At simply 21, the Birmingham-based artist CreeZon has pioneered GRIP HOP, a daring fusion of Grime’s razor-sharp lyricism and Hip Hop’s soulful storytelling, layered with melodic choruses and orchestral depth. On this candid interview, CreezOn reveals how his formative influences—from breakdancing to Ghetts, from gospel to J Dilla—have led him to redefine UK rap’s sonic identification. Contemporary from performing alongside Girl Leshurr and JayKae with the Metropolis of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, he opens up about crafting music rooted in authenticity over virality. CreezOn additionally shares insights on the cinematic idea behind his forthcoming EP and the way his music, together with standout observe ‘Chosen One,’ is discovering its pure place inside movie, TV, and gaming.
Your signature GRIP HOP sound is a daring sonic assertion. What led you to develop this type, and the way do you see it shaping the way forward for UK hip-hop?
Throughout my journey, I’ve been influenced by and dabbled in lots of music genres, each as an artist and as a producer. After I first began recording music, I made fairly a couple of Afro-swing, Entice and Drill tracks, cos that’s what was trending on the time. However as I grew older, and extra assured in my sound, I began asking myself deeper questions. I requested myself, “Though I’ve proved to myself that I could make music in any style, what tradition do I really resonate with? How do I need to be seen?
My life has at all times been rooted in Hip Hop, Grime, RnB, Gospel, Neo-Soul, and Reggae. I even grew up B-boying (breakdancing). Hip hop and Grime have at all times been my greatest loves, carefully adopted by Neo-Soul. As soon as I realised that, I naturally leaned into these sounds. It grew to become a transition, a step into maturity and self-discovery. These genres give me the house to specific myself absolutely, each emotionally and lyrically. Not like most individuals my age, my lyricism has at all times been impressed by Grime, from writing bars at 13 to tracks like Treble Clef’s Ghetto Kyote. Quite a lot of my friends caught onto the Drill wave heavier than Grime, however this wasn’t the case for me.
For me, these genres all carry a rawness, a definite soulfulness. And that rawness, that authenticity, is what I consider actual creativity is about. I feel UK hip-hop has misplaced loads of that authenticity ….and that is evident by the repeated lyrical content material, visuals and comparable sounding beats. That’s to not say folks aren’t nonetheless out right here making substantial, out of the field and uncooked UK Hip-hop music. Don’t get me fallacious, there are nonetheless artists making music that’s substantial, unique and highly effective… … it’s simply clear to see that the music pushed in entrance of the trade immediately is extra based mostly on its virality than its substance. Time beyond regulation, music has turn into extra within the background of life, like a multitasking exercise, versus an exercise in itself, the place you truly sit down, LISTEN to your favorite album, and take it in, layer by layer. As consideration spans have shortened and expertise is commonly judged by stats over substance, I feel we will all agree that UK hip-hop may use a breath of recent air. GRIP HOP represents that. It calls for your full consideration, or none in any respect.
My signature type, which I showcase by GRIP HOP, has been formed by many influences, each inner and exterior. Internally, I’m surrounded by creatives day by day: producers, MCs, dancers. Inside my shut circle of pals, the best way we make music naturally leans towards that GRIP HOP sound. As a result of all of us hearken to Grime, Hip Hop, and Neo-Soul/Jazz, loads of our beats find yourself sounding like J Dilla-influenced Grime- uncooked, soulful, and layered. Externally, my greatest influences in Grime and Hip Hop have been J-Dilla, Busta Rhymes, Ghetts, and Dot Rotten (Zeph Ellis). Their sounds, vitality, and method to creativity have performed an enormous function in how I specific myself musically
GRIP HOP is the results of me sitting alone in a studio I owned in 2023, creating music from probably the most uncooked and trustworthy a part of myself on the time. From the manufacturing to the lyrics, even right down to the blending and mastering, this venture is authentically me. The fusion of Hip Hop and Grime, with a recent spin of melodic choruses, has been a strong journey, and one I’m genuinely excited to share. After we discuss Hip Hop, we’re speaking a couple of motion not nearly rap music – we’re speaking a couple of tradition.
Hip Hop consists of 5 core parts:
- MCing
- Breakin’ (Dance)
- DJing
- Graffiti (Artwork)
- Data
That’s why, with GRIP HOP, my purpose was to incorporate sufficient substance to feed into all of those parts – from the free, off-grid drums for the dancers, to the storytelling and concept-deep diving for the information seekers. I’ve crafted this EP with actual depth and precision, with the intention of bringing ART again in type – not simply “making a tune and releasing it, tryna go viral.” As an alternative, I’m targeted on how deeply I can transfer folks. That, to me, is value far more than any numbers on a display screen. I’m coming from a novel angle. I’m solely 21, however I’m closely influenced by the previous. I’m resurfacing what got here earlier than me and giving it a recent, fashionable twist. In the end, I’m attempting to clarify one thing that’s only a feeling- it’s intuitive, and if you already know, you already know. GRIP HOP is a significant restoration of that feeling.
Sharing the stage with the Metropolis of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra alongside Girl Leshurr and JayKae is an enormous step for UK rap. What does this efficiency imply to you, and do you suppose orchestral collaborations will turn into extra frequent within the style?
This efficiency is definitely my greatest milestone to date, and truthfully, I’m each grateful and a bit shocked that I used to be chosen. As a result of my type and method are so unorthodox, it may well typically really feel like folks don’t absolutely get it but. However to see that I’ve made sufficient of an affect to be positioned on a significant stage, subsequent to main names, is an enormous affirmation for me. That is what I’ve been ready for. Performing is one in every of my strengths as an artist, I get pleasure from it . I’ve simply been ready on a stage that’s prepared for me.
Your upcoming EP has been described as cinematic and concept-driven. What’s the central theme behind it, and what would you like folks to really feel after they hear it?
So, the central theme is, after all, the sound of GRIP HOP itself. The EP serves as each an illustration and an introduction to my self-crafted, uncooked sound. However beneath that, every observe tells its personal story.
1.“Not The whole lot” – The graceful introduction to GRIPHOP. “Not The whole lot” has a assured vibe, balancing self-growth and private ambitions with relationship pressures.
2.“Three Photographs” – A Triumphant, daring, cinematic anthem celebrating wins and victory by hardship.
3. “When It Rains” – A deeply private story-telling observe about resilience by damaged household construction
4.“Chosen One” – A grime-hip-hop fusion with mysterious, orchestral depth. excellent for movie, gaming, and model placements.
5.“Hit Report ft. Varntae”– An ethereal anthem about confidence, self-belief, and overcoming adversity with religious power and function.
Ghetts put you on his “One to Watch” checklist on Kiss FM, which is a robust endorsement. How did that second have an effect on you, and has it led to any surprising alternatives?
That second was an enormous enhance for me. It occurred again in 2022, I used to be 18 on the time, and it truthfully felt surreal. It was like… one evening I went to sleep with not a lot happening, and the following morning I woke as much as a shout-out from Ghetts. We’ve crossed paths and spoken a number of instances since, and each time, it’s a vibe of mutual respect. I’m genuinely and wholesomely grateful for his assist. Ghetts has been my favorite MC for years, and I’ve realized rather a lot simply by finding out his craft. As for surprising alternatives? Let’s simply say… there’s extra to come back.
Your work with Toddla T on “It’s Our Crew” caught consideration from The Guardian and Sky Sports activities. How did that collaboration come about, and what have you ever realized from working with him
That collaboration took place in an excellent unorthodox method. So, lengthy story brief… my mum went to uni with Delroy Corinaldi, the Founder and CEO of an organisation known as The Black Footballers Partnership (BFP). Delroy wanted a catchy theme tune for BFP; they’d a significant marketing campaign developing targeted on the 2024 European Cup. My mum was working with BFP on the time and really useful me and my cousin Ke4t (unhealthy boy producer) for the job. We made the observe — and Delroy beloved it. Considered one of BFP’s Co-Founders, Eartha Pond, is pals with Toddla T, so Delroy linked us up and organized for me and Ke4t to move right down to Toddla’s studio in London for post-production and mastering. That’s additionally the place Sky Sports activities got here by and interviewed us. The Guardian obtained concerned too — a couple of week later, they got here as much as Brum and interviewed us at No.5 Barristers’ Chambers, who assist BFP and allow us to use their house for the piece. Massive up BFP for the chance. Since then, me and Toddla T have been correct bredrins. We even dropped a freestyle problem just lately on a beat I made at his studio, The Steeze Manufacturing facility. So yeah… large shout out to my mum, for actual. None of this may’ve occurred with out her. She’s an actual motion taker.
UK rap is at all times altering, however few artists take orchestration and cinematic parts so far as you do. What do you suppose stops extra artists from exploring these sorts of sounds?
Purpose 1 – Musical IQ. To place it bluntly, and I don’t say this calmly, being good at music is a type of artistic intelligence, identical to being good at English, Science or Maths. You may be taught to be good at music, however the realness, the intuition, that’s one thing you’re both born with or not. Rhythm is felt. It’s resonance. That degree of musical IQ, the flexibility to rearrange layers of sound with true depth and intention, is uncommon. And with out classical or theoretical coaching, not many artists are in a position to take orchestration or cinematic parts to that subsequent degree.
Purpose 2 – Concern of standing out. Let’s be actual, persons are scared to step outdoors the field of what’s thought-about ‘regular’. If one particular person begins dancing on the street alone and nobody joins in, what do folks say? “It’s embarrassing.” “They’re loopy.” Precisely. That’s why not many take artistic dangers. They’re ready for another person to maneuver first.
As an unbiased artist, you’re dealing with each artistic and enterprise choices. How do you keep answerable for your imaginative and prescient whereas ensuring your music reaches a wider viewers?
It’s not a job for the weak. Critically. However the one factor that has saved me grounded and motivated alongside this path is… my very own music. My creations are like my infants. After I hear again to them, I feel to myself, “I can’t go away this world with out placing these out.” I simply know the sensation my music provides is efficacious and never simply the sensation, however the ideas it provokes too. I genuinely consider it could be a disservice not simply to myself, however to the universe if I didn’t share my music with as many souls as potential.
“Chosen One” has the form of manufacturing that matches into gaming, movie, and TV. Have you ever had any discussions about getting your music into these areas, and what sort of initiatives do you suppose would fit your sound greatest?
“Chosen One” has given me shivers up my backbone greater than as soon as. The darkish but luminous concord of the devices and vocals, particularly on the refrain, makes me immediately image an intense, emotional, action-packed film trailer. The outro breakdown, the place the observe strips again to only drums and e-piano, provides this highly effective, cinematic stress that I feel would land completely in a trailer or dramatic scene. When you hear carefully to the venture, you’ll discover there’s a recurring theme of rain, each sonically and symbolically. So any intense, significant media with a visible rain theme – whether or not that’s a movie, collection, or high-concept sport – would pair very well with “Chosen One.”
The EP drops on April twenty fifth, proper in the midst of each the Birmingham and London CBSO reveals. Massive waves are shifting proper now – don’t miss the journey
Uncover CreezOn on all main platforms by way of this hyperlink.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast
