Finebeats recently caught up with upcoming UK artist Razor to see what was going down …………
Who has been you biggest influence/inspiration ?
My biggest inspiration has been michael jackson, tupac,drake and wiley, people might say that's a weird choice but musically they have been the reason I do music. When I was younger they are the peple that I listened to and got inspired by.
How long have you ben involved in Hip Hop ?
I have been involved in hip hop since about 2005, I used to just do grime then me and my boy's formed a group. I was told that I should try hip hop because I am more of a lyricist and you can get a lot more words out when you do hip hop. It was only at the start of 2010 I have been doing shows and trying to get myself out there.
Who have you worked with so far ?
Soo far I have worked with sam khan, jamm tyme and a few other artist's. At the start it was hard for me to get features, but since I have been doing shows and networking. Its become a lot easier and a lot of people want to do songs with me now. I am not a fussy artist, I am willing to work with anyone. Any promotion is good promotion.
What can we expect to see from you in the near future ?
To be honest just more videos,more shows,more magazine features. I just try and get my hands on whatever I can to be honest, I have done my video for link up tv for my song closer. My song scifi was on channel aka,there are a lot more things. I have still got a lot to do,so I just want to get my head down and keep pushing.
If you could only ever make one more track, who would you feature on it and
why ?
Wow! Errmmm …. I would want to feature drake at the moment. I think he is such an all around artist, he's actually amazing. He is definitely the biggest artist on the planet right now.soo I'd have to say drake.
What would you say to those that counter Hip Hop with a certain level of
criticism, claiming that it incites violence and gang culture ?
I'd say that they need to open there mind and stop focusing on the negatives, hip hop aint all about violence. I think movies portray violence the most,because you can actually see the violence. In music its said and you can decide how you picture it. Its weird because hip hop gets blamed for it when really the movies should.
How would you describe your style ?
My style is more honest than anything, its just the truth. Things I go through in my everyday life mixed with punchlines. I am very versatile, I can rap and write about everything. Its hard for me to describe it,because I just write how I feel and then let my supporters decide.
where can we find your recent work/project ?
You can get my mixtape 'reinventing' off www.freemixtape.co.ukn www.mixtapemadness.co.uk and www.ukrapmusic.com. Also I do a lot of shows and open mics. I always bring my mixtapes with me,so if anyone ever sees me. I have freebies on me all the time.
Can we hear you on airplay right now ?
Yes,you can.I am on a lot of pirate radio, dj col-j from deja vu fm is playing my songs on a regular. Dj wallace from inna city fm, also has my songs on rotation so its all good. Its hard getting your name on certain dj's playlisted, a lot of dj's don't give people the chance to showcase there talent. Then they have the nerve to say 'support uk music',when they don't.
whats your favourite track that you have made so far ?
I like all of my tracks, certain tracks where I 'expose' myself I hate to listen to. I just let people that have heard my mixtape decide, soo far a lot of people say that 'closer' is by far my best track. Other's say 'scifi' or 'don't wanna lose you'. Mainly people rate 'closer' the best.
What labe;l are you currently working with, or are you working totally
independently ?
I am an independent artist, I pay for my own studio time,cds,videos, everything.its really hard but I prefer to build a buzz from the ground.that way people respect you more.
what would you say has been your greatest musical achievement to date ?
My greatest musical achievement has been getting myself on linkup tv, and getting my video on channel AKA. When I was young I always wanted to get on a channel AKA.it seemed impossible to do that at the time, but I am proud of myself for doing that. Also winning 'in it to win it', getting on 'the hoods got talent dvd' alongside jamal edwards,ace n vis and that has been a blessing. Getting a online single distribution deal. Its amazing that I've done all of this,because at the start of the year, I just wanted to get more than 1000 views on youtube. Now my video for link up tv has over 14000 views and I've been on channel AKA. I don't know how I am doing it but I am going to keep pushing.
Do you have any live shows planned ?
Yes, I have a lot of live shows planed. Last weekend I had 4 shows in 4 days, in the next few weeks leading up to christmas, I have 4 shows this week two on saturday and two on friday. I don't know what I am going to do because there are at the same time (laughs). I have a show in liverpool next week, and a show that mutya buena is hosting next friday. So its a good look.
What Hip Hop artists do you admire the most and why ?
I admire wretch 32 the most, because I think he is extremely talented. Ever since is first mixtape "learn from my mixtape' came out in 2006 I have said he was the sickest! I had the opportunity to meet him in 2009 at a new years eve party. He is soo cool, you would of thought I was the star and he was the fan, because he was soo humble. I was amazed, and he is doing extremely well right now. He's proof if you have faith and keep pushing you can get as far as you want. Just be humble and level headed and keep positive and good things will come to you.
Your latest release is now available and we have enjoyed listening to it,
how do you feel abot the outcome of the project ?
Aww thank you, it feels good to hear the feedback from it. I actually feel like I am becoming established, its funny that people are listening to me while I'm just living my life. That's a good feeling for people to tell me what they think of my music. I love the mixtape, when I done it I pictures it as a story and I think I put it together well. People favourite tracks vary tho, I think its because I have a lot of different tracks on it of different genres and different consepts.
Do you have any particular superstitions or processes that you follow when
you create a track ?
Yes, I do. I have to right my lyrics in my blackberry and send it to my other samsung phone, and then write it in my lyric book. Also when I am rehearsing my lyrics I know it is perfect when I can say it 12 times in a row, I then mark it as a tally at the top of the page. I don't know why I do that. I just do, there's no reason just how I do it I guess.
Do you keep all of your old rhyme books ?
(Laughs) yes, I keep all of them I even have the lyrics books from when I was in year 10. Sometimes I have old punchlines that I can use today so I just keep them.
What do you hope to achieve from Hip Hop ?
I hope to push myself and network with as much people as possible. I just want people to relate to me and understand where I am coming from.that is my best feeling and the buzz I get from it is amazing. If I start getting paid properly from hip hop, that would just be a massive bonus.
Many thanks for your time, please feel free to leave a closing comment
with any shoutouts you wish to be published .
Thank you for interviewing me.I wanna big up tricksta for supporting me and being patient with me. Kix magazine,dj col-j, billy's kingdom. There's really too many names to say but just follow me on twitter @razorartist and subscribe to my youtube its www.youtube.com/mmrazor1. Thanks
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