Coventry-born, Birmingham-based composer, producer and rapper nineteen97 releases new single 'WEATHERMAN' featuring Ledbyher.

Reflecting his influences, ‘Weatherman’ merges nineteen97's eternal love for Garage, Grime, and Hip-Hop with an additional layer of Jersey Drill produced by frequent collaborator Off Key. With a nod to the 2000s - a decade crucial to his evolving sonic - he pays homage to Dipset linchpin Jim Jones with lyrics such as "Prime Capo, I'm the weatherman, don't cost much to wet a man.". Musical polymath Ledbyher switches up the dynamic, offering an unorthodox verse to align with the VHS-heavy video directed by Todd Hardman (Blue Room Mafia, Tony Bontana).

An enigmatic approach to life carefully curates the musical world of nineteen97. His expertise in many fields has been the driving force behind his artistry since emerging in 2020, although he places himself as a composer before a producer and rapper. He studied how his Dad operated as a multi-instrumentalist and linchpin of BBC Coventry while ingraining in his vinyl collection. His mother's love for 2000's rave culture further extended his eclectic taste to the realms of Dancehall, Garage and Grime. The 25-year-old quickly earned a reputation as a burgeoning graphic designer during his teens working with Jaykae, M1llionz and Depz under the alias DevszAllDay, after his real name Devanté.

Progression in visual arts led to a commission for his favourite artist at the time, Skepta, which was a milestone moment. However, when the pandemic threw him a curveball, he decided to pause visual arts and try his hand at something new, which saw the birth of nineteen97. He marked his arrival with 'CHROME' EP alongside Manga Saint Hilare, Jesse James Solomon, Blue Room Mafia, and more for a genre-bending debut. Since then he has hand-picked collaborations with underground pioneer kwes e, Brazil's leading Grime act SD9, Birmingham's rising star SIPHO and Newham General's very own Footsie to name a few.

Having garnered attention from the likes of BBC 1Xtra DJ's Tiffany Calver, Jamz Supernova, Sian Anderson and Sir Spyro, nineteen97 is focused on establishing his own entity. nineteen97 is seeking new heights for the year ahead with more singles, projects, videos, collaborations and CHROME II on the horizon.

nineteen97 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?

The love began at home, my Mum and Dad have always loved music. Both of them are from a Jamaican background so that infused what they played as well as my Dad’s love for Blues and Soul.

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

All of the artists were iconic when I was growing up. I was 6 years old when ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’ came out, I remember the Gorillaz debut album being on the radio a lot when I growing up too. On television, I watched the rise of Lily Allen, Mike Skinner and Kano which also stuck with me.

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

CHROME II, April 7th! Best EP coming out of the Midlands.

4. How would you describe your sound?

Very accurate to my life and where i’m from. It’s a depiction of a Jamaican boy in the UK.

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

Performing on festival stages and giving my everything for 30+ minutes in front of large audiences. I thought i’d cave but I delivered, haha!

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

Don’t play the game play your own game and move in your own time.

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

The collaborators on CHROME II, who i’ve been listening to a lot.

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

IGOR, which is perhaps one of the greatest album ever made. CHVRCHES love is dead as well. I’ve actually been listening back to ‘A Grand Don’t Come for Free’ and Dizzee Rascal’s ‘Boy In Da Corner’.

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

I’m a gamer! FIFA, Tekken, WWE 2K, Fortnite every now and then. Call of Duty too. Watching football also, i’m a huge Arsenal fan.

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

Haribo’s, water, and Offkey.