The South side of London has birthed some of the U.K’s most prominent artists over the decades. Next up, is the borough of Kennington, as it fast becomes a hub to London’s next generation of rap royalties.
Currently under the microscope is the ever-present BlazeYL. He’s not a newcomer to music or the media, but as he currently embarks on an epic solo run, he’s paving the way for the U.K’s underground artists to be the mainstream characters.
This year has seen the release of his EP The Cost of Being. A body of work which epitomises who and what Blaze stands for. We’ve seen him flourish with compatriots and collective House of Pharaohs over the years, but this latest project dives deep into his own identity.
Having just released his latest single “Meaningful Captions”, we caught up with BlazeYL to speak on new music, the power of the underground scene, building a solo career and much more.
Can you tell us about your new single Meaningful Captions?
“Meaningful Captions, that song is about how nowadays I just upload and sign off. Back then, I used to put so much meaning into certain captions on Instagram and now it’s more of just upload and sign off. It’s talking about how the U.K scene show me love, but a lot of people are oblivious to what I’m actually doing. It speaks on how I am in the U.K scene right now and not being too tapped into the social world. Shoutout my guy who produced that, he’s from Germany. He came down to London and we tapped in. That one there is a banger!
Let’s get into the first half of the year and the drop of The Cost of Being. What was your process for this project?
“That one there was a whole process. Before that, I’ve never released a whole tape, that’s my first mixtape. Before that, I had done one EP and was flooding the streets with singles. I said to myself I actually need a solid project for my people and my supporters. It was one of them ones where I was leading up to it but at the same time, I didn’t know I was. I was thinking all these tracks I’m making, these need to go on a tape.”
What made you choose the title The Cost of Being?
“Cost of Being. That name resonates to myself and creatives in general. What I have to do in terms of taking it to a certain level. It was near to the time of the cost of living. As a young black male in London, there’s a lot of things you have to do and sacrifice to break through.”
AntsLive, Kairo Keyz, Arz are some of the features on the tape, what are your thoughts on the next generation of talent coming through?
“In terms of Ants, Kairo Keyz and Arz, they’re all like me. They’re very open minded and able to accept new stuff. Sometimes, you get people that are not in the state of mind to accept where the scene is going and know how to adjust. From when I started, it’s always been ‘the different’ anyway. In terms of the next generation, I think it’s sick. I see it all right now on social platforms. The music is sick right now. The underground isn’t really put as ‘the underground’ anymore because this is the stuff which is really making the noise now! I love what everyone’s doing.”
Str8 Outta Kennington with Blanco and NSJ Mali – How was that to record, what does this area mean to you and was there anyone that inspired you growing up from there to make music?
“That one there means a lot still! There’s too much talent in Kennington, even back to Harlem Spartans. It was a natural one because I already know them. The track as well, being straight out of Kennington, people were clocking through the bars. The track means a lot because it’s talking about the stuff we used to be on back in the day and how it was. Everyone’s older now but it’s about going through those little things, run out on the blocks! I was like ‘Yo, this one is defo making the tape!’”
So, for those that don’t know, where did the name BlazeYL come from?
“So BlazeYL, my real name is Blaze. It was kind of a thing where I was thinking to just stick with Blaze. I was the guy that was around the olders from young. I was never around my age, only in school. When I was out and about, I would be around the olders quite a lot. The YL came from when A$AP Mob was popping, the young lords. Us man had a little swag and was going central, switching up when the skinnies weren’t really a thing! Everyone around me used to say, ‘You’re actually the youngest older!’ The way I was presenting myself and chatting to people. Certain venues where I’m not even old enough to perform, but I’m having to go there for soundcheck and stay in the venue until 23:00 when we’re supposed to perform! So, the YL came from that, young lord, and I haven’t changed it since.”
I want to touch on your collective House of Pharaohs, what has kept the group running for so long?
“We officially started in 2015, that’s when we started to make noise. 2016-2017 was when we were getting to the peak of things. I just think because all the mandem are very alike and the bond we have, everything came about so organically with us. That even comes down to the music we make. Everyone else was straight on Drill, but we were different. In terms of us staying together, I feel like it’s just real friendship. Besides the music, us man are tapped in for life. It’s more than music.”
How was it working with JME for New Era?
“I can’t lie bro, that was a crazy one! JME was already tapped in and was showing love to the mandem. One day, Sam Wise shouted him for a beat pack. He sent for a beat pack and Sam picked out one that would be great for all of us to get on without having JME on. We picked it out, and then JME thought he needs to be on this one as well! I remember it was a studio session that I missed out, but it was Sam, Bandanna and JME. JME went into the booth on the chorus like ‘BAP, BAP’ and the mandem were like ‘Mad!’ They facetimed and sent a video, and I thought I need to f**k this one up!”
Having been together a long time, what would you say is the best thing about being a part of the group?
“I think it’s about being open to new ideas. You have other creatives around you that will have a sick idea for something that can help you out and vice-versa. All those things come in great.”
Opposed to being in a collective, what do you enjoy most about solo recording?
“I’d probably say getting to know myself a bit more. When it’s a project, you want to have that difference in tracks. A 12-track mixtape, I can express as much as I want to express. There are loads of stories that I have to tell which I haven’t been able to tell before. Even doing the projects, it’s like ‘Oh, I can do that!’.”
What is your first memory of music?
“I’ve been into music since a young age. I was part of Thriller Live in the West End musical! That comes in first. My mum was into a lot of Jazz, Reggae and R&B. When I’m hearing them sort of sounds, I was already into that. Back in the day, I was more into dancing and singing! I was playing a young MJ in Thriller Live. Then I went on to go to Brit School. That’s when I was really tapping into music, when SoundCloud was popping. My songs were going mad.”
Being an artist, what would you count as being a success?
“I think it comes down to everything. It’s not even the big wins sometimes, the small wins count a lot. Even doing a listening party, my first headline show. If I finalise my whole project, having it mix and mastered and the name is there. That for me is a win. Waking up every day, getting to work, even besides music, exercising, all these little things that come in together are wins. Shows and the project coming out definitely count.”
Having your own headline show, what is that feeling like?
“The feeling is mad still! I’ve done headline shows with House of Pharaohs and they’ve been crazy but having my own one, is a whole different thing. I was stressed! Setting it up, making sure everything was going to plan. I’ve never done something like this before. I had my team there but a lot I had to do on my end. Now I’ve done it, it’s like that was sick, I actually done that! Selling it out, the waiting room was packed, people couldn’t get in! It was lit and a time was had.”
What has been the best advice given to yourself in your music career?
“The main thing is to stay true to yourself and to do things at your own pace. There will be a lot of people that want to help but what is true to me?”
Who are three artists you are currently listening to?
“It always changes! But right now in the U.K it’s Lancey Foux, Kairo Keyz and Laicositna, his name is spelt antisocial backwards! He’s cold. Potter Payper and Sam Recks too, I’ve been tapping into bro. Back in the day you would have people saying the biggest of names, so you know right now the underground is the ting!”
Finally, what advice do you have for those trying to make a career out of music?
“I’d probably say stay true to yourself. Try find a way to be different from others. You don’t want to be the person that’s just coming off the back of what someone else is doing. The supporters aren’t dumb, they clock onto everything. Find your own sound, the way you present yourself in front of the camera. Have that full package because we’re in the era right now were you need to have everything. You have to be ready to be active on the social medias. Stay on it, be in the booth, get worksy bro!”
BlazeYL’s latest single “Meaningful Captions” is out now and available to stream on all digital platforms.