Posts tagged ‘interview’

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April 7, 2012

Future The Prince – Young Money

Flavour Magazine’s Shireen Fenner recently caught up with Future The Prince, Drake’s official DJ before the Club Paradise Tour kicked off in the UK. In this interview The Prince talks about him and Drake’s respect for one another, his solo career, understanding people as a DJ and the Young Money crew taking over.

You have made yourself quite a name as a DJ, and yet your connection to Drake seems to have a large part of your success. Do you think your career would be very different now if you guys hadn’t come up together?

Yeah absolutely, I mean a lot of opportunities come from touring and being able to go to lot of places and have these big shows. From there that’s where a lot of the other DJ stuff stems. Would I be any less successful I don’t know because to me being successful is enjoying what you do and being happy. To me it’s just enjoying the ride and understanding this is something special, not only for me but for Drake too, for all of us.

Have you and Drake ever had any disagreements?

We have a difference of opinion on things, but that’s the best part of our relationship. I got to be honest with him at all times, and he has to be honest with me at all times. We just got to help each other be better at what the other one does; we’re all part of one team. We never have arguments, it’s always constructive, and it’s always trying to help someone be better or help our show be better. We’re too like-minded. Your always going to have difference of opinion it’s just how you handle it, as long as you have respect for each other, nobody will ever get offended or upset.

Any funny stories from being on tour?

I can’t really pinpoint one; its different because you’re with your friend’s everyday so everyday is funny. We’re pretty calm, laid back kind of guys, so nothing super wild. A lot of great things happen at shows that might be crazy to other people. People have tattooed Drake’s face on their bodies, a girl tattooed Drake’s name across her forehead, that’s probably the craziest thing I have ever seen, people committing that much as a fan.

Other than touring with Drake and Young Money, are there any other developments with regard to your solo career?

I still do my own DJ tours and travelling is a big passion of mine so I go to a lot of places I’ve never been to before, that’s what I always try to do with my time off. I use DJ’ing to get to those places, it makes it a little bit easier to know that your going out there to not only explore, but to fulfill a commitment and to be a part of a sub culture that’s within music in these other cultures around the world. Most of my career has to do with touring and being with Drake.

DJ to producer seems to be a natural evolution for many. Are we going to see you in the studio at some point?

I’ve always worked on music and I’ve always been part of the musical process in our team. I produced a remix for Adele for ‘Someone Like You,’ that was something I started and I want to come out with more in the near future. It’s just a natural progression to get into production and making beats and arranging music. I’ve put out a couple of mixtapes before and they’ve done really well for people, it just takes a lot of time to make them really special and really good. When I really settle down and get some time off I’ll start making some mixtapes.

What are you enjoying about the UK music scene at the moment?

The music is amazing; I really like funky house and the culture of Grime, and the sound and everything that embodies that. Coming all the way from North America and coming here and listening to music I’ve never heard before, that’s been built here and made here and is big here and accepting it and enjoying it means that it’s good music. I like good music and the people in the UK really take pride in their music, and they’re very cultured in music, so it’s always been fun for me to be a part of the music scene here. When I land in the UK the first thing I do is really try and find out and get caught up and reacquainted with what’s hot in the music scene. I got a couple of songs here and there that are pretty big that I can’t wait to drop. Labrinth’s Earthquake is a big record.

How has coming from a city like Toronto helped influence and shape you into the artist you are today?

It’s everything; it’s shaped everything that we are. Not only me but my entire team, it’s a big part of who we are. Growing up in Toronto is special you get a sense of culture, you get exposed to so many types of people and so many different walks of life. It makes you very open minded to go explore and understand parts of other peoples cultures that you incorporate into your life. It’s always been the most important part of our influence. London is the most similar to Toronto out of all the places I’ve been, from the people to the sub culture, that’s why I feel very at home when I come here.

Do you ever feel like the impact and importance of the DJ is sometimes slept on, and the DJs role is overshadowed by others?

It really depends on how much of a role you play in ones show. Sometimes shows are really band heavy and the DJ doesn’t really shine much, and sometimes the show is just the DJ and the DJ shines more. At the end of the day anybody who’s up on that stag looking for shine is doing it for the wrong reason. It’s about being part of one sound, whether it’s you and one artist, or you and a band, it’s all about all those elements coming together to make a great sounding show.

What is the most important attribute a DJ should have? Because we often see DJ’s with great technical skill who can scratch and do all sorts of tricks, but couldn’t get a crowd moving in a club if they tried.

The most important thing is to understand people and understand where you are. If you’re in the UK, go find out what’s hot in the UK. A lot of people from America come here and just play the same stuff they play in America, and it doesn’t really work sometimes. You got to be able to adjust, and walk into a room and look at the people and see what they like and see what they’re dancing to and keep up with that. Never play for yourself, always play for the people that are in the room, so I think that’s the most important attribute a DJ should have. It’s the thing I pride myself on.

What is the most enjoyable aspect about being a DJ?

Making people happy, making people have fun. You don’t know what’s going on in their day or in there lives, they could be having the worst day ever, and they walk into your club and it’s your job to take them away from all of that and make them dance for 3 hours and have the time of their lives.

Being able to control a mass of people’s mood and movement and energy is power. Does it give you a rush to know that you are the influencing and moving so many people? Almost like a puppeteer…

It’s an amazing rush when you have hundreds and thousands of people and there all moving to one beat, and your dictating to them, and their excitement and everyone singing along to a song at the same time.Young Money has been amazing, as a collective it’s given me a lot of opportunities to be a part of a change in culture when it comes to music. You can’t get in your car anywhere in this world and not hear a Young Money song.

What doors has being with Young Money opened for you? What does the future hold for future the prince?

Young Money has been amazing, as a collective it’s given me a lot of opportunities to be a part of a change in culture when it comes to music. You can’t get in your car anywhere in this world and not hear a Young Money song. The leverage that it gave me, and the leverage that it gives us a team to be that powerful in music is a great thing. What does the future hold; I don’t know we’ll see. I’ve always been excited about moving forward and taking advantage of the opportunities that happen as they happen. You can always look forward but sometimes you don’t know, an opportunity will come out of nowhere, and you’ve got to take it and run with it and just be ready for it.

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April 3, 2012

Diggy Simmons Explains Reason Behind J. Cole Diss

Diggy Simmons explains the reason behind the J Cole diss on his recent leaked tracked What You Say To Me. In an interview with US radio station 99.1 FM, he claims he recorded the song after J Cole falsely claimed he had relations with his sister Vanessa on his track Purple Rain. Diggy claimed that the song was over a year old, but he felt the need to defend his family, and that the track wasn’t leaked by anyone in his camp.

“[There’s] no big story behind it, it was really just that my sister [Vanessa] over a year ago told me that [J. Cole] was saying that he did this, that and third with her, ‘cus the went to the same college [St. John’s], but they didn’t really know each other like that, so it wasn’t like that,” he said. “She also told me that he subliminally talked about her in a song called ‘Purple Rain,’ which was also false. So it was just me sticking up for my family, that’s all that it really was. I didn’t even leak it, it got leaked last night while I was at the movies…I did that record last year…I was gonna put it out, but I didn’t feel like it was appropriate, but of course, that’s my sister…family over everything. [My dad Reverend Run] had already heard the track and he was like the same thing: ‘Family over everything, that’s your sister,’ so he wasn’t mad at all.”

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March 29, 2012

Nas x Noisemakers w/ Peter Rosenberg: Michael Jackson’s Phone Call and Jay-Z

At this year’s SxSw, Peter Rosenberg held a Noisemakers interview with the hip hop legend that is Nas. The interview touched on the artists career up and downs and Nas opened up on untold stories. He talks about Michael Jackson calling him,

“I don’t care who you are, you’re never ready to hear that Michael Jackson is on the phone. I don’t care how it goes, no one is ready to handle that shit. He’s a spirit, he’s not a man. That was a spirit on the phone.”

At the end of the interview he talks about Jay Z’s significance in hip hop.

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March 28, 2012

SB.TV Interview – Benny Banks

679/Warner Records recent signee, Benny Banks is hailed as one of the UK’s rap heavyweights. Shireen Fenner and Maz Halima headed down to The Social in Little Portland Street to see what the rapper had to say about being the subject of diss tracks, Bada Bing and what’s next on his agenda…

M: Who did you aspire to when you started rapping?

I grew up in an older era… like I think American rappers inspired all of us. But over here, Mike Skinner, Klashnekoff and Skinny Man. I listen to a lot of Hip Hop.

S: What track got you noticed by the masses?

I don’t actually know, I think that’s a matter of opinion. Personally I think it was my SB.TV warm up session; that let everyone know I could rap. I would like to think it was that because it was the most meaningful to me – but I don’t actually know.

S: Your roots and experiences in Islington have provided a lot of inspiration for your lyrics, do you think as your situation changes your content will too?

Yeah, that’s the main thing I want people to notice really, the way I’m growing up and maturing. Obviously Bada Bing isn’t the main reflection of Benny Banks; it was just a fun tune init. But I’ve got a lot more music to come. With my content, I’m just going to keep it Benny like, I’m going to be myself, I just want to appeal to a big variety of people rather than just the streets. In general I want to spread it out a bit more, and learn how to word it to make people listen.

M: When did you get signed to 679/Warner and how has life changed since?

November 25 last year. Obviously its changed, but I’m just trying to be the same person, I don’t want to let it get to me. I haven’t made it yet; I haven’t got anything in the charts, when I get their maybe I’ll show off a bit more! But right now I’m still working man.

M: Do people treat you differently now?

I think I get a bit more respect.  But I feel like I deserve it so I’m just accepting it

S: Do you think you can get mainstream success without altering your style?

Ummm, in ways, but I don’t really go studio and make a tune specifically for the charts or to attract a certain amount of people. I just write the music and it does its own job. If I keep going with it then hopefully it will just mature. I just got to up my vocab a little a bit, but I’m confident though. I got a vision.

M: You are known for delivering quite dark lyrics in a laid back way. Do you still live the life that you rapped about?

Nah! Course not! Obviously I still mix with the same people I still live in the same area, I just don’t personally do the same things that I did before init. But then again if I wasn’t involved in music maybe I would init. But I’m here now and I’m grateful.

S: You’ve had some beef and been the subject of a few diss tracks… do you expect more of the same as you grow more successful?

Yeah! When a man looks in the mirror and realises he’s underachieving, they get bitter.  I’m inspiration for them man, all these diss tracks just make me feel good about myself! None of its true, I’ve never met none of these people in my life, so if they know so much stuff about me, good for them man. I’m getting paid for my music. I dunno man, they’re probably fans! I can’t really comment on people I haven’t met.

M: Which artists and producers would you want to work with this year?

Not in particular, I’m not desperate to work with anyone in general. If I got to work with someone and made a good song… I just want to make good music; I can make good music with someone unheard of.

S: You and K Koke have a strong underground following… do you feel that being a white rapper has helped to an extent?

Yeah maybe, the fact that I am white, possibly, I don’t really agree with that though – I don’t think colour matters. It’s not the 90’s or the 80’s no more but… maybe it helps, but its like ‘why?’ It’s a stereotypical opinion. I just think its talent man. I know there have been some white acts that have been signed like Vanilla Ice or whatever, but I mean come on, I’m not that guy! I am not Vanilla Ice – I can rap. [Laughs] Obviously they’re ‘marketable’ init, I understand the whole marketing thing. But I don’t think it applies to me.

M: Do you think that novelty will ever wear off?

Umm.. nah! Its like…  if a white girl goes in the club and starts doing the duttywine, she’s going to stand out, cause its more of a black girls thing to be good at dancing. Obviously rap started with Run DMC and them people there, not a white guy. It originates from a black background init so if you see someone whose not black doing it then they’ll probably always stand out.

M:  Bada Bing has a very different sound compared to what you normally bring to the table. Can we expect more of that sound?

Well I don’t plan to stop having fun so… I’m sure I’ll go back to the studio and make another fun tune. Like I said that tune was just for jokes, it’s not my kind of music, it’s not me. But it was fun init. And to me, it doesn’t sound too pop or commercial, but I know it’s very different for me. But I liked doing it. I would make something like that again; if I could make something better I’d follow it up.

S: You, Joe Black and Squeeks make a strong team. What can we expect from you lot in the future?

The takeover. Just expect good music, I can’t guarantee the charts but the music is always going to be good.

M: Can we expect an album from you this year?

Defo defo! I can’t tell you anything about what’s going to be on there though! But there’s definitely going to be an album. It’s going to be very exclusive, nothing like no one else’s. Ideally it will be out in the summertime.

S: Have you had any crazy twitter fans?

Yeeeeeeeah! I get weird messages man, some weird messages… But I think everyone does though man. I get loads of messages from people asking me how to rap. Obviously I can’t tell them how to do that, its just natural init. The funniest tweet I got was the other day… this girl… big up this girl man! You know you can search your name to see if people are writing about you yeah? She wrote ‘I still remember Benny Banks tryna chatting me up on the street last year’. I do not chat girls up on the street, I’m 24 man, my kid is 4, I haven’t done that since I was 17! I tweeted her saying ‘Big up you for making that up’. She replied and tried to be cheeky, but it was just funny.

M: Wrapping up, what can expect from Benny in the far away future?

A house in Dubai, a big Rolls Royce [laughs]. Nah, just progress. As long as I’m making progress it’s all good. I’d like to achieve my dreams that we all have… But as long as I’m still relevant in 5 years I’ll be happy. I think keeping relevant is what matters.

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March 21, 2012

Freedom in music – Sarvi

Sarvi is the 22-year-old, self-styled, Persian singer/songwriter from Mayfair. Her ever-growing presence on the UK and European club scene has made her name one to watch for 2012.

The new single, ‘Amore,’ and previous single, ‘Stereo Love’ have been playlisted in Chicago and San Francisco, with ‘Amore’ being broadcasted all over Florida by several net radios, and ‘Stereo Love’ at number two in the charts of Music One Radio in New York. This talented Sylvia Young graduate talks to Shireen from Flavour about growing up, her music and the reason why she has turned down record deals.

Sarvi is… 

I love going out with friends and family and spending quality time with the people I love. I am extremely sensitive but love to laugh and see the lighter side of life. I don’t see the point in dwelling on the small stuff as life is short and should be lived to the full. Music is my whole life and I hope to share my musical journey with the whole world.

How do you think being at such a highly acclaimed theatre school pushed your musical direction? 

Studying at a school like Sylvia Young’s allowed me to flourish into the artist that I am. I was very shy when I first started and had to get over that very quickly, but with the support and the love that was shown to me I easily overcame my timidity. The school taught me to be professional and grounded which are two qualities that I regard very highly in this business and ones that have put me in good stead. Your talents are highlighted at the school and nurtured alongside gently introducing you to other arts. It really is the best platform to start off from and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to attend.

What happened in terms of your music career after you left Sylvia Young?  

After I graduated I went to drama college for three years and whilst I was there I was always writing songs and working on my musical career. After graduating from college I began concentrating more on music and working with different producers in the States. I have been fortunate enough to meet some fantastic people on both sides of the pond who have taught me so much and helped me produce some fantastic music so far that I am really proud of.

What was the defining moment for you when you realised singing/songwriting was going to be your career?

Ever since I can remember music has been my life – I have just never been able to imagine myself doing anything else. I remember doing a school show when I was 5 and I was given the main role and had to sing a solo. I loved being on stage and just got such a rush from it. I knew there was nowhere else I would rather be than on that stage singing my heart out.

When did you first begin songwriting and where do you draw inspiration?

One of the first songs that I wrote was when I was 16 and it was about my relationship with my father. From that moment on I realised I could express my feelings through music and to this day it is the only way I can really express exactly how I feel. I realised from then on that song writing was something I wanted to do and there is nothing better than singing a song that you know has come directly from your own head and heart.

How did you feel when you heard the news that ‘Amore’ is No.1 on the UK Upfront Club Charts? 

I screamed! Such an amazing feeling. ‘Amore’ is a song that is so close to my heart and every single emotion in it is real to me. I know that others feel that emotion too when they hear it and that means the world to me. To have it validated like this by the people is just incredible.

You’ve got various remixes to ‘Amore’, so which one is your favourite and why? 

Hmmm that’s tricky because I don’t really have a favourite. The three mixes by Seamus Haji, Steve Smart and Chuckie are just so different it is impossible to choose. They all instill different feelings in the listener and I love that. I love them all and they all did an amazing job. I feel very proud to have worked with them.

Your previous single ‘Stereo Love’ also went top ten in the Upfront and Commercial club chart. What is the next step for you in terms of chart success?

My next step is to keep them coming!! I want to create number one hits all day long and for as long as I can think and speak! The iTunes charts are the next charts in which I hope to achieve a number one. Every step I make is one closer to my dream and I wake up every day looking forward to what it brings.

Your songs are very popular in the US too. Why do you this is, and is this where most of your fanbase lies?

I couldn’t be happier to see that my music has travelled to the US and the people over there are listening to my music. Sometimes UK artists find it really difficult to succeed in America and I think because I have had so many dealings there with producers and making music videos etc they have taken me to their heart, which I am really grateful for. My fan base seems to be really spread over – not just the US but in Europe and Asia. It makes me really happy because it means I have done what I have set to do and made music that appeals to everybody.

You have turned down collaborations with several record labels. When do you think the right time for you would be to sign a deal? 

I have had several offers in the past to sign deals but just haven’t felt it’s the right time. Music is my passion and I don’t want to be dictated to with music that I can and cannot make. So far I have achieved a lot without a major label behind me and I have been in control of which path I take musically which is what was important to me. If the right deal comes up in the future then I would definitely consider it but right now I am enjoying my freedom too much.

Who has been the most influential person to you in your music career? 

I would have to say it would be musicians that I have followed careers of such as Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye. Their music touched me as a young child and continues to, to this day. I want to do the same as they have done through my lyrics and my instrument which is my voice. Their dedication and unfailing determination was incredible and if I become half the artist that they were I would be happy.

Your still very young, so do you plan to keep to dance/house tracks, or are there plans to branch out?

My music has always been a mix of soul and r&b so going down the dance music route was branching out for me. I recorded my first single in LA and when I got back the UK team I was working with suggested the track would sound brilliant with a dance remix. The remix was the version that got most of the response so it worked really well. I love trying new things and working outside my comfort zone. I have found that when one does this that the best art is created.

What is next for you? Is there an album in the pipeline?

I am recording my album right now in the states and I have many different projects that I working on too. I love to keep busy and keep perfecting my craft, because I believe you can keep learning for the rest of your life.

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March 16, 2012

Exclusive Dot Rotten interview with channel aka!

Check out my interview with Dot Rotten for Channel AKA.

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March 15, 2012

Drake On The Cover Of GQ Magazine

Drake hits the style bible issue for the cover of GQ magazine.

Drake lets GQ into his mansion giving them a tour and an intimate interview. He talks about his family, especially his dad, Take Care and his love life.

“Me and my dad are friends. We’re cool. I’ll never be disappointed again, because I don’t expect anything anymore from him. I just let him exist, and that’s how we get along. We laugh. We have drinks together. But I spent too many nights looking by the window, seeing if the car was going to pull up. And the car never came.”

“He had a spell there when he was fucking tons of girls…but that just wasn’t right for him: “There’s just a time where it was like, just getting pussy. Where I was in that sort of ‘I’m young, I’m going to disconnect from my emotions and just do what everyone else tells me I should do and just be a rapper and have my fun.’ And for me as a person, it just doesn’t work. I just need something else. The seconds after a man reaches climax, that’s like the realest moment of your life. If I don’t want you next to me in that fifteen, twenty seconds, then there’s something wrong.”

“I’m actually really happy,” the fame dome has its challenges, and much of the music on his latest album, Take Care, reveals a conflicted soul. “I’m trying to find the same feelings that I had for women when I had very little going on, which is tough,” he says. “When I was in my mom’s house, I had nowhere to go, no real obligations. My girlfriend at the time, if she was mad at me, my day was all fucked-up. I didn’t have anything else. And that made for some of the best music, I think, to date. Records where I felt small. That feeling is hard to capture when you’re sitting out here in a space like this.” He gestures to the pool, the tennis court, the volleyball court, the stables. “It’s really difficult for me to find something that makes me feel small.

Read the full interview here 

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