SB - Interview

Milton Keynes rapper SB moves like an artist with a clear vision—straight to the top. Fresh off his European press run in Paris, Nottingham, and London supporting Rome Streetz, he’s now gearing up for a major press tour with his latest single ‘Tun Up’.

Produced by Stacks Whipped It [JadaKiss, Ard Adz, TE dness etc] with executive production by LBOSS, the track blends SB’s distinctive flow with a mix of original UK drill sound and electronic music elements, bringing together growling 808s and hard-hitting drums. The beat was created in a studio session with the producer and artist, resulting in an authentic sound that bridges electronic/dance music and UK urban music, with a touch of Jersey drill influence.

Accumulating millions of streams across hits like ‘Flyback’, ‘Rave and Purge’, and ‘PBK (Pedal Bike Kid)’, SB’s presence continues to grow worldwide, resonating in Germany, the US, France, and beyond. Preparing for a major New York press run in May, hitting 18 platforms, including On The Radar, Junk Yard Session, On The Rise, Dumb Lit, and Off the Grid, to expand his US footprint.

SB sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions

1.How did it all start, what sparked your love for music?

I've always had music in my life; my family have always been quite musically orientated. My dad played instruments, my uncle is a DJ, my grandad's always been into music. As a child I used to write poems, so it was more about rhyming for me than necessarily making music, and I think it wasn’t until I got into secondary school that I met someone and who influenced me to turn my poems into raps. And that's how it all started, and I’ve been writing ever since.

2. Are there any artists who have influenced you and that you would like to work with in the future?

Growing up I listened to a lot of different types of music; a lot of old school hip hop. Jay-Z, Wu Tang Clan, Three 6 Mafia. I was really into a lot of American Music and I've always listened to grime as well - I've always liked people like Wiley, Dizzee and all these grime pioneers that were there when I was growing up. Because I'm such a multi genre person I take influence from everything. I feel like my style of rap is not really necessarily influenced by one person, but influenced more by a sound. I've taken in a lot from a lot of different people. Artists-wise, people that I would like to work with in the future; people that correlate with my sound maybe, like Joe James. He's good, I wouldn't mind working with him in the future. I also wouldn't mind doing a song with Dave. I like him. Lyrically, he’s good.

3. What have you got coming up next, music-wise?

I'm hopefully going to New York in May to do some freestyles, I'm going be jumping on a couple of freestyle platforms. I’m not going say exactly what, but it'll be 18 different platforms. That’ll all be announced soon. Projects that I've got coming up - hopefully just a few things in America. I should have a good big feature from an American artist on the next track that should be loaded.

4. What's your proudest moment to date as an artist?

As an artist, my song Rave & Purge just hit a million streams on Spotify.  That was a very, very proud moment for me. To be fair, that's probably my proudest moment - for me to hit a million streams on one song. It was crazy because when I first started music I didn't know how far I was going to take it. Now I've seen a song that I've done that's made a million streams and I'm thinking in my head, I can take this really seriously now.

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

Stay consistent, stay persistent and try and find your own sound. A lot of people try and listen to other people sounds and try and do the same flow. I used to do that as an artist when I first started. But as soon as you find your flow and your niche, the way you say certain words, that's what people catch on to and that's what people will like about you as an artist. So that's my advice. Stay consistent and try and find yourself before you try and make any proper music. Tt comes from experience as well; the more music you make and the deeper into the game that you go you; you'll find your own flow.

6. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that you think we should check out?

I've been listening to this guy from Birmingham called Unruly. He's kind of up and coming right now. Watch out for him. I like him, he's good.

7. What albums have you got on heavy rotation on Spotify at the moment?

Rick Ross - God Forgives, I Don't. Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt, Joe James’ - Beast Living, they’re probably the three albums I’ve been listening to heavily right now.

8. How would you describe your sound?

For me, if you just try and stick to doing the exact same sound you're only going appeal to the exact same people. But I can make a drill song, and then I could remix it or I could get my producer to sample it with an old R&B song. Something like, Slow Down by like Bobby Valentino. And then that might capture it. Instead of just appealing to the exact people that listen to that genre, I want to try and do it more widespread, but still keep my initial music at the same time.

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

When I'm not making music I like to go to the gym, I like cooking and eating food - I'm a big foodie. All types of food, mainly Japanese food. Trying to spend time with my family. And driving. I'm obsessed with cars - I'm always buying cars, driving cars, renting cars. I love cars.

10. Can you name three things that you can't live without when you're in the studio?

Weed is probably the most important thing on that list, no work is being done if there’s no weed in the studio. Number two - I don't like drinking in the studio anyway, it just stops my productivity. So water - lot’s of water is needed and food, good food. Pizza or some chicken wings and chips. That's it every time in the studio, those three things are always a necessity.