Wretch 32 returns later this month with his new single Unorthodox, which sees him team up with Example.
So ahead of the release I caught up with him to talk about the new record, thoughts on the album and getting on the road.
- You are about to release your new single Unorthodox - so what can we expect from the new record?
A real organic British track that samples The Stone Roses ‘Fools Gold’ - I’m really pleased with this track, Ian Brown himself gave it the thumbs up!
- The single features Example so how did that collaboration come about - and how was he to work with?
Me and example always kind of bumped into each other and listened to each other’s stuff we’re on the same label, it’s something we knew we could do, because there is label politics sometimes.
He’s a really great artist I wanted someone who was a really current artist and really represents British music and I think example is the pioneer of that right now he’s in such a great place.
I really like what he makes, so I thought it would be great if we could get something done. He’s cool, he’s actually just mad cool, some artists have ego’s not that I’ve met any with egos because we all come from a place where we had nothing so we always kind of remember that.
But he was mad cool he wrote his chorus came down laid it down we spoke, we were in the studio chilling for a bit he was great to work with man I can definitely see it as something that will happen again.
- 2011 has already been a great year for you with Traktor entering the UK chart at five so how excited were you to get your first hit record?
I was kind of more surprised if anything if I'm honest, but a good surprised, like wow just to think that were actually on the way to where we wanna get to man and you know, it’s a great feeling to be up there with the big dogs especially as we didn’t have the easiest of weeks, we were against Diddy and Britney and all sorts,
I was really happy that it actually done what it done and I'm still kinda surprised if I'm honest.
- Is there an album on the way and what can we expect from it?
The album is very much me y’know I wear my heart on my sleeve as an artist I talk about what I feel needs to be spoken about in my life, in life in general so you can expect to be touched, I’ve got a lot of cool sounding tracks a lot of touching tracks really trying to hit home I just feel like they make something a lot of people can relate to, I can deliver that with a great cd
- Your father is a reggae DJ so how much of an influence has he been on your career?
I think my dad being a DJ was one of those things that I didn’t even notice how much it affected me at the time but you know its still making strengths now when you’re in a house that consistently playing music you know you’re hearing new tunes, he’s talking on the mike, it’s something that’s with you that will never go, and growing up I never realised that but now I'm like you know what that was like a massive thing man, so yeah my dad played a big part in my career and my influence as well
- Where did the name Wretch 32 come from?
Growing up I was a naughty little kid so everyone kinda called me a wretch and my mum used to call me a wretch then everyone starting calling me wretch, and 3 and 2 are my lucky numbers so I stuck them together and made wretch 32.
- How would you describe your musical style?
My music style I think - cool, classy, edgy music that’s the best way I can sum it up with a touch of soul, really being honest and not being afraid to show vulnerability is the soul element.
- You are all set to support Example on his forthcoming tour so how much are you looking forward to getting out on the road?
That was a great experience man, there’s nothing like going out touring everyday, we did 17 dates, what’s really cool about touring is you really get to know a person, so me and example are mad cool, we’ve got a bit closer, the tour itself was great man so many good cities, we also did smaller cities’ which I wasn’t too familiar with but at the end of the night I was like this is one of the best dates of the tour because they really went for it you know.
So just to actually be on a stage in front of so many people on consecutive nights back to back is a great feeling man and it’s nice to know that people are really reacting to the record and really enjoying my performance, I think I enjoyed it as much as they did.
- Tinchy Stryder, Tinie Tempah and Chipmunk have all made a name for themselves in recent years so what do you think of the UK rap scene?
I think its in a healthy position man , I think there’s a lot more to come through, but I think it’s at the best possible place because we’ve got so many artists, we’ve all grown together as artist’s and were completely against each other but we’ve all got love for each other.
It’s not a negative competition it’s a good one were kind of keeping each other on our toes and I think that’s always healthy in music because no one wants to get comfortable as an artist you know with that comes a lot of things you become too static in your career and you’re not taking risks and not trying new things I think we’ve everyone so close, only a phone call away we kinda of keep in touch and see what everyone’s up to , its healthy competition man
- What do you bring that's different?
I think I’m slightly older, I’m not afraid to speak about whatever I want to speak about, my hearts on my sleeve, so you really get to know me as a person
- Finally what's next for you?
More music, I’ve just realised that none of this would’ve happened without music so the main thing I do I always just focus on the music, I suppose whatever happens after that will happen but right now music is my main focus.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Wretch 32 returns later this month with his new single Unorthodox, which sees him team up with Example.
So ahead of the release I caught up with him to talk about the new record, thoughts on the album and getting on the road.
- You are about to release your new single Unorthodox - so what can we expect from the new record?
A real organic British track that samples The Stone Roses ‘Fools Gold’ - I’m really pleased with this track, Ian Brown himself gave it the thumbs up!
- The single features Example so how did that collaboration come about - and how was he to work with?
Me and example always kind of bumped into each other and listened to each other’s stuff we’re on the same label, it’s something we knew we could do, because there is label politics sometimes.
He’s a really great artist I wanted someone who was a really current artist and really represents British music and I think example is the pioneer of that right now he’s in such a great place.
I really like what he makes, so I thought it would be great if we could get something done. He’s cool, he’s actually just mad cool, some artists have ego’s not that I’ve met any with egos because we all come from a place where we had nothing so we always kind of remember that.
But he was mad cool he wrote his chorus came down laid it down we spoke, we were in the studio chilling for a bit he was great to work with man I can definitely see it as something that will happen again.
- 2011 has already been a great year for you with Traktor entering the UK chart at five so how excited were you to get your first hit record?
I was kind of more surprised if anything if I'm honest, but a good surprised, like wow just to think that were actually on the way to where we wanna get to man and you know, it’s a great feeling to be up there with the big dogs especially as we didn’t have the easiest of weeks, we were against Diddy and Britney and all sorts,
I was really happy that it actually done what it done and I'm still kinda surprised if I'm honest.
- Is there an album on the way and what can we expect from it?
The album is very much me y’know I wear my heart on my sleeve as an artist I talk about what I feel needs to be spoken about in my life, in life in general so you can expect to be touched, I’ve got a lot of cool sounding tracks a lot of touching tracks really trying to hit home I just feel like they make something a lot of people can relate to, I can deliver that with a great cd
- Your father is a reggae DJ so how much of an influence has he been on your career?
I think my dad being a DJ was one of those things that I didn’t even notice how much it affected me at the time but you know its still making strengths now when you’re in a house that consistently playing music you know you’re hearing new tunes, he’s talking on the mike, it’s something that’s with you that will never go, and growing up I never realised that but now I'm like you know what that was like a massive thing man, so yeah my dad played a big part in my career and my influence as well
- Where did the name Wretch 32 come from?
Growing up I was a naughty little kid so everyone kinda called me a wretch and my mum used to call me a wretch then everyone starting calling me wretch, and 3 and 2 are my lucky numbers so I stuck them together and made wretch 32.
- How would you describe your musical style?
My music style I think - cool, classy, edgy music that’s the best way I can sum it up with a touch of soul, really being honest and not being afraid to show vulnerability is the soul element.
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