BIG ALBUM ‘S.O.S’ – SHOTS OF SMIRNOFF COMING OUT JULY 16TH ON DENTED RECORDS
Kyza, nice to speak to you dude. What you up to?
“Just chillin’ Dan down in Ladbroke Grove. Taking it easy with this crap weather around.”
Cool. So new album swinging our way, great title by the way, but before we go there, let’s go back. What artists did you listen to when you were growing up? Who influenced you back then to bring you here?
“Dan to be honest, everything. NWA, The London Posse, George Michael, Stevie Wonder, Easy E, Michael Jackson – all those artists brought out incredible albums – obviously Stevie’s ‘Songs In The Key of Life’ is number one. It’s a life changing record.”
Have you come from a family that has a musical background?
“Most definitely. My dad was in a soundsystem and also my mother and my two Aunties also had their own soundsystem – they uses to spit it man!”
Well the album ‘S.O.S.’ – a grimy yet soulful piece of artistry with you singing on it also. A masterclass. Some incredible cuts which have already gained massive support from the likes of Mistajam, Tim Westwood and Shortee Blitz on their radio shows – mixed by Foreign Beggars’ DJ Nonames – what are your favourite tracks from the album?
“Got to Be ‘Love and Music’ which has been the first tune released and is definitely my favourite.”
Talking about Westwood, hear you were there on Monday – what’s your opinion on the big fella?
“Oh you have to take Tim with a pinch of salt. Sometimes he does some weird things, sometimes he’s misunderstood, sometimes he does some real genuine things and has a hip hop knowledge second to none. He’s always been good to me.”
What have been the best clubs you have been to over the years?
“Do you know, the best clubs are all gone now. The Temple where I used to go and see Westwood – knocked down. The Rococo in Leicester Square – closed. Nyt – gone. It’s a shame what’s happening out there…”
You have a discography as long as my arm, but which artist that you have collaborated with on a track do you think has been the finest?
“So many tunes, Klashnekoff’s ‘Murda In Parrowdice’ is up there though…”
What DJs out there also, do you give respect to that you’ve witnessed in clubland?
“Shortee Blitz – brilliant. Mr Thing – inspirational. Harry Love ex-Scratch Pervert just great to watch, Pogo – need I say more?”
So touring with supergroup Terra Firma – what was the best EVER gig you rocked?
“There was this gig over in Cambridge at a venue called Organics – man, I have never seen a dancefloor get us so much. Immense.”
Jay Z’s new track ‘Death of The Auto Tune’- political yet many are saying it is just what Hip Hop needed – what are your thoughts on it?
“It’s not groundbreaking, just another Jay-Z tune – complete overkill on it and just hype. Sick of it.”
Big album launch coming through Friday at The Jazz Cafe in London. Legends such as De La Soul, Maceo Parker, Lee Scratch Perry, Courtney Pine all stepping onto the stage in years gone by – looking forward to it?
“Oh yeah, played there a few times before, love the vibe, the crowd and venue. Bring it on.”
Can we ask you about the alleged fall out with Klashnekoff?
“Sure. There was a clash. It was simply a case of I wanted to go one way – he wanted to go another. So we split.”
And finally, what’s next from Kyza?
“Well I’ve got two projects on the go. The most exciting is the the follow up to S.O.S. which I have already done four tracks for.”