, now that you
have kids, you know, how do you want your kids
to remember your music and the message when they're older.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
That's a good question too.
Speaker 5 (27:54):
I had this conversation a similar conversation the other day
actually because someone asked me. You know again, it's just
I don't know if it was a negative or positive thing,
but they ask me why do you do it? You know,
because sometimes they just feel that your music might not
be as it might not be going into the trajectory
that you'd like your hope. But my response is always, well,
(28:16):
my music has taken me across Europe, you know, it's
how I met my partner. So there's been so many positives.
I get paid for gigs, you know, so in that sense,
you know, I'm kind of doing okay as an independent,
independent and as artists. But I guess for my kids,
I'd like them to always you know, I'm leaving a legacy.
You know, if one day I'm not in a surf anymore,
(28:37):
I've left them something that they can go back to.
Speaker 3 (28:40):
They can maybe pick it up one day.
Speaker 5 (28:42):
They can use it to push you know, for mental
health and anxiety and all those kind of things people
suffer with.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
And yeah, I guess, you know, like it's amazing.
Speaker 5 (28:54):
To see my son sometimes when he watches when I've
got like the when we put the preimire on for the.
Speaker 3 (28:58):
Music video, and he's like, that's that that that that
that you know, like, yeah.
Speaker 5 (29:03):
I think it's just something incredible about it, and I
think it's nice knowing that, unlike most people, I've I've
got I've got material and music that will never go away.
I've got articles written about me, and you know, they
could just google my name and they can see. You know,
you know that he's done the way he met he
met mummy while he was out there performing, and he's
they got he's got all these things online about him
(29:24):
and these videos.
Speaker 3 (29:25):
So yeah, I guess it's like sort of leaving a
legacy for them.
Speaker 10 (29:29):
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Speaker 11 (29:42):
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Speaker 2 (30:15):
I feel like that's super important, right, and that's a
thing to you know that you that you want to
have as an artist as a person, right, you know,
all the things that we know, all the work that
we put out to where it whatever, the knowledge that
we leave behind that someone else can say, oh wow,
this person did it, so I think I can.
Speaker 4 (30:36):
Do it too kind of thing. Yeah, exactly that I
love that.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
What are what is one misconception do you think people
have about you or your music that you ever wanted
to clear up or was there every anything that like that,
like that that you wanted to like address as an artist.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
I mean, I guess for a long time.
Speaker 5 (31:01):
When I used to perform across the UK or when
there was events, a lot of promoters were never sure
how to approach having me on the stage or having
me on the on the on the on the on
the listing, you know.
Speaker 3 (31:15):
Because they always thought easy hip hop? Is he rap?
Is he grime? Is he trap?
Speaker 5 (31:21):
And sometimes because I make some of them music of rock,
rock or indy, you know, is it's always like what
is he? And unfortunately it takes for me to get
on the stage and you know, show my abilities to
win people over.
Speaker 3 (31:35):
So I don't know, it's the.
Speaker 5 (31:37):
Misconception that people look at me and think, is this
guy going to be any good? And you know, one
promoter said it best is that you know, there's no
I can't put you in a category of of of
or genre. It goes because there is no category or
genre for you. You are crazy James. You know that is
your sound. You're unique to who you are, and people
(31:58):
should just you know, focus on that and push that. Really, So,
I don't know if that really answers your question, but yeah,
I guess that's some sort of misconception that I have
in my career.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Great though, I mean I don't think I mean, I've
as a filmmaker myself, and you know, being in in
in the industry you know for for a little bit.
You know, I never wanted to be put in boxes.
So I do think it's kind of cool to have
your like to to be like your own genre in
a way, you know that you don't just fit someone's box.
Speaker 3 (32:33):
And I think, yeah, yeah, definitely it's important.
Speaker 2 (32:37):
That's very very cool. What advice would you give to
that upcoming artist or an artist anywhere that wants to
someone that wants to just get into this music world?
Speaker 4 (32:47):
What what advice would you give.
Speaker 5 (32:49):
I would say, first and foremost is believe in your
ability and know and know what you're capable of. And
I'd also say, you know, you see people who Yeah,
And I was alluded to it as well. But you know,
for a long time before I started being a coming,
before I was a rapper, I wanted to be a singer,
(33:12):
but I realized I wasn't a very good singer, so
obviously went towards rapping. So I guess it's you know
what you're good at, focus on it and just putting
the time and effort.
Speaker 3 (33:23):
Really, it's not going to happen overnight.
Speaker 5 (33:25):
I've been doing it for like twenty years now, so
but you need to get stuff under your belt. You know,
don't take criticism in the wrong way neither. So you
need the right people around you to give you that
positive feedback and also the negative one too. Learn how
to structure a song, be dynamic.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
Member.
Speaker 5 (33:42):
People's retention is short, so you've got to keep it engaging.
I'll say, for a rapper, you change, change your tones,
change your flow, don't keep it the same structure. Record
as many tracks as you can. Because from then I
still to this day, I was doing this thing called
one take Tuesday during COVID where I'll challenge myself every week, right,
(34:02):
brand new sixteen bars and a new hook has to
do it all in one take and record it. And
you know what, a lot of the songs from the
upcoming album actually one takes from from that time. So
it just shows that nothing is ever wasted.
Speaker 3 (34:15):
So just I think that.
Speaker 5 (34:16):
Would be my advice is just, yeah, you got to grind,
and yeah get out there too. You've got to perform
as much as you can, you know, and you've got
to treat it the same way. I don't care if
there's one person or one hundred people in a venue.
I'm gonna give it that same energy because you never
know who's going to watch, and the less people sometimes
is better because they become your super fans, your true fans,
and wear a mouth spreads and it's like, you know,
(34:37):
I've just saw this this this dude's performing. He was sick,
he was doing his body popping, he was expressive, he
gave it it's all. He was literally out of breath
at the end of it. And I'll always remember that
that time when I saw this guy and then you
pass it on next persons like, oh, who's this and
then you just see you starts, see the transition with it,
and even if how your streams formulate and stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (34:57):
So I guess that's a big bulk of my advice.
I'll gift to any.
Speaker 4 (35:00):
Artists out there great advice, creat advice. Do you feel?
Last question?
Speaker 2 (35:07):
Do you feel like the music industry is changing for
the better? In like, in favor of artists. I mean,
you see so many artists nowadays that are like especially
you know, in the artists because you get people like
Chance Rapper showing that you can do it, you know,
and and and be how I go as far as
(35:28):
you want to go. But do you feel like the
music world as a whole, like the studios are in
favor of the artists, You feel like things are getting
better for artists artistry?
Speaker 5 (35:42):
I think it's one of those one where I said
yes and no answer, isn't it? It's quite ambiguous in
that sense because I think in some ways, as an
artist who's been creating music for so long, and it
won't be the only eyes saying that is, you will
look at certain artists who have released the track and
you think, you actually start thinking that's quite insulting.
Speaker 3 (36:01):
It's because you think it's a very and then you
know what I'm talking about.
Speaker 5 (36:05):
You know, there's songs out there where you think, oh
my god, how did they.
Speaker 3 (36:08):
Even put that together and put it out?
Speaker 5 (36:09):
It becomes a number one here and they make all
this money, and that's really insulting for people who have
actually very talented. So in that sense, I say no,
because those people still get.
Speaker 3 (36:17):
Pushed in the forefront for some reason.
Speaker 5 (36:19):
But on the independentlex it's like, yeah, it really has.
When you look at the statistics from Spotify for last year,
for example, is the highest amount of our independent eyes
have been paid ten thousand dollars or more?
Speaker 3 (36:31):
And I think I'm coming with the number, but it
was in the millions.
Speaker 5 (36:34):
Of independent artists who have been paid ten thousand dollars
in a year, and just through streams on Spotify. So
I think independent eyists is definitely the right time for
all independent artists. But yeah, it's about trying to get
the algorithm and you know, getting a bit of luck
on your side, and I guess it comes down to
(36:54):
work to your work rate and how much you put
out there. But I ain't got the winning formula. Yeah,
you know, there's only some much I think I can do.
But yeah, I guess once you get a decent playlist,
then you get yourself out there. You know, there's always
going to be it always leads to other opportunities. Hence
why you stop, You know, I'll get approached from the
venues and stuff in Europe. But yeah, again, I hope
(37:16):
that's kind of answered the question.
Speaker 2 (37:18):
Definitely, definitely great, I mean that's yeah totally. And are
you coming to the States anytime soon? Maybe to perform?
Speaker 5 (37:24):
Oh, I'd love to. If I was given the opportunity
to performing in America, I'll be doing a heartbeat. So yeah,
that's something on top of my list really is to
have a few gigs in the in the US at
some point.
Speaker 4 (37:35):
Yea nice your mouth to God DearS, it will happen for.
Speaker 3 (37:38):
Sure, I really hope.
Speaker 4 (37:40):
So get me out there, absolutely absolutely. Where can people
find you on social media to follow everything you got
going on?
Speaker 5 (37:48):
Yes, thanks for asking our question because unfortunately I normally
forget to tell people. So yeah, So it's crazy James music,
You're It's the same forul on YouTube, Instagram, although I
don't really use TikTok much. It's crazy to change music
on there as well as for Spotify. Just such crazy Chames.
You'll see and you'll see my face with some ski goggles.
Uh and yeah, that's that's pretty much me across all
(38:13):
digital platforms, and yeah, master shout to all my.
Speaker 3 (38:17):
New followers subscribers.
Speaker 5 (38:19):
There's a movement going on at the moment, so I'm feeling,
you know, incredibly blessed about that as well. Then obviously,
you know, I got to thank you as well for
this great opportunity and this interview.
Speaker 3 (38:28):
It's been it's been amazing.
Speaker 2 (38:30):
Oh, thank you, thank you so much. It was so
fun to talk to you and one great conversation. You've
had some great questions too, Thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 4 (38:39):
I love hearing that. That makes me happy.
Speaker 3 (38:41):
That makes yeah, if anything, they're too good because they
free me off, so that's when you know they're good.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
From here, first, crazy James says, I have great questions,
so we'll listen to that. Thank you so much for
coming on. It was a pleasure. Thank you all for listening,
and always remember to live, love, laugh. We'll see you
guys next time.
Speaker 4 (39:05):
Goodebye.
Speaker 3 (39:06):
So yeah,
If you love entertainment, current events, and Hollywood, don't miss
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(00:25):
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Speaker 2 (00:34):
Hi, guys, welcome to another episode of Creator to Creators. Today,
today we have a special guest.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Hello. Hello, my name is James Crazy.
Speaker 4 (00:41):
James, Welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
I love going back to the beginning. I always say,
the beginning charge our trajectory in life. You know, our
little habits that we pick up along the way, follow
us into our adulthood.
Speaker 4 (00:57):
Tell me a little bit about your childhood. What was
that like.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Growing up and and when did you, you know, discover
a love for music.
Speaker 5 (01:06):
It started very young. So when I think when I
was about when I was six weeks old. I was
born in the United Kingdom, and then we moved to
the Congo in Africa. We spent some time in Africa,
and after that, I think when I was about three
four years old, my mom sent me a VHS of
Michael Jackson and it's cliches, it sounds, that's doubt. That's
(01:29):
what really started for me because I was blown away
with with what I have just you know, visually seen
and you know, the the form, the art they're dancing.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
And from there, I.
Speaker 5 (01:38):
Just started to practice how to dance and you know,
imitate him as much as I can. And as we
moved from country to country, you know, you pick up
different cultures and I guess, yeah, I guess the start
of my music or you know, me getting into music was,
you know, the King himself, Michael Jackson.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
I mean that's a great start to you know, a
person to start with.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Right, So yeah, I know exactly that it's only up
from there, right.
Speaker 5 (02:03):
Well, yeah, I mean the figure sometimes, yeah, you set
that standard so high that you always trying to try
to run towards it. But but yeah, it was beautiful.
And the thing is living in Africa as well. I
think I was six years old when I was put
into this like talent not kind of talent contest, but
like a showcase event, and you know, everyone supports each other,
(02:24):
so you had everyone's cousin's family. There's about two thousand
people at this concert, and I was six years old
and dancing for like three and a half minutes still
Michael Jackson's song, and I'll just yeah, never forget that.
Speaker 4 (02:34):
To be honest with you, that's pretty electric.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Like that's kind of wild to be that age and
to be like, I'm sure that was like whoa it was.
Speaker 5 (02:44):
And then I just remember the feeling and the you know,
the crowd erupting and thinking, do you know this is
what I want to do?
Speaker 3 (02:50):
This is what I want?
Speaker 5 (02:51):
That feeling again, I think, I guess I've just been
chasing it since, although I've never matched that two thousand crowd,
but you know, I still got time.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Absolutely that time appssolutely definitely. Let's get into you know,
this new single, which is super awesome. I watched it
and I listened to it, and I was like, it
was like just like super bold and it's a great,
you know, homage to to Bone Thugs in Harmony with,
(03:19):
which is super cool. I've you know, they're you know,
just legends in their own right, right, So what what
tell me? Tell me a little bit about the process
of of of making this powerful song.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
It's weird because you know, like the process for me
to make music is it just kind of organically happened.
So I can hear a beat or a riff, and
I'll just have like a melody, and I'll just keep
replaying that melody in my head, and even though it
might be gibberish, I sometimes tend to record it and
then from there I'll keep playing it back and then
now I'll know where words come out. And I don't know,
(03:57):
for some reason, I just felt that that song in particular,
that beat in particular, just had that kind of bone
fugs and how many if they were you know, if
they came back or they came out, now, possibly this
is the direction they would go at.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
So it just themed from there.
Speaker 5 (04:12):
So I had the idea for the chorus, but I
had no idea what the verses would be like. And yeah,
it just started to materialize while I was putting the
worst together. And then you know, using a lot of metaphors,
and there's you know, there's content about.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Dragon ball Z.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
Yeah, you know, to be fair, he's controversial now, but
you know, like you know k low Throw that he
was that it's pinnacle.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Then so I do mention him in there as well,
because you.
Speaker 5 (04:37):
Know that, you know, those first two albums were you know,
astronomical really what they had in the impact in the
music game as well. So yeah, it just it's just
like homage to the Bone Thugs, and you know, I've
always loved their music, and I remember the first time
I even heard them where I was in, which country
I was in, So yeah, it just all materialized and
became this you know, ground track, I think.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
So yeah, it was a great pro Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
No, I mean it's it's I mean even you know,
down to the visuals and stuff. Were you a part
of that process of when it came to like the
visuals and like what you wanted?
Speaker 4 (05:11):
Were you used to?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
I Mean one thing I've learned is obviously I'm a
proper solo artist, so I've gone against the traditional hip
hop artists having you know, the ton of people in
the background or cars.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
And stuff like that.
Speaker 5 (05:23):
So I kind of just want to keep it to me,
and it gives me that challenge to have to keep
the people captivated and engaged.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
So I knew what kind of one I wanted for
the video, and it was a.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
Bit of effort because I traveled to well, I don't
know if you know the UK, but for you guys,
it's probably nothing. It was like three and a half
hours west near Bristol when we filmed some of it
in the forest there, and then we drove to Cardiff
to do the in the studio with the with the
the rig as the camera was spinning around. So yeah,
I guess I wanted I wanted something different in some ways,
(05:55):
but also I just wanted to capture my you know,
my expressiveness. And as I said, you know, I started
dancing at a really young age, and for a long
time I think it was a bit taboo to be
a hip hop artist who.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Could dance, so I never did it. And then now out.
Speaker 5 (06:09):
Of nowhere, I'm doing you know, I'm expressing the lyrics
and it looks like I'm kind of body popping and
I don't know what it's like.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
But I don't know.
Speaker 5 (06:16):
When I watch it, I think, Okay, that looks pretty cool,
and yeah you know that. I guess you feel the
energy and you see the you know how much I
put into it.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
So yeah, no, it's it's beautiful and and I love
the UK. I actually miss it. I miss it it's
been it's been a while since I've gone, but I
definitely want to get back to I want to get
back to my traveling.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Bag back in the UK.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
You been then, Oh gosh, I.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Went to London, I went to Paris. It was just
so fun.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Belgium. I believe that was fun. We did like a
whole thing, and I was.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
I was there for a while and honestly, when I
didn't want to go back back, I was like, this
is Oh.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
You's pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
I mean, the weather's not the greatest, but there's some
places in your.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
Sorry are you are you? Do you go? Do you
go back often?
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Or do you?
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Are you in Africa now or I'm in the UK?
Speaker 3 (07:14):
I mean, if anything, I perform in Europe a bit.
Speaker 5 (07:17):
I mean I've just had a gig in Bulgaria Sophia
last month, and I've got Berlin in Germany coming up
as well.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
So yeah, still active, still quite busy, which is nice.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
How is the crowd? How is how is that? How's
the you know, your rapper you artists?
Speaker 2 (07:33):
You know? I wonder I'm sure the crowd is different
everywhere you go. What does that feel like? Do you
feel like when it comes to hip hop.
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Speaker 5 (09:01):
Yeah, I mean, if anything, I think the reception I
get in Europe is a lot better than the one
in the UK.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Yeah, because UK.
Speaker 5 (09:09):
English people could be quite standoffish, you know, so unless
you are actually accomplished and probably signed to a major,
people are just always a bit reluctant to show you love.
Is they've got a really bad hater like affiliation. I
guess it's strange. But when you go to Europe and
like there's no judgment. They just appreciate good music. So yeah,
(09:30):
they're incredibly receptive and you know, they always made me
feel like a star in a lot of ways. You know,
they'll at the end of a show, they will all
come up to me, you know, give me hugs, want
to take photos and stuff like that. Well, in the
UK it's hit and miss really. Don't get me wrong,
there's a good scene for it, but yeah, it's just
you have to go to actual hip hop events and
(09:52):
there's not that many great ones in the UK as
they used to be.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
I don't think personally.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
It's very interesting.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
I mean, I guess because I yes, from here in
the States, we hear a lot of you know, lady leisure,
storm storms, storms, Ormsy's gigs, little sins like I think
the I don't I'm not always sure if you would
call them like they've kind of transitioned also to kind
of the States artists as well, because.
Speaker 5 (10:18):
One, I mean the in their main street, so that's
what I mean. It's even so they're starting journey. I
don't think they spend that much time in the underground.
I mean storms he did, but he he he came
up because he was he knew how to utilize YouTube
and you know he had he had all his boys
knowing his lyrics and he was really out there.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
What he was doing.
Speaker 5 (10:36):
But as far if I bet if you ask them
as well, is where would you go to perform before,
like before he became a natural established artist, they'll probably
tell you it varied.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
It's not.
Speaker 5 (10:46):
It's not as it's a strange one. It's a strange one.
You end up going to a lot of like kind
of open mics or showcase events, but there's just a
few and far between. I know there's a place in
Bristol which is like the hip hop coffee Shop, and
I mean that's brilliant, and then I think there's one
in Brixton in London as well. But do you know
what I mean, you could probably count them in your hands.
How many of those actual events they are. I mean,
(11:07):
they our gold. They are actually brilliant. I mean it's
probably something similar to what you're have in New York
or in the States in general.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
You know, pure show.
Speaker 5 (11:15):
Of upcoming artists and everyone's giving love and everyone's there
for the same reason. But yeah, it's difficult, I think
because the music scene here has always been quite on
the indie or pop five. It's hard to get gigs
at times, but you make it work. I've been blessed
enough to have performed all over the UK and enough
(11:36):
performing in some great venues, so I can't be too
you know, to unappreciative of it, because yeah, it serves
me well, and yeah, it taught me everything I have really,
you know, give me that experience on the stage and
give me.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
That confidence too, definitely, And I love that.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
I love that that you you you're still pushing because
I mean, you're you're.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
You're very fast rapper, something that always came naturally to you.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
Because like I'm like, whoa, I gotta go back, I gotta.
Speaker 5 (12:05):
Yes, and no, I mean it's a weird one because
I used to be quite quite fast rapper and then
I found it quite hard to record what I was
trying to, you know, to make it into a song,
and then I try to slow it down a bit,
and I've found that it was quite difficult when I
used to perform as well. But and it's just reverted back.
(12:26):
I think that as you get wiser and you get
more experiences and performance under your belt, you're then able
to understand how to to to start rapping a little
bit faster as well. And it's all about, you know,
knowing the breath work and knowing what's right for you.
I mean, I know, for a fact, if I go
a studio before I perform on the stage, I can't
have too much food in my belly.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
I mean, I don't know if that's any other every.
Speaker 5 (12:47):
Other eyes, but I need that room inside my stomach
because it gives me more more capacity for my lungs.
And then that way I'm able to you know, rap
as quick as I can.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Really, I love that You're You're, You're your sound is
you know, I would say, is like it was very
like I was like, holy crap, you know, it was
so good and it's very kind of remind me a
little bit like Twister. You know Twister back in the Yeah,
I was like, man, he's good. What what's one lyric
(13:17):
n B T HD that hits the hardest for you?
Speaker 4 (13:20):
And why?
Speaker 3 (13:22):
All good question? Uh, I don't know. I guess if
you're a fan of anime and probably be the Jaggon
ball Z, hey that's it.
Speaker 5 (13:37):
But I also like the way the second verse starts,
you know, so I think, what was it setting you heights?
I facilitate heights, bringing you vibes, spitting our spikes, sights
and citizens strikes.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
I just yeah, I think I kind of like the
word play a lot in the in the in the
track nice.
Speaker 5 (13:52):
So yeah, it's hard to just pick one bit to
be honest with you about yourself.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
What did you think?
Speaker 2 (13:58):
No, I love that exactly in mine? Was was the
was the subtle you know Dragon ball Z reference because
I was.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Like, oh man, that was that was?
Speaker 2 (14:08):
That was my show growing up? Yes, I was like
nostalgic THT I just started back then. I was like,
oh that's a good day. It's good days, really.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Good days, then't it? What I love about the you know,
I know it's an animation.
Speaker 5 (14:21):
If you know the super Saiyans, they always want to
become better than they They always try to excel and get
sent to the next level.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
So yeah, I had to had to reference them.
Speaker 5 (14:30):
It's funny because a lot of UK rappers actually referenced
juggaball Z as well. Really yeah, yeah, you hear people
like A J. Tracy and gigs as well. I've heard
gigs like mentioned Margin Boo and stuff like that. So yeah, yeah,
I think we can help it nice.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
How is how is that like, you know, collaboration world
is is that a big thing? Because I know you
know a lot of artists. I know, sometimes it can
it can definitely help. And then sometimes sometimes in the
collaboration you do with as far as like you know
another artist that you want to feature in your or
yeah exactly.
Speaker 5 (15:02):
I mean again, I don't know if it's the same
thing in America, but it tends to be. There's a
lot of up and coming artists who you know, they're
underground artists. They'll collaborate and it's not a problem. And
then if you have, you know, the established art is
a bit more reluctant to probably collaborate with an unknown artist.
And there tends to be quite a lot of money.
I mean, there's a UK wrapper called retch Free too.
(15:23):
I mean, if you haven't heard him, he's pretty, he's
pretty dope and he used to used to, like I
think a few times a year. Just if someone reached
out to him, he would actually go in their track,
and you know it would help him, it really would,
I think, if anything, I think a lot of established
artists should do that just to help people.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
Whether you want to actually.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
You know, be a part of it in a long run,
but even just you having your name attached to someone's work,
mostly if they've you know, it warrants it and if
they're a decent standard why wouldn't, you know, because a
lot of DJs themselves, if they discover an artist, they
buzz off it and they use that for the rest
of their lives, don't they's like, oh, yeah, I discover
this and I discovered is rapper, you know, so.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
Yeah, it's one of It's one of those ones. Really.
I mean, for me, I've always wanted to collaborate.
Speaker 5 (16:09):
Some people, and I have like jumped on other people's
tracks as far as people are jumping on my tracks.
I've always thought I set myself that standard where I
think I don't really need anyone on my tracks and
I to come across wrong, but I could, I could
feel the track, you know. I like to keep people
engaged in the way I switch my flows and you know,
create my tracks, so it's not it's never monotonous, it's
(16:30):
never the same, you know, for me, it varies, it
goes up and down. It's you know, the speed changes,
the beat changes. So that's why in my first two
like videos, you've probably seen Levels and BTHD just me,
you know, I just want people to know it's just me.
Speaker 4 (16:47):
And I love that.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
I feel like that's real and that's and and I
feel like a lot of people don't really get to
It's like a lot of people think when they get
into the music industry and in other business it's just
like a bunch of people. But when you're doing when
you're special, when you're doing everything yourself, when you're you know,
the indie world, it's you're doing a lot of work.
You're you know, you're doing pressed, you're doing all the
behind the scenes, you're putting everything together, you're putting money
(17:10):
into it, which leads me to my question, how do
you balance an a rising music career? How do you
like what keeps you grounded.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
It's it's tough to be honest with you. I have
to say.
Speaker 5 (17:21):
It's so before I had my first my first child,
my son, I had a real time out of work,
and I knew that was the perfect time.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
To record it as many tracks as I can a
small time.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
Frame, because I knew once I had a kid, it
was going to be it's going to be challenging, you know,
like anyone that's got kids knows that too.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
It's finding that time.
Speaker 5 (17:42):
But now it's it's secretly as challenging because yeah, I've
got a full time job, you know when I say
my part time musician possibly, and I'm trying to be
a full time dad. But that's difficult too, So yeah,
I've just got to squeeze it all in. So I'll
try to practice my tracks for performances, cut a few
(18:06):
hours every week before you know, a big, big show,
and then I'm due to go to the studio at
some point soon as well.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
And then I've got I'm.
Speaker 5 (18:13):
Gonna at the end of the VTHD video, there's a
little teaser for higher learning in Berlin. Nice, So yeah,
we're going to go film that in Berlin in August.
So yeah, it's it's crazy. There's no time to sleep really.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
I know, right, It's like it's like you have like
your on like rocks are hours. Yeah, but you know,
but you're you're you're putting out amazing work. So it's
you're making some noise, is what I'm saying. It's like
you're it's getting out there, so keep it up up,
thank you. So what's one track from the upcoming LP
(18:51):
you think will surprise people the most and why.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
And not to put it down on it? I guess
I've got one track before before I say this track
it is, I'll have to say is my whole thing
mostly when I released my first LP is I've always
because I felt like for a long time I suffered
anxiety and mental health issues on my own.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
Mostly being a man in as well.
Speaker 5 (19:18):
You know, it's very old mentality where you know, we
feel like we can't speak openly and stuff, and we
found a way of using music to channel that energy.
And you know, it's always been a thing for me
to try to let people know they're not alone. And
then unfortunately there were circumstances with my sister. She passed
away sadly in twenty twenty two. And so right, it's
not it's not your father. But I wrote a song
(19:41):
about suicide and the it's a dark topic and I
don't think many people have done it before, and it's
got its three verses. It's incredibly strong, and it goes
through the whole stages of what that one person could
possibly think and how they are feeling, and you know,
how let down or secluded they might also feel. It's
(20:03):
a very strong, very strong track, but it's incredibly written
and put together. It's like it's probably about five six
minutes long as well, because at the end of it,
I was just pretty much freestyling by being melodic as well,
So you probably see the inspirations of bone Fogs in
Omni as well at the end, because I'm sort of
like holding a note but singing the pure passion if
(20:26):
pure energy and if you know, tears in my eyes
in a lot of ways. So I think that's one
track that would definitely surprise people. Yeah, it comes to
another anger. You probably weren't expecting that, So I'm sorry
to put it down on it, but no, I think.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
It's so important though, it's such an important topic and
being vulnerable and transparent. I think that that, you know,
I feel like a lot of as much as I
love you know, you know, hearing them. We know, artists
kind of go up about real you know, real life
things that that I think people can and connect to,
(21:01):
and exactly people are going through that every day, especially
men mental health and not being able to talk about it.
I was literally talking to someone about that topic about
how it's something that you know you're supposed to you know,
especially when a hip hop artist, a male artist, You're
not supposed to talk about your feelings. You're supposed to
suppress them. And it's like, no, you're where does it
(21:24):
go if you suppress them?
Speaker 5 (21:25):
Well, exactly, and that's why the suicide righting men is
the highest, isn't it. It's ridiculous over the last few years.
So yeah, I think that's why it's equally important. And
I don't mind, you know, whether people frown upon it
or not. I think the realization is that, you know,
I'm using music to channel that and people know that
it's okay to talk about openly and know it's not
an issue at all. And if anything, you know, champion it,
(21:46):
take it on, then yeah, let's look after each other.
Speaker 8 (21:49):
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(22:10):
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Speaker 2 (22:23):
Bean Official, BBC introducing it has spotlighted your work? Yes,
yeah right that? How was that recognition impacted your journey?
And I'm sure that felt really good to just to
feel like, Okay, I'm putting workout and it's something you know,
is I'm showing it.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
It's been seen.
Speaker 3 (22:46):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 5 (22:47):
I mean I think because the first time they played
one of my songs, it is probably at the start
my career. Well, I say, that's pretty It was when
I was saying, oh god, it's probably about fifteen years ago,
and then I knew that. I thought, okay, this is
a solid track. But then you start you think every
every truck after that will get played on BBC and
it doesn't go your way, and then you come a
bit bitter and stuff like that. But then you know
(23:09):
it's just the way, you know, the cards are dealt.
And perhaps when I reflect and look back, maybe the
material wasn't as good as that that truck that was played.
But then obviously recently, yeah, I think there's three tracks
from the upcoming LP already been played by the BBC.
I've had a DJ from the BBC obviously say high
praises back in the day about me as well.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
So yeah, it definitely just it's a bit.
Speaker 5 (23:36):
It's a big name, isn't it in it it keeps you,
it keeps you on, I say, in some way that
keeps you anchored down and prowling.
Speaker 3 (23:45):
Through your work as well. So yeah, I think it helps,
definitely helps.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
Love that I have a fun question and I love
asking every guest this question, and there is no wrong answer.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
I promise.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
The three levels of influence, money, power and respect, And
if you could choose only one of those things, which
one would you choose?
Speaker 3 (24:05):
And why?
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Ah?
Speaker 3 (24:09):
How respect? Gosh, that's a tough one. That's a tough one. Ah,
you threw me off.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
There no pressure, no pressure at all.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
I mean for me, I'd always want more knowledge than anything,
So what would I use out of those free to
gain that knowledge?
Speaker 3 (24:35):
Of people? Power?
Speaker 5 (24:36):
Just seems like I'm trying to overtake and run a
you know, become a mathea being going through the money.
Money can buy some knowledge, but then it can also
lead to negative things.
Speaker 3 (24:49):
So possibly the most amicable one will be respect.
Speaker 5 (24:53):
Who doesn't want to be respected for the craft and
the art that they produce? And yeah, I guess it
depends on you upon respect, isn't it if you If
you're you know, if you're still about a street life
and you won't respect, then you're probably doing the wrong things.
But if you're like you know, for me, for example,
trying to send a message positive message from my music,
(25:14):
then having that respect will be pricess to me.
Speaker 4 (25:17):
I love that great answer. Great answer.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
If you could collaborate with any artists, dead or live,
who would it be and what kind of track would
you make?
Speaker 9 (25:29):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (25:29):
Gosh, another good one. See I'm not used to getting.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
I'm one. I'm so glad to hear that.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
God.
Speaker 5 (25:41):
Oh, it's a tough one because obviously I'd always gravitate
towards going through my first inspiration Michael Jackson. But I
don't know if that would be a good track, So
I don't know how well we could collaborate in that sense,
although I would love to see him recording because that's
just an incredible thing.
Speaker 9 (25:57):
But I've gosh, again, you throw me off, I'd say,
I'd say, I don't know, could you throw me off?
Speaker 3 (26:12):
I'd have to go.
Speaker 5 (26:13):
I'd like to record something of Eminem because I just think, you, yeah,
you'll just get the best out of me, you know,
because when you're that competitive nature, you just think, Okay,
he's just done this verse.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
It's time for me to do better, to better and
better myself.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
So yea, yeah, I think, yeah, you kind of throw
me off there, So I'll just go with Eminem for now.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
There's so many uk arsts I probably would like to
collaborate with, but.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
You're going to be listening as like, oh man then
says same.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Good. Yeah, I've just gone for the safe, safe option,
haven't I.
Speaker 4 (26:47):
Hey, Eminem's great. Eminem's great.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
He's still added at his ages. Insane, insane to keep
it going for so long.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
You know, yeah, me too, me too, to have that
hunger yeah, he is in credit. I mean, he's gone
up and down, there's no doubt about that.
Speaker 5 (27:02):
But he's one of the amazing run of the main
reasons why I rap because I'll never get two thousand
and three.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
Uh, you know, White America.
Speaker 5 (27:09):
When the album drop was the eminem Show, sorry, the
eminem Show that that that just blew my mind. And
obviously there was that massive movement. Fifty just came out
as well, and they had all the mixtapes drop in.
So yeah, he's just an incredible rapper and the way
he's far fast as well, with all the syllables and
you know, very.
Speaker 3 (27:27):
Thought provoking, and you can't you can't knock him. He's
definitely one of the greatest rappers.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
Yeah, doubt about.
Speaker 4 (27:32):
That, definitely.
Speaker 2 (27:34):
I have a very kind of it's well, it's it's
kind of like not I wouldn't say it's like deep,
but I'm just curious of you know, now that you
have kids, you know, how do you want your kids
to remember your music and the message when they're older.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
That's a good question too.
Speaker 5 (27:54):
I had this conversation a similar conversation the other day
actually because someone asked me. You know again, it's just
I don't know if it was a negative or positive thing,
but they ask me why do you do it? You know,
because sometimes they just feel that your music might not
be as it might not be going into the trajectory
that you'd like your hope. But my response is always, well,
(28:16):
my music has taken me across Europe, you know, it's
how I met my partner. So there's been so many positives.
I get paid for gigs, you know, so in that sense,
you know, I'm kind of doing okay as an independent,
independent and as artists. But I guess for my kids,
I'd like them to always you know, I'm leaving a legacy.
You know, if one day I'm not in a surf anymore,
(28:37):
I've left them something that they can go back to.
Speaker 3 (28:40):
They can maybe pick it up one day.
Speaker 5 (28:42):
They can use it to push you know, for mental
health and anxiety and all those kind of things people
suffer with.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
And yeah, I guess, you know, like it's amazing.
Speaker 5 (28:54):
To see my son sometimes when he watches when I've
got like the when we put the preimire on for the.
Speaker 3 (28:58):
Music video, and he's like, that's that that that that
that you know, like, yeah.
Speaker 5 (29:03):
I think it's just something incredible about it, and I
think it's nice knowing that, unlike most people, I've I've
got I've got material and music that will never go away.
I've got articles written about me, and you know, they
could just google my name and they can see. You know,
you know that he's done the way he met he
met mummy while he was out there performing, and he's
they got he's got all these things online about him
(29:24):
and these videos.
Speaker 3 (29:25):
So yeah, I guess it's like sort of leaving a
legacy for them.
Speaker 10 (29:29):
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Speaker 11 (29:42):
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Speaker 2 (30:15):
I feel like that's super important, right, and that's a
thing to you know that you that you want to
have as an artist as a person, right, you know,
all the things that we know, all the work that
we put out to where it whatever, the knowledge that
we leave behind that someone else can say, oh wow,
this person did it, so I think I can.
Speaker 4 (30:36):
Do it too kind of thing. Yeah, exactly that I
love that.
Speaker 2 (30:40):
What are what is one misconception do you think people
have about you or your music that you ever wanted
to clear up or was there every anything that like that,
like that that you wanted to like address as an artist.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
I mean, I guess for a long time.
Speaker 5 (31:01):
When I used to perform across the UK or when
there was events, a lot of promoters were never sure
how to approach having me on the stage or having
me on the on the on the on the on
the listing, you know.
Speaker 3 (31:15):
Because they always thought easy hip hop? Is he rap?
Is he grime? Is he trap?
Speaker 5 (31:21):
And sometimes because I make some of them music of rock,
rock or indy, you know, is it's always like what
is he? And unfortunately it takes for me to get
on the stage and you know, show my abilities to
win people over.
Speaker 3 (31:35):
So I don't know, it's the.
Speaker 5 (31:37):
Misconception that people look at me and think, is this
guy going to be any good? And you know, one
promoter said it best is that you know, there's no
I can't put you in a category of of of
or genre. It goes because there is no category or
genre for you. You are crazy James. You know that is
your sound. You're unique to who you are, and people
(31:58):
should just you know, focus on that and push that. Really, So,
I don't know if that really answers your question, but yeah,
I guess that's some sort of misconception that I have
in my career.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Great though, I mean I don't think I mean, I've
as a filmmaker myself, and you know, being in in
in the industry you know for for a little bit.
You know, I never wanted to be put in boxes.
So I do think it's kind of cool to have
your like to to be like your own genre in
a way, you know that you don't just fit someone's box.
Speaker 3 (32:33):
And I think, yeah, yeah, definitely it's important.
Speaker 2 (32:37):
That's very very cool. What advice would you give to
that upcoming artist or an artist anywhere that wants to
someone that wants to just get into this music world?
Speaker 4 (32:47):
What what advice would you give.
Speaker 5 (32:49):
I would say, first and foremost is believe in your
ability and know and know what you're capable of. And
I'd also say, you know, you see people who Yeah,
And I was alluded to it as well. But you know,
for a long time before I started being a coming,
before I was a rapper, I wanted to be a singer,
(33:12):
but I realized I wasn't a very good singer, so
obviously went towards rapping. So I guess it's you know
what you're good at, focus on it and just putting
the time and effort.
Speaker 3 (33:23):
Really, it's not going to happen overnight.
Speaker 5 (33:25):
I've been doing it for like twenty years now, so
but you need to get stuff under your belt. You know,
don't take criticism in the wrong way neither. So you
need the right people around you to give you that
positive feedback and also the negative one too. Learn how
to structure a song, be dynamic.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
Member.
Speaker 5 (33:42):
People's retention is short, so you've got to keep it engaging.
I'll say, for a rapper, you change, change your tones,
change your flow, don't keep it the same structure. Record
as many tracks as you can. Because from then I
still to this day, I was doing this thing called
one take Tuesday during COVID where I'll challenge myself every week, right,
(34:02):
brand new sixteen bars and a new hook has to
do it all in one take and record it. And
you know what, a lot of the songs from the
upcoming album actually one takes from from that time. So
it just shows that nothing is ever wasted.
Speaker 3 (34:15):
So just I think that.
Speaker 5 (34:16):
Would be my advice is just, yeah, you got to grind,
and yeah get out there too. You've got to perform
as much as you can, you know, and you've got
to treat it the same way. I don't care if
there's one person or one hundred people in a venue.
I'm gonna give it that same energy because you never
know who's going to watch, and the less people sometimes
is better because they become your super fans, your true fans,
and wear a mouth spreads and it's like, you know,
(34:37):
I've just saw this this this dude's performing. He was sick,
he was doing his body popping, he was expressive, he
gave it it's all. He was literally out of breath
at the end of it. And I'll always remember that
that time when I saw this guy and then you
pass it on next persons like, oh, who's this and
then you just see you starts, see the transition with it,
and even if how your streams formulate and stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (34:57):
So I guess that's a big bulk of my advice.
I'll gift to any.
Speaker 4 (35:00):
Artists out there great advice, creat advice. Do you feel?
Last question?
Speaker 2 (35:07):
Do you feel like the music industry is changing for
the better? In like, in favor of artists. I mean,
you see so many artists nowadays that are like especially
you know, in the artists because you get people like
Chance Rapper showing that you can do it, you know,
and and and be how I go as far as
(35:28):
you want to go. But do you feel like the
music world as a whole, like the studios are in
favor of the artists, You feel like things are getting
better for artists artistry?
Speaker 5 (35:42):
I think it's one of those one where I said
yes and no answer, isn't it? It's quite ambiguous in
that sense because I think in some ways, as an
artist who's been creating music for so long, and it
won't be the only eyes saying that is, you will
look at certain artists who have released the track and
you think, you actually start thinking that's quite insulting.
Speaker 3 (36:01):
It's because you think it's a very and then you
know what I'm talking about.
Speaker 5 (36:05):
You know, there's songs out there where you think, oh
my god, how did they.
Speaker 3 (36:08):
Even put that together and put it out?
Speaker 5 (36:09):
It becomes a number one here and they make all
this money, and that's really insulting for people who have
actually very talented. So in that sense, I say no,
because those people still get.
Speaker 3 (36:17):
Pushed in the forefront for some reason.
Speaker 5 (36:19):
But on the independentlex it's like, yeah, it really has.
When you look at the statistics from Spotify for last year,
for example, is the highest amount of our independent eyes
have been paid ten thousand dollars or more?
Speaker 3 (36:31):
And I think I'm coming with the number, but it
was in the millions.
Speaker 5 (36:34):
Of independent artists who have been paid ten thousand dollars
in a year, and just through streams on Spotify. So
I think independent eyists is definitely the right time for
all independent artists. But yeah, it's about trying to get
the algorithm and you know, getting a bit of luck
on your side, and I guess it comes down to
(36:54):
work to your work rate and how much you put
out there. But I ain't got the winning formula. Yeah,
you know, there's only some much I think I can do.
But yeah, I guess once you get a decent playlist,
then you get yourself out there. You know, there's always
going to be it always leads to other opportunities. Hence
why you stop, You know, I'll get approached from the
venues and stuff in Europe. But yeah, again, I hope
(37:16):
that's kind of answered the question.
Speaker 2 (37:18):
Definitely, definitely great, I mean that's yeah totally. And are
you coming to the States anytime soon? Maybe to perform?
Speaker 5 (37:24):
Oh, I'd love to. If I was given the opportunity
to performing in America, I'll be doing a heartbeat. So yeah,
that's something on top of my list really is to
have a few gigs in the in the US at
some point.
Speaker 4 (37:35):
Yea nice your mouth to God DearS, it will happen for.
Speaker 3 (37:38):
Sure, I really hope.
Speaker 4 (37:40):
So get me out there, absolutely absolutely. Where can people
find you on social media to follow everything you got
going on?
Speaker 5 (37:48):
Yes, thanks for asking our question because unfortunately I normally
forget to tell people. So yeah, So it's crazy James music,
You're It's the same forul on YouTube, Instagram, although I
don't really use TikTok much. It's crazy to change music
on there as well as for Spotify. Just such crazy Chames.
You'll see and you'll see my face with some ski goggles.
Uh and yeah, that's that's pretty much me across all
(38:13):
digital platforms, and yeah, master shout to all my.
Speaker 3 (38:17):
New followers subscribers.
Speaker 5 (38:19):
There's a movement going on at the moment, so I'm feeling,
you know, incredibly blessed about that as well. Then obviously,
you know, I got to thank you as well for
this great opportunity and this interview.
Speaker 3 (38:28):
It's been it's been amazing.
Speaker 2 (38:30):
Oh, thank you, thank you so much. It was so
fun to talk to you and one great conversation. You've
had some great questions too, Thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 4 (38:39):
I love hearing that. That makes me happy.
Speaker 3 (38:41):
That makes yeah, if anything, they're too good because they
free me off, so that's when you know they're good.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
From here, first, crazy James says, I have great questions,
so we'll listen to that. Thank you so much for
coming on. It was a pleasure. Thank you all for listening,
and always remember to live, love, laugh. We'll see you
guys next time.
Speaker 4 (39:05):
Goodebye.
Speaker 3 (39:06):
So yeah,
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