Billy Got Waves - Rocket Boy Act 1 (EP) + 10 Questions

Scottish hip-hop mainstay Billy Got Waves releases Act 1 from the forthcoming three-part Rocket Boy album. The release follows the two singles Poison and Low/Angels, both of which have already been supported by BBC Introducing Scotland.

After beginning to make music at 12 years old, the Edinburgh rapper and previous Scottish Alternative Music Awards nominee cemented himself as one of the most exciting artists working within Scotland’s rap scene with his 2018 debut mixtape Kill Billy. Like his great grandfather Bert Marshall - an innovator in early jazz alongside Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Gripelli - Billy’s sound cannot be contained to one style, instead merging genres with sharp lyricism, infectious hooks and futuristic productions to create a sonic universe that is entirely his own.

After a three year hiatus, Billy has returned with Rocket Boy Act 1: a four-track snapshot of one of the darkest parts of Billy’s life. Speaking on the forthcoming release, Billy said: “I had a lot of pain, sadness and social anxiety and the only cure from this was to escape from reality. The fallout from all of this was that, like poison, it began slowly killing me, while I lost my sanity in equal measure. This is the first chapter of Rocket Boy.”

Billy 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?

My family has always been playing music in the house for as long as I can remember from Dolly Parton to Bob Marley and Pink Floyd,

For as long as I can remember I was always sourcing music and burning it to cd's for my walkman.

It was like an addiction to finding new songs. I started recording music when my high school friend Theo bought a microphone and a group of us went to his house to see what it was all about. The rest is history!

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

I feel that Daft Punk were a major influence in my music taste alongside 100's of other artists/producers that love to experiment with sound. 

The Scottish artists I would like to work with would be Sega Bodega, Hudson Mohawke & Joesef. 

In terms of artists not from Scotland, Yung Lean and the rest of the sadboys, FKA Twigs, Charlie xcx, Lancey fouxx, Prettyboydo, Santi, shygirl and the goat Lil Wayne.

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

I haven't actually faced many problems making or releasing music as it was all done online, my only concern was I would have liked to have done more of the creative process with the producers I worked with in person rather than through zoom calls etc.

4. How would you describe your sound?

My sound is what I imagine music from the future to sound like. If you Listen to my last release in 2018, Kill Billy it's more relevant now than what it was then, the same with my Collaborative EP Wish You Well with artist Joell.

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

My proudest moment so far within my music journey was actually finishing this album. I feel like I accomplished something which I brought to life from my own thoughts. I think that means more to me than any show or title.

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

Find a group of people with the same vision as you and make a team, don't get disheartened and just keep going. Music is mostly a long game with not many financial rewards until you get to a certain point.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

 Oklou, Bobby Raps, Lancey fouxx.

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

Bladee - Good Luck (Deluxe) , Jimmy Prime - Bleeding Bull & The Weeknd - Dawn FM have all been getting rinsed over the past few months.

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

Enjoy life and let fate show me the way.

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

Phone, space to pace about while writing & water/tea.