Ayo - Boom Ayo

Ayo is a musician from East London who started his music career at the tender age of 12. After experimenting with music with a childhood friend they then formed a duo ‘Illstarz’ in which Ayo became the lyricist and his friend made the beats.

Ironically Illstarz, is now the title of the label he co-owns. He then spent some time in the US during his teens where became heavily influenced by the Hip Hop Culture that gave rise to artist such as Jay Z, Nas, LL Cool J and Mobb Deep.

Ayo has recently release his latest single ‘Boom AYO’ featuring the likes of Princess Nyah, J2K and Frisco. I caught up with him to find out his sacrifices, future collaborations and his views on the current music industry.

I was influenced a lot by Hip Hop and staying with my cousin at the time it encouraged us to form a rap group, we recorded a few demos over known instrumentals, but were lacking original material.

So using tips and tricks learned from an old friend who used to make beats with, I began the production side of my career. Now years down the line I’ve managed to marry the two skills, rapping and producing, and add a little singing. Now my mission is to share it with the world.

I decided to turn my hobby into a career ‘when I was around 19, when I finished college and began working at a bar.

I was still doing music although it wasn’t something I did to support myself financially, but it would find a way of taking up all my time because I was so passionate about it.

Eventually, it started effecting my job at the bar in a bad way and i was called into my manager’s office. She sat me down and said "i can see you are not putting 100 percent into this job" I agreed and then explained to her why, she then said "either you put full focus on this job or you might as well resign because you will end up getting the sack" and that was my last day at the bar.

Two weeks later I sold my first production, a track called 'Married' which I did for 'Dj Ironik' 'warner music' - his record label at the time - paid me £2000 for it. From that point on I knew this was my new career and I never looked back.

I think my audience spans from the inner city to suburban youths and from the young to mature. I don't try to appeal to anyone I just do music I like but because my taste varies, I think it’s easy for someone to find at least one song of mine they like.

I don’t have any regrets, I think with anything I do, I go into it knowing there is no choice but to make it work.

Even if it’s harder than not doing it in the first place, so I never wish that didn't do things.

I love the music scene right now; I think the hunger that was prevalent in the 90's by artists is coming back! People are trying different things and working hard which inspires good music. My message is don't feel like you have to put yourself in a box to be cool, you can be respected for doing what you want to do.

Social networking really helps because you can reach people and know that your reaching them, whereas back in the day you wouldn't be able to see who your fans were or how many fans you actually have. Now you can communicate with them, you can also show them new music without having to do the full on promote via TV, radio concerts.

I’ve worked with quite a lot of artists, just to name a few, Labrinth, Dionne Broomfield, Jason Derulo, Rebecca Furguson, Roll Deep, Wretch32, Jessica Lowndes from 90210, Natt Weller, Paul Weller's son, the list goes on.

I really want to work with some more afro beat artists and maybe some rappers from the states such as Jay Z

Check out my new single 'Boom Ayo' it’s got a heavy urban remix ft J2K from Roll Deep, Princess Nyah & Frisco from Boy Better Know.

For more of Ayo, you can follow him via his Official Site, Facebook, and Twitter.

Fatal Hitchkoch - BreddWinnaz

‘I view my lyrics as a movie script; I always try to give that cinematic feel to my records, my listeners can actually picture scenes of what I'm saying in their head’ said Richard Anaman, also know as Fatal Hitchkock CEO of the urban music label BreddWinnaz. In 2010 his remix to 'Hello Good Morning' featuring Tinchy Stryder was spotted and promoted by P Diddy, since then he has made appearances on DJ Mixtapes including the likes of DJ Woogie , DJ AME and DJ Drama as well as featuring on BBC 1xtra Home Grown Selection.   

I thought I’d catch up with him to find out his ambitions, sacrifices and influences.

‘I'm a Jack of All Trade, Master of All’. He confidently replies when asked how and where it all started. He laughs and confesses ‘I had to change the ending of that expression. I'm a business-man, rapper, producer, manager – big up Maveriq - label owner, video and photo editor, web designer, should I go on? I'm 360 degrees. I do a lot of everything, if that makes sense’.

‘I know this is going to sound real cliché, but I just knew. It’s always been music. Ask all my Ex girlfriends. It’s always been MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC! I studied it in University; I spent all of my student loans and grants on recording equipment. Plus I knew I was too good to just let this gift go to the scrap. I mean P.Diddy thought I was good enough to promote my remix to 'Hello Good Morning' on twitter twice, so u know. If I got Diddy's attention off just a short 16 bar, imagine the effect im'ma have when I really go H.A.M.’

‘I started rapping when I was about 8 or 9 after I heard my brother playing 2pac's "Hit 'Em Up" I was hooked. I was one gangster 10 year old talking about a whole lot of sh*t I knew nothing about. I thought I was the Sh*t I had the American accent locked, bandana's I went the whole 9 Yards with it. I remember recording my 1st real structured track when I was about 14, at my secondary school friend J-Flowz house – who now produces for Wretch32. He put me straight about the US accent. I got a Cubase 5VST that’s real old school, a piece of wood from my bunk bed ladder, a karaoke mic, a chair and some duck tape and from then it was on’.

‘Richard handles the Business side of things, and is the brains behind the Brand BreddWinnaz and Fatal Hitchkoch is the brain that lays the music’, he replies when asked how he differs from his alias. ‘The Fatal part of my name actually stands for ‘F*ck All Traitors And Liars’ and well the Hitchkoch part came Alfred Hitchcock as he is like the originator of the thriller and horror genre. He put his personal stamp on all his projects, which have influence so many films to date. I see myself like that. I view my lyrics as a movie script; you know I always try to give that cinematic feel to my records, so you can actually picture scenes of what I am saying in your head’.

  

‘My music is for anyone that appreciates my music. I don't want to close bracket and exclude anyone. I mean I make music for myself; I’m just fortunate enough to have people that appreciate and support it. I have a wide audience from the ages of 13 - 60. The music I make is aimed to inspire, entertain, inform and educate. I remember some one telling me once. "Yo forget the man'dem. Make music women love, because the man'dem will want what ever women are on" Which to me makes too much sense, so I always have women in the studio with me when I’m crafting, asking what do you think of this lyric? Should I say this? What do you think of this song?’  

In the past he has had the pleasure of collaborating with other UK acts including Roll Deep, Baby Blue, Donaeo, Selah, Davinche, Maveriq, PW, Base N Rebulz Entertainments and many more. He says ‘I always try to ‘Keep it Real’ in the respects I don't try to sugar coat the truth. There is a problem, just come to inner city London, or any low income area across the country people are getting their heads blown off; people are hook on dangerous drugs, child molestation, and underage pregnancy. Real issues. But you know it's like out of sight out of mind. I'm not with that. So I act as the voice for the unheard. My lyrics are real life stories, somewhere I’m the main character, and sometimes I’m just the observer, the narrator.’

If he wasn’t a musician he’d probably be ‘Manager of WIMPY burgers, what else?’ he laughs and continues ‘only playing it would have to be something based around music or the film world like a Manager, video collaborating and photo digital editor, actually a pilot. I love planes. I'm actually in the process of completing my Private Pilots License; I'm at different altitude. I love it. It’s a weird feeling. Because you’re just orbiting in the air, there's not left, no right, no top, no bottom. You’re just orbiting. Once you try it. You’ll know exactly what I mean’. 

‘If I am not in the studio, I’m performing, or I’m out on location doing some filming, or editing, or putting in work behind the scenes for other artists, I’m always on the move. I don't see it as a sacrifice more of an investment. My whole life is music. The only regrets I have are, umm well, they’re a few situations which I didn't handle right at the time. I don't really want to go in to specifics but I could have handled a lot of opportunities and situations a lot better. But life is for learning and I won't be making those mistakes again. Trust me!’ 

Hitctkoch would love to rock the Stage with Jay-Z, he explains, ‘like him or hate him, you can not deny his abilities, dude makes me appreciate music as an art, and show's me it isn’t just about pairing words together, it's a lot more. Look at all the best rappers these are all intelligent guys regardless of the persona they put out in the public eye. Just look at Eminem, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, all smart dudes! His ideal place to perform would be in ‘Africa’ specifically in ‘Ghana’.  
 

He is inspired by 2Pac who he says ‘definitely inspired me’, Jay-z for the flow, business sense, lyrics, style. ‘Hustlers inspire me, anyone that is not willing to just settle for the cards life has dealt them, and take a hold of the wheel and steer in their own direction are my inspiration. I'm inspired by creative people and like-minded people. I love to be around creative people, because they give me that spark I need’. 

In 5years time you’ll see him ‘back here with me doing another interview’, he continues ‘I aim to be in a much better place than I am in now, I want to take this as far as my God will let me go. I've got my company BreddWinnaz which is a management, production and record company. The aim is to build on that brand and acquire global recognition; I'm shipping out to the states next year for a few months to hook up with a lot of the links I’ve made. So I’m taking the brand out there with me’.

‘We set up BreddWinnaz Africa, which is a promotion company hosting events and promoting West African Artist. That is still in its baby stages so we aiming to get that running properly. We Taking BreddWinnaz global! I'm also managing the future of the R n B world. Maveriq in 5 years I want to see him touring the world, I want to see people that don't speak English singing the lyrics to his words!’

He is currently working on his debut EP entitled the ‘Kraft’ which is due for release 11/11/11 whilst managing and producing fellow label mate Maveriq’s EP entitled ‘5Star’.

For more of him you can check his material out via his Official Website, Youtube and Soundcloud, as well as contact him personally via Facebook and Twitter. 

Also Check out : 


HOLD ME BACK – FATAL HITCHKOCH ft Bee (BreddWinnaz)

LET’S MAKE MUSIC – FATAL HITCHKOCH ft MAVERIQ

Cyko Logic & Strata G - Valleys to the Alleys

‘As a collective we're just trying to express who we are and what we do’ said Cyko Logic and Strata G, the duo behind the DOWN WID IT Empire which consists of both fashion and music. Both Strats and Cyko have worked with a variety of underground and mainstream artists and have featured on ITV’s Tough Gig alongside Roll Deep. The duo from Kensal Green, Northwest London have teamed up to collaborate on the fourth coming EP 'Valleys to the Alleys' which is set for release 15/06/2011.  

I thought I’d catch with them to find out what we can expect from the E.P.

‘We've always worked well together and often spoke about doing this collaboration’ says Cyko who is well known for his graphic and fashion designing. ‘The name Valleys to the Alleys was actually what Strats' was going call his own CD, but we thought about it and it just made sense to use it for this collaboration . It was a sort of 'there meets here. This EP is just something we want out there, individually we are as sick. Together, it’s madness! So overall it’s about recognition.'

Cyko has been working hard in the scene for a while always trying to get the team more involved. He initially gave Strats' is debut when they featured together on his remix of Down Wid It alongside HoodStars and Slix from Ruff Squad. The collaboration  'is something people have expected from us, it just took a while’ said Strata G.'I'm also a producer currently working with my team and a few UK artists and genres of music’. 

‘Having the time to actually get it done’ was there only obstacle, Cyko says ’this could have been created ages ago but we all have a life outside music so making it happen has been a bit of an obstacle in that sense’ They are influenced by ‘Good music and life's lessons and experiences’ as well as seeing other UK artists doing well which they say ‘is always a good influence'.

When asked how they differ as musicians ‘Strats' is more of a straight to the point, tell you how it is kind of MC, he brings his ‘I'm from Wales no-one can chat to me' vibe, his style is very versatile but on Grime its 100% straight forward’ where as ‘Cyko is the same but adds the fast flows at times and gets clever with the wordplay. We have something we call a 'TELL-A-MAN' flow many MC's have this 'I'M TALKING TO YOU' style Cyko just thinks he's the best so you can hear his confidence every time’, both feel they ‘stay in this lane when it comes to grime’.

‘Buying music is something we haven't done in a while, maybe because we spend so much time making our own and always hearing the latest being in the industry ourselves. Cyko would have bought '6FOOT TO 6FIGZ' which was the last mixtape he heard, but it was given to him for free. 'There are a few artists we know and have met and we appreciate their music, such as Ed Sheeran, Dot Rotten, Amplify Dot and a few more'. We like the way 'they express their sound, we can relate and like to listen, real simple. ’

‘You’ll be hearing my stuff on mixtapes and in music videos, I’m also currently working on a producers CD so look out for that!' says Strats' when asked what we can expect from him in the future. Cyko says’ I've been putting in the work and will be leaking a few singles before I release two more CD projects which I’m currently working on, it’s a grime vs. Hip-Hop situation, I'm also featuring on a few albums as well as working with some top producers so expect more music and videos from me. We're also thinking about a 'Valleys to the Alleys 2' but we'll see.

You can now preview a few track from the EP, via Soundcloud, contact them via, DownWidIt  and add them both on Twitter via Strata G and Cyko Logic

What Do You Know About Nayta?

Although he was laughed at by his brother's friends when he spat his first '11bar' at the age of 10, he didn't let that stop him. Since then he has worked well known industry professionals, featured on Tim Westwood's Radio 1Xtra Show and now has his own music video Friday on Channel AKA. Nayta is a recording artists from East London, who is determined to 'open up' the UK music scene. For Nayta, music is his 'diary, lover, friend, brother, sister and his everything'. I thought I'd catch up with Nayta to see where his career started, as well as what his forthcoming plans for 2011 are.


Where did your music career all start?

When I was 10 years old I used to watch the midnight sets my brother held on a saturday evening with his crew Kaotic Trench. I continued to watch them until someone bought me Dizzee Rascal first album "Boy In Da Corner" for my 11th birthday. From then on I started listening to Rolldeep & Nasty on De Ja Vu. I vividly remember writing my first lyrics after hearing Dizzee on radio getting crazy reloads and hearing the amount of hype in the background. I just wanted to be someone that everybody listened to aswell. I wrote my lyrics, but kept it to myself until that saturday evening came. I spat my first verse and got laughed at by all of my brothers mates for spitting an '11 bar', but I continued writing and kept improving. By the age of 13 I was known by many of my peers in every school in Newham. I started getting involved in MC clashes against the year 11 in the school playground, every time there was a huge audience. At 14 I was taken to a youth club called YAP where I went every friday and was introduced to Brutal, Griminal, and some other young Grime MC's at the time. By 17 I was on the Tim Westwood show.

What sacrifices have you made in your career?

As a student I was always sacrificing school time for music time. I'd be writing lyrics in Maths and Science, when I was meant to be doing Mock Exams. However I did leave school with A*'s, A's, & B's. My mum wanted me to go College and study Law, English Language, & History. I knew such intensive learning would distract me from my music, even though I left with the grades I did I still only just made it through school. Being an Actor aswell, I decided to study Acting at the Broadway Theatre instead. Since leaving the Broadway I've been in the studio nearly everyday since February 2010, no exaggeration, ask anybody who knows me. (PS: I do not encourage kids to skip school for studio at all, get those grades in!)


Describe your style in one sentence?

Music with rapport.

Name 3 artist you aspire to be like and why?

I don't aspire to 'be like' anybody as such. However 3 artists I am influenced by in terms of their achievements and/or music/lyrics would be Jay-Z & 50 Cent for their songs, lyrics and outstanding business minds, & Drake simply because of the way I always relate to the things he has to say, not to mention his natural talent.

What are your views on the current UK industry and what do you feel you can bring to the scene?

Well, the scene is what it is. I don't want to individually name artists I do or don't rate but some spots are well deserved, some spots are being filled by people who aint really got much to say in terms of substance. Only I can understand this answer fully, but I'm looking to open up the scene in terms of intercrossing genre's from Grime to Pop to Rap to Jazz and etc.


How has your life experiences influenced you as an artists and who are your perspective audience?

There are way too many life experiences to mention. From working for charity to losing 6 of my friends, every little thing that's happens to me I put into my music one way or another. Music is my diary, my lover, my friend, my brother, my sister, my everything. I wish people could understand what I mean when I say I've got this fire in me. As for perspective audience, I'd say I want to reach everybody from the ages of birth to death.

Where is the best place music has taken you to?

Mentally, the stars.

Physically, Factory East Music Group - that's my family, that's our base FEMG all day!


What have you got planned for 2011?

I don't want to blow my cover, but watch out for ALOT of videos from me this year, + shout out to all my Grime followers I will come back this year just bare with me please. Watch out for the 'Friday' video on Channel AKA with my boy/brother from another mother MiniSparks. FEMG all day you know what it is.

For more of Nayta, you can contact him via his Facebook, or you can watch his latest video Friday.