|
 You are currently pursuing two careers both acting and music, do you find that one pursuit fuels the other or can it be difficult to dedicate your time to each equally?
It’s sometimes difficult to juggle both careers. Both demand so much dedication and focus, and being an active father of three there can be a lot of conflict in regards to my schedule. Still through the help of a great team at AD82 Productions we manage to maintain. I’m fuelled by everything I want to achieve, nothing is impossible.
Your latest mix tape ’The Appetiser’ comes out on the 12th this month, how would you describe it?
The appetizer the pre-album marks a rebirth for me as a solo artist. Everything is a cycle; we go round in circles in life, when it comes to fashion, trends, film and music. I was one of the many artists that took part in pushing forward our current music scene, but still some people feel I don’t have a place right now. I’m about to prove many people wrong!!!
I’ve read in a few of your interviews the difficulties in putting out records on an independent label (AD82). However with more and more artist’s now releasing their own music, how would you regard the future for major labels?
The future for the majors seems very bleak, but that can change at anytime. The majors have the money, but seem to have very little understanding of how to market and push UK hip-hop and grime artists. All they have to do to turn things around is work with us and listen, rather than follow blueprints designed for pop-stars. The old fashion way of contracts and artist relations is over now. People now understand that a traditional deal with a major puts them in nothing but debt. Although being independent can be a struggle, most artists find the rewards are amazing.
How do you rate the present music scene, any acts in particular grab your attention?
I love the scene at the moment, it’s vibrant and interesting. There is a huge wealth of talent in the UK. I’m feeling a lot of artists, Ghetto is sick, that flow is hard for a lot of people to compete with. Devlin, Chipmunk, Wretch, the list goes on. Everyone’s doing their thing though
What is the current situation with So Solid Crew, any plans?
So Solid are still around, we will always be here just through people talking about us everyday. We obviously are not active as a crew now, but our impact on the industry still lives on. LOOK!!!!!
With artists overall I am always interested in how they go about creating their music, do you write in a specific order say lyrics first, melody and then music or is it always different?
I try not to tie myself down to routine when it comes to being creative. Sometimes I can’t write for weeks, but that’s a natural process also. My lyrics must be informative that’s my only demand for myself, every track has its own life, I just try and breathe with it whatever it takes.
Finally what are your ambitions for the future, and what can we look out for?
The future looks very bright right now on both sides of my fence. The release of the appetizer is on November the 12th; check out Vogue magazine as well, just done a shoot with Naomi Campbell!! Speed Racer, another Warner Bros movie I just finished shooting in Germany, directed by the Warchowski brothers (the Matrix, V for Vendetta.) that’s out in summer 08. My next film release is a film called WAZ, with Vertigo films starring me, Selma Blair, Mellisa George, and Stellan Skarsgard. And don’t forget my next album is on the way. Stay tuned. 1.
More Info: www.myspace.com/streetsibling
Words by: John Tonner
 |
