Motive105 - Conversation With Kings (Official Video)
Following the release of the highly anticipated debut EP “The Drive Downtown: Part One” last week, the West London newcomer Motive105 showcases his affinity for merging genres in order to curate his unique twist on UK Hip-Hop. With an artful visual directed by Uncle Timothy, Motive105 paints the perfect backdrop for his razor sharp lyricism and indisputable flow, setting the bar high for his upcoming project.
We caught up with the West London Rapper to discuss the song, the visual and how he is feeling after dropping his debut EP.
How did the song come together first of all? What came first, the beat or the bars and was it an idea you were already playing with or did it come together organically in the studio?
I remember going through beats with my producer Selasi at Qube studios for hours trying to spiritually latch onto something but nothing was clicking. I was ready to call it a day and I meet my good friend but then out of nowhere Selasi was like ‘Listen to something I worked on last night.’ Within the first 30 seconds of the beat playing, I had the verse written already in my head… I knew from the moment I heard the chorus we were about to strap something timeless.
You're a man of Caribbean heritage and this song has carribbean undertones, how important is it to carry your heritage through your music?
Well in all honesty the first thing that came to mind when I heard the production and chorus was the yard raves I used to go growing up. Whether it was war or peace, undeniably the party always continued. I mean what’s a dancehall/bashment rave without the mixture of falling in love mid whine or drowning in a madness that isn’t even yours? However amongst the madness funny enough I enjoyed it all, the good and the bad. The beat and the song automatically takes me back to them sweatboxes wearing true religion, Ralph polos and a beat down Gucci buckle.
The video is forces you to really lock in ad take in the details and the people around you, what was main thing you wanted to capture and present with this visual?
The main thing I wanted to achieve with this visual was capture me in my comfort zone, whether that be the physical settings we’re shooting in or the people around me. The first shot is epic to me, simply because me and the mandem have been digging deep in home gyms since this pandemic started. I told the director (Uncle Timothy) that I wanted to create something that felt like a natural day in my life but in a more cinematic format, minus the lowkey stunt in front of a double R. The funny thing is I only done that because my 16 year old cousin said “why don’t you have any fly cars in your videos ?”
How does it feel to have released your first EP and be two videos in?
To be honest I am just happy to be releasing music. I made this the EP 3 years ago and to see people resonate with it right now gives me great confidence that I am going in the right direction. People have been showing me mad love round my way, nothings really changed in terms of life, but the initial conversation now are about music whereas before it was about other things.
Conversation with Kings is a thought provoking title - what does it mean to you to have a Conversation With A King?
Im going to keep it simple, I have conversations with kings everyday. The men I hold in high esteem around me are all forging their own way in life and taking care of their business. Most of my friends growing up was counted out on all accords, the “either you’re going to be dead or in jail” kinda’ talk. Instead they out here with beautiful women, beautiful kids, beautiful homes and they own their own businesses. So in a nutshell we made ourselves Kings instead of being gifted the title through lineage or privilege.
Watch the video for Conversation With Kings below and go listen to The Drive Downtown: Part One on your favourite streaming platform.