Yes, yes people! We’re back with another round of 10 Questions to get the lowdown on artists that are on our radar. This time in the hot seat, fresh from the release of his Burning Down Babylon project; The Last Kobayashi.

1. What’s your name, chosen craft and where are you based?

Kon’nichiwa! My chosen craft? The deconstruction of reality as perceived through sound in pursuit of remodeling it into a more visceral experience to be ingested by willful ears. I am based on a patch of Earth a gaggle of humans once decided to christen Düsseldorf, Germany.

2. How would you describe your sound?

Relevant to our times, and the next, both in terms of themes covered and rhythms used to relay a message that seeks to inspire listeners to see themselves as part of a larger whole. In short, old school hip hop for a new school audience.

3. Who/what do you consider to be the biggest influence on your music?

Gil-Scott Heron for his use of words, the intention of his art. New York for the production.

4. What’s the proudest moment to date for you as an artist?

Releasing my first mixtape and listening to it on release minute with my parents. I put my soul through the proverbial meat grinder in pursuit of creating something that would help me explain how in the world it was possible for someone in my position of privilege to feel so disdainful and disconnected. And I figured it out. Double thumbs up to me.

5. Do you have any advice for our readers who maybe trying to play the mad game of music?

Forget everything you thought you knew. What is holding you back are probably the things you think make you who you are. Start at ground zero. Burn everything to hell and back. Then you’ll see what sticks. That way you’ll know who you really are, and what you have to say. Only then will you get to the juicy bits. The rest is just bonus.

6. Name 3 people you would love to work with and why?

1. Mos Def. For his clarity of thought, singular sonic aesthetic and uncompromising nature.

2. The Sun Ra Arkestra. Imagine adding a vocal element to what they do. If they stand for anything at all, it is timelessness and sustainability. That is to say, the ability to live and breathe music. I reckon an afternoon spent in their presence would be like an anti-aging serum. 

3. Billie Eilish. She’s a past, present and future icon. Did you read her comments about ‘being yourself’? I might be paraphrasing here but when asked about her sense of style she said something along the lines of “I wear what I want to wear, so wear what you want to.” To me, that’s the textbook definition of anti-sellout. Everybody stop acting like you’re sheep!

7. What have you got planned for the not so distant future?

I’m gonna be releasing my second mixtape to mark my 30th birthday at the end of July. If I was someone else, I would say doing this interview is taking precious time away from that, but in truth, answering these questions is sort of inspiring. Maybe that’s a better answer to the question about who my influences are than the one I gave you..

8. What’s the album you’ve played more than any other?

Alt-J’s An Awesome Wave. When they say consumed back to front, I say frayed fragments of its pages still line my intestines.

9. What’s the best concert you’ve been to and where was it?

Young Fathers at NOS Alive in Lisbon a couple years back. First off, Portugal is a vibe. And secondly, and more importantly, they were unhinged. The crowd was a little dispersed, think it was like 3 PM and not all everyone had arrived yet, but holy wow. And I choose that word precisely. It was like a public exorcism. All our demons got their money’s worth.

10. Name three things you can’t live without?

1. A sense of achievement.

2. My headphones.

3. Beer.

For more info on the artist, check out his website. Burning Down Babylon is out now on various streaming platforms