Tommy Saint - Wassup Freestyle (Official Video) + 10 Questions
Riding the wave on his last release ‘Never’, 21-year-old Tommy Saint delivers another punch of ingenious brilliance, this time with ‘Wassup Freestyle’.
The artist comes as a needed elixir to the UK rap scene, offering up a fresh and vastly different style. Hailing from North London, Saint’s education in music production and sound engineering couples with copious talent to grace him with the blossoming of well-deserved success.
With powerful lyrics and an executed sound Saint delivers a narrative documenting the downfall of the protagonist’s psyche. The apex of the track unearths a psychedelic-like experience as he spirals further into madness.
The track comes to life in the accompanying dynamic visual directed by Ilan Lam. The footage shines the light on Tommy’s alter ego character, ‘Tyler Torrance’, loosely inspired by Tyler Durden from Fight Club and Jack Torrance from The Shining. Raging through blacked out bedrooms and dim lit stairwells Lam communicates the overarching loom of danger.
Tommy 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?
From a young age I was a dancer, always performing & training. So my love for music is innate, I just transitioned naturally from moving to it to making it.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
James Blake, J Hus, Billie Eilish, slowthai, 070Shake, Badbadnotgood, Portishead. (& tonnes more).
3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?
Honestly my personal day to day life wasn't affected THAT drastically during the pandemic, as I basically already spent most days at home just working on music. So if anything it allowed me to lock in even harder. However it definitely made filming music videos more difficult; there were a lot of delays & regulations to work around.
4. How would you describe your sound?
I tend to use a lot of dark, cinematic sounds in my music. I'm in minor almost all the time. A lot of it feels very dramatic I think. However I'm currently making some happier feeling music, as I am happier.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
I honestly don't think I've had an individual moment worth mentioning just yet. In a year's time I'll hopefully have an answer for that one.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
I'm so early in the process and still figuring it all out, so I'm in no position to be dishing out advice. But if I had to say something - it would be not to fixate on one sound or style. "Your sound" can be a bunch of different sounds with your stamp on it.
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
Oliver Malcolm. The guy is an absolute beast. I got put onto him about a year ago and haven't stopped listening since.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Portishead - Dummy
Westside Gunn - Pray for Paris
Floating Points - Promises
PinkPantheress - to hell with it
Young Thug - Barter 6
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
I like cooking. Watching TV shows (currently finishing Mr. Robot). And more recently I've really gotten into podcasts (still discovering them all, but I've been enjoying Theo Von's, Rick Rubin's, Joe Rogan's.)
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Salt lamp. Candle. Colour changeable lights. (I like my lighting how I like it & will not be told otherwise).
Words: Tiarna Meehan @tiiarna