Monthly newspaper and online publication targeting 18 to 35 year olds. The ultimate guide to the hottest parties, going out and having fun. Music, fashion, film, travel, festivals, technology, comedy, and parties! London, Barcelona, Miami and Ibiza.
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/366706
WHAT AGE DID YOU GET INTO MUSIC? I started to get into music at about the age of 16 but I really didn't take it seriously back then. It was about 18 when I really started to pursue my career in music. I feel very passionate about it, because music is fundamental in everyday life. Everything I do is to do with music. Wake up, the first thing I do is listen to music, before I go to sleep the last thing I do is listen to music. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND? I'd describe my sound as out of the box, I don't think I sound similar to anyone in the urban scene at the moment which I think is a good characteristic to have. WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST MUSICAL INFLUENCE? My biggest music influence has to be 2 Pac man, from an early age I've been listening to him. The passion in his words and his lyrics is just, everything he touches man. WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU PERFORMED? I was 16 and I went to Botswana to perform in front of the Prime Minister, which was at first a bit scary. But then I got over it. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO CALL YOUR MIXTAPE 'THE GARDEN OF EDEN'? I wanted to use the concept to represent the journey I've been through in my life. In life there's trials and tribulations and obviously I used the mixtape to express how I was feeling in that moment in time. The biggest inspiration is the struggle man, the struggle throughout life and the things that I go through every day. As well as my friends they inspire me, the problems that they go through, as well as my family. The things that I see first-hand, that has to be my biggest inspiration. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO PUT THE MIXTAPE TOGETHER? When recording the mixtape, it took me six solid months to write all the tunes to a point where it was ready to be released. I scrapped a lot of material and had to write new material. My friends kept telling me I had to make it the best product possible to put out, and that's what I've done. FAVOURITE TRACK ON THE MIXTAPE? 'I don't think I have an answer for that. I saw that because I believe I put the same amount of energy into every track and I think it's up to people who listen to decide their favourite tune.' WHAT'S YOUR MUSICAL GUILTY PLEASURE? That'd probably have to be Jhene Aiko, she's a singer from the US. She's just brilliant and she just loves talking about weed. Just like me. WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SUPPORTER? In terms of music, the biggest support I'd have to say has come from my brother, who's also my manager and I appreciate everything he's done and we're going to make it to the top together. WAS THERE EVER A TIME YOU WANTED TO STOP MAKING MUSIC? There's been a time I wanted to stop making music, when I've sat down and thought 'Where's this going? It's taken so long and I'm not going nowhere.' But then it was the passion that kept me going. The fire, you've got to have the fire inside of you to keep on going. WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO AN ASPIRING MUSICIAN? My advice would be if you want to come into the music industry and you're afraid, is to just follow your heart. Follow your dreams and never let anybody tell you, you can't do anything. When I was young, when I was born I had an issue where I was frightened from when I was a baby so I was destined to fail but look at me I'm here now ready to take the scene by storm. Even if you're at a disadvantage, just keep fighting and never let anybody doubt you. Dervala Murphy | guestlist.net "If you wanna come into the music industry and you're afraid, just follow your heart, follow your dreams. Never let anybody tell you, you can't do anything." follow @youngdpondbeat He hails from Camden and is one of the London's brightest up and comers, eager to take the industry by storm! 7 17 Issue 64 / 2014 HIPHOP / RNB guestlist.net INTERVIEW YOUNG D