eff Raps.
eff Raps. is an English Hip Hop artist based in London.
I try to get different people from various backgrounds/genres ; eff Raps. is my first Hip Hop artist I get to interview.
He clearly has the potential and the skills to be fully recognized by each one of us. His songwriting, records, productions and visuals define the true Artist that he is. Keep an eye on him because big things are about to happen for him.
eff Raps. recently released his EP ‘Long Story Short’ along with a visual collage which you can watch below - a great way to discover his universe.
Introduce yourself.
eff Raps.
Where are you from?
London, UK
What music did you grow up listening to?
I grew up different types of music, different phases. My parents played a lot of ABBA, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston. etc. Then when I was old enough to pick my own music, I listened to a lot of Jay Z, Eminem, and of course being from London, i picked up on the grime scene, listening to Kano, Dizzee Rascal, Crazy Titch, Wiley etc. I think the first album I had was “Boy In Da Corner”.
When did you start making music? When did you realize you wanted to do this for a living?
I recorded my first record at the age of 11 in my friends living room. His kitchen was used for a pirate radio station, so we’d be running around the house whilst MC’s and DJ’s were there doing their thing. I guess i picked up on it by just being around it.
You’ve just released your EP ‘Long Story Short’. Could you describe the process of this EP? What’s the story behind it? Who did you collaborate with?
I had been releasing music through my days in secondary school, right the way up until 2013, which was my last release year. So I had quite an extensive catalogue to share, but I started noticing that depending on who I was talking to, I would show them different music of mine; whatever I thought they would appreciate, based on who they were. So then I thought, I need to create a body work, that resembles me down to a T, in it’s truest form. Something that, regardless of who I was talking to, I could show them the same piece. I began recording/producing the project late 2013, early 2014. I flew to Germany twice, over the space of two years to work with a producer called Kolja Dominiak. I liked being able to be in a different space, as opposed to my natural environment when creating music. When I got back I travelled to Portsmouth to link up with a producer named DaMonoway. We went school together, but I hadn’t seen him since. I spent a couple nights down there, we made some great records, it was fun. That’s where “Outta Your Head” was produced, and I wrote the record on the coach on my way home. I also worked with some talented musicians, Jason Archer (Who is also the MD of my band), Arran Powell and Oscar Witcher. Not to mention the help of Damien Ike, Blake Noire and Slic Vic, assisting me with some vocals. A very small group of people, that’s all it takes sometimes.
You have incredible records and visuals. What vision do you have for your art? What’s your message behind it?Where do you get your inspiration?
I remember being in a couple sessions in late 2013, with a producer called Intalekt, a good friend of mine. I was explaining to him the idea of doing an EP, with a visual concept to go along with it. But along the way, I sacked off the idea. I thought I wouldn’t be able to pull it off. Long story short (no pun intended, ha) I just said to myself, I can’t keep getting distracted by the normality of this world and the industry. I can’t keep hiding away my ideas because it’s not what everyone else is doing. Now here we are.The reason why I decided to create this piece of art, was because I realised that we don’t really watch a music video more than once. Like, we’d check it out to say we’ve seen it, but never really go back to it. Probably once or twice for old time sake. So I wanted to create something that people would continuously revisit and what better way to that by filling it with so much content, making it impossible to digest in one watch.My inspiration spreads right across the board, within music and away from it. I draw inspiration from anything or anyone that does what they are not supposed to do, according to the “rules” of the industry they’re in.
Could you tell us a little about the UK Hip Hop scene? Where do you see yourself?
To be honest, I can’t. I don’t spend enough time studying it, or keeping up with it. I don’t see myself in a scene, because if you listen to my latest EP, you’ll realise that from track 1-5, I cross into multiple genres, making it difficult to be positioned into one. I don’t worry too much about that, after all, it’s all just music, right?
What’s your opinion about today’s music industry? What’s the hardest thing about it? How do you get through it?
You know what? The hardest thing about the music industry, is dealing with people. They are the barriers and the gateways to success and failure. How do I get through it? I think I’ve studied people long enough. I spend more time creating music, and spending time with family. That’s all I focus on. what will be, will be.
What motivates you to create music? Why?
There’s many thing I can’t do, no matter who trains me or teaches me. But one thing’s for sure, I’m not too bad at making music. So it must be a gift from God, which I won’t abandon. That keeps me creating.
F- Jay - Long Story Short: A Visual Collage
What would you say to someone who wants to put his feet in the music industry?
Know what it is you want. Don’t ever feel that you’ve reached your best ability. And the golden rule, take in criticism, in the same way you take in compliments. They are equally as important.
Who do you look up to?
Jay Z, Kanye West. Probably more, but that’s all I can remember right now.
What do you want to be remembered for?
All the experiences I’ve given people. Be it in the form of albums, visuals, or live performances. I want to give people an unreal experience when listening or watching my work.
What’s your motto?
Live Before You Die.
What does the rest of 2015 have in store for you?
“Long Story Short EP”, Out Now. haaa
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