Jake Aldridge – Partners in Crime

By starrymag | June 18, 2020

Ellie Dolan-Yates

 

 

Q) How old were you when you first became interested in music?

 

A) I remember I had a joint 13^th birthday party with a friend of mine who was born a couple of days earlier than me. We had the DJ play “Uprocking Beats” by Bonfunk over and over! (You should look the song up.) I guess that’s my earliest memory of really having an interest in music.

 

Q) We all know that your Dad was the inspiration behind your music, but who are some of your musical inspirations?

 

A) The biggest one for me was Tupac Shakur. He was very much a lyricist and that’s what I became. We’re less musical, but so comfortable with the pen and the pad in our hands. His lyrics were incredible and remarkably, he touched on political issues that are still coming up in the news today, even all these years later!

 

Q) I read that after the death of your father you wrote poetry as a way to cope with your grief, which you then turned into your raps. How important do you think creativity is as a way to get through such difficult times? 

 

A) I think it kind of saved me to an extent. I know a lot of people can go the other way. I think even I had begun to at one stage. I was getting into arguments and fights I didn’t really need to be a part of, but I was itching for a way to express myself, my anger and frustrations with life. Music allowed me to express myself in a positive way.

 

Q) You’ve had an award-winning rap music career, what inspired your switch to Country Music?

 

A) Well, when I first got into rap music I was inspired by Artists like Tupac, Dr Dre and Nas. In recent years; however, I’m just not inspired by Hip-Hop. Maybe it’s just that I’m growing up… Country Music makes me feel at ease. I love the instrumentation, the smoothness, everything about it! It inspires me and that’s what I need to create something new.

 

Q) What challenges, if any, have you faced when switching genres?

 

A) Lots of challenges! Ever since I started making music, I’ve always faced huge obstacles. In the early days I couldn’t rap in time with the beat, so I had to learn that. I literally couldn’t nod my head in time to a drum beat. It’s kind of the same now that I am singing. It just doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m having to train my ears and to train my voice and I believe I will get better with every song.

 

Q) How does the industry differ between the genres?  

 

A) That’s a good question. I never really felt welcome amongst the genre of “Hip-Hop.” I always felt my music was too pop for Hip-Hop and too Hip-Hop for Pop. Remarkably, the country scene has been incredible in the way they have responded to my switch. From radio to blogs to playlists, I couldn’t ask for more. The support has been unbelievable.

 

Q) What was the inspiration behind your new single “Partners in Crime?”

 

A) Myself and my now fiancée are always egging each other on to do silly things, from making random outbursts in public places to jumping in lakes and climbing hay bales. We’re very much “Partners in Crime” and that’s where the concept for the song came from.

 

Q) The video perfectly reflects the song with the characters getting to know each other and getting up to more mischief as the night progresses. How much fun was it to film?

 

A) It was amazing! It was filmed by The Camera Guys who were amazing in the way they got to know the song and the ideas they came up with to help bring it to life in the visuals. It was also the first time I’d worked with Danielle Beales, who was the model in the video. She was great fun and it was awesome to work with her! A big thanks to Cecilia’s Bar in Norwich for letting us film there, to Grant and April for their help and to Bert for letting us borrow the amazing cars!

 

Q) With the release of “Partners in Crime,” do you see yourself continuing to do country music or staying with your original roots of rapping?

 

A) I can’t see me doing anything other than Country-Pop for the foreseeable future. I have to make music that I love and that I’m inspired by. Otherwise, I’m just not motivated to do it.

 

Q) Now that you have progressed from Rap to Country, is there any other genre that you would like to explore in the future? (Tom Lawrence)

 

A) I don’t think so… Right now, I’m just hooked on Country-Pop.

 

Q) You’ve collaborated with a number of great artists on your tracks, who would be the ultimate artist to collaborate with?

 

A) That’s a tricky question. This sounds pretty unbelievable, but I’m not someone who’s overly impressed by a person’s fame/popularity. So, genuinely, If I could pick one person in the whole world to collab with it would most likely be Kelly Jenns. I know we’ve worked together on some of my older music, but I would love to sing with her on something new. She lived just a few doors down the road from me when we were kids. We were childhood friends and, to me, that means more than working with someone I’ve never met. Even if they are ridiculously famous/popular. I’m more impressed by a person’s personality.

 

Q) What impact do you think our current climate with COVID will have on the music industry? 

 

A) Well, it’s already effecting the live scene. I’m really not sure what will happen moving forward. Right now, we have to find new ways to get our music out there. It’s always been about thinking outside of the box!

 

Q) You’re quite active on social media. Why do you think social media is such an important way for you to interact with your fans? 

 

A) Well, many of my “fans” (I always feel uncomfortable using that word) have become more like friends, really. Social media is a way for them to see how I am behind the music, to understand my sense of humor and equally it’s a great way for me to find out more about them, too. I believe it should be a two-way thing. I’m just not a big fan of how we only see posts by the same people in our feeds these days, I’d like to regularly see what everyone’s up to, not just those I’ve recently interacted with. That’s why I enjoy keeping in touch with my friends on WhatsApp.

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and those that have supported you throughout your career so far?

 

A) Where do I start? Firstly, both of the awards that I won, came directly from my supporters who voted me to victory. I will always be thankful for that. Imagine the guy who once couldn’t nod his head in time to a drum beat walking through tables and tables of far more talented musicians to pick up the Audience Choice Award at the New Music Generator Awards ceremony! It was one of the best moments of my life. It’s funny too because I always get nervous on release day, but my supporters always come through and get behind me, year after year! I seriously can’t thank them enough for everything!