Grime is still a young genre and Rude Kid has been here for most of it. One of the challenges in the music industry is staying relevant and Rude Kid has continued to create music that has some of the best emcee’s in the game wanting to work with him.
In 2015, Ghetts and Rude Kid collaborated with Relentless and created a project called ‘653’. With tracks like ‘Serious Face’ and the massive hit ‘One Take’, which has artists from different genres making their own version of the track, Rude Kid has proven that he can vary his sound and still get crowds all over the country hyped and demanding the reload. He shows no signs of slowing down with the release of his latest EP ‘Noah’s Ark’. This includes new instrumentals such as ‘Wiley Kat’ and a crowd favourite that is guaranteed to get the place jumping, ‘Voices’ (VIP).
Minutes before his launch party for his new EP ‘Noah’s Ark’, I sat with Rude Kid at the Relentless studios to talk about his creative process, DJ’ing and his view on the current state of Grime.
The last time I saw you in relation to your music was November last year at your launch event for the ‘653’ EP.
Bruv! That was one of the best East London events I’ve been a part of.
There were a lot of legendary Grime artists like Tinchy, Ghetts and Kano performing in support for your music. How did that make you feel?
It was mad. I saw Bashy and Adam Deacon in the crowd and that was sick because, I don’t really expect things from people. I’m the type of guy like, even today is my launch party and people that I’ve invited are hyped about coming, in my head I’m thinking there’s going to be one person upstairs. That’s what I thought was the ‘653’ launch party. When I saw the curtains open and I saw all the people from the stage I was like, Yes! That was a good feeling. Having all those artists on the stage, I remember seeing Tinchy and saying, “I wanna play ‘Tings In Boots’.”
When I saw him on the stage, as a fan, that’s what I wanted to hear…
At first he was like ’Nah, I don’t wanna do it’ but then he ended up performing the song. That was sick. Then Kano and Ghetts was on stage going back to back. The launch party was sick.
With the ‘653’ EP you and Ghetts created ‘1 Take’. It made me think of the Bashment culture when one Riddim will have loads of artists doing their versions of the song. How does it feel that you’ve created a Grime riddim that everyone from Jammer to Stormzy, even rappers such as Yungen and Bog Tobz jumping on your beat?
I don’t see it. The hype and all that. Maybe because I’m working everyday. Doing other things and that. When people ask me this question I’m like, I don’t know. I’m grateful. I stay humble and just get on with it and do more work. I’ve got better tunes than that anyway *laughs.
I can’t front. Thats a banger. Especially the original with Ghetts. The energy he brings suits the track. Speaking as a photographer, he’s one of my favourites to shoot on stage. You guys played a set at Eskimo Dance in London…
Yo! Thats was a shutdown. Every time Ghetts and I perform, the chemistry is mad. He has said to me “Bruv, I need you at every show” because, I know when to drop the tunes for him and other DJ’s may not know that. You were at Frisco’s ting yeah? The Den.
Yeah. That was nang…
Brave. That was mad. Just dropping tunes. You know when people are hyped and then you drop another tune that’s hype. It’s just an extra thing. But yeah, Me and Ghetts, we’re sort of like a team now.
Like when you guys made ‘Sing For Me’…
Yeah. But from then to now there was a big gap. He wanted tunes for his album and started coming round mine, listening to music and he was like “Rah man, these tunes are mad”. Then we came to Relentless. Right here where we’re sitting. It was a spontaneous thing. He said “Come we do a project man” and I was like “C’mon then. But lets do it within a week”. The Relentless team were on it, straight away. It wasn’t anything planned. It was very much ‘Lets do it now’. The Ghetts work is like the way I work. I like to do things quick because the way my brain works, I need to be doing things all the time. That’s what Ghetts is like. Always moving. Ghetts did all the tunes in 2 days. On the remaining 3 days I took time working on the songs and mixing them down. That’s what took the time, along with the videos. yeah man, that project was wicked. Who knows, there might be another one soon with Ghetts.
Well today we are here for your new EP, ‘Noah’s Ark’. From what I’ve heard listening to your track ‘Wiley Kat’, you’ve created another type of sound. How was the production process for ‘Noah’s Ark’?
This is how I think of it. If you’ve heard too much of my music and it sounds the same, you’ll get bored of me. Just like your photography. You don’t take the same pictures as everyone else, otherwise it would be boring, you get me. That’s why I have to make things interesting. The sound for ‘653’ was dark. Very Ghetts. Tunes like ‘Serious face’. This one was more like, I’m DJing a lot more now. I know some of these tunes having been hoping because I’ve been playing them. Like the ‘Voices VIP’ smacks up every rave. Especially when Ghetts is on it. The ‘Aliens’ tune which is also ‘Who’s Got A Problem’ with Ghetts. That was one of the most hype tunes and people kept asking about the tune and what is was called. So ‘Aliens’ had to go on Noah’s Ark. The ‘Wiley Kat’ tune, that’s wasn’t going to be on the EP. I sent it to Wiley but he was taking long with so I thought, you know what, this tune is sick, I’m putting it on ‘Noah’s Ark’.
I can definitely hear the Wiley influences on the song ‘Wiley Kat’. Little sounds that remind me of his Eski sound.
Exactly. I had a vision of Wiley vocalising the tune when I was making it. Which wasn’t a long time. I made that tune quickly because I was picturing Wiley spraying bars on the song.
I see you’re focussing more on DJing now. How does it feeling playing at shows and the crowd going mad to one of your songs that you’ve created?
That’s one of the best feelings man, ever since I was young, this is all I wanted to do bruv. Do you remember a tune I made called ‘Alien Skank’?
Yeah I remember. Alongside songs like ‘UFO’…
When I made that, I remember waiting in a line for about 2 hours to get into an event. This was when no one knew who I was. It was for ‘Forward vs Rinse’. It’s mad because Rinse are actually putting out this EP. So yeah, I was waiting to get into the rave and I heard the bass from ‘Alien Skank’ from outside, through the walls. And I was like, No! The first time I’m hearing my tune in a rave, I’m still outside waiting to get in. So hearing music in the rave, I’m used to it by now. Not in a big headed way but, if you go to Eskimo Dance, you’re gonna hear a Rude Kid tune. If you go to a Grime rave, you’re gonna hear my tune. The feeling is wicked bruv. Anytime my tunes get played anywhere, it’s the best feeling.
How has DJing been for you?
It’s been great. Keeping me busy. I’ve got shows all this week. I’m playing in Ibiza this year. Got 2 dates in Amnesia which is one of the biggest clubs. I want people to know me more as a DJ now. I’ve been doing shows for the last 3 years but not consistently. Now I’m on big line-ups. Big up Chase & Status. I’m on a few line-ups with them. Them man are family still.
How is it working with Relentless? How has the collaboration helped you with your productions?
Them guys are family man. The boss of Relentless is like a good friend now. They’re good hearted people. Good vibes. That’s what you want. From the first day I came to the studio, that was when ‘653’ wasn’t even thought about. The vibe of the studio was so sick and the people are friendly and helpful. Big up my Relentless family all day.
With the release of ‘Noah’s Ark’ after the recent release of ‘653’, do you think that releasing EPs frequently is the way forward for you?
Nah bruv. That’s not my plan. I’m doing loads of things. There’s something I’m going to announce but I can’t yet. So when I do, remember our talk. But yeah, I believe it’ll be good for the scene. But I’m trying to do everything. I’ve got a single coming out, a single with Ghetts. I’m doing album work for artists. More remix work. More DJ shows. A bit of everything. Just trying to keep busy everyday.
How do you feel about the state of Grime culture today with frequent online radio sets, Grime events going nationwide and artists getting more commercial success?
It’s wicked. It’s a good thing. It’s a good thing for me as well. I feel like it’s at it’s best at the moment. I dunno what more to say. It’s amazing right now. It feels that all of the work that myself and others have put in over the years are paying off now. It’s only going to get bigger and better. Grime is still a young genre and if it’s doing what its doing now, just imagine where it will be in the next 5-10 years. I’m happy to be playing a part in the scene.
Well, thank you for talking to me and I’m looking forward to the music.
Big up Courts. Respect my G.
