My Youtube Playlist

21 March 2011

SoulBruva - The Musician, Presenter and Comedian

After opening for musicians such as Kelly Price, Calvin Richardson and Glen Jones, featuring on MTV Base, Channel AKA and Ben TV, as well as winning an award for the UK's Best Unsigned Act of Lightning FM in 2007, it's obvious that SoulBruva is well on his way to becoming a star. SoulBruva is a Hip Hop musician from East London who has been experimenting with music, and establishing himself as an artist for the last 5 years. I thought I'd catch up with him to find out where it all started, as well as what he has planned for 2011.


When did you realise your passion for music?

As a kid I would sing, rap and dance all around the house when the radio was on, but it was only in my late teens that I started to really listen to music and think about creating my own. I officially started recording in 2004, then in 2005 and 2006 I started gigging.

What does your alias SB stand for?

Being called 'SoulBruva' most people would think I'm a 'Soul Singer' which I can understand - but that's not the case. My name is a presentation of my passion for music and the fact I make music with my heart and soul.

How do you differ from other musicians?

I am myself! I don't follow the crowd. I always do me and what is true to me and I'm not scared to be different.

What would you say are three qualities a musician should have and why?

I would say, Talent, Passion and Confidence. Talent because it make's you stand out from the rest. Passion because you have to love what your doing as well as have the confidence, to perform in front of people.


Where is the best place music has taken you?

I was given the chance to open for Kelly Price, Calvin Richardson and Glen Jones at a concert, after winning the award for Best Unsigned Artist of ‘Lightning FM’ Chart in the UK Unsigned Festival in March 2007. My music video "4Real "4Real" has also appeared on MTV Base, Channel U, Ben TV & OBE TV.

Who would you like to collaborate with and why?

Eminem because he's not afraid to be different. His talent, flow, lyrics and heart felt, soulful music is just amazing. He's someone I really look up to and admire.

What are your interests aside from music?

Spending time will my loved one, family, chilling out, goings to shows and
watching movies.



What are your views on the current UK music industry?

I'm loving it. It's finally at a point where UK music is taken more seriously and is up there with music from the US.



What can we expect from you in 2011?

Well I'm focusing on my music a lot more and putting myself out there as an artist, so more tracks and performance are in the pipeline.

For more SB' you can catch him via his Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube pages

19 March 2011

James Burke and Paul Arad - Acrylicize

What started out as a simple university project, has now evolved into a quirky money making business, better yet an international enterprise that is set to hold grounds in the US as well as UK. James Burke - Creative Director and Paul Arad - Managing Director are the duo behind Acrylicize who initially 'started spraying ink designs onto acrylic to make a statement about the public perception of art.' Not only is JB a whizz with visual arts, but also a highly skilled musician who has been drumming since the age of 6. He has had the pleasure of performing at the Jazz Cafe and London Palladium and is schedule to tour with LeaLea Jones later this year. I thought I'd catch up with the duo to find out more about the company. .


What do you do and where did the love for acrylic start?

JB: Acrylicize is a boutique art and design studio that I started in final year Manchester Met as part of an art project. I started spraying ink designs onto acrylic to make a statement about the public perception of art. I put mock price tags on everything, with random numbers that were meant to represent prices. But then to my shock, people kept trying to buy them and I sold almost all of my exhibition pieces, without even intending to.

I wanted to bring the traditional art canvas into the 21st century and create art that could be admired at face value. The acrylic canvas wasn’t very widely used and I liked the modern, clean and minimal effect it had. The clean and simple lines of an acrylic piece give a fresh and modern feel to photography, and I like how the finish worked with the light to create luminosity.

What has been your best outcome?

PA: Our most recent installation, ‘The Light Wall’, has had an amazing response. Engine is a very cool global marketing and communications agency and they wanted something for their reception area that communicated its flair and innovation.

We worked in conjunction with Jump Studios, a London-based architecture and interior design practice, on a brief to re-imagine the ‘visitor experience’ at Engine’s West End headquarters on Great Portland Street. We’ve created a one-of-a-kind light installation that shines through over one hundred blocks of acrylic, changing colour at random throughout the day.

We also made a Making Of Video which shows in a few minutes how the installation was built from start to finish.


What sacrifices have you made for your business?

JB: Basically living without an income for the first few years as we invested all the we money made back into the business in order to buy equipment and create a solid infrastructure. Plus working all hours of the day including weekends, putting in the hours wherever needed, as the buck stops at us.

Any regrets?

PA: Life’s about learning. We tend not to regret things as we believe we're making the right decisions as we make them. If things don't go to plan, all we can do is learn in order to be more equipped for next time.

Where do your other talents lie?

JB: I’ve been drumming since I was 6. I’ve been lucky enough to perform at The Jazz Cafè and the London Palladium. I’m actually in rehearsals at the moment with LeaLea Jones. We’re going on tour in the US next month.

I’ve also got a side project called Shesh, which all came about at uni. It started as a band then expanded to my personal graffiti tag as well as inspiration for fashion.


How do you promote yourself as a business and has this been successful?

PA: A lot of our work has been through word-of-mouth. We’re really lucky that the art speaks for itself. When it comes to pitching, we go out and seek it. We go through the trade press and walk the streets of London, looking for new building developments to fill with art.

We also have a lot of fun with social media to spread the acrylicize word. We ask people to request acrylicize-branded stickers and stick them on landmarks around the world. Check some of them out here. We also use Twitter and Facebook to get on the radar of architects, interior designs and cool magazines. We also use it to let our followers know what inspires us, what we’re up to in the office and our projects. We have Project 365, where we upload a new photo every day, something that represents acrylicize and our ethos.

What advice would you give someone with a similar quirky design?

JB: Stay true to what you believe and work hard. I believe that these two attributes can take you where ever you want to go. Too many people try to follow fashion or produce work that they think they should because it’s the style of the time. By doing this your work is likely to look like everyone else's. Challenge the norm!


What have you got planned for 2011?

Lots more exciting projects in the pipeline! We also hope to eventually open an office stateside, most likely NYC. We’ve got some exciting collaborations on the horizon, but can’t say too much at this point in time!

To get more from James and Paul you can visit Acrylicize Online where you can view their Blog and all Projects.

3 March 2011

Illamadi - Duppy Your Disco

In 2003, his clothing label featured in the infamous Pow video by Lethal B, In 2006 he won the Diesel U Music award for the best newcomer. He’s worked with some of the best musicians from the UK underground music scene such as Black The Ripper and Calibar.Mostly recently he's worked with the R’n’B singer D Walker who also features on his current single ‘D Shit’. Illamadi is a musician and fashion designer from London who be perfecting and experiment his style over the past few years of his career. I thought I’d catch up with Illamadi to find out a little more about where it all started.


What do you do and where did it start?

I do music and fashion. I started my own clothing label back in 2003 where we 1st premiered our label Lyrics4lyrics in the original Lethal B - Pow video. I started music seriously in 2006 when I won the DIESEL-U-MUSIC award for best newcomer. In 2007, my 1st single Top Boy was signed to All City Music record label. Ever since then, I‘ve been releasing material every year. In 2008 I released my single Moving, in 2009 I released the follow up Moving Remix ft the F64 King Black The Ripper which was an underground hit and brought my name to the forefront of the music industry. Last year I hooked up with a friend of Wretch 32's, a rapper called Calibar for my release single ‘On The Grind’. Now, I’ve started this year off with the release of my debut FREE mixtape Duppy Your Disco and a video with UK R’n’B singer D.Walker

Who are your audience and how do you appeal to them?

I have a range of sounds and styles so my audience varies from the grime kids to funky ravers to road rap heads to soul lovers. I have performed in a lot of places from Essex to Wales and even in a gay club!

Who would your ideal collaboration be with and why?

If I could collaborate with the artists that have worn our chains I would have gone clear a long ago! Michael Jackson ideally, but that’s not physically possible anymore. A lot of US artists are easier to access now so collaboration with any current artist would be ideal. Producer wise would have to be Kanye West or Dr Dre


If you could change something about your career what would it be?

I wish I started earlier, and upped the work rate a lot more during each of my releases and done a lot more shows, but this year I will aim to make up for it.

What is the concept behind your new song 'D-Shit' ?

It’s a refix of the Chris Brown and Tyga song G Shit but our version is about the cold weather were having and how that equates to 'Wifey Season'.

Name two artists that have influenced you and why?

MJ and Biggie as their music stands the test of time and I think every artist would want that for themselves.


How do you promote yourself as an artists?
I use various mediums including social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook Youtube, Radio as well as music videos on Flava and Channel AKA. Every music related event I or my team go to, we take promo CDs with us because I’ve learnt that you never know who you’re going to bump into.

Where do you see yourself in 2011?

Hopefully in the UK top 40 somewhere because this is now or never for a lot of UK artists. As urban music is IN now so to speak, we have to make the most of it otherwise a new phase might come in and the labels and buyers might look elsewhere.

For more of Illamadi and his music, you can check out his current single now D.Shit -Illamadi ft D Walker as well as contact him via Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.