5 minutes with...

27 October, 2009 by Jasdeep Kundi

Grhymey and Fola
Photography by Adeyinka Adepitan and Carli-Art Photography

During the summers biggest urban event London Stand Up 2009, I managed to snatch five minutes with a few of the artists lined up to perform that night. As the performances took place I decided to wander around and see what artists I could find. Back stage was buzzing with some familiar faces, top urban legends and the stars of tomorrow all in one place, I was spoilt for choice.

GRYHMEY

As I was walking on the staircase in Stratford Circus, I bumped into Gryhmey and I thought to myself this is great opportunity for an on the spot interview. I pulled out my Dictaphone and got straight to it.

Grhymey for those of you who don't know is one of London's hottest up and coming hip-hop acts of 2009. Grhymey had great swagga , I loved the T-shirts and the brand, definitely standing out as an act to look out for and I wanted to find out more.

How did you make it into the music scene?

Just hard work and dedication, I've been in the music scene for quite a while.

What age did you get involved with music?

Umm... when I was in a school I used to drum on the tables with my ruler and pencil. I never studied music before.

Would you say it is difficult for a music artist with no knowledge difficult to break the music scene?

If you make music that will reach out to different people then you can do really well in the UK.

What advice or tips would you give to an individual into music to break into the scene?

Write what you feel and always think out the box. I mean you need to be different and you need to develop yourself as an artist. You need to figure out your image.



I love the T-shirts and the brand you have created, how was this developed? Did you have any input into the decision-making?

Yes, I thought it was a good idea. Especially when we walk out on the streets wearing this, everyone shouting and saying, "Who's That", "Who's That", it creates a lot of attention so yeah it is a great marketing tactic. Not only does it indicate to people who we are, we created an ID so people associate the T-shirts with us and link it to me as a music artist.

So where do you guys see yourselves in 5 years time?

Hmm... winning awards... anything... anything is possible!

Whose your inspiration?

Michael Jackson, I really do admire him.

Who would you like to work with/collaborate with?

Dr Dre, definitely because he'd bring the best out of me. Eminem beacuse he's crazy. Will Smith because he's inspired me probably on a different scope though and also Mary J Blige.

What gets you up in the mornings and makes you say yeah, I definitely want to do music?

I believe in my ability and listening to other artists and hearing and knowing that I can do better. There's always room for change and improvement and that is important to develop yourself as an artist.

FOLA

Fola is a new and up-coming artist, a singer and songwriter and a part of the Urban Development Vocal Collective. I've known Fola personally for a while through Urban Development. It was great to see him performing on stage alongside some of the great UK urban legends. I caught up with him to find out more about his journey so far and his plans for the future.

How did you start in the music industry?

I started by meeting lost of artists in the music industry and trying to see if I'm able to work with them. I also attend a lot of open mic nights and have various performances and this helps me musically as an artist. I started at young age round two years ago now.

So how old are you now?
I'm 19.

Who inspires you as an artist?

Michael Jackson, I try to incorporate his influences into my performances. I work with a number of acts who are signed and they work with a lot of established artists they have influenced my style but it has been really good and positive. In general I get a lot of expert advice and huge help on my choreography.

Who would you love to work with and how would you describe your vocal style?

MJ is my all time favorite. I would have loved to work with him. If I had to collaborate with someone now, definitely Dark Child as I admire him. Right now I'm just trying to do me, but vocally I've been told that I sound like a male version of Brandy.

What are your hopes and plans for the future?

My aim is right now is to produced a promotional cd, and work on my album. I am also doing my first video it's a low budget video but it should be fun.

After just five minutes with some great UK acts in different stages of their journeys gave me a whole new perspective on the UK urban music scene and how it is developing.

The diversity and talent of the artists working hard to make their dreams a reality is truly inspirational. It's was a great opportunity to have them share their experiences with me.