After introducing you to singer-songwriter Tiggs Da Author and Northampton-based grime MC Izzie Gibbs, this time we’re taking it behind the boards for New Wave Wednesdays.
Introducing KwolleM, a producer who rose to our attention earlier in 2015 with his remix of “Bad Boy” by Skepta, a velvety smooth version of the track we had never imagined before. He’s now released his debut ‘Mellow EP’ and honed in on the sound he and his clique have been meticulously crafting: Mellow Grime. It’s something that on paper shouldn’t work, but he, alongside Rayf, have been proving otherwise.
Check out the question and answer session below and get to know the man behind the new sound.
Words by our guy Griff. Photo courtesy of Hendrix Nash.
What ends do you rep?
Newham, Knewham, ‘Newham, Same Old Pigs’, all dat!
What or who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Musically, there’s a couple people, but the main ones are Nujabes, who inspired my name being backwards, because his music was truly mellow and he made the theme music for my favourite anime ‘Samurai Champloo’. The second is Knxwledge, simply because he’s become renowned for producing for himself, taking all the work into his own hands by manipulating samples and vocals.
What do you want people to take away from your music?
That grime can be mellow, that everything works mellow. Chill out.
What are your goals for the next 5 years?
I want to see Mellow Grime continue to grow and be recognised as something serious. So a Risky Roadz feature, a physical magazine feature, and Mellow Grime events would be cool too.
Who would your dream collaborator be?
My dream collaborator would have to be Mike Skinner.
What did you buy with your first pay cheque?
Most likely a pair of Air Max’s.
What was the first CD or MP3 you bought?
Snoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot”.
Who are your top 5 MC’s of all time?
Griminal, Prez T, Kano, Skepta and Ghetts.
What was the creative process behind the ‘Mellow EP’?
I found a vocal I wanted, then found a sample I felt matched it and repeated until I had something I liked.
Which do you prefer, using original vocals or samples?
I like bringing back vocals forgotten in time and bringing something new to them. So, I’ll say remixing samples.
Finally, what’s next for you and Mellow Grime as a collective?
It’s contrary to my last answer, but I’m going to start working on the next project soon, which will only be original vocals. As for the Mellow Grime camp, Rayf will continue to up the levels and we’ll try to cement Mellow Grime as a label firmly in the scene.
Words: Alex Griffin