Q) You've recently released your mixtape "The Centre Stage", what's the reaction been like so far?

A) It's been good you know... i first leaked the tune Opposites Attract before the CD and people loved the concept, it's different and it crosses audiences. Fresh Kicks is obviously by far the most popular song on there and the video is online now, soon to be on channel U!
Trying To Run (my collaboration with manchester indie band Highwire) seems to be a very popular tune too, so we're shooting a video for that on january 17th. Make A Move is also a favourite but i was suprised at how many people are feeling "They Ain't Cutting It", probably cos it's a posse cut... my pick has to be the opening track "Moment In Time". It's my most open and personal song on "The Centre Stage".


Q) Essentially a hip-hop/grime album, it is however quite diverse in both style and lyrically, was that important?

A) That was the most important aspect of the CD. A lot of people want to hear bassline, but i'm sorry that's not me. I love hip-hop & grime but i want to do it my way and express myself... music is an outlet for me. I like to express my ideas and feelings which are naturally quite diverse. I'm not gonna say to a producer "just send me pure hiphop or proper gully grime beats" because firstly i like a lot of genres, i want work on them from my own angle and see what comes out. Also i wanted to cross audiences... since i started getting known in Sheffield i've had a very diverse fanbase, not all just your typical hip-hop or grime fans. Listeners of all kinds of music have expressed their positive feelings towards my music. So diversity seems to be working for me and i'll keep at it.


Q) A lot of your songs seem quite personal. Where does the inspiration for your lyrics come from?

A) Life. Mine, others' and what i see around me. Moment In Time is about me, my desires, my relationships with other people... i should have just called the song "Me & How I Feel" cos that's what it is. Fresh Kicks was born from our love for trainers... we bought some trainers and then wrote the chorus. Most of the tunes are personal i think or at least talk about something i am passionate about. I am a big Bond fan! I believe music should express feelings too.


Q) What was the reason behind sampling/covering "Secret Smile" (by Semisonic)?

A) Swift 89 from Derby made that beat for me. I've always loved that song... i liked the idea of a secret smile hidden from everyone else, meant for only one person. I flipped it and came at it from my angle. The original song was just so compelling and Swift's sampling of it worked so well i just had to do it. Vex One added a couple notes on his guitar at the start too for added effect. I don't know why but when i was writing it i put myself in Peter Parker/Spiderman's shoes... at least for the first part... you know about being under the "radar" so the girl doesn't really know who you are at the time... or at least you don't think she does. I think most people have felt that way before. I tried very hard not to be cocky in this song! I have to admit the under dog position in any situation is quite compelling...


Q) There's a number of other artists featured on "Centre Stage". If you could colaborate with anyone who would it be and why?

A) Kano... i'm a very big fan but it's not gonna happen, at least no time soon! So for now i'll settle with some of the collabs i have lined up for my next CD "The Music Takes Me LP". I'm really excited about some of these such as Playground Mafia, Example (he used to be on Mike Skinner's label "The Beats"), a few unconfirmed features too and of course i'll be working with Yezza, Vex One & Highwire on some new material.


Q) How was it supporting respected grime artist "Tinchy Stryder" at The Plug recently?

A) Yeh is was big!!! I really enjoyed it and the crowd's reaction was very positive too... I had a quick chat to Tinchy backstage, he's alrite you know i was expecting him to be a bit... well you know, like too cocky to speak to me but he was cool... at one point i asked the crowd if anyone wanted my t-shirt and they did... that's made me think that next time i'll take a few Made In Sheffield and Fresh Kicks t-shirts to give out... you can have one too if you like!


Q) Following the release of "Fresh Kicks" (with Yezza and Vex One) have you guys been offered any free trainers?

A) Haha yes. Fila provided trainers for the video which was nice and Reebok originally expressed interest. I would like some more free fresh kicks though! Any offers? I'm size 13 if anyone wants to pass me some...


Q) What was it like recording the video for "Fresh Kicks"? And why did you choose East London as the location?

A) That was Rosie Well's idea. She directed the video and came up with the script, location, etc. I would have personally liked to shoot it in Sheffield to be honest. But it would have been harder to get Skinnyman involved that way! It was quite an amusing day with a middle aged woman asking Vex One for his autograph! Oh and we got a lot of stares, especially while filming in the busy street and lots of kids wanted to get involved.


Q) Any plans / aspirations for the future? Any colaborations?

A) Too many so i'll just list a few.... i'm filming a video for "Trying To Run" in January, releasing Fresh Kicks onto Channel U and CD in February if all goes according to plan and get a few Sheffield MC's including some of Hoodz Underground on a tune called The Sheff Man, that'll be done soon. I wanna keep doing gigs, bigger and better! But i really enjoy the smaller intimate ones too. Got some in planning stages right now. I'm looking forward to recording my next CD "The Music Takes Me LP" which is half written! Can't wait to get Playground Mafia on there, big up to them! Got a lot of collabs on the horizon... but one quite interesting one is "Push Forward" which i'm working on with Yezza... it's a bit of a riddle that song so we'll see if you can work out what it's on about. But anyway i'm going on with myself! Big up to SMS for the interview and their continued interest in me! Props to Yezza, Vex One, NFS, Highwire, Playground Mafia... big plans for 09! Can't wait to see Fresh Kicks t-shirts walking round the Sheff!