Interview: Wretch 32

3 August 2011

Wretch 32 will be releasing his single 'Don't Go' on August 7, followed by his album Black and White the next week.

We chat to the rapper about the releases, the state of the UK hip-hop scene and where he'd like to be in a year.

-Are you excited for the release of 'Don't Go'?
Yeah, man. It feels like it's been a long time coming. It's the third time round as well. I've got more excited with each single.

-Were you pleased with the reaction to your first two singles?
Yeah. It's like a lottery. You never honestly know what's gonna happen. I don't think anything is safe. Being safe ain't safe. Anything can happen at any time, so whenever anything great happens, I'm really overwhelmed.

-How was it collaborating with Josh Kumra on the single?
It was cool, man. Josh is one of them kids who deserves such great things. He's a phenomenal guy, he's got a great voice. I really hope great things happen for him. Collaborating with him was mad cool. He's really relaxed. We caught a vibe, had a laugh, made music. It was good.

-Do you plan to use your career again to help people at that level?
If I'm honest, I think when it works, it works. For example, we could've got someone else to sing the chorus of 'Don't Go'.

Me, personally, I think that his voice was the best voice for the job. Him as a character as well, and as a person, really represents what the song is about.

It's real honest. Whenever there's a chance to do something like that, it doesn't have to be a name, it can be a voice. His voice is incredible.

-How far does that track go in representing the album as a whole?
It's a good representation. I think each single kinda represents different vibes of the album, different sides to it. There's a track with an edgy side, the old school, young charismatic Wretch.

Then there's the more mature Wretch. It's like we've grown up through the campaign, so it really does represent the album.

-Are you looking forward to getting the album out?
I really am. It's almost like my child, I just want to get it out. I feel like a woman, pregnant at 9 months. It's got to that stage. I can't wait, I just want people to hear it. I can't wait to get some feedback.

-Has it been hard sitting on the tracks for so long?
Yeah, because I like to throw my songs up on YouTube. I just want someone to hear it, so it's been really aggravating at times. It's for the best. I've performed some of them at some of my live shows. Sometimes you get to hear them for the first time at a show.

-Within the industry, you've had compliments from the likes of Tinie Tempah and Adele. Are you proud to have those kind of artists praising you?
I think it's great. Me and Adele have always got some banter going on, cos we're from Tottenham. Tinie is cool. I've got a lot of love for him, I was on tour with him.

He didn't have to put me on tour at that time, so I've got mad love for T, man. He's doing phenomenal things for us. I think it's really important that the artists that respect each other really speak about it. That's me, I'm mad open. I'll talk about what I like.

-How was the tour with Tinie Tempah?
It was good, man. It was a good end to the year. It was in October, it set me up. It got my mind right. I really understood where I could be next year. It's funny, his tour was in October and my tour this year's in October now.

-Are you looking forward to that tour, doing your own headline shows?
I can't wait. This is one thing I've been dreaming about, and for it to be a few months away.

I feel like that kid at Christmas. It's like, my mum showed me all my presents, and then wrapped them up and then put them under the tree.

You're just so excited to get your hands on it. I just can't wait to be in front of the fans that have come out to see me, and just deliver the best show I could do.

-After you were growing up and selling mixtapes in the streets, how does it feel to be at this stage?
It feels good. It feels like it's been a long, long, long journey. I think it's better when it comes harder.

I think the easier you get it, the easier you lose it. It's really cool that I've had the pleasure of doing the hard work, which I wouldn't change for anything.

I think I learnt so much skills, so much about the game and myself as a person and an artist. That journey is irreplaceable, man.

-Has that affected your lyrics, in that you don't rap about cliched subjects, it's your experience helping you lyrically?
Yeah, I think it's been a real, organic, natural journey. I think that I've scene it from floor to ceiling. You get to speak about this reality. I think I'm quite normal, as well. I watch Eastenders, average things I always used to do. So, I'm still there.

-What do you think is the reason behind your wide appeal?
It's difficult to say, you know? I know it's definitely not sex appeal, I know that much! It's difficult to pin-point exactly what it is.

I always try to bring different people along with me. Of course, being on the underground for so many years means you pick up a core fan-base. They'll be behind me, they're so happy to see me on TV. I'm privileged, man.

-Following on from the underground, what do you think of the current UK hip-hop scene?
I think it's in a great place. The best thing about it is, if we were to say on a level from 1 to 10, I think we're only at level 3.

I think the generation that we're paving the way for, they're gonna do even more incredible things. There's so much more that can be done.

I'm just privileged to be a part of this whole transition. I think it's doing great, it's better than it's ever been. It's gonna get better.

-You mentioned the headline tour in October, but where would you want to be in a year's time, say next October?
Next October, I just want to be relevant. I want to be still amongst whoever's hot, still going bar for bar. Everyone still recognising that I'm about music and about trying to be the greatest I can be.

For me, it's just about being relevant. I think as long as I'm as relevant as I am this year, if not more, then the sky's the limit. Any other door between now and then could open.

It's only ever gonna open if I continue to apply the pressure, and that's what I've gotta do.

Female First - Alistair McGeorge