E-Own and Damian Marley

Interview with South London rapper/producer E-Own

When and what made you want to become an artist?

I’ve always been into music, and my dad Junia Walker’s an established artist so I’ve always had music around me growing up. I’d write poetry and stuff but never thought about music till the people around me started making instrumentals and I made the transition to rap roundabout September last year.

Who would you compare yourself to musically?

No one, that’s the beauty of it. I think I’m a bunch of artists rolled into one.

Where did the name E-Own come from and what does it mean?

Always get that question. It’s short for Aeonian which is a rock. It’s durable, permanent, unchangeable, I basically took those traits and applied it to myself, reminds me to stay true to myself and my beliefs.

Who are your musical influences?

Too many. Biggest one 2pac, work ethic was phenomenal , nowadays I tend to listen to Jay-Z most though ,and learn a lot from him, he’s the Blueprint right?

What are your biggest accomplishments as an artist so far?

Maybe the “Strictly for my THINKAZ” EP release on i-tunes, It’s a good feeling to know people are paying to hear you speak. I’m on the Jusic International label as well, that’s got me feeling accomplished.

How did you actually get to start producing your own beats and recording songs?

Thinks the beats just come from a desire to make music. One of the issues as an unsigned or underground  artist  a lot of the time is you don’t have a constant supply of beats coming your way, and producers want to charge you hundreds for an average beat. I basically bypassed that problem by making the beats myself now, and I have better creative control doing it that way. As for the recording part I got tired of paying for studio time, having to rush the end product, and dealing with the studio being fully booked when I wanted to record so I invested in a studio at my house. I taught myself how to mix and edit tracks too so I can spend unlimited time getting everything right.

Even though your into music you study journalism at uni why did you choose this as opposed to a music based course?

That phrase about putting all your eggs in one basket. I believe in my music but never wanted to put pressure on it as a way of making a living. I am on a music production course with artefacts entertainment though; it’s just a couple of hours a week and helps me work on the production side of things.

Do you sing as well?

I wish, that would be the one talent I’d want to have that I haven’t got, but I can let it go, no Auto-tune necessary.

What’s different about your music compared to other artist out there?

Think it’s not as materialistic as a lot of hip hop material out now, and I have a habit of talking sense. Think one of the issues is record labels and artists now have found conventions that mean that you can make a lot of money and they tend to stick to those conventions, I tend to break them.

Your music seems to have a positive vibe going on in general but hip hop often comes under scrutiny for being negative or violent. What is your take on rappers whose lyrics are negative or violent?

It comes under scrutiny then I have to defend it lol. There’s so many different angles to it, I tend to prefer rappers releasing their anger on record than out on the streets, but I do think some rappers go over board for shock value or to prove their the toughest of the tough. I personally don’t have a problem with it though as long as it’s the truth, think there’s many different side to human nature, negative and positive, and I think that should be reflected in the music.

What different or unique about your music compared to other artist?

I won’t do a song that’s already been done, there’s no enjoyment in that for me. If I feel a subject or topics already been used I leave it alone. Creativity’s important to me. One of the issues artists are struggling to get around is that they all work with the same producers because of their labels and such, at one point last year it seemed half the songs in the charts were by Timbaland so every artist just ended up sounding the same.

What would you say to other artist who want to get serious with music but don’t know where to start?

Start by perfecting what you’re already good at, and find someone who’s already made it that you can learn from. You’ve got to be a student of the game. Learn all of their strengths identify their weakness and stay true to yourself. We’ve already got a version of everyone else in the world we don’t already have a version of you so don’t be afraid to be you when everyone else is being them. And try not to rely on others as much as possible. More and more artists are going independent, Sway did, Akala did, Jay-Z definitely did.

Joe McElderry

It’s already the closest battle for the Christmas number one spot in years, but the drama behind it makes it even more exciting.

Rage Against the machine fans have joined together to campaign against X Factor winner Joe McElderry reaching number one with his single “The Climb.”

Fans and generally those who are anti pop are being urged to by the Rage Against the Machine single “Killing In The Name” to ensure it gets to number one and thwarts that X Factor’s number one hit making production line.

Rage Against the Machine themselves have weighed in on the issue when speaking to the Sun Newspaper saying: “We see this as a necessary break of control.”

The threat of the campaign making the Rage song number one is a realistic one with the track “Killing In The Name” currently being narrowly ahead in the UK having sold 37,000 more copies with Christmas a week away.

The campaign is a backlash against the manufactured style talent the X Factor tends to produce, and in short, a rage against the machine.

While taking street dancing classes Cheryl Cole was asked to take part in a music video with will.i.am, she was then additionally asked to sing back up vocals on the track “Heartbreaker.”

Ever since rumours have been circulating about Cheryl Cole pursuing solo projects, and in April this year those rumours were confirmed.

Cole has stuck to what she knows as a recipe for success and worked with will.i.am for the majority of the album.

The album”3 Words” spent 2 weeks at number one and the first single “Fight For This Love” has been the most successful release from the album so far and was the fastest selling single in the UK for 2009.

Some controversy emerged from the single as many felt the writers and Cole herself had copied the melody and key of the Kelis song “Lil’ Star.”

The title track for the album “3 words” helped the album go platinum and is part of the overall love theme of the album.

Cheryl’s group Girl’s Aloud are still going strong and there is little likelihood of her permanently going solo any time soon.

The Album will see her further establish herself as a brand and the stand out member in girls aloud.

Released 26 October 2009

Chipmunk In Action

“I Am Chipmunk” is the second studio album from the Tottenham born rapper Chipmunk.

His proclamation of “reppin grime” on the title track of his last album “League Of My Own” already seems misplaced with the pressure for commercial success falling squarely  on the nineteen year old’s shoulders.

The album has seen the world as well as the artist himself realize his potential after reaching number one with the single “Oopsy Daisy” also featuring singer and actress Dayo Olatunji who plays Alicia in the the Noel Clark films Kidulthood and Adulthood.

The album is more pop than any of many of the other rap albums out there in the market right know, which leaves audiences to wonder how much creative control Chipmunk actually has over his projects right now.

Frequently the songs released from the album have been centred around pop and R&B style chorus’ sung by artists such as Lock Essien, Emelie Sande and Talay Riley.

The album does show that Chipmunk has the potential to achieve more than any other rapper has in the UK if he keeps going.

Artists before him such as Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, and Tinchy Stryder have opened doors for urban rappers which he has smoothly walked through.

Released: 9 October 2009

Dizzee Rascal’s tongue in cheek is a celebration of the rappers new found lifestyle.

The East London rapper is enjoying success, freedom and wealth at the moment and that is being reflected in his music.

Previous albums from Dizzee have be centred around the harsh living conditions in certain areas of London, and the struggle to get somewhere and avoid being beaten up, stabbed or worse.

On “Tongue N’ Cheek” little emphasis is placed on street respect with the main focus being living and enjoying life.

Many of his original fans are however still living a  lifestyle which parallels earlier albums such as “Boy In Da Corner” and “Showtime” and there will undoubtedly be those who find themselves despairing with his new work and labelling Dylan Mills a sell out.

The rapper will however find himself gaining many new fans as number one hits from the album “Holiday” and “Dance Wiv Me” have opened doors and made the album commercially successful.

Distorted synthesizers are coupled with high tempo beats to create a sound that Dizzee has almost come to own with tracks like “Oldskool” having gone before it.

The album is also more sexual than any album before it, hence the name Tongue N’ Cheek.

The brashness and lack of charm from the artist does however seem defeat the purpose of tracks such as “Freaky Freaky” and are more likely to scare girls away than create any appeal.

Hits from the album such as “Bonkers” have however solidified the artists status as a British Rap star and very few artists can sell the same numbers as the former Grime Artist.

His creativity and will to take risks and break barriers has been seen throughout his career and Tongue N Cheek will only add to his commercial reputation and help create headlines for the right reasons.

Released: 20 September 2009

London Born Singer Pixie Lott

London born singer, song writer, and dancer Pixie Lott, 18, is now set to make her on screen debut as an actress.

Pixie Lott, real name, Victoria Louise Lott said: “I’d love to act in the future. I know it’s dangerous for singers to go down that route… but I just want to do everything.”

Lot came to notoriety in 2009 with her number one debut single ‘Mama Do (Uh Oh, Uh Oh)’ in June and achieved further success with her second single ‘Boys and Girls’ also reaching number one in September 2009.

Once the film is released next year the singer will have additional exposure in the US, which is expected to help both her singing and acting ambitions.

She will be playing the role of girlfriend to Youtube phenomenon  Fred Figglehorn, real name Lucas Cruikshank in the film entitled, “Fred: The Movie”.

The character of Fred was first developed on Youtube, and is presented as a dysfunctional angry six year old with an abnormally high pitched voice.

The Youtube channel “Fred” which plays host to the character was the first channel to reach a million subscribers in Youtube history in April 2009.

The N-Dubz Trio performing

The two male members of N-Dubz Dappy and Fazer will be helping police in an ongoing rape investigation.

Frequent N-Dubz DJ Junior Edwards, 22,  aka DJ Maze has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

Edwards was with British rap stars Dappy and Fazer on the night the attack took place and are understood to be co-operating fully with police to help solve the case.

N-Dubz manager  Jonathan Shalit has been keen to state: “The three members of N-Dubz are a hundred percent not involved in the rape itself.

The DJ was arrested by Lincolnshire police before being released on bail, and is due to appear in court on 15 February.

Edwards is being treated as the only suspect and has alladgedly been told by the N-Dubz manager to stay away from teh group until all the charges have been dropped.

The group have been busy on their christmas tour which began on 17 November, featuring songs from the Uncle B and Against All Odds albums.

Dionne Bromfield and Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse’s protégé Dionne Broomfield,13, continues to take big steps towards what it seems is inevitable stardom.

Broomfield who is Amy Winehouse’s God Daughter has a number of high profile interviews lined up in America over the coming months to promote her new album “Introducing Dionne Broomfield“.

The album was released under the Island record label which has played host to artists such as Bob Marley and U2 and also most recently Tinchy Strider.

Dionne attends the highly acclaimed Voxbox singing school in Camden, North London will fly to the US in the summer to be under the tutelage of Seth Riggs whose students have included Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Ray Charles.

Chip Diddy Chip

British rapper Chipmunk, 18, seems to have got his life back on track after last weeks suicidal comments. The North London recording artist posted on Twitter saying: “I wanna die” and “Is suicide easy.”

The rap artist was catapulted to fame earlier this year, and has enjoyed recent success in the charts with his track Oopsy Daisy reaching number one in the UK charts.

Chipmunk is alledged to have been working 18 hours a day at times and used this week as a time for entertainment and rest.

Chipmunk spoke this week and said: “I’m on a trip back to normaility. I’m in good health and it’s all good.”

To unwind Chipmunk attended Rihanna’s London gig on Monday night in Brixton along with; Adele, Keisha Buchanan, Tinchy Stryder and Emma Bunton.

The Sony recording also attended one of the advanced screenings for the film Paranormal Activity which has now been officially released.

Liam Gallagher

If there’s one thing Jay-Z and Liam Gallagher already have in common its animosity towards Noel Gallagher, brother of Liam. Contention emerged in April 2008 when Noel said it would be “wrong” to book Jay-Z as a headliner for Glastonbury.

The result was Jay-Z covering the Oasis hit Wonderwall to open the show before quite simply blowing away the audience with a string of underground and already commercially successful tracks.

Glastonbury boss Michael Eavis hailed the show as a great success and little has been heard about the matter since.

On August 29th however Noel,42, released a statement on the Oasis website saying the was quitting the band and couldn’t work with Liam,36, a day longer.

Rumors have since emerged that Snoop Dogg plans to work with Noel Gallagher, and Jay-Z weigned in this week saying he wants to work with Liam.

Jay said:”When I teamed up with Linkin Park nobody expected it to work, but we made a success of it, the same could happen with Liam.”

Mr Carter added:”When you have two artists like us in a room just throwing about ideas you come up with something brilliant fairly easily.”