#laswave

Chama: What has been the inspiration behind initiation?

La Swave: “The inspiration behind initiation was that I’m a big fan of the original version by Tory Lanez, and anyone that knows me personally knows that I’ve been a fan of Tory Lanez for a few years. So I wanted to do my own version and make it more relevant to my life and just wanted it to be fun so people can sing along.”

Chama: Tell us about the HellaTurntSounds collective?

La Swave: “Hella Turnt is a collective of creatives consisting of musicians, photographers, directors and many more. Our main aim is just to have a platform for ourselves to release music, do events, clothing etc. We do majority of our stuff in house. But first and foremost before we are a collective, we are a big family so I think that really differentiates ourselves from others.”

Chama: Having been brought up in Houston Texas, what social influences help you produce music in London?

La Swave: “I just think the stuff I’ve seen, experiences I’ve lived through, problems I’ve had, trials and tribulations and triumphs all add to my musical influence. Anything I say in my music is all truth whether it’s my experience or someone close to me’ experience.” Chama: How long have you been a rapper/vocalist?

La Swave: “I’ve been in and out of music for about 8 years but started to take music serious from around last year. The inception of HellaTurnt was one of the biggest inspirations to make music.” Chama: What’s your background and where are you from?

La Swave: “I am Nigerian, but I’m currently living in Essex.”

Chama: Who inspires your rhythms/beats that you produce?

La Swave: “My favourite producers at the moment are Kanye, Travis Scott, J Gramm, 808Charmer, Play Picasso.”

Chama: Your ‘gritty grimey flow’ is quite patterning with other emerging artists in London right now, so who would you say is your competition?

La Swave: “Lol to be honest there’s a few other artists that I’ve been compared to but as cliché as it sounds, I don’t really classify anyone as competition not because I’m better but just for the fact I’m not really watching what people are doing in comparison to what I’m doing at the moment. I’m just having fun with it lol” Chama: What festivals have you performed at with or without your group?

La Swave: “We’ve only performed at 1 festival so far. It was the Sound box festival.” Chama: What events have you done?

La Swave: “I’ve done loads. 2015 alone, I done of 20 shows.” Chama: Have you got a catalogue of your raps? Like other tracks you’ve done that showcase your rapping talent?

La Swave: “Yeah I’ve made 2 previous projects. Pride and Paranoia which was a 12 track mixtape and had an EP called Radiant which had 5 tracks. Those were both released under the name Kalam and both did very well respectively. Both showed how versatile I can be.” Chama: What style of music would you say you execute?

La Swave: “I’d say I’m very versatile. The type of music I say I make is very trill swave music.” Chama: What keeps you going seeing as you stated you’ve been doing music for 8 years?

La Swave: “The 8 years have been a long road. It hadn’t been consistent at all. But the latest tenure I’m doing now, my pals were the inspiration. They were bringing so much to the table so I just wanted to be a part of the musical success of HellaTurnt.” Chama: What’s your ethos as an artist?

La Swave: “My ethos is just being myself really. I think that’s what really gravitates people to my music. Also, to just have fun with it, the minute I stop enjoying this whole music stuff then I won’t do it anymore.” Chama: What do you want to achieve going forward with your music?

La Swave: “I’d like to go as far as I possibly can. But tbh I don’t see myself doing this for too long. I’d like to have my own record label though.” Chama: What message are you trying to give your target audience?

La Swave: “Just have fun live life to the fullest. At one point of my life I was very depressed. And it reflected in my music. Now that my depression isn’t as bad I’m just trying to make ad feel good, HellaTurnt music for people to gravitate towards.” Chama: What steps have you taken/currently taking to appeal to your target audience as an emerging artist?

La Swave: “Just being myself and producing good music. I’m very witty and cheeky person so people like that. You’ll never hear anyone else say 'I was never trapping in the bando, because I was sneaking in girls whilst my dads home’. It’s a funny bar and people can relate. I’m just simply La Swave.“

Chama: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

La Swave: “To be honest, I couldn’t answer that question because 5 years ago when I was asked the same thing I thought I’d have been in the NBA playing pro ball so i couldn’t tell you but I just know that I’m destined to do something great.” Chama: Any other talents? If so, do you see yourself doing anything on that/those fields within the next 5 years?

La Swave: “Yeah I do graphic design. Yeah I’ve got loads of talent, just can’t think at the top of my head but yeah hopefully I’ll be doing something great.”

Chama: What’s up and coming for you?

La Swave: “A music Video for initiation, A ton of shows, tons more music, a few collabs and hopefully an EP by November.” Chama: What have you been up to since the release of the last two tracks last year?

La Swave: “Literally just working on new sounds, producing, been in studio with a few big names. Performed at 15+ shows, co-writing music with some singers. And on the other hand I’ve been balancing it with university and my own personal life. So literally just been busy as hell.” Chama: where can people find it more about La Swave & follow your progress?