How would you describe your songwriting process?
“I used to rap my arse off, now I just rap pure…” It’s a mish-mash and has evolved a lot over time. I used to just write words non-stop and then have to find technical ways of fitting them into bars, like counting the syllables or squeezing as many words as possible to not compromise the lyrics. Nowadays, it’s a lot more chilled. I tend to hear production or music and go with that. It’s more of a conversation, but I still free-write when it makes sense. Or even freestyle! Rhyming used to be my main focus whereas now, concepts and ideas are. So I feel I write a lot more prose and verses/songs than I do just bars now. But that part of me won’t ever die!
Do you take songwriting inspiration from anyone in particular?
“Yes and no. I think there are loads of artists who I hear and get inspired by or emulate their strengths. Like with Kendrick Lamar for instance, the main thing I take from him is his vocal inflections. The dude’s voice is a whole instrument and he’s managed to demonstrate vocal dexterity like no one else. Someone like Nas reminds me a lot of how to be in the pocket, especially for hip-hop. I really like how PJ Morton writes certain music as well, implementing space and melodies as well as he does. Eminem and Missy showed character in music, Lupe Fiasco inspires how high the bar for lyricism can be, Kano & Ghetts are always inspired for flows and there are loads more individuals I could name. Because there are so many, I use as much of my personal experience and sprinkle these influences where it feels right (when I’m conscious of it)”
What is the hardest thing about songwriting to you?
“Ahh sometimes just completing the bar. Like where I have 3 strong lines and I’m just searching for a sick 4th one, but it might not be coming to me. That gets on my nerves sometimes. Also hooks. As I said earlier, I’m naturally just someone who writes a lot of words so making a succinct, catchy hook isn’t always the easiest. Usually, I freestyle hooks as they’re more a feeling than anything”
Do you have any remedies for a creative writing block?
“Yeah a couple you know. I remember someone saying to me that as writers and creatives, we’re downloading and processing information about the world around us, and then it comes out. Sometimes the block is just processing time, it’s not time to finish the bar! I’ve had that a lot where I’ve left 3/4 of a verse and another session or another time it just comes seamlessly. Another thing to do is remember that writing is a behaviour. A habit/practice we can get better at. Just writing for writing’s sake has helped me before, whether journaling or free-writing, just to get whatever I have inside out. The last thing I’d add is pressure. Alleviate yourself from that if you can. Sometimes, though, pressure is there and we can’t avoid it. I’d implore you to channel it, push your boundaries where you can and even if you don’t write anything then, you tried! So in short, take time, free-write and don’t any pressure define you”