SNS meets UK’s rising music talent

A couple of weeks ago SNS hosted a nighttime listening session in the studio with Central Cee and three rising stars that are on everyone’s radar in the UK: BXKS, Tommy Saint and Kirbs. On foot that evening; the Nike x NOCTA Hot Step Air Terra for when you’re active and doing the most at night. Shoutout to all the night owls getting inspired by the dark.

The artists played one another their favourite tracks whilst listening to the lyrics craftily composed by the musicians. Conversations were had around Tommy’s unique voice and ability to switch genres seamlessly, BXKS unusual career trajectory and learnings along the way, and Kirbs’ support system and the filming of his first video.

We spoke to each artist individually to get to know them and their music process a bit better. Learn more about each artist in the Q+A below and check out their music in the hyperlinks.

BXKS

Luton’s BXKS is a rapper that made her first musical debut back in 2018 when she featured on Mixtape Madness’s ‘Next Up?’ segment. She mixes sounds and samples to create tracks she describes as “alternative grime”. Her debut mixtape ‘Full Time Daydreamer’ and its fitting vivid album cover can be listened to on Spotify and Apple Music.

SNS : How would you describe your sound to someone that hasn’t heard your music before?

BXKS : I rap on mostly 140/139bpm which is a grime tempo but I would describe my sound as genre fluid because I make music on all type of beats. An everyday consumer would properly say it’s UK rap.

SNS : What’s your favourite song that you’ve written/recorded? And why is it your favourite?

BXKS : My favourite would be ‘321’. When I perform it the crowd grooves and dances and that’s what I like to see. When I’m performing I want to see the people enjoying the music.

SNS : How do you record your music?

BXKS : A usual studio session would me going in with a producer. They would play me a beat and if we get nothing from that then we make the beat from scratch. I just go off of the instrumental. If I’m feeling the beat then 9/10 times I can make a good song.

SNS : Who have been some inspiration figures for you whilst you’re on your journey? They don’t have to be musical inspirations either.

BXKS : One of my main inspirations is Skepta. I mention Skepta a lot when asked about my inspirations and it’s not just because of his incredible music ability. It’s actually who he’s evolved into over time that makes me so intrigued by his craft. From the beginning of his career to now he’s managed to maintain who he is. When I’m listening to his songs I’m reflecting like, rah this guy was giving us tips on how to get where he is now. There aren’t many people I look up to and think yeah you’re actually that guy but Skepta, he’s actually that guy!​

SNS : What keeps you motivated to keep creating music?

BXKS : My motivation is just life man. I just want to fulfil my purpose whatever that may be. I’m just tryna live.

SNS : What’s one song that you’re listening to non-stop right now?

BXKS : Doechii - ‘Persuasive'.

Tommy Saint

Tommy Saint is a genre-blending artist from North London with a distinct voice and an interest in the ways that his music comes to life visually, as well as audibly. Tommy released ‘Never’ earlier this year, as well as his latest track 'My Phone’ which dropped last week. Check out his videos on YouTube.

SNS : How would you describe your sound to someone that hasn’t heard your music before?

Tommy Saint : Eclectic, cinematic, energetic.

SNS : What’s your favourite song that you’ve written/recorded? And why is it your favourite?

Tommy Saint : Right now my favourite is 'My Phone'. The writing is a lot simpler than in a lot of my other songs, which I like. The production is also really spacious and all of the sounds feel light on the ears, which makes it really easy for me to keep replaying.

SNS : How do you record your music? Do you have a process in the studio?​

Tommy Saint : For the past few years I’ve mainly been recording myself, in my bedroom. But I’m starting to use studios more frequently, and starting to record with engineers/producers more. There is definitely a benefit to recording alone sometimes, as I can really delve in with no fears around experimenting. But recording with others can also force me to get on with the job quicker and more efficiently. It depends on the song. I’m just learning to think about the process less and capture the feeling while it’s there.

SNS : Who have been some inspiration figures for you whilst you’re on your journey? They don’t have to be musical inspirations either.

Tommy Saint : Michael Jackson: the King of performance. Kanye West: the way he shifts through phases, sonic and otherwise, reminds me how open & multidirectional creativity can stem. Jean-Michel Basquiat: the more I learn about him the more fascinated I am. I’ve always adored his work but gaining insight into his process, how loose & erratic is was, changes the way I think about art.​

SNS : What keeps you motivated to keep creating music?​

Tommy Saint : I’m very careful not to overdo it. I never want to create for the sake of it, only when I feel I have something to offer or explore. But in terms of general motivation - my colossal fear of not fulfilling my potential scares me straight into working.

SNS : What’s one song that you’re listening to non-stop right now?

Tommy Saint : Grant Green - 'Maybe Tomorrow'. (Which is also the track sampled on Kendrick’s 'Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst').

Kirbs

Kirbs is a talented UK rapper hailing from Highbury, North London. He released his first single ‘Chop Life’ earlier this year, dropping a GRM Daily music video simultaneously with the track. The unreleased tune ‘Grind Don’t Stop’ is on the way too so keep an eye out for his music on Spotify and Apple Music.

SNS : How would you describe your sound to someone that hasn’t heard your music before?

Kirbs : My sound is more of a melodic drill wave mixed with jazzy instruments. I just mixed what the people of my generation like to listen to with the music that I grew up hearing in my house.

SNS : What’s your favourite song that you’ve written/recorded? And why is it your favourite?

Kirbs : My favourite song hasn’t even come out yet! But the track’s called ‘Issues' and I’m basically just giving the listener a deep insight for what it was like for me growing up.

SNS : How do you record your music? Do you have a process in the studio?

Kirbs : When I write music I just listen to the beat on loop about 2 or 3 times over then I start free styling over it. Whatever sounds good gets written down. Writing comes easy to me I’ve never really found it hard or had writer’s block.

SNS : Who have been some inspiration figures for you whilst you’re on your journey? They don’t have to be musical inspirations either.

Kirbs : I don’t really have inspirations. I’ve just got a lot of people around me that I can learn off and I would much rather that.

SNS : What keeps you motivated to keep creating music?

Kirbs : I’ve got a passion listening and making music. When I make music that’s when I’m most at peace. just putting my phone on airplane mode and zoning out.

SNS : What’s one song that you’re listening to non-stop right now?​

Kirbs : I’ll keep it real. One song that I’ve been listening to is “WAIT FOR U” by Tems, Future and Drake. It’s not my normal type of music to listen to but as soon as I heard it for the first time that’s all I’ve been listening to. Plus, it’s a good feeling seeing a Nigerian woman take over the music industry like this putting on for the motherland.​

Photos: Bryan Aseya Video: Max Hofgartner Words: Nova / Marianna Mukhametzyanova