EARMILK EARMILK
  • NEW MUSIC
    • DANCE
    • ELECTRONIC
    • EXPERIMENTAL
    • HIP-HOP
    • INDIE
    • POP
    • ROCK
  • INDUSTRY NEWS
    • DOCUMENTARIES
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • MUSIC GEAR
    • MUSIC INDUSTRY
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • OPINION
  • ALBUM REVIEWS
  • GEAR REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FEATURES
    • FESTIVALS
    • EXCLUSIVES
    • LISTS
    • CONTESTS
    • Photo Journals
  • SERIES
    • Artist to Watch
    • Under The Crust
    • Flashback Friday
    • Suicide Sundaes
    • Daily 2%
    • The Club
    • Weekend Selector
    • Mashup Mondays
    • Artist Remixed
    • Wobble Wednesday
    • Night Rumours
    • Indie Sabbath
    • Straight No Chase
    • Straight From the Teet
  • Jobs
  • About EARMILK
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Music
EARMILK EARMILK
EARMILK EARMILK
  • NEW MUSIC
    • DANCE
    • ELECTRONIC
    • EXPERIMENTAL
    • HIP-HOP
    • INDIE
    • POP
    • ROCK
  • INDUSTRY NEWS
    • DOCUMENTARIES
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • MUSIC GEAR
    • MUSIC INDUSTRY
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • OPINION
  • ALBUM REVIEWS
  • GEAR REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FEATURES
    • FESTIVALS
    • EXCLUSIVES
    • LISTS
    • CONTESTS
    • Photo Journals
  • SERIES
    • Artist to Watch
    • Under The Crust
    • Flashback Friday
    • Suicide Sundaes
    • Daily 2%
    • The Club
    • Weekend Selector
    • Mashup Mondays
    • Artist Remixed
    • Wobble Wednesday
    • Night Rumours
    • Indie Sabbath
    • Straight No Chase
    • Straight From the Teet
  • Experimental
  • Feature
  • Interviews
  • Spoken Word

Kojey Radical opens up about his creative process [Interview]

  • January 5, 2017
  • Rasheed Tulay
Total
0
Shares
0
0

The UK's grime & hip-hop scene has seen massive resurgence in 2016 with the meteoric rise of scene veteran Skepta (who managed to snag the prestigious Mercury Award over David Bowie and Radiohead last year) which has lead to renewed interest in British Urban music in the West. With newcomers like AJ Tracey, Stormzy, Section Boyz, Novelist, Lady Leshurr and Dave getting consistent co-signs by major artists and publications in the US, it's been easy to overlook those more experimental artists who have putting their own unique twist on the grime/ hip-hop formula.

Artists such as Young Fathers, Gaika, Dean Blunt & 808 Inc have all been using making music that eschews traditional genre norms, instead choosing to create whole new worlds of alternative sound that is patched out of the rich history of black musicianship (reggae, dub, hip-hop, R&B, house, techno, soul, jazz & spoken-word). Another name often mentioned with those artist listed above is East London based poet & musician Kojey Radical, whose avant-garde and socially conscious style of poetry has made him a revered figure within London's contemporary art and music circles. I've recently had the chance to connect with the burgeoning 24 year old artist to inquire about his views on the current UK music scene and his plans for 2017!

Earmilk: You are pretty prolific artist, did you see yourself getting into music from a young age, or did you just happen to fall into it randomly?
Kojey Radical: I'd say that I knew music was always going to an interest of mine but I wouldn't of necessarily predicted that I would have got into it the way that it has turned out. My focus was always on becoming on a big traditional artist, but my direction changed as I got older.
EM: Did you have any major influences before diving into recording your first songs (of any medium)?
KR: Yeah at the time I was listening to a lot of André 3000, Fela Kuti, and a lot of UK music, particularly 808Ink. They were a massive influence! At the time that's what I was listening to probably the most. Oh and a lot of Lovers rock.

EM: Do you consider your music to be a completely different medium from your poetry? Is your process for writing a song and a poem completely different?
KR: Yes it is. I think writing a poem is a lot more based on solitude; I can get most introspective and personal when I am by myself. Whereas a song is for everyone, so I have to preen my thoughts a little more and remember to not get too self-indulgent.
EM: What are your thoughts on the UKs' current hip-hop/ music scene in general and who are your current favorites?
KR: I’m excited by the current UK scene, I think it’s weird that I am in it and I didn't expect to be in it at a time when it was flourishing. There is a lot of attention and eyes on it. Particularly people like previously mentioned 808Ink and The Knux. Also people like Shaé and Gaika.

EM: Are there any producers or other artist that you are keen on working with in 2017?
KR: Yeah, but I can believe in letting life follow its natural path and if any of those people are people I want to work with, then it will just happen. But sure there are always dream collaborations…
EM: What are your goals for 2017?
KR: I want to put out more music that affects people, and I want to see more growth in my sound. I want to travel more and reach people in different countries with my music.

EM: With your music being so unorthodox, do you find it hard to appeal to the traditional hip-hop head?
KR: No, because at one point I have been every type of hip hop-head you can imagine. Naturally as hip-hop progresses, my taste progresses and I guess that influence exists in what you can hear from me.
EM: How does your African heritage influence your music and what do you think is the duty of the black artist in 2017?
KR: I feel like there is a duty for any and every artist to use their voice and their platform to inspire, and encourage positive change. I feel like African music has always been the type of music that teaches you, there has always been a message or proverb in the music and those basic principles have leaked into my music.

EM: How many projects are you planning on dropping in 2017? Any other plans?
KR: You will be satisfied in 2017 that's all I’ll say.
EM: Was there a certain event or incident that lead to the creation of "Gallons"? It's definitely my favorite track from you yet!
KR: I feel like every day waking up and living as a young black boy in London is an influence, and at one point it’s going to reach a fever point where you have no choice but to express yourself.

Connect with Kojey Radical: Facebook / Twitter / Soundcloud

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • Kojey Radical
  • Push Crayons
Rasheed Tulay

Previous Article
  • Electronic
  • Mainstage

We're Not Friends unveil a heater in "Dare" ft. Brenna V.K [Premiere]

  • January 5, 2017
  • Wendel Genosa
View Article
Next Article
  • Electronic
  • Techno

Boys Noize drops 2016 recap video feat. new remixes of "Starchild" & "Euphoria"

  • January 5, 2017
  • Claire Ruder
View Article
You May Also Like
View Article
  • Indie
  • Interviews
  • Music Videos
  • Pop

Rhiannon Rodriguez talks new single “Lie I Can’t Deny”, storytelling and collaborating with her filmmaking dad [Interview]

  • May 7, 2025
View Article
  • Jazz
  • Pop
  • Soul

Dora Pj brings all the feels with 'When The Shadows Fall'

  • May 5, 2025
View Article
  • Ambient
  • Classical
  • Experimental
  • Neoclassical
  • New Music

Stefan Wesołowski heads into the dark on "Core"

  • May 5, 2025
View Article
  • Interviews
  • Music Industry

Joe Buscema chats late night late night drive home, music gatekeepers, challenges in the industry and more! [Interview]

  • April 30, 2025
View Article
  • Folk
  • Folk Rock
  • Indie
  • Indie Pop
  • Interviews

Sam Robbins chats new album, life on the road, lucky charms and more! [Interview]

  • April 30, 2025
View Article
  • Exclusive
  • Feature
  • Hip-Hop
  • Interviews
  • Mainstage
  • Music Videos
  • New Music
  • Rap

EARMILK Chats Episode 17: Ray Vaughn

  • April 25, 2025
View Article
  • Feature
  • Interviews

'My longtime fans know to expect all sorts': 80's icon Howard Jones opens up about his upcoming album

  • April 25, 2025
View Article
  • Feature
  • Indie
  • Mainstage
  • Music Videos
  • New Music
  • Premiere

Montreal's Kerri Finds Comfort in The Empty Spaces (VIDEO)

  • April 24, 2025
Popular Music
  • Community Theater
    Peter Donovan stages life’s rawest acts on "Community Theater"
    • May 9, 2025
  • Stephen Stanley
    Stephen Stanley takes a leap of faith with soul-stirring new album "trustfall"
    • May 8, 2025
  • Casey Club’s Features Production Finesse and Festival Ready Anthems on New EP "Grill"
    • May 9, 2025
  • Sherwøød
    Sherwøød lets silence speak loud in “Dear B”
    • May 8, 2025
  • Deena Theodora dives into temptation and inner conflict on "Sin City"
    • May 8, 2025
Recent Scoops
  • Matt Oakley is redefining country music with heart, soul and modernity
    • May 5, 2025
  • Texas’ Blacktop Mojo does rock music the way it should be done
    • April 29, 2025
  • Tha Rapper Haiti blends authentic style with musical passion
    • April 28, 2025
  • Glorybots redefines rock with latest album 'mad.end'
    • April 10, 2025
Community Voices
  • From Machismo To Mujeres: Women As The Face Of Reggaeton
    • July 14, 2022
  • Tyler the creator
    4 things I learned on the 'Call Me If You Get Lost' tour
    • March 31, 2022
  • 4 things every artist needs to think about in 2022
    • January 27, 2022
  • The TikTok Takeover of Hip-Hop
    • January 11, 2022

EARMILK EARMILK
  • Jobs
  • About EARMILK
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Music
All Milk. No Duds.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.