Over the past few years, the UK urban scene has developed and evolved to a point where the lines are blurred between strict genres and artists are becoming harder to distinguish when assigning genres.
This allows artists to hone their craft without pre-existing perceptions and leads to tonnes of exciting and original sounds. One such artist is Yxng Bane, who burst through in late 2015 and was featured as part of our New Wave Wednesdays segment last year.
Since his early releases, “Lone Wolf” and “Villain” and his genre blending mixtape ‘Full Moon‘, Yxng Bane has been turning heads with his unique wordplay and delivery.
As we approach the Autumn/Winter season, Yxng Bane looks to return with a bang! After dropping the infectious “Fine Wine”, an afro-rap inspired track featuring Kojo Funds and gearing up for the full release of his ‘B.O.E‘ project, GRM caught up with Bane to discuss the urban scene and his plans for the future
When did you first decide to take music seriously?
“Although I had been doing music properly for a while, it wasn’t until I sold out my first headline show that I decided to take the music seriously. That’s when I realised I can do this!”
Why the name Yxng Bane?
“When I started music, it was simply because I didn’t want to show my face and the Bane mask seemed appealing. So, I came up with Yxng Bane and just ran with it.”
What made you remove the mask?
“I should say, it’s because I wanted everyone to see the person behind the music. But really, it’s because i lost the mask at a video shoot, so I just had to go without it.
Your latest track, “Fine Wine” features Kojo Funds. What made you want to make that track and how did the link up with Kojo come about?
“We go way back. That’s my boy! We’ve got loads of tracks just waiting to just be released. We are in studio all the time; me, him and a couple of producers and we just vibe and that’s how “Fine Wine” came about. Whenever we are together, there’s just flows and melodies.
What means more to you – making singles or pushing full projects (EPs/Mixtapes) and why?
“I prefer giving a body of work. When you give a body of work it feels more like a present, you know? You take care of it, wrap it up then you give it to people.”
You’ve got your headline show on the 13th October. What can people expect from a Yxng Bane live show?
“Every Yxng Bane show is like a night in Gotham. We’re rockstars! Expect the unexpected, we’re going to go crazy… it’s going to be crazy!”
Last week, Skepta won the Mercury Music Prize for Konnichiwa which was a massive moment for the UK scene. What did it mean to you as a UK artist?
“As an active urban UK artist, it is a good look. It gives you something to target, to accomplish and to beat. You can’t take it away from him, he’s done a lot for the scene.”
Do you think it will change the way grime/UK rap is approached from a mainstream perspective?
“Of course, it now feels like the scene is accepted. I feel like you don’t have to switch up or change your style or sound just to be accepted or to go further.”
If you could do a Live Lounge cover tomorrow, what track would you cover and why?
“Tomorrow? It would probably be an Isley Brothers song, but I couldn’t say which one. Would have to wait and see.”
What have you got planned for 2017?
“For 2017,the plans are… to simply be Bane!”