With an incredible five years under his belt, this stunning talent continues to blow up. From the moment this prodigious 16 year old crashed the grime scene with his 2009 anthem ‘Wooo Riddim’, we knew we had a superstar on our hands. Now back with new track ‘For Myself’ featuring on vocals ex-Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta, the world awaits 2015 and a brand new album. Dan Prince gets the world exclusive…
Sam a big festive welcome to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you today?
“Thank you for having me Dan! I’m currently in my freezing cold studio, in the freezing cold city of Wolverhampton!”
A great way to end the year with your latest track ‘For Myself’ featuring Jessica Sutta all over Radio 1Xtra these last couple of months. It was Mams Taylor who introduced you two together in LA…what were your initial thoughts on working together?
“Well, I met Mams through my good friend DJ Fricktion and Mams invited me to LA to work on Jessica’s album as he manages her. Turns out we all clicked really well. They’re like my family now and Mams now manages me too!”
The story of one of your first meets is intriguing. We’ve been told that you ended up in deep conversation about “love and how depending on others for your own happiness is an illusion”. Wow. So, what makes you happy?
“Honestly, spending time alone makes me happy. Growing up, my mom was at work most nights so I had to take care of myself and basically got used to being in my own company. You learn a lot about yourself and errr, I love myself! Ha….”
The tune caught many people by surprise, the break down into the stylish house groove with Balaeric overtones proved that S-X has real diversity in his musical bones. What were your thoughts before its release, were you worried/apprehensive/excited about what people were going to say?
“I mean as a creative person, you’re always a little apprehensive to how people will receive things. But honestly the song meant a lot to me, and I wanted to show people that I don’t just do your regular hip hop songs. I have lots more different sounds coming in 2015.”
It was a friend at school who suggested the S-X name to you, he even gave you a copy of F1 Studio for good measure! Is he still on board, what does he make of your huge success?
“Yeah, it was my friend ‘Beast’ at high school. I needed a name to fit in with all the MCs and stuff at school so he suggested S-X and it’s remained the same ever since! It was a different friend who gave me FL Studio. We actually haven’t spoken about it to be honest, I like to just chill and talk about regular stuff rather than music. Nothing worse than being at a friend’s or a family event and all the awkward music questions pop up ha!”
You signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell aged just 19. How did you celebrate?
“I actually didn’t celebrate. I was young and super determined to work harder. I just spent all the money instead haha!!!”
You have worked with some cool dudes over the years, Dizzee, Tinie, Skepta and Chip to name but a few. Who did you learn (if anything!) the most from?
“I learned a lot from staying with Childish Gambino while we were working on his album ‘Because The Internet’ although he didn’t actually verbally teach me anything. We were in this massive mansion owned by Chris Bosh. It was all surreal but I learned that you have to have a proper team who are like family. He has that. And also that you can make a Grammy nominated album solely from a house! Not a big studio.”
Blingest night out you had with one the above?
“Tinie Tempah for his 23rd birthday in Manchester. 1 word – inspiring. Ha!”
Best freebie a brand has ever sent you?
“Probably my first ever freebie – a bunch of clothes and trainers from Nike! It was amazing. Never happened again though.”
Your top 5 tunes of 2014 and why…?
“In no particular order:
1. ILoveMakonnen feat Drake – Tuesday
I love the vibe of the beat, it’s different and the vocal sounds like nothing else that’s out… fresh music! And it was nominated for a Grammy too – big!
2. Calvin Harris feat John Newman – Blame
The first time I heard this I was just hype! It’s got great energy as well as a proper song. Calvin is the man.
3. Hudson Mohawke – Chimes
Even though this isn’t a song from 2014, it was released this year and was on the Apple stickers ad. That’s huge for Hudson and the beat is a complete banger!
4. Lil Wayne – Tina Turn Up, Need A Tune Up
I have to say this because it’s such a tease. I produced the track with coproduction from my signee producer Viv. And they dropped a video of him recording it in the studio but never the actual song!
5. Ed Sheeran – The Man
Just listen to it – you’ll hear why. Needs no explanation.
True or false? You named your debut launch monster ‘Wooo Riddim’ because when your crew first heard it, they all went wooooh!!!!?
“True!”
Wolverhampton has a huge urban history…all the way back to the days of the club night Quest. Who are the producers, MCS and DJs running things in 2014?
“That was way before my time, but I have heard the stories of Quest!
DJ wise: Apostle, TRC & Shox.
Producer wise: CRT, TRC, and Thomas Mellor.”
The album you would never sell…
“The album I would never sell is my EP ‘Hotel 808’. It was supposed to be out last year but I ended up hating it. I leaked one of the songs though which featured Childish Gambino.”
What is coming out next from you studio wise?
“Lots of tracks I produced for other artists. And I’m working on my next single and album too!”
The artist you would love to spend 24 hours hour in a studio with…
“Eminem!”
Early musical inspirations?
“Timbaland, The Neptunes and John Lennon.”
A producer we should watch out for in 2015?
“DJ Fricktion. I have been helping him a little on the production side and I will be a lot more in 2015 too. He works super hard and I just have this feeling about him. He really wants it too! Lots of stuff in the pipeline for him.”
The big news for 2015 is of course the release of your new artist album which you are locked away creating as we speak. What can you tell us about the direction/collabs etc.
“Yes indeed I am! I’ve been working super hard on that just trying to get the music right. As of now I’m still releasing it independently so I have full timing and creativity. It’s sounding very different so far, in a good way! As for collaborations, time will tell. But you can expect some surprises for sure. Some big surprises! “
What do you do to chill out when away from the studio? What is your escape?
“I spend time with my family and daughter. Or I just literally chill in bed and watch stuff on Netflix.”
Not many people know this, but Sam Gumbley is really good at…
“Impressions! Oh and making fish finger bagels. Seriously, when you’re in Wolverhampton come and grab one! Legendary.”
Okay let’s rewind for a moment…what is the record that…
Reminds you of your childhood?
Always gets you jumping around?
Reminds of you having your heart broken?
You wish you would have made?
“All the above in one song: it’s John Lennon – Imagine.”
And finally, IT’S CHRISTMAS! What does S-X really want from Santa this year?
“He wants proper sleep. That’s the best gift ever.”
***
S-X featuring Jessica Sutta ‘For Myself’ is out now on IAMME
Preview https://soundcloud.com/s-xbeats/for-myself-feat-jessica-sutta-radio-edit-out-231114
Buy https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/for-myself-feat.-jessica-sutta/id934263200
www.facebook.com/pages/S-X-Beats/129177906469
