Lil' Shakz - Tunnel Vision (Album) + Interview

Upcoming artist Lil’ Shakz has already proven that he is a force to be reckoned with. With a Link Up TV Pen Game win, and recommendations from Charlie Sloth and Kiss FM already under his belt, it is without a doubt that Shakz’ debut album ‘Tunnel Vision’ is going to initiate the start of a long and successful journey with a bang.

Charged by grime, drill, and exceptional lyricism, Lil’ Shakz offers an array of ways in which the two powerhouses of genres can be presented. Shakz sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. What’s Your name, chosen craft, and where are you from?

Name’s Lil’ Shakz, Chosen craft, music, rapping, bars, spitting and I’m from South London.

2. What’s your proudest moment as an artist so far?

There’s so many to chose from. I think, My proudest moment so far is, getting recognition, by some rappers that I’ve aspired to be like,  and really interested in their music from a young age. For example Avelino, he followed me back on Instagram, and obviously I grew up on his Fire in the Booth, so getting recognised by artists I respect, I’d say that’s one of my proudest moments.

Another thing other than that, I would say winning pen game when I was sixteen years old When Charlie Sloth chose me for Song of the Week.

3. How do you feel having achieved all that you have at the age of 18?

Proud of myself, very happy but at the same time its made me wanna achieve more and keep grinding. Even though I’m very young, I’ve been putting in the work since I was like 12.

4. Your new mixtape drops soon, how are you feeling about it?

I’m feeling great, I’m feeling good. With the mixtape I haven’t released any projects before so I feel especially happy about that because I’m able to show my full versatility, and show my supporters my full range as an artist, where I can go, what I can do with my music.

I want to show them I can do the bars and flows thing, but I can also make a meaningful song. I can make songs with deep concepts and meaningful lyrics. So I feel like it’s really good in that sense, and if everything goes to plan and I’m a success in music, it’s going to be a project that is looked back on in the future.

5. Do you have a favourite track in the mixtape and if so what is it?

At the moment, I would say I can’t put it down to one but my top three would be the intro, just purely based on how it was created in the studio, we came in and started vibing. The third song on the tape which is called Escape the Estate because I haven’t made many songs like that with the vocal vibe and the autotune, so it’s good to show my versatility. The last song which is one of my favourites is called What I’m On which is track 10, it’s a grime x drill beat and another one of my favourites because of the genre, who produced the beat, it’s just a big accomplishment.

6. What’s the vibe that you’re personally getting from the album?

It’s me showing everyone where I’m going to be in the scene in the future. It makes that initial step for people to say “yeah, Lil’ Shakz is a serious artist, he’s not just a TikTok rapper, or someone just doing this for fun, he’s definitely someone who could be looked upon as one of the best UK rappers in the next 5-10 years”.

7. Where do you see yourself musically in a year’s time?

The album would have already dropped by then, so I’d be on my way to making the next EP or next project. 

I see myself being a lot bigger, maybe achieving 500k to a million views everytime I drop a song, doing a lot more headline shows and having a lot more respect. By that time, I’ll get respect from all of my idols. Hopefully if all goes well maybe Wireless as well.

8. Name 3 people you would love to work with and why?

There’s so many to chose from but if I had to pick, I’d say Jhus, Dave and Stormzy, because there some of my biggest inspirations. Outside of that I would say my dad and my sister just because we all grew up doing music together so it would be nice to bring that family chemistry onto a track and make something beautiful since it all stems from my dad, and it’s gone to my sister and I.

9. Who are your biggest musical influences and why?

So as I’ve briefly said, my dad, and also my uncles who were a part of a group called 57th Dynasty. They were the initial reason I got into music. I saw my dad doing music, all my uncles doing music, my dad would tell me about all the things he’s done with music, take me to the studio, so my dad was definitely my biggest influence to getting into music.

10. If you could perform in any venue/at any event in the world, what would it be?

I would say Wireless, and Glastonbury, and the O2 and Wembley.