While 2015 has focused on our homegrown music scene, including the resurgence of grime and the success of UK rap, there are many UK artists making a name for themselves on foreign shores. One such artist is Macca Wiles who took to America earlier this year and has crafted out a place for himself within the ATL trap scene. His unique pairing of trap and UK flows have earned him praise from major publications including Pigeons & Planes and ELEVATOR magazine and his track “Mr Finesser” has clocked up over 30,000 plays. His online presence includes photos and videos of Macca with guns and girls but still remains relatable to all with thousands of followers.
GRM Daily caught up with the man himself to talk about his past, present and future in music, what UK artists he’d love to jump on a track with and how the US scene initially took to him.
Tell us a little bit about yourself – where you’re from etc.?
My name is Macca Wiles, originally from Essex but moved to Edmonton when I was young. In terms of my music, I take UK slang and put it over American trap beats.
What music were you listening to growing up and what musicians had a major influence over your music?
I grew up listening to rock music and at a stage; I listened to heavy metal as well. During my younger years, I was always listening to Grime because it was such as a big thing back in the day in London and the UK – stuff like Wiley and Skepta. Right now, I listen to rap and trap music and don’t focus on other genres. I don’t listen to commercial music – the most commercial person I fuck with is Rae Sremmurd.
With influence, I’m influenced by the people around me who are doing the same shit – people in America, every that’s a part of 200 gang. I listen to myself a lot – any artist that says they don’t listen to themselves is lying. By listening to yourself, you can see what you can do to improve and what you can make better. But mainly it’s people around me who influence me the most and push me in music. And I want them to succeed as well.
Over the past year, you’ve been out in the US, how did that all come about and what pulled you to the US scene?
Before I went to the US, I got into some sticky situations in London and certain parts of Essex. I literally had $2000 in my pocket and booked a flight to America for the next day. I went out there with nothing planned. As soon as I landed, I got a call from an artist called Wells [who got nominated for XXL Freshman] and he told me to come through and perform at some frat house party. So I didn’t unpack, got an outfit out and went straight down to perform and we shut shit down. From there, people that followed me noticed I was out in the US and I started to make links and networking and head out to New York, Atlanta, North Carolina.
Being out in the US, how did fans and other artists take to you being a “white Essex boy with dreads”?
The majority of it was all good – I’d say 90%. They showed me love because I wasn’t from there and because of my image. For a start, in America, the white boys can’t dress for shit. So when I would be in malls, people would look at me like they’ve never seen something like this before. Sometimes it was hard to figure out if they liked it or were scared. You see us Londoners, we don’t like people watching us so I would be standing in a mall and this group of girls looking at me and laughing. I went over to say something and ask them what’s good, but they were cool and were actually feeling my image and look. The reaction overall was good though man, they fucked with me heavy.
In 2014, you dropped The Gianni Luciano EP alongside regular collaborator Nico Banks. How did you first meet Nico and can we expect a joint EP from the two of you again?
I’ve known Nico since I was about 12 years old because he was in Essex as well. He had a good studio at the time and wanted some to record so one time, I went round there to record a track and we built that friendship. He actually went out to America first and he hollered at me so it got a point that we were always with each other, working on new music. Me and Nico have got the strongest connection and because he’s older than me, he calls me his son and I believe the reason my music has developed is because of him and I certainly look to him for inspiration. We definitely feed off each other’s vibe. We are working on Gianni Luciano 2 – no idea when we will be dropping it yet but you know we gonna cut down the tracks and stack up the features with some big names.
Pigeons & Planes wrote a piece on you a few months in which they quoted Wells calling you the “British Gucci Mane”. What do you think of that comparison and how did it feel to be covered by such an influential blog?
When I first read it, I didn’t quite know how to take it. I think a lot of people won’t take the time to listen to my music after being called the “British Gucci Mane” because of people making assumptions straight away – like I’m a drug lord or something. I think it’s a nice comparison but not one that is necessarily true. Myself and Wells are really tight now and it’s crazy how music can bring people together. From the first time I met Wells, were always about the music. I chat to him on FaceTime at least once a week, we’ve recorded a track together and are currently working on a joint EP. It was great to be featured on such an influential thing but we [Macca & Wells] both don’t particularly like the write up [on P&P] because it felt that Wells was endorsing me and took away from the whole piece. It was like a blessing and a curse.
What’s your favourite track you’ve made to date and why?
My favourite track is probably “Mr Finesser” just because it has some meaning. So the name was given to me because back in the day, I used to finesse girls out of their panties and tell them what they want to hear to get what I want. When I recorded the track, I was messing around and actually freestyled the track and when I released it, it just took off. Another reason it’s my favourite track is because everytime I perform it, it’s a fucking shutdown. The first show I did in America, people were going crazy for the track and singing along with the chorus. If I could go back, I would make the track two verses but it’s out there now.
How have you found the US scene compared to the UK scene and are there any notable differences?
In New York, grime is really well known and just because I was from London, they would assume that I knew Skepta. It’s great to hear that artists I grew up listening to are getting recognition. The US and UK scenes are literally like two different worlds. Low-key, I’ve got a lot of London fans but they want to follow a crowd and for someone like me, because I’m not doing UK rap, I’m seen as a “wannabe” to US rap. But it’s not like that, I don’t want to be American, I’m proud of my hometown and even bust a British bandana when I perform. For me, I am not going to make UK music because it’s not what I enjoy making. You know what, I made a grime track in the studio like a month ago, but I didn’t feel like it was me. The trap music is more what I relate to. People have commented before that my music disrespects women but in my life, I’ve come across a lot of hoes and if a woman comes to me as a woman, then I will treat you like a woman. If you come to me like a hoe, then you get treated like one and my music reflects that.
Have you ever had any bad response to your music and what’s your usual response to haters?
I’ve always said I’m like Young Thug when it comes to negativity in terms of the way he feeds of it and doesn’t let it affect him. Obviously people have commented on my dreads and the fact I’m white so it’s hardly ever about the music. There is no such as bad publicity and it would only really hit me if it was someone I actually cared about, not keyboard warriors.
In November, you did a show alongside Korean hip hop artists Okasian and B Free. How did that all come about and how was the response to you on home soil?
It was CRAZY, we sold it out and it was probably my best experience ever. I was getting cheered on stage, we started a mosh-pit and I even had my mum come down to watch so it was a cool night. It all came about through someone I know called Hoon who put the night on and paid for Okasian and B Free to come over and their hotel and all because he says “He does these things because they need to be done”. I stayed with the pair when they were in London and even recorded a track together as well as a music video so hopefully we are going to debut it in the new year in front of 3,000 people.
Talking of live shows, what has been the craziest live show you’ve performed at and why?
Ace Hotel is definitely one of my best responses. Another one was in Atlanta because mid-way through my performance, gun shots went off in the house party – not at me but everyone had to dip out so it definitely was memorable and I couldn’t forget it!
Who are you currently fucking with in the UK and would like to jump on a track with?
Skepta is doing really well. Stormzy is doing really well. I listen to Chip a lot because he’s come back hard and is representing the scene. In terms of doing a track with someone, I don’t know how well it would fit but I’d like to do a track with Frisco. His energy is crazy. I wouldn’t mind working with Chip as well.
With 2016 around the corner, what’s next for Macca Wiles?
More shows. I’m working on a iTunes project and hopefully gonna drop a few singles and then one free 5 track EP with just me – no features. I’m looking to go to America again for 6 months next year and trying to do shows both international and in London.
From your journey so far, do you think you have learnt any lessons on the way?
Keep a tight circle. You’ll notice that a lot of people will want to come around when you’re popping and there actually fake. You need to know who you’ve got around you because people who act like they support you but ultimately want to see you fail. I’ve only got a tight circle of real people that I fuck with. Don’t bring in people you don’t need and support those that support you.
And just stay humble.