New Gen Artist Capo Lee has been making waves in the scene since last year with his Grime Banger ‘Liff’ and most recentky his track ‘Mud’ that featured D Double E, Footsie and P Money on the Remix. The North London MC has been shutting down Radar Radio, Rinse FM as well as popping up at live shows all over the place, we sat down with Capo Lee to talk inspiration, working with the olders and developing as an artist.
Words: Amandeep Basi – @SignorBasi second image: Nicholas Sandzi – @Nicholas_sandzi
How did your Musical journey start?
I used to DJ before when I was younger, I had the decks so everyone used to come to my house and spit, I could leave the music for a while; come back and nothing would have changed, I’d still be the same MC. I only really started last year February, that’s when it all kicked off.
It must be hard when people around you growing up are on other vibes apart from music. How did you detach yourself from the roads and channel all your energy into music?
Yeah, everyone is on his or her own vibe you know how it is. I had a group of 6/7 close friends who were all doing the music thing, so even when I stopped,they were still doing it so I was never really out of touch with the whole musical route.
What pirate stations did you grow up on and how has spitting on stations like Radar Radio and Rinse FM in 2016 affected your music?
When I was a kid I used to mix at Heat FM in North London in my school uniform. They used to have the big guys, such as Meridian Dan, Roll Deep and Skepta passing through. I always listened to Rinse FM but I never went on it till recent. Nowadays I try to go on radio every other week. In terms of the effect radio has had on me, its been all positive, for me going on radio is important, its good practice. I used to have a problem with clarity, trying to get my point across through my lyrics and that’s where radio helped me. If I have shows coming up I’ll go on radio the week before and just shell it down so I’m 100% ready for the show. I encourage all artists to do it.
We saw you at the Puma Alife event earlier this year performing live, how are you adjusting to live shows?
I started doing live shows at the end of last year, I’m enjoying it, its sick. I’m much more confident now, and I’ve got a booking agent so shows are coming in now.
You’ve done some serious damage this year with the “Why Not?” mixtape, describe the creative processes that went into the mixtape and how you felt when you got the reaction from the fans?
I contacted MC’s I spit with, contacted producers such as Sir Spyro & Spooky and said “listen guys we are going to make a mixtape in one day”. We literally spent 10 hours straight creating it. I knew people were going to like it, but I didn’t expect that many people to listen to it and rate it. It felt good because I put my blood and sweat into producing something; it was nice to get the positive vibes back.
The track that put you on the map was ‘Liff ‘ How did that come about?
Liff came from radio. I was on air with Spooky and he played the beat. I just free styled the chorus and then I went and recorded it a few days later.
How did it feel working with the OG’s such as, Footsie, Prez T and P Money on the ‘Liff’ Remix and’ D Double E on ‘Mud’?
It’s humbling because I grew up listening to them and last year when I started again I didn’t expect them to even know who I was let alone feature on my track. Also being able to do it this early on in my career is powers, it makes me feel good and Im learning a lot. A highlight for me was when P money did his verse to ‘Liff’ he just went in the booth and free styled, bouncing ideas, I’ve kind of adopted the same way when I’m in studio. Then you get people like D Double who are sick, I can’t even explain it, I knew the bars to his verse to ‘Mud’ before I knew mine, his bars are that catchy and just epic!
We’re seeing Grime and UK rap being grouped together by certain platforms and even artists, which has caused some debate. What’s your take on it?
It’s funny because I can write rap bars as well, I like them both but I don’t think they’re the same thing. I don’t think its fair because when UK Rap was booming there was no UK rapper in grime. Now it’s the other way round people can get a slice of the pie. Its up to opinion at the end of the day but I can see why people aren’t happy about the topic.
Last week you made the “10 artists we’re excited to hear more from in 2016” by the Mobo Awards? How do you deal with the pressure from the scene?
That’s pressure man still! Its good pressure though, it basically keeps me in check. I’m always recording so I’ve got my tunes for the year so I know what’s next for me. On the flip side, if the tunes don’t go down with the people how they’re supposed to its kind of peak I can’t lie.
Negativity and scrutiny from others is a huge part of being an artist in the public eye. How do you deal with this?
To be fair the scene is opinionated. You have days where negativity is everywhere people will fire it at you. I keep myself around positive people to avoid it as much as possible. If negativity is around and if its getting to me I’ll just escape the situation, go into the studio and make a banger to remind myself that I’m the man and this negativity is a test of character.
You tweeted the other day you’re in the studio with Champion DJ, can you tell us a bit more?
I’ve got a track coming out, its one of my favourite tunes called ‘My Bro’. It’ll be out in the next few weeks.
What can we expect from Capo Lee in the future?
‘Mud’ remix coming out, I’m going to release a Mud EP on iTunes, which will consist of the original, remixes, acapella and an instrumental so people can do what they want with the track. I’d like to see people spitting on the beat. I’ve also got another project coming that I can’t say much about yet; just keep it locked to see!
Follow Capo Lee’s Musical journey on Twitter at @CapoLee100
