Q&A With London Based Hip Hop Producer Ortist Music
Bro!!!! I would personally like to thank you for rocking with our BLOG and most importantly pushing dope real Hip Hop! I LOVE UK HIP HOP!!! The London UK Hip Hop scene is personally very influential for me (me being an LA kid) and being a huge Jehst fan! That being said, listening to you definitely brings me back to those great years back in the day! Let me ask you how long have you been a Hip Hop artist? What specific area of London are you from? Also, how did you get you emcee name?
Man UGHH was probably the first hip-hop website I was browsing back in the days. Also one of the only one’s where you could cop some nice hip-hop t-shirts in Europe. So seeing my name out there in your blog now feels like it’s a kid’s dream that came true.
You got good taste sir.. Jehst’s album “The Dragon of an Ordinary Family” is absolute classic. I’ve seen him on stage at a High Focus concert, the guy did not disappoint! UK hip-hop. Indeed there is a lot happening in the UK scene. And being French I can tell you that there is a lot happening there too! Hip-hop has travelled and has been very well received overseas! For my first EP I really wanted to do something with heavyweight underground american rappers though!
That being said, listening to you definitely brings me back to those great years back in the day!
Let me ask you how long have you been a Hip Hop artist?
Maybe something like 15 years? I know this is my first project under that name but I’ve been around for a while. I actually was doing rap at the beginning (no I won’t tell the name ahah, I always been a bit shy with that). Doing beats came a bit after, maybe around 2010.
What specific area of London are you from? Also, how did you get you emcee name? (answered above)
Just to quickly clarify, I do live at London in the UK but I’m French. You might notice it by the way I write. If you would hear me talking you would not have any doubt ahah, my accent is strong as fuck. I live in London for 6 years now. This city is crazy. At the moment I live at Wood Green, North London.
Let’s get right into it, your latest EP “All Good”, has to be on of the dopest project in 2019, in my humble opinion. Please breakdown the creative process behind.
Although I knew I could not afford to press it, my 1st idea was to choose a EP vinyl type of format like back in the days. So I decided to go with project of 4 tracks on the “A side” and the instrumentals of these tracks on the “B side”. Obviously there is no sides as this only available in digital, but considering the requests and all the positive feedbacks I’ve received I might consider to press it at some point!
Regarding the guests, I did not want to make any compromises and only go for the rappers that I listened to for a long time and that I know they would deliver classic verses. Very happy with my choices!
We notice your style is super original and very creative. Let us know how your style if different than all the rap artists out there!
I think there are a few aspects when creating music. There is the “repetitive” aspect which means that you need to repeat again and again the same processes to master them. But you also need the “creative” aspect” which for me would mean constantly trying to go out of your comfort zone, and try some new things. It takes some time to find your workflow.. But as soon as you find it you realise that you need to change and improve it. It’s boring otherwise!
How do you go about writing and producing your material? What type of mood are you usually in when making music?
I think I’m more or less always up to do music. And I try to cultivate whatever my frame of mind. I think your different moods will have different impact on your music. And different moods can match with different set of skills. As example I’m not going to lie, I like to start a beat and crack up my first fresh beer after a day of work. If I work on that same beat on the morning, I will tend to be way more critical of the mix, the transitions, etc…
Any upcoming shows to look forward to? Are you planning on touring any time soon?
No plan to tour at all at the moment, but that might come later!
How does social media playing a role in your success? How are fans/supporters helping your movement?
Well it obviously plays a very important part. I think it’s very important to be active, think thoroughly of your communication and marketing plans, etc.. It’s always such a pleasure when fans contact you to say that they listened to your music, loved it, purchased it, etc.. I try to answer to all messages, simply because it’s such a pleasure to see that your music is reaching out. That’s why we make it!
With this being an underground hip hop site, we always ask this important question. What is your definition of “underground hip hop”?
I think my definition of underground hip hop would be “under the surface”. Meaning that this is not the artists that will be played on the mainstreams radios, festival, etc.. but still make music since X amount of time and on a fairly regular basis.
Where can people find you on the Internet? Drop all the vital links.
Website: http://ortistmusic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ortistmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrtistM
Lastly, and shout out?
Shout out to everyone that supported me during that first project. My wife who is extremely supportive despite having to deal with very loud music all the time. My family who has no particular taste for hip-hop but always encouraged me. My friends that have always been there, and I think a lot of them now understand the amount of work it is for me, and how their support is appreciated. Last but not least, to all the people that I don’t necessarily know personally but listen to my music and share it, come talk to me etc.. Your love and support means the world to me, so thank you all!
