Nicole TanGet set for a new wave of global music domination.
Performing for the first time in Singapore at the inaugural Big Night Out 2009 on Jan 13, the infectious sounds of Wiley’s “Eski beats” had everyone up on their feet and dancing during his 30-minute set that featured songs like “Summertime” and “Where’s My Brother“.
The beats didn’t just stop at Big Night Out. Wiley, dubbed The Godfather of UK Grime, was off within 2 days to commence his domination of the music world with his tour – Godfather of Grime: The Wiley 2009 Australian Tour.
Who is Wiley?
Wiley, who celebrates his big 3-0 this year on Jan 19, is one of the original founders of the genre of Grime music, To date, he is “arguably the most influential throughout the UK Grime scene”.
Of course, if you didn’t already know, Wiley is just his stage name and this rapper’s real name is Richard Kylea Cowie.
Wiley debuted on the music scene with his debut album Treddin On Thin Ice in 2004 that unleashed his unique “Eski beat” sound to all and sundry, cementing himself as one of the most innovative producers in British electronic music.
With follow-up albums Playtime Is Over released later in 2007, and See Clear Now released shortly after, in 2008, Wiley looks set to be the man to watch out for in the genre of Grime.
Whether it’s producing his own “Eski beats” or helping to nurture young talent, Wiley has influenced the careers of practically every artiste who has come through the Grime scene. In fact, supporting Wiley at Big Night Out were Skepta and Bless Beats, 2 of his very own Grime protégés.
So what is Grime music, you may ask?
A common definition would say it is “a genre of urban music which first emerged in East London, England in the early 2000s, primarily a development of UK garage, dancehall, and hip-hop”.
The UrbanWire chilled out with the Godfather of UK Grime to find out exactly what his type of Grime is all about.
The UrbanWire (UW): What does it feel like to be given the title of “Godfather of Grime”?
Wiley: Yeah, it’s a good thing. Some days I do feel like being a ‘Godfather’ and some days, I just want to be myself and not be labelled as anything; but my dad told me that James Brown is the “Godfather of Soul” and it will never change. So to be the “Godfather of Grime” is not bad. I’ll take on the title but really, some days, I just think, ‘am I that old yet?’ I’m not that old to be a “Godfather” at times.
UW: How would you define your music?
Wiley: My music is raw, it’s fresh to the air and it’s like a reflection of all the stuff I’ve been through.
UW: What are some of the main influences when it comes to making your own music?
Wiley: I’ve got oriental music and I’ve got reggae music. I listen to rock; I listen to all different types. I even listen to musicians who play the flute in the mountains. I’m deep into music but I suppose all the inspiration that I picked up have made me who I am today, of which is a lot of hip-hop.
UW: Do you feel “Wearing My Rolex” has helped promote you as an artiste?
Wiley: Yeah, that was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I made it on my birthday (Jan 9) one year ago, so that was the best present I could ever expect. I like the “Rolex” because it’s different from what I was doing before and a lot of people who never knew me have started to know me now because of that, so that’s a good thing.
UW: Do you think the genre of Grime would reach out to Asians?
Wiley: It will, but it will take time and also depends on which type of Grime comes through. It depends if Asians start getting into it, in Asia, like if we work with the Asians musicians more and we both share our musical talents, then it could. But unless they start to do it, then it will just be us. I think that music travels anywhere, all type of music travels. And it was a surprise for me because I didn’t actually know that the fans would know who we were in Singapore!
UW: As some of your music has an oriental feel to it, how does it feel to perform in a country where everybody’s oriental?
Wiley: It’s good. What I would liked to have done, because I’m a producer as well, is to go on the stage and create a beat for them, because that’s my flavour. Even in England, everyone says “Oriental’s your flavour, Oriental’s your flavour” even though I’m not Oriental. It’s just what I like. So yes, I would like to start performing live on stage and create a beat like that for the fans so they can hear what I do as a producer.
UW: So what can we expect to see from Wiley in the future?
Wiley: In the future, you can expect more hits and definitely more travelling. I spend a lot of my time in England and I felt like England was the only place I knew; but the world is a big place and you got to just get around and show everyone in the world what you can do. So, you’ll definitely see more travelling.
UW: And you have your third album coming out this year?
Wiley: I’ve got a new album called Race Against Time that’s coming out in May. The main inspiration behind the title is how I felt about my first two albums. In my life, I felt like the first album was done and the second album was done and they weren’t really the best albums I could have done so I’m feeling kind of like a race against time with myself to try and produce that good album. So hopefully this one is it.
Indeed, this UrbanWire writer wouldn’t be surprised to find out that “Eski beats” are the main cause of a new global music domination.
(Main photo and tour poster courtesy of LAMC Productions)