Member Since: 1/3/2006
Band Members:
Darkboi has come from a background of genetic music
influences and with his versatile ear, he listens to anything
which has a rhythm to it which includes MC's people would
laugh at! Genres such as Salsa, Samba, Rock and Hip Hop are
rotated on Darkboi's ipod, and although most people would
place him within the Grime category it's not a genre he would
listen to for pleasure.
At the age of 7 Darkboi used to listen to one African artist
named Bonga' which most people wouldn't have a clue about
unless they are Angolan & listen to old skool African music.
Bonga's music used to run through his mind and influenced
Darkboi to pick up anything next to him to mimic as a
microphone. After being caught personating the artist by his
parents, they kept telling Darkboi that one day he will become
a music artist instead of a doctor which they had intentioned
him for but music was exactly what ended up becoming his
first love.
By the age of 14 Darkboi decided to pick up a microphone and
give rapping a go. Once he got the basics of it he used to take
ideas from different artists such as Tu Pac, Michael Jackson &
Bonga and would mix up their lyrics together (Darkboi quotes: “I was a strange child lol”) and that is
how began to experiment with different techniques to develop and perfect a unique musical craft.
This new found craft became a big part of Darkboi's life to the point where he found little interest in his
education. The love for music developed immensely when Darkboi started to watch the likes of Genius
Crew, Craig David and So Solid Crew on TV, from the way they spat on bouncy Garage tracks is what
got Darkboi sprung with this sound even more. He would record Garage radio shows so he could learn
how to spit the way the mc's did on the beats. It only took a year to understand about lyric structures
such 4 bars and 8 bar lyrics.
As this new found ability developed Darkboi found his own original style which is different compared to
your average MC. His versatile edge is what distinguishes him the most and it doesn't come to a
surprise that influences range from the likes of Michael Jackson, Tribe Called Quest, Dr.Dre, Lil Wayne
and Crazy Titch played a part in his choice of musical studies. Lyrical content remains just as versatile
as Darkboi's style, concepts include life, crime, money, politics, relationships, music, hate, friends,
family and of course himself. Life is what influences him to write, from what Darkboi experiences and
sees.
“I plan to force my name into people's mouths and flood the internet forums with topics about me & my
music. And hopefully I should have more than 2 videos out by the end of the year. I have promised
myself that I will get at least a single deal one day and I won't stop until I have achieved just that. And
if things go to plan then the next step will be to get a record deal.”
Before all the MySpace hype promotional tactics were carried out on the streets and Darkboi used to
sell his CD's in Central London and his local youth clubs in Newham because at the time he had no help
by any industry professionals. Darkboi's earlier days would include coming home from school to change
out of his school uniform and then head straight back out on the streets to promote his music.
Another way which helped him promotion was through the local pirate radio stations no matter how big
or small their popularity was. Regular spots include Deja Vu 92.3 FM with DJ Fatal & DJ Flips as Deja Vu
played a very big role with getting most of today's biggest Grime stars get their success. Artists such as
Wiley, Dizzee Rascal, Kano & Nasty Crew all had regular radio slots on the radio station and not a lot of
MC's can say that they have been part of that whole movement so it's been an important musical
achievement.
“I have achieved a lot of things in the past but one of my biggest achievements so far was in 2003
when I first got recruited into kidz in the hood (the younger's of boz in the hood) who were known to
be one of the Grime scene's most known collective which was formed by Crazy Titch & Dirty Goodz
(well respected Grime artists). In 2004 I was also involved in my first ever magazine interview with
RWD MAG which was an issue about the most known youngest MC's in Grime scene.”
Darkboi featured on one of the biggest underground Grime singles to hit the scene, ‘On Da Block'
which also featured biggest up & comers of 2004/5 such as' Aftershock, Younger Nasty, Kidz in the
hood & younger Slew Dem and the video was rotated on Channel U. During this time Darkboi got the
opportunity to feature on Crazy Titch's first ever mix tape/ DVD ‘Crazy Times Vol 1') which sold out in
the first week of its release and included 4 of his tracks of his own.
In 2005 Darkboi was featured on DJ Ironiks record ‘Take it down low' which was later released on one
of the Twice as Nice compilation CD's. Following the success of his collaborations Darkboi released his
first solo mix CD ‘Out of the dark Vol 1' which had a big download success on the Grime forums such
RWD Mag & Eskibeatz.com
In 2006 Kids In The Hood released a white label with Army Records for the big hit ‘Kidset Anthem'
which featured the likes of Scorcha, Flirta D, Tempa T and Ruff Squad. Further collaborations have
included Tinie Tempah, P Money, Little D, Messy, Highly Rated, Aftershock, Nasty Crew, Ddark, J2K &
Vortex just to name a few.
Darkboi hasn't been a stranger to live performances which has includes Grime events Young Man
Standing, Stampede Vs Rumble, Beatz To Battle and Sidewinder just to name a few. He also shared
stages with the likes of Kano, Wiley, Ghetto, Crazy Titch, J2K, D Double e, Stormin plus many more.
Radio guest appearances have included BBC's 1xtra more than 5 times on the DJ cameo and in 2005
Darkboi done a live PA with Crazy Titch on ‘The Ill Out Show' on Channel U which was hosted by Ace &
Vis.
To date Darkboi has been working on his second mix tape and promo CD to give out for free. He
spends a lot of his time in the studio making good music and is trying to do as many tracks as possible
before releasing products in street stores as to ‘rush' into things is a personal pet hate!! If Darkboi feels
that he isn't ready for something then he won't force it because he likes everything to be perfect and
with now having good team behind him with the marketing skills, he hopes to accomplish his projects
efficiently and correctly.
“I don't want to get too carried away like most artists do and say that I could see myself on some P
Diddy & Jay Z level in the future because only god knows where & how I will end up. I will just keep
working hard and treat every day as if it's my last day. I believe that in order to succeed in life is by
working hard for what you want and that is just what I will carry on doing. But one of my biggest
dreams is to be looked at as musical legend.”
For all enquiries please contact
Nina Carmela
Artist Representative
Rhythmic Visions Mgmt & PR
TEL: +44 (0) 7734 414 280
T-MOB: +44 (0) 7908 586 364
E: [email protected]
www.myspace.com/darkboimusic
RVUP International Music Services
Rhythmic Visions PR
www.myspace.com/rhythmicvisionspr
Underground Promotion PR
www.myspace.com/undergroundpromotionuk