Wallace Rice ft: Dream Mclean & Dame - Wipe Your Feet (Official Video) + 10 Questions

Wallace Rice drops new track "Wipe Your Feet" featuring Dream Mclean and Dame.

Originally hailing from Essex, Wallace Rice's musical journey commenced at a young age, as he began writing music at just 14 years old. Starting as a grime MC, he subsequently transitioned into the world of alternative hip hop when he joined the celebrated group Monster Florence in 2015. Wallace is renowned for his witty lyricism, which allows him to sonically paint the colourful tapestry of our fractured country.

Life serves as the primary source of inspiration for this gifted artist. His work with Monster Florence saw him ascend the ranks of BBC introducing, and he secured a notable victory when his single "Peepin" was crowned Track of the Week by BBC Essex. The track received widespread airplay on BBC Radio One, 1Xtra, and various other BBC stations. Subsequently, Wallace gained a broader fan base with the release of the project "Foul," featuring the hit song "Deck of Cards," which boasts an impressive 15 million streams on Spotify.

In 2023, after the release of Monster Florence's acclaimed album "Master System," known for hits like "Borstal" and "Spaceman," the group was invited to be the official support for Professor Green on his UK tour. This experience served as a stepping stone for Wallace, who has now ventured into the solo artist realm with the release of "Wipe Your Feet," the first single from his inaugural solo project.

Wallace Rice has already built an impressive roster of career highlights, including opening the BBC 1Xtra stage at Reading & Leeds festival in 2017 with Monster Florence and headlining the BBC Introducing stage at the prestigious Glastonbury festival in 2019. The artist also made waves by supporting Professor Green on his UK tour in 2023 and playing Glastonbury with Peng Deli in the same year.

What sets Wallace Rice apart as an artist is his knack for storytelling. His artistry is deeply rooted in observation, enabling him to add his unique perspective to every narrative. His previous work with Monster Florence explored themes of broken dreams, the struggle to make a decent living, and the sensation of sinking in life. In his new solo endeavour, he intends to offer a more intimate view of himself, his beliefs, and his upbringing as he strives to find his purpose.

Wallace Rice 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 passion for music really started with my parents and how I was raised. My mum always had a mix of music playing at home, from soul to jazz and reggae, and I think it naturally rubbed off on me over time. But when it comes to what really got me consciously into music, it was the rise of grime. Listening to artists like Kano and Ghetts as a kid was what actually inspired me to start writing lyrics.

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

I'm personally most influenced by artists who aim to push the boundaries of sound as much as possible. Therefore, I love artists like Sampha, whom I've been listening to a lot recently, as well as James Blake and Jordan Ward. These are acts that create beautiful yet complex music. I would love to work with all three of them in the future.

I'm also deeply influenced by the people around me.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

I've got an EP in the pipeline, set to drop over the next couple of months. "Wipe Your Feet" is the opening track from this EP. While I haven't named the EP yet, I can tell you that it's something I'm quite proud of. It feels much more personal compared to the music you've heard from me before. Make sure you stay locked in.

4. How would you describe your sound?

I would describe it as distinctly Black British, a blend of humour concealing deeper emotions, beauty, a touch of chaos, and a million double standards. But life is complex, and I tend to write about mine a lot.

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

Headlining the BBC Introduction stage at Glastonbury with Monster Florence is definitely my proudest moment. I think that festival is just magical, and being able to perform songs I wrote in a tiny bedroom at my mum's house is crazy.

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

Be original, love the process, don't get discouraged easily, and trust yourself. Your judgment is everything, so take pride in that.

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

Yeah, for sure, my brother "Dame" is a really exciting act who I think you'll all know about by the end of the year. Dream Mclean, Alex Osiris, Harley Maxwell, Paddy Bars, VVhilem, not to be biased but basically everyone around me. I'm really fortunate to be around people I love who also inspire me, so go check out them.

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

Cas Is Dead's "Famous Last Words" is on constant repeat.

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

Probably thinking about making music, ha! But in all seriousness, I feel a bit lost when I can't be creative. My brain can't stop, which is both a gift and a curse. I'm always trying to think of new cool shit I can do, whether it's a marketing idea, writing a treatment for a music video, or figuring out how to get myself into the right rooms. I'm fully invested in this right now.

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

Water, cigarettes, and positivity, That's my studio rider.