The Other Way Is Essex.
"I’ve been doing this since 15, I was chucked out of school because I was a little shit, I didn’t like being told what to do, which is probably because I wanted to change things, do things differently, I'm a free spirit..." Kirby-T is making a bit of a noise in Essex. From his humble beginnings on Gateway FM (Basildon's community Radio Station) he's become somewhat of a superstar DJ of the Underground scene. Regularly heard on WestSide Radio - he has become a champion of the unheard. His passion is spearheading a new revitalised movement of grime artists from Essex and people are turning their heads to notice, and realise that under the fleshy facade of fake tans and Vajazzles, there's a beating artery of something real just north-east of London.
The thing you notice almost immediately about Essex’s new buzz DJ is how impassioned he is about the people he is working with. Throughout our near 2 hour interview – there was hardly a mention of himself as he bolstered on his shoulders the cream of Essex’s underground Grime Scene. This hasn't gone noticed, he was recently picked to play Brownstock Festival this July.
''I used to download tracks online without paying, I think everyone does – but as a DJ I’ve realised the importance of not doing that… I’ve found that if you support the artist – you’re really making a difference. More often than not an artist can't afford to give free downloads. The thing is when people put things out for money, it seems like no one is interested. I want more people to benefit from music, to realise the importance of supporting the artists that have spent their own money to make it.''
Perhaps it was magic, or a mere omen then that the end of the interview led to us being joined by the Manic's James Dean Bradfield and, naturally, a classic photo op.
"Don’t give up. There’s too many people that give up and then they can’t get back up. You’ve got to keep pushing."
Despite only being 19, Kirby-T has a remarkable sense of awareness and a strong vision of his future. He wants to open up the grime underground to everyone, and has assembled an impressive collection of collaborators to make it happen.
"5-6 years ago, Grime was becoming fairly commercial, there was a lot of Essex MCs here, but it was almost like they fell off the radar, but I feel like – I’m not saying I started this – but I feel I’ve played a part – I feel like I have started a movement and convinced people to come back and try again. We’re trying to make a big change, because it’s time for people to stand up – I feel not enough people have dreams, not enough people can go for what they want… there’s a lot of things that hold people back, a lot of people have problems, everyone goes through hard times…. and unfortunately some people just can’t pick themselves up."
He credits his best friend Rolla as being the ''MC that makes the older MC's come back'' and recommends him as having one of the best lyrical flows around, as well as citing an impressive list of people he is helping emerge from the Essex underground.
"Important thing… The main thing is getting everyone together, not just joining forces because everyone needs to work on themselves, but in creating the movement ... the ultimate goal for especially Essex – Nobody thinks of Essex… It’s important to put essex on the map."
"The future of grime in the UK is looking really good, and that really helps us here in Essex as well, It’s growing in London right now and we’re all locking into each other, but at the same time, we're adding something different.... Essex MC’s have that great twang in their accent, and there’s something different about the flow – so it really stands out from the London scene."
He also states the importance of social media in igniting a scene explosion. "It is so important, I know people slate it, but my generation really benefit from social media, some people use it in the wrong way – but it helps the underground scene connect with people – I wouldn’t be here today, doing what I do without social media. Everything can connect together. "
PepperFM is his focus at the moment, having just dropped a MixTape that has 16 different grime MC’s and mixes. It's available free on here on soundcloud.
"I known as the Skengman - DJ Skeng - it's a word that’s used in Grime to mean mad, and that’s basically it – I go mad with the beats."
So what next for Kirby-T?
"I always want to be doing radio, progressing onto radio… I’d love to end up on Rinse FM – Rinse has always supplied what I’m into – The Grime Show (on Sunday 9pm-11pm) is one of my favourite shows. They’re doing very good things for underground music. The big dream is to have my own radio station that opens doors for everyone.. Rap, R&B, Grime... Even Dub, which I think is making a comeback, there are some incredible artists out there that need to be heard. I want to turn PepperFM into a brand… You’ll going to get your PepperFM hats, t-shirts...."
Recommended listening: PepperFM
Oh Hi James....