The early 00’s had it all. Whilst reasonable prices may stick at the forefront to many, musically, we were given a host of U.K legends. So Solid Crew charted to the top as the first UK Garage collective, Wiley pioneered a genre which is still making movements to this day and there was a certain boy in the corner who many drew inspiration from.
In particular, Dizzee Rascal spread his wings so that SunnyBoyFitz could fly. The Peckham born, Lagos raised star’s E.P cover pays homage to Dizzee’s debut album, and he brings the same enthusiasm on his body of work. I felt like I was bringing that same energy, my production style was very left-field and out of pocket and at the time, I was the boy in the corner!
After a successful period in filming and vlogging, SBF is digesting the aftermath of well-received acclaim following his debut mixtape CopyRightKid. It’s an ode to his childhood and the sounds he grew up on, and he’s seamlessly been able to put a modern spin on his sound to make it an enjoyable listen.
We caught up with SunnyBoyFitz to detail CopyRightKid, transitioning from film to music, working with Slawn and much more.
Firstly, congratulation on the release of CopyRightKid! How’s the reception been so far?
“It’s been good, people are liking the project and taking it in. I feel like people are understanding what I was trying to do with it and listening to it from top to bottom as a body of work. I still have more visual stories to tell from the project.”
For those who haven’t tapped in yet, can you detail what the project is about?
“CopyRightkid is all the inspirations I took as a kid growing up and putting them all together as one piece of work. It’s representing old-school UK music and the era I grew up in. It’s old-school Grime, Funky House, whilst also bringing a new version and It’s about my story and how I started doing music.”
When you listen to the project, you can hear the early 00’s! Were there any artists in particular you were listening to for added inspiration?
“Dizzee Rascal for sure! I really did a deep dive into U.K music. From crib sessions to Lethal B to Kano. I was listening to everything! I made the project in 2023 before I even met my management. That time period of completion till’ now was about developing it, adding more and engulfing myself into the world of UK black culture.”
How did you feel in terms of having the project complete but having to release at a later date?
“I really did want to just drop it! I felt like I was very ahead at that time in what I was doing compared to whart eeveryone else was releasing, but I’m glad that I took time to step back and structure it properly because It’s more effective. The time that I hgave myself allowed me to really perfect the product.”
Let’s touch on the album cover and the Dizzee Rascal reference! Where did the idea come from?
“The idea I had from 2023. Anytime I was showing people the project, I had the Dizzee Rascal Boy In Da Corner cover there! I knew exactly what I wanted to do and what it represented. Also, re-listening to his projects and feeling his energy and the beats he was choosing, it was something insane! I felt like I was bringing that same energy, my production style was very left-field and out of pocket and at the time, I was the boy in the corner! I’ve been around the industry doing videos for Skepta, Adidas, Channel 4, so I was really in my film bag. I didn’t feel like I was not within, but I also didn’t feel like they were taking me seriously! At that time, I felt like my bag was in the corner, I’m on a rude-boy ting’ right now for this project and I gave it to them!”
How was it to collaborate with Slawn on the cover?
“With Slawn, I’ve known him since we were 16. I’ve seen his whole rise. We were sleeping on the same couches and floors. I knew I wanted him to be involved in the cover, and he represents the same things of being a copyright kid! Doing the Supreme/Slawn stuff and not confirming with them! He has that energy. It made so much sense to add him as the final touch. He’s killing it. He’s the new artists for our generation.”
How did you get into music?
“Music has always been predominant in my life. My dad used to be in a group called Big Brovaz and curated that. After that, he went into the Afrobeats space and started to develop artists like D’banj. He’s a legend in his own respects within the music scene. I’ve seen the ups and downs of music through him. My dad encouraged us to make music. It’s came second nature to me and that has been my inspiration.
You were born in Peckham but raised in Nigeria. What memories stand out for yourself which you draw inspiration from and put into music?
Growing up in Peckham in the early 2000’s, it was crazy. I come from a good home but was around the wrong crowd. It came to a point where in secondary school which is pivotal for character development, I got shipped out to Nigeria! It was a shock because I didn’t know much about Nigeria at the time. I went straight to boarding school, which was a culture shock, but it developed me into the person who I am now and to have the understanding of how life works. I was there for four years!”
Where did the name SunnyBoyFitz come from?
“I was doing vlogs and videos back then on YouTube and trying to start up my film career. In my videos, I used to always say Stay Sunny and was always pushing positivity to the point that people startwd to call me SunnyBoy. I was also a really big fan of Jaden Smith’s movement MSFTSrep. I felt like we were misfits, so I added the fitz onto SunnyBoy!”
If you were to introduce a new listener to SunnyBoyFitz, which track would you play first?
“If I had to narrow it down it would be “Lights At The Disco” or “Secure The Bag”. The thing is even since CopyRightKid was completed, I’ve made so much music that I’m so excited to put out. I’m about to keep going so don’t sleep!”
What’s a bucket list goal you are yet to achieve?
“World tour!”
Finally, what’s been the best musical advice you’ve received so far?
“The best advice I’ve had is to keep going. When I first started making beats and filming, I had a gig to shoot Wale in the studio. Slawn and my other guys were there and I felt comfortable. There was an opportunity for me to drop some beats, I airdropped them and everyone went crazy. Wale’s came in and asked about who made the beat and thought I was just the guy filming! After the session, he dropped me back to Peckham and asked me to play some more music. This was after locking in for three months and making beats every day. The next day, I was supposed to be filming again but I brought my laptop and hard drive this time just in case I got the opportunity! We go to the studio me and Wale, and I played him everything I had! We ended up making a tune which he could develop for his album. Fast forward a few months, he shouts me again and wants to continue working on the song. He then flies me out to WrestleMania! We’re front row meeting Lil Baby, Druski, 2 Chainz! I’m there just thinking that I’m here not for filming, but for music which I just started taking seriously. He told me You’ve got something, keep going. I kept going! That was the most impactful advice I’ve received.”