When you come from one of the most diverse, influential, and culturally infused parts of London, it's really not that hard to be as confident as SNE.
The Hackney-raised rapper has been creating a buzz for a few years now, first blowing up the spot in 2013 with his debut project, I.O.U. He gained even more popularity for his rap/trap/R&B fusion after releasing tracks like "Tiana Major", "Tell Me" and "Goku", and even made our emcees to watch list at the top of the year. SNE, which stands for Sounds Never End, is already building a budding fanbase across the pond, so much so that, earlier this year, he was asked to perform in Canada and Atlanta for a couple of big festivals.
Hackney's Golden Child—as he often refers to himself—seems very self-assured and poised on his debut EP, Essence, with cuts like the hard-hitting "Titanic" and '90s soul-inspired "442" showing some serious crossover appeal. The 14-tracker recently came to life at the rapper's headline show at Birthdays in Dalston (Nov. 13), and it was there Complex sat with him right before tearing the whole place down.
You recently turned 23—happy belated! Looking back on your younger years, was being a successful underground rapper something you ever envisioned?
If I'm being honest with you, I wanted success earlier and that was just because I was young. I wanted to be a big footballer, athlete, or a musician. It nearly came at around 18-ish but everything happens for a reason. So I would say I should be here at this point; sometimes I do feel like I should be further, but then I realise I haven't really done enough.
Who were some of your core influences growing up?
The biggest of the biggest: Michael Jackson, Ja Rule, Ashanti, LL Cool J, 50 Cent, Eminem... Eminem was a big one. Tanto Metro and Devonte—they're Jamaican artists—Beenie Man and Method Man as well.
How did you know that music was what you wanted to do?
It's a mixture of growing up in a nail shop and watching MTV all day, listening to all of the bangers, and Tim Westwood TV. Chipmunk's freestyle actually made me want to spit.
A lot of your fans are hooked onto this sound you've titled as "trillfull." Tell us a bit more about that.
Trillfull is different elements of me: the trap in me, the pain in me, the R&B in me, the MTV growing up in me. As well as my love for dancehall, bashment and reggae. I just feel like I'm the trillest. You could call it a genre but, really, it's just me.
How did it feel when your debut headline show sold out in 48 hours?
I had to slap myself, because I doubted myself. We've been working so hard for two years, and at the end of the two years, we took a break and then started recording music so I was thinking, "I don't have no bars online right now! I don't have what I need to normally sell out straight away." Then I put it out this EP and told everyone, and everyone was like: "I'm there! 100%."
![Your debut EP, Essence, consists of 14 tracks that are all vastly different in sound. What was the creative process like and how long did it take you to complete the project?
I would say it took me 6 months to create and 6 months to mix, master and tweak it. So let's just say about a year. I tried to show how musically in-tune I was, and how musically there I am. I don't want to be a jack-of-all-trades, but I literally feel I can add something to everything.
Is there a track on the EP that's extra special to you or that you enjoyed creating the most?
I would say "Trappola Fratello". It's the one where me and my brothers are really stuck in the trap, so it's like we're all trying to get out in different ways; that one meant a lot to me. I would also say "Turbulence" because that goes back to when I was 18 and mum's at home stressing out about paying bills. At one point, I was sitting in my house with no electric and I literally had no money, so it was like: "How do we get ourselves out of this?"
Is there anyone in or out of the music industry that has given you good advice on becoming a better artist?
There's a guy called Kojo who I've been friends with since I was 11—he studied business management—but even just as a person, he knows so much. My bros will also tell me if I'm doing something wrong. In terms of the industry, I'd say Nadia Rose's manger [Suge] has given me crazy advice. People from my old area, too, Rising Tide Gaby and Heather, they always share gems. And Shezar, the singer; I used to be at Urban Development with her back in the day!
You seem super-focused right now, so, in terms of releases—what's next?
I'm gonna be focusing on single released. Over the last two years, I've noticed that I've put things out with a lot of gaps between releases, so now it's gonna be more consistent. Not because I want to, but because I know I've got the music now and the catalogue to do it. I know that's what the industry needs for you to tick the boxes, and reap the rewards that you feel you deserve. So from here, until next November, there's going to be lots of work coming out. But all quality. That's my aim.](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BcFrCWI8oEo/mqdefault.jpg)
View this video on YouTube
Your debut EP, Essence, consists of 14 tracks that are all vastly different in sound. What was the creative process like and how long did it take you to complete the project?
I would say it took me 6 months to create and 6 months to mix, master and tweak it. So let's just say about a year. I tried to show how musically in-tune I was, and how musically there I am. I don't want to be a jack-of-all-trades, but I literally feel I can add something to everything.
Is there a track on the EP that's extra special to you or that you enjoyed creating the most?
I would say "Trappola Fratello". It's the one where me and my brothers are really stuck in the trap, so it's like we're all trying to get out in different ways; that one meant a lot to me. I would also say "Turbulence" because that goes back to when I was 18 and mum's at home stressing out about paying bills. At one point, I was sitting in my house with no electric and I literally had no money, so it was like: "How do we get ourselves out of this?"
Is there anyone in or out of the music industry that has given you good advice on becoming a better artist?
There's a guy called Kojo who I've been friends with since I was 11—he studied business management—but even just as a person, he knows so much. My bros will also tell me if I'm doing something wrong. In terms of the industry, I'd say Nadia Rose's manger [Suge] has given me crazy advice. People from my old area, too, Rising Tide Gaby and Heather, they always share gems. And Shezar, the singer; I used to be at Urban Development with her back in the day!
You seem super-focused right now, so, in terms of releases—what's next?
I'm gonna be focusing on single released. Over the last two years, I've noticed that I've put things out with a lot of gaps between releases, so now it's gonna be more consistent. Not because I want to, but because I know I've got the music now and the catalogue to do it. I know that's what the industry needs for you to tick the boxes, and reap the rewards that you feel you deserve. So from here, until next November, there's going to be lots of work coming out. But all quality. That's my aim.
