Earlier this year, three artists from West London—Akelle Charles, Haile, and Louis Rei—created a catchy summer anthem called "In2". Unbeknownst to them at the time, this one track would indelibly alter the course of their musical careers forever. In what seemed to be an instant, "In2" caught fire across the capital and beyond, thrusting the trio into a new situation, now as the members of WSTRN. Not only symptomatic of the new speeds in which the public consume new music, the formation of WSTRN also signals the closer positioning of UK record labels when it comes to harnessing unsigned talent and heat from the streets.
Keen to chop it up with the guys for their first official interview, Complex managed to pin down the Atlantic-signees in a small, Caribbean food spot in Camden. Performing at an award show the night before, and planning to re-shoot the video for "In2" (and a special remix version) later that weekend, we'd caught them slap in the middle of a hectic week. Flanked by veteran video director Morgan Keyz, who co-manages the crew with Jonathan Shalit, patties and plantain to one side—it was time to get In2 it with WSTRN.
Interview by Tobi Oke
Photography: Blaow
You've only recently formed as a group—am I right in thinking that this is a coming together of solo artists?
Haile: Yeah, I'd say we're solo artists that have just come together.
Louis Rei: We are but, right now, we're putting all our energy into WSTRN. This is the brand, and it's the umbrella for everything. From there, we can push different things through that. I can make reference to like A$AP or Wu-Tang; it's not a boy-band vibe, it's more of a collective. The reason it's worked is because it's been organic. Nothings been forced. We got into the studio, we made a vibe, and "In2" was the result of that.
Akelle Charles: Personally, at first, I was like: "Nah. A group? A boy-band?" I never saw myself being in a boy-band, but a collective sounds much better [laughs]. It makes more sense. We do individual things, but, when we come together, it's even greater.
Morgan Keyz (manager): I was managing Louis and "In2" was just a collaborative track. By the time the labels were interested, they had already done eight tracks and planned on doing an EP independently. When it was time to offer a deal, they couldn't offer it to three solo artists. They've all known each other through family, it's more than music, so it felt natural to give it a name and make it a collective.
Speaking with Twin B (A&R Director, Atlantic Records) he said the same thing: a major reason they decided to go with you guys, was the impressive work you'd already created in such a short space of time.
Haile: Yeah, after "In2", things started kicking off. After that, we just started working together and it came to an EP. There's a lot of new music that's ready to go.
It's important to keep it credible and authentic.
Akelle, I recently spoke to your brother (R&B singer, Angel) and, as well as being full of praise for you guys, he mentioned how he's been an example for you all to watch and learn from. What can you say you've picked up from his journey?
Akelle: I've learned that it can be vicious cycle, just watching everything happen from how his label done things and how independents do things.
In looking at his past issues with labels, how are you guys so sure you're in the right situation?
Louis Rei: I don't think you can ever really know. You've just gotta go with the feeling.
Akelle: Yeah, you've just gotta go with it. As long as we're on the same level and we talk things out, communication is the key. We're enjoying it so far and we've got high hopes. The next twelve months are gonna be crazy!
Similarly to your brother, there's also a street element to your sound and style, as opposed to the clean-cut/traditional R&B look. Was maintaining this important for you?
Akelle: That's something that we made sure, because we didn't want it to feel forced or feel like there was anything behind us. It has to be natural, and not like we've just come from the street and straight onto a high platform.
Louis Rei: Big up Twin for seeing the vision!
Akelle: For real... We just want everyone to see the journey, from the bottom up.
Morgan Keyz: The most important thing, and I've said this so much over the last two months, is just keeping it credible. Right now, these guys are very credible. There's a crossover appeal and a pop feel to the music, but it could go completely left if it's packaged wrong, so it's important to keep it credible and always authentic.
In terms of black/urban music, why do you think West London produces the least amount of household names in this country?
Akelle: West London isn't like South, East or North. It's very divided, but the people that are together are together. I think that's what we need to really build on.
Louis: Already, we're seeing people come together and it's a beautiful thing. It needed to happen... It's about time.
Back on the topic of your solo aspirations, is that all on the back burner now? How do you go about juggling it all?
Louis: We go back and forth and try to come to the best solution.
Akelle: We've got our formula now, and we know what works for us. We've just gotta make it work and try and stick to it.
What are some of your influences, on a personal level?
Akelle: Lauryn Hill, Brandy, Cassidy, Fabolous, Jada—old school stuff as well, actually. Louis is more of the old-school kinda guy.
Louis: Yeah, I'm more of a Marvin Gaye, Evelyn King kinda guy.
That's real old-school! I was expecting old-school rap, at the most.
Akelle: [Laughs] Sometimes, I think he was here in a past life.
Louis: I think I'm older than I actually am [laughs].
Haile: For me, it's Nas, Jay Z, Laila Hathaway; I like some of the new heads like Young Thug and Future too, though.
A real mix there. How do you then combine all of that? How does a WSTRN studio session come together, and what does it actually sound like?
Haile: Pure vibes!
Akelle: Here's how it goes: one of us will call up the rest and be like, "Yo! I've got this tune and you guys gotta do your bit." Then, we meet up, come up with ideas and just jump on each other's stuff.
Louis: Before this group came about, we rated each other on an artist level anyway.
Akelle: We were working on my Retakes project before this—it's still coming, by the way—but I called Louis for it, he wasn't taking music too seriously at the time, but I knew he was someone that I wanted to work with.
I think, in terms of working with other artists, I've probably seen Haile's name around the most over the past year. How did those collabs come about?
Haile: Just putting out music and getting my name about.
Louis: Haile's a very likable person. One thing I'll say about Haile, he knows how to talk to people and approach people on a music level. I've learned that from being around him... I'm learning from everyone, every single day.
What's coming up next, then?
Haile: There's just so much. I don't even know where to begin.
Akelle: Every time we make a new tune, we're like: "Yep! This one." We've got a lot of great music coming, that's for sure.
How do you get to a final decision on songs?
Louis: We're usually on the same wavelength, so we always find ways to come to an agreement. It's not that hard.
WSTRN's debut single, "In2", is out on Oct. 30. Pre-order it here.
