Aramac - Sticks “N” Stones Recordings

‘Putting regular track out, on my label, gradually more DJs are taking notice’ says the up and coming DJ, producer and owner of the record label Sticks “N” Stones, Aramac. Orginating from South London, he has been producing from his college days and had his first air play on Rinse FM entitled ‘Hurt Inside / Intruder’ in 2010, The track received a lot of support from DJ’s and Radio staions alike including Rinse FM, 1Xtra, Déjà Vu and DJ’s such as Marcus Nasty, Wifey, Footloose. In 2010 he ranged in the top 100 tracks by Boomkat and has been described as ‘something different but definitely something good’.

I thought I’d catch up with Aramac himself to find out his triumphs, influences and ambitions.

‘I’m a DJ, Producer and Label owner of Sticks “N” Stones recordings. I started during my college days as a rapper and then I progressed from there to production and DJing. I’m motivated to make music by listening all types of genres especially UK Funky, Old skool, Afro Beats, House, Disco, Hip-hop, Funk, soul, just good music in general’.

His first single ‘Hurt inside / Intruder’ was first played on Rinse FM in 2010 by Marcus Nasty. This accumulated immense support, thereby giving him air play with his second release “A Journey through time E.P Vol 1”on Rinse FM, 1Xtra, Déjà Vu, Hivemind FM, SubFm and many other local and pirate stations. It was also a success, with limited vinyl copies selling out in most stores within days of release.

Through playing out in clubs, featuring on guest sets on radio and distributing his music to DJ’s across the spectrum including the likes of Marcus Nasty, Ranking, Footloose, Joy Orbison, Shortstuff and Brackles, some of which  have described his music as ‘pumping’ and ‘one hell of a groove’. He hopes to create a bigger fan base and appeal to variety of audiences who he says ‘is anyone and everyone who is into UK Funky, UK Bass, UK Garage, and underground Dance music in general.’

Similar to many artists, he has faced difficulties such as getting his music played on radio, however, by putting regular track out on his label Sticks “N” Stones Recordings, gradually more DJs started taking notice. He is influenced by 'Fela Kuti, Sunny Ade, Youssou Ndour' who he says are 'the originators of the Afro Beat’. Through listening to Afro Beats regularly, he has developed a better understanding of the drum pattern in beat making and recognisese it as a key feature when producing music.

He feels ‘the industry is in a good state especially the UK Urban scene, There is a platform for different styles of music and the best thing about it is that, its is independent. As an artist this has made me more business minded because after all the music industry is a business. I am currently working with an Artist called Enchanted. He is signed to my label, Sticks “N” Stones Recordings; he has a project coming in October and and EP coming out together next year.

When asked who he would like to work with in the future he says ‘to be honest, I would work with anyone, who is in the right frame of mind as me. Sticks “N” Stones Recordings is all about discovering and developing new talent. I have a few singles coming out before the end of the year and we also have a release by Enchanted and Tactics coming out this year on Sticks “N” Stones recordings.

For more of his music you can check out his Soundcloud, follow him on Twitter contact him via his Facebook page as well as the SNSRecordings Facebook.

Xploder - Line OF Fire

From being the centre of attention at family function to taking his music abroad to The Czech Republic and Italy as well as receiving major support from radio stations such as BBC 1Xtra, BBC Radio 1, Kiss 100 and Choice FM after the released of his EP ‘Line Of Fire' as well as being described as ‘an artists to look out for in 2011’ by BBC Radio 1 DJ Ras Kwame you could say this musician is destined to succeed this year.  Xploder is an up and coming musician from East London who has been pursuing a music career for just over 4 years.

I thought I’d catch up with Xploder himself to find out more.

Similar to many artists, Xpolder started, rapping and producing his own material underground. He then joined the infamous ‘Highly Rated Camp’ alongside Beckz Winter and his brother DDark as they shared the same ambitions to further their music careers, individually as well as a collective. The camp was a huge success and became recognised as an underground company, which then gave them the chance to appear and perform on UK pirate and internet radio stations such as Mystic FM, Deja Vu, Rinse FM, Heat FM and Axe FM.

Since then he has released two singles ‘Don’t Trust You’ and ‘So True’ which have both accumulated mass support and following in addition to being selected as an ambassador for the “I Am Awards” which aims to offer unsigned and self-releasing artists a platform to share their music. His name alone may come across as intimidating to most, but it’s simply an expression, that represents his unexpected talent.  He describes himself as ‘quite a reserved individual’ yet he is ‘known to astound music lovers with his explosive lyrical energy and musical abilities’.

’I'm a grime musician from East London, so I write and perform songs’ says Xploder  ‘From a young age I always used to be the centre of attention when it came to family gatherings whenever music was played. I remember singing and dancing around with a small toy cassette player that had a microphone attached to it. So music has always been part of my life.'

He would say that the best place his music has taken him has to be ‘abroad to Italy and the Czech Republic. He explains ‘seeing hundreds of people being able to connect to my music even with the language barrier, it's amazing trust me! He would say that he’s more interested in that fortune rather than the fame as ‘as it gives you the power to invest and build.’

‘My inspiration is my mum as she is such a hard worker, and has always made me believe that anything is achievable with working hard’. He is also inspired by a range of artists include Dizzee Rascal, Coldplay, Jay-Z, Ludacris, Michael Jackson, Nas, Outkast, Stevie Wonder and UB40. 

Four qualities he feels a good musician should have are ‘Consistency, organisation, focus and versatility. He says 'all these go hand in hand. Once you leave one of these elements out, you end up falling short. In the UK I think we’re all finding ourselves within the industry and understanding the infrastructure behind it. This is helping to boost the music we love and make to the forefront of the UK.  This definitely helps me as an artist, as it creates many avenues for me to get my music heard.’

’I promote myself in many different ways. For example, I have a good team consisting of a plugger, PR and booking agent. I also make sure my social networks are always buzzing with something. He says 'The most effective way to promote yourself as an artists is the internet.  You allows you to have unlimited access to a wide range of people instantly'.

Although his Line of Fire EP is out now via iTunes, in the future we can expect him to be ‘pushing a few single from the EP with visuals’ as well as a ‘single release and video for HYPE SHOW’

You can now contact Xpolder via his Official Site, Facebook and even follow him on Twitter. 

Doller Da Dustman - Fizzy Boy

Doller Da Dustman is a musician from Edmonton, North London. In his younger year, Doller featured on prominent Grime Radio stations such as Axe FM, Rinse FM and Heat FM where he began to build his MC career. He was a regularly lyricist with peers during school but as he got older he decided to take his music more seriously and turn it into a profession. Since then he has managed to release 8 independent mixtapes, which include ‘I Ainte Come To Beg Friend’ and ‘Go Getterish E.P’. His forthcoming projects include his promo ‘Art of Rhyming’ and debut album ‘Fizzy Boy’. I thought I’d catch up with Doller himself to find out about his musical journey and his views of the current music scene.


When did your music career start and what difficulties have you faced if any?

From the start of time i always did music for leisure growi

ng up in Edmonton, it was either that or football. year by year it got

more serious for me, as a crew we had to make a great leap from North London to get heard, as a solo artist I had to get use to being rejected or certain things getting rejected, an people had to get use to the way I do things!

What makes you different from other musicians?

My versatility, everyone says that! But I suppose my cha

racter, skills, and hunger.

What musicians have you worked with in the past and who would be your ideal collaboration?

I’ve worked every important artist such as Ghetto, Z

Dot, Scorcher, Nocturnal, Cold Blooded, Lauren Mason, G Tank, Maxsta, Double S, Chipmunk, the list is endless. My ideal collaboration would be with Avery Storm, John Legend, Vybz Kartel.


What messages do convey through your music?

I try and focus on the finish line in my music, up lifting, the end goal, success, achievement, striving.

How has the emergence of social network sites such as twitter and Facebook affected your career?

For technology I think it’s a blessing for me, Facebook has been great for me, giving normal people easy excess to me! Me and you linked due to Facebook. Proofs in the pudding.

What mediums do you use to publicise yourself as an artist?

I try an use every way possible, that I feel will benefit me.

What can we expect from you in the future?

Classic albums. Films. Breathe taking videos.

Check out Doller new video ‘Like a Queen’ on Youtube. You can also contact him via his Facebook ‘Doller Da Dustman’

Musical Genius - Probz Artist

Probz Artist Is An Up And Coming Musician From London, After Recently Releasing His New Music Video 'Musical Genius' I Though I'd Catch Up With Him To See What Else He's Been Getting Up To.





So How Long Would You Say You've Been In The Music Industry For And What Has Been Your Greatest Achievement To Date?

To be I'm honest I’ve been in the musical industry for about 3 years, but for the last year I’ve been working really hard. Before that was kind of mad, I kept getting sidetracked by other things. I wasn’t focused at all but now I’m good to go nothings gonna stop me this time round

Why Would You Say You’re the Next Best Thing And What Makes You Different From Other Artists?

I would say I’m what the UKs bin waiting for. I'm young, fresh, and I have a raw talent. I also think I have a unique style that sets me aside from other artists.

Who Would You Say Are Influential Figures To You, Within The Music Industry, And Why ?

Dizzie Rascal had a big influence on me. I used to listen to a lot of his stuff. I'm talking Déjà Vu days Rinse FM days. Old skool Dizzie Rascal's unique





Other Than Music, Where Do Your Other Interest Lie?

Acting. If I wasn’t doing music I would be doing acting full time.

In Your Opinion, How Do You Feel The U.K Funky Scene Has Changed The Face Of Music And Can You See Yourself Jumping On A Funky Tune Like ‘Migraine Skank’ or Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes?

As for funky I listen to a lot of it but I can't really see myself jumping on to it, but who knows, anything can happen in music. I wanna big up Gracious cah he's doing his ting rite now...

What Have You Got Planned For 2010?

I got my promo coming out that’s called " So Far Ahead" and the musical genius mix tape should be dropping round about the same time. The first single for that is out now. The video's on Youtube its called UKs finest. 2010 is going to be a good year.. Look Out For Me... Massive Shout Out To Everyone Supporting.

CHECK OUT HIS NEW VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.COM = NEW! Musical Genius - Uk's Finest

It's All Kosha

Kosha is an up and coming Musician from the East London, Considering he's been in the business for a number of years recording, producing and vocaling tracks I though i'd catch up with him to see his views on the ever-expanding music scence.





So Exactly How Long Have You Been In The Music Industry For And As An Artist What Would You Say Is the Best Part Of Your Job?

The best part of my job is the feeling of putting something out there and getting a good reaction. It’s like an accomplishment in itself and performing live is a good feeling. I’ve only been "in the industry" for a short while as a singer song writer, but, I’ve always done music from a young age. I learnt to play different instruments, anything that made a loud noise really. [lool] Drums, Trumpet, Guitar even a Violin once, but I gave them all up after I learnt a little (huh hmm), anyway I got into a lot of different music then. I started writing lyrics to Jungle and doing house parties (those were the days) then Garage took me away from the Jungle it was Soulful, proper girls liked it too!! Which is always good. I started hosting, MC’ing and Singing up n down the UK with a crew called the "A team" we were on DejaVu 92.3, Flava fm 87.6, Rinse fm 100.3. We won a place in the final of Kiss fm, but after that, I knew I didn’t want to play and sing on other people’s music because I can make my own so I did. I’ve been recording now for three or four years.

The First Track On Your Album Is ‘I Need You’ Which Features Wiley, What Other Collaboration Can We Expect In The Future And What Was It Like Working With One Of The Legendary Faces Of Grime?

Yeah, First of Big Up ‘DJ SLIMZEE’ he's the one that hooked Me and Wiley up I always used to tape ‘Pay As You Go’ back in the day. Slimzee heard my music and was feeling what I was doing so he introduced me to ‘Danny Weed’ he gave me a load of beats but that one track was the one that stood out to me "I Need You". It was good to work with someone who is well respected in the industry as people want to listen more then, if you got the talent.

Also look out for a new music video Kosha Ft Lexus and Forte "Another Way" filmed by Future Productions which is currently being played on 1xtra, Choice Fm and few others on screens E.G Channel U / MTV Base very soon that’ll be a good look.





When Making Music Do You Tend To Tailor Your Material To A Specific Audience E.G. Sex or Age Group Because I Noticed That The First Three Tracks Have A Sort Of Lovey / Girly Feel For The Ladies?

Yeah I make music on how I feel really that’s why I do it it’s my way of releasing my thoughts and stuff without saying it ... but I make music not specifically for girls or guy's i not looking to shut any one out if you like it you like i think but girls like it cause its different its UK RnB and its fresh they understand what I’m saying so boi.. LOL it’s all good but i hope my music is universal.

What Makes You Different From Other Musicians And Why?

Well for one I’m the most cockney musician in the "scene" that’s different LOL, umm all my music is different because its a part of me its not written by anyone apart from me so i hope that when people hear my music some one would have been in the same situation will feel better for that 4 minutes the track is playing my music is like therapy I suppose that’s different





How Do You Plan To Elevate As An Artist And What Have You Got In Store For Forthcoming Listeners?

I just plan to carry on recording music getting it out there by any means necessary) even if I’m on road selling CDs for another 2 years it nothing!) And hopefully good opportunities will come my way. as for the future i just finished my new music video with two of my friends a rapper called "lexus" [WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DUTTYMOUTH] & composer and pianist forte myspace.com/forte called "another way" very conscience positive track about how u can get stuck in the cycle of the streets but there’s always another way should be on screens in a few weeks look out for that and two more EP's one for the roads called Ebenezer street and its all Kosha VOL2 should be good to go soon too, also got a part in a film called the crew that’s all I know on that at the moment so you see me about in a few thing soon





In One Sentence Why Should People Cop The Album ?

Because it’s all Kosha baby! cmon....LOL

Keep your ears and eyes peeled for Kosha, he may just be the next big thing!