Born in 1984, Birmingham,UK, I wrote my first song aged ten, and have written at least one song everyday since then. I'm not going to bore you with my life story, so I'll just breakdown who I am as an artist.
My inspiration and influences stem from all genres of music, ranging from Hip Hop, R'n'B, Indie, Soft Rock, Rap metal, through to classical music and opera. I'm also influenced by art and film, as I'm also a filmaker and artist (check out the logos). I've been making films for about five years from everything such as corporates and documentaries, to shorts and music videos. Which is cool, because it sort of works as a visual soundtrack. The link between the two mediums is really quite natural, as I'm able to see music. I see shapes and patterns, but on the most part I see colours; so I know what backdrops and general tones to generate specific shots. I guess I just like doing anything that can vent creative expression. But more importantly can convey some sort of message.
I know music can speak to people, because so many great artists have spoken to me. So I feel like, if I can do that, then maybe I can make a difference. Especially with the current climate of hip hop. With the industry having become so commercial, there's no heart in it anymore, not like there was ten years ago. Now some people might say it's just evolving like it did from the eighties to the nineties, now I'm not hating, I'm just not comfortable with where it's evolving to and the generic ideologies it represents.
I've got a track called 'Get Down' which I think breaks down where I stand:
"I made the conscious decision, to put myself on a mission, to be more than just a rapper, an entertainer or musician, but to fight for the transition, of the position, of society's condition, if my music can speak to these kids and I can get them to listen, then maybe I can change the way that society thinks, so there will be no reason to discriminate or be prejudice, you've got the opportunity to speak to the whole world, and what do you say...shake that ass girl!"
I guess I'm just tired of artists complaining that everyone's doing the same thing...and then doing just that! That's why I feel like hip hop is dead, rock is dead, pop is dead. The only real music out there is soul music. Now I'm not just talking blues, soul music can be rock, classical, whatever. It's just music with passion, made from the heart; and when you hear it....you feel it!
Hip Hop is supposed to be about speaking your mind, getting a message across; whether it be political, social or just personal experiences being shared. It's about being different and standing out from the crowd. The most famous hip hop saying 'Keep It Real' emphasizes this, hip hop is individuality! I think Nas put it best when he said 'Art can sell', so I don't feel the need to compromise my creativity in order to be commercially successful. At the end of the day, if the music is good...it will find an audience.
Late 2005, I hooked up with producer Mickey 'Mickstar' J; whom I would consider the UK equivalent to The Neptunes or Timbaland. (check out his page - in top friends) Together we created JC Records, and the first mixtape release 'Maybe One Day'.
Holler at me, or email me at JC_Records@hotmail.co.uk
Peace Out!
