Interview: Master Shortie

Master Shortie is an up-and-coming British rapper who was recently listed in the BBC Sound of 2009 poll as one of the most promising new figures in British music. When we meet him he is very down to earth, friendly and laid-back, describing himself as ‘annoying and loveable.’

We ask him how he got to where he is today, ‘I’ve been doing music for a really long time, when I was younger I started writing and rapping at 12, started recording my own tracks at 14 and kept showcasing my stuff and doing online promotions to the point where I started to acquire a fan base and good management who pushed me into the right directions, helping me to record my album and get it out there.’

He made his name on the underground music scene, starting his own record label and producing his own tracks, and reckons that the opportunity is out there for anyone willing to take the initiative, ‘I don’t think record labels are that necessary any more, what they do is release music and no one is buying records anymore so there are other ways and means of making money; labels can help you do it, but it isn’t their main job, such as showcasing, merchandising, and online PR. So as long as you have something different about yourself and you are determined I think you can definitely do it alone. ‘

Master Shortie describes his sound as ‘eclectic’, and says his music has elements of R’n’B, hip-hop, indie and electro, ‘I’m always around a diverse amount of people from different backgrounds and I want to bring that into my music, and that’s what makes me different. So I wouldn’t really define myself as being an artist who works in one particular genre. His music influences are similarly eclectic; he cites Bijork, Tracey Chapman, Kanye West, Led Zeppelin and Wyclef Jean and describes his dream collaborations as Prince and Wyclef Jean.

We hear that he attended the BRIT School, famous as a training ground for stars including Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis, Luke Pritchard and Adele. Master Shortie describes his time there, ‘I wouldn’t say it shaped my music as I did a lot of acting there, but it definitely helped me grow as a person and mature, and see how many people there are out there who want to do the same things as I did, so it made me take things extra seriously’ Whilst at the BRIT School he had many acting jobs, including playing Simba in the Lion King, which he says, was the experience he needed to realise that his career was destined to be in the music industry.

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We prod him for information on the BRIT School and ask if he knew any of the celebs who went there. ‘Yeah, Kate Nash was in the year above me, we have the same management company at the moment… she’s a really nice girl. I spoke to Adele, she’s cool, Leona and Amy Winehouse were there too but I didn’t speak to them as they’re a bit older.’ Master Shortie says he enjoyed his time at the BRIT school but says simply, ‘it wasn’t for me.’ He moved from school to school as a child, and perhaps never really felt like he fit in; his record label is called ‘Odd One Out’, and we ask him about the story behind the name. ‘It’s about progressing and achieving from being different and not being part of the norm. I have a great team around me, who understand me, my product and my music and they are able to help me take it to the next level.’ He says that he relies hugely on the fantastic team around him who he credits with helping him to make a name in the music industry.

We get around to the subject of his first album, released in 2009 and titled ‘ADHD’. Master Shortie says, ‘It stands for attention deficit and hyperactive disorder, it’s the perfect name for my album, as it creates attention, and it’s all over the place and you can’t target it to one specific genre.

We notice that he’s a pretty stylish guy, wearing battered jeans, a white tee topped off with a trilby hat and bright blue high-top trainers. ‘Yeah, I’m getting a fair bit of free stuff at the moment which is pretty good; I mix and match from vintage shops, to high end brands to high street to street wear. It’s completely my own look…I’m very much into fashion but I don’t follow anyone’s specific style, I play with what looks good on me. I’m one of those people who believes the clothes I wear look better one then off so I’m always trying stuff on.’

Finally we ask him to perform us an impromptu rap about the night ahead. He rises admirably to the challenge; sadly we can’t quite reproduce the full effect but here’s a taster, ‘I’m under pressure coz I’m hot…but now I’m feeling kinda cool…I’m about to play football…as I’m performing at a ball.’

You may not be able to tell from that rap but we definitely reckon Master Shortie’s one to watch.