By: Lisa Steinberg
Courtesy of the Artist
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) My sound is an evolution of Grime music, inspired and prevalent grime flow with influences from rock, punk and a lot of wavy American rap. Before I would rap slower, but I’ve found my bag with my choppy grime flow.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) Skepta, Wiley, D Double E, ASAP Rocky, Slowthai, Bugzy Malone and Kanye West. Kanye is probably my biggest and favorite artist – I take on a lot of his philosophies about success. And Skepta is the UK G.O.A.T. I am heavily inspired by his work ethic and discipline.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Nobody Cares.”
A) It’s just a realization I had to come to to get out of my rut – nobody cares, work harder. This was a lesson that turned me from a boy to a man.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I think it’s me just trying to preach what’s helped me. I know someone else out there can find it useful, too.
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
A) I think shooting the video in Vietnam is a cool tone for the song. I’m in the middle of nowhere, a black British man in Asia – it seems reflective.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) I create the beat and the words just come to me.
Q) You produce all your own music. Why is it so important for you to be so hands on with the music you put out?
A) I want things to be fully me from start to finish, that’s where the spiritual essence and individuality comes from. Even down to the videos, it’s my vision, it’s my soul.
Q) With songs out now from “Nobody Cares,” “Venom” and “Reflection,” is this a prelude to a full album or EP?
A) I’m working on the next project – this one is going to take reflection and fine tuning. Again, I’m on Kanye levels of refinement. Before I rushed my music and projects. Now I want things to be perfect. I’m still not there, but I’m hitting close.
Q) You’re attempting to put together a self-managed and self-funded tour. What have been your biggest challenges that you’ve faced along the way?
A) The only challenge is myself and being lazy. Even at my laziest my output is more than most, but I’ve just turned sober. So, I think that should help me with the focus and energy that I need to make this tour happen. I need money to do this tour, but god willing my supporters and whoever else god provides will enable it to happen for me.
Q) What can fans expect from a live SBK performance?
A) High energy – I wanna work more on my stagemanship. I definitely know how to perform, but again, I’ve struggled with alcohol over the last few years, affecting my performances. I’m more on the ball and sharp now.
Q) How can fans get involved in lending a hand with helping to make this tour possible?
A) If people want to donate they can reach out to me and I’ve set up a Paypal link for people to donate towards the tour: paypal.me/yungsbk14
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) My favorite places so far have been Dublin, Ireland and Rome, Italy – purely based off of crowd.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) I wanna work with the G.O.A.T.s and people I look up to, and people who are generally good people outside of music. That matters a lot to me.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) If I say I almost only listen to myself, is that narcissistic?
Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?
A) It’s the new era. This is what I have to do, but I can choose to do it in my own authentic way.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Thanks for allowing me to do what I do as a full time job. In that sense, I’ve already “made it.”