After being born in what he describes as “the rough part” in Brazil, S1lva and his mother moved across the Atlantic to leafy Oxford when he was just 6 years old. He may have spent the bulk of his life in the UK, but he’s made sure to keep in touch with his heritage, mostly via his mum’s taste in samba and traditional Brazilian music. In secondary school a teacher encouraged him and his friends to make music, letting them rent out one of the music rooms after school.

Before long he’d connected with “Rover” singer S1mba and his pal Raph, two musicians based in nearby Swindon who were sketching out the beginnings of what would become their tight-knit collective, RAX. With “Rover”, S1mba began to attract serious major label attention and it was do-or-die time for S1lva. Almost as soon as S1lva officially threw in with RAX, he was signing a record contract of his own. Meanwhile, S1lva had upped sticks to London, making his base in East London while he and the RAX family made their plans. For S1lva, that meant hitting the studio in a big way. With live music off the menu, the recording studio has been his home away from home. He’s worked with 30-40 producers in more or less non-stop studio sessions during lockdown. Notable names include Show N Prove[?], Michelin Shin, The Writers Block, The Fanatix, AJ Productions, Rymez and dozens more from the top tier of UK hit-makers.

Dubbed the unofficial official England Team song for Euro 2020 Krept & Konan present: “Olé (We Are England)” features S1lva, M1llionz and Morrisson and is produced by Show N Prove, and executively produced by Krept & Konan.

S1lva sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

I’d say like every other artist I’ve had a passion for music since young. All sorts of genres too, never really bracket myself into listen to one sound. I guess from that I was able to learn a lot more about the music sound and started loving it for its differences and how it makes you feel, so although I didn’t start taking music serious until the ages of 19-20 it’s always been a main option for me growing up.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

Because my passion for music started at a young age most of my influences would come from that time, for example 50 cent, Lil Wayne, The Game. But as a artist I still get influenced by other artists everyday especially now in the UK music industry. I don’t have no one in particular in mind that I’d like to work with in the future of course there’s loads but it always changes.

3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?

Like everyone else, I think, during corona it was a very awkward and weird time to be releasing music as normally you could have an idea of how the track would go on to do, but during this time it was kind of 50/50. But also helped a lot as I had more time to concentrate and furthermore perfect my sound.

4. How would you describe your sound?

I get asked this a lot and I’d like to describe it simply as different. I know it sound typical but I work around a lot of sound, new and old in my music to give it that difference that I don’t see many others doing.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

I’d say my proudest moment so far would be my signing. Just a really big step towards what I’ve always wanted to do and it’s kind of finally making it official In a way.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Just be yourself and go with what you think. It’s right sometimes that’s just the way to do it. Even as a beginner I’ve noticed a lot of shady stuff in this business. Also WORK, a lot of work. There’s nothing on this planet that if you put your all into you won’t perfect it. So just perfect your graft.

7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out? 

Recently been having ‘£lmoe bands’ and ‘snow’ on repeat still.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Funny, cuz I never really got Spotify until like this year but since then I’ve been running a couple albums - The voice of the heroes.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I’ve never been one of them going out 24/7 heads so I like to just kick back and chill literally, drawing is a little hobby I might do from now and then but mainly just chilling. 

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Can’t mention all 3 but defo my phone and some water.