10 Questions: Brotherman
Brotherman for Wordplay Magazine - Photo by Rob Luckins
Yes yes y’all…we’re back once again with another edition of 10 Questions, keeping it light with some incredible artists from the UK and beyond. This time round we have an artist who wrote one of the most heart felt and introsepctive pieces in Wordplay Magazine we have ever had. Ever since “Heart Of Dem”, the now Spain based lyricist has been offering up his unique brand of lyricism. Let’s do this. We’d like to welcome to the stage…Brotherman:
1) Contestant, what’s your name, chosen craft and where are you based?
Hey Wordplay, the name’s Brotherman. My chosen craft is music through rap, song and spoken word. I am currently based in Benigánim near Valencia in Spain.
2) How would you describe your sound?
I would say my sound could be described as conscious musical hip hop. Motown with hard bars if you will. If I really consider my listeners then I would say it is music to sit back and think to.
3) Who / what do you consider to be the biggest influence on your music?
I would have to say I owe a lot to nineties hip hop so Biggie, Common, Talib Kweli and Mos Def. As well as early UK hip hop like Skinnyman, Yungun/Essa and Jehst. But I can still see some of the music my parents listened to when I was young having an influence today.
4) What’s the proudest moment to date for you as an artist?
I would say it would have to be warming up for Yasiin Bey performing Mos Def over Dilla beats where I took to the stage with Essa and Mr Thing. That or my solo show at Nozstock this summer.
Brotherman for Wordplay Magazine - Photo by Rob Luckins
5) Do you have any advice for our readers who maybe trying to play the mad game of music?
Yes. Watch out for the hype and try to keep constantly evolving and getting better. The bar is there to be raised. Also stay as true to your music as you can. It can seem easy to ride a wave or do something that’s hot at the moment but consistently good music will last forever and not just fifteen minutes.
6) Name 3 people you would love to work with and why?
Lisa Fischer has to be one of the voices I would most like to work with. I think I could learn a lot from her. I love the music that Eva Lazarus makes and seriously respect her work ethic. We will make music again soon I’m sure. And I have always wanted to make a track with Talib Kweli because his lyricism has been and still is a huge inspiration for me.
7) What have you got planned for the not so distant future?
There are several projects in the pipeline including a couple of album type releases that should make waves. I plan to explore working with different producers on smaller EPs to really connect with each sound. The next thing to look out for will be an album called The Thief Of Always. It is a concept rich piece with strong lyrical content and somewhat lo-fi boom-bap throughout.
8) What’s the album you’ve played more than any other?
I would say that there are probably two albums that come joint first. The first is Bob Marley ‘Kaya’ because there is never a time of day or a mood that this album fails to match. And the other would be ‘life after death’ by Notorious BIG. This album is like the soundtrack to my life and switches on my inner hip hop head instantly.
9) What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to? And where?
Ooh that is a tough one as there have been some epic shows over the years. I guess it would have to be Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings at Big Chill Festival. I had just performed with Jehst and was on a musical high. We were front stage when they came on and she just blew the roof off the place. A real powerhouse performance reminiscent of the early Motown and Chess Records days (or so I imagine). But this was great music played really well and performed with passion for days.
10) Name 3 things you can’t live without?
I am going to take this question in a more open sense and answer that the three things I cannot live without are: Music, Food and Laughter.
Please can you nominate another contestant and provide us with a question for them on your behalf?
Yo if a nomination is required then I would like to nominate Eva Lazarus. My question would be ‘Where was your best performance so far and why?’
Any last words/shoutouts?
Yes I would like to shout out all the good folks on my team that have made this latest push possible. Namely Johnny, Sam, Nick, Vera, both Robs, Niah and Madhu.
Your host for todays 10 questions has been Vice beats (James Kennaby)
