Congratulations on the release of “Queen” how does it feel?
Thank you, yeah, honestly it feels good to be able to show another aspect of my writing. “Queen” has a much more romantic feel than my previous releases.
What’s the story behind the song?
The story is actually based on a fictional scenario. I actually came up with the story, after the piano chord structure. In short, it’s a scenario we’re all familiar with. When you see someone attractive in a public setting, you’re absolutely blown away, but you watch them walk off into the distance with the feeling you’ll never see them again. In this scenario, I speak about how an interaction could’ve taken place.
You are a singer songwriter and producer from the UK how did it all begin for you?
Singing really came first following the influence of my sister McKenzie Blaze, songwriting didn’t come as naturally to me till later after I’d started playing keys, from there, it’d make sense to try to compose all elements of a song using my basis of percussion and growing understanding of melody. The beginning of my production skills took place in Cubase software given to me by my uncle, and I have grown a love for singing/songwriting and production ever since.
What did you listen to growing up?
Artists like Labrinth, Emile Sande, John Legend, Luther Vandross, Bob Marley, Jackson Five, OutKast, Kirk Franklin, and the Beatles, just to name a few.
You, like myself are a self taught musician who started out in the church, what was your go to jam when you were playing there?
I think my go-to jam would be a song called “how great is our god” or a song called “Ancient Words” both played in a gospel feel.
You’ve been featured on BBC Introducing on the back of this release, how’s that been like?
Yeah, it was definitely unexpected, to be given the opportunity not just to be played on air but also to be able to talk about my music and my journey so far. It’s been another boost of inspiration for me.
You’ve been guided by your sister McKenzie Blaze an artist in her own right, what has been the biggest thing you’ve learned from her?
I’ve learned so much from my sister, but definitely, the ability to write is something I’ve watched her do for so long, the more and more I’ve written, the more natural it comes for me, just like her.
Being a multi instrumentalist how does your writing process begin?
Right now, it tends to start with keys or percussion cause those are my core skills, so that’s most natural for me.
What do you do when you hit a brick wall?
Since I’ve been back around music, I haven’t hit a wall yet, in fact, the exact opposite. Right now, lyrics, melody, and even rap are flowing more and more and are easier than ever.
Post COVID what have you learned about yourself in the last three years?
Honestly, I’ve learned to not doubt my ability to pick up new skills, when I’m focused and diligent with my productivity, I feel I can learn absolutely anything.
Did you pick up any new skills?
Yeah, I definitely wasn’t writing rap pre Covid, also, my ability to perform away from my comfort (The keys) is becoming more and more natural.
What are you listening to at the moment?
That is a question that’s impossible to answer. The artist, and the genre can change day by day, if I’m honest. Hard to pin down just a few names.
What are you looking forward to doing next?
I’m really looking forward to putting together my first body of work, to be released in 2024. “Behind the smile” has been an idea I’ve had for a while. I finally feel like I have the track list to share the story I am trying to tell.
