Hailing from a family of artists, innovation, imagination and industry are embedded in Tommy Evans' DNA. As a pioneering UK Hip Hop musician, Tommy has appeared on over 50 releases; managed the influential YNT record label: collaborated with multi-platinum and underground artists alike including Neneh Cherry, Martina Topley-Bird, Stereo MC's, Nightmares On Wax, Andreya Triana, Foreign Beggars, Nutty P and Doc Brown to name a few.
What got you into hip hop?
- My mum!
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If you were not into Rap, what would you be?
- That's a great "what if" question! I don't really know as rap is and always has been such a large part of my public, private, personal and professional life! If I were to make another genre of music it would probably be 80’s RnB; in terms of an alternate vocation, it would have to be something related to my passion for learning and literature: I published my debut poetry collection "Medusa Wore A Weave (Or: In The Absence of Magic)" in 2018 and was awarded my PhD in the same year!
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What is the good and the bad thing about hip hop according to your experiences?
- I'll focus on the positives, methinks: through hip hop I have been able to live my dreams!
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How is the response to your Music as the current trend is Trap?
- That's a great question: I'd describe my signature sound as "soulful hip hop" but I do mix things up. On my 2019 album "Antifragile" I included a spoken word song ("M.A.N.") plus a funky house track ("Catchy"); there even was a little bit of a Trap influence on there too - check out the high hats on "Flow (H2O)"! More recently, my double-time single "El Jefe" has been described as Trap-esque in some quarters so I do like to keep things eclectic. I'd love to rhyme over Drill too - with my own unique twist, of course - so I'm putting that out there...!
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Your latest hit (Extra) Ordinary People ft Svetlana, would you say this is your big break track or there's more that got you on a spotlight? and how was the experience working with Svetlana?
- Svetlana is an incredible emerging artist and part of the talented XXVI collective. It's been an absolute pleasure working with her; she dropped vocals on the previous single "El Jefe" and also on future single "Keep On Movin'". And yes, there's definitely much more music to come! (I should also point out that that’s my grandparents on their wedding day featured on the artwork to the song!)
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How will the video be like for this awesome track? Are you planning one? How are you expecting the response to be like?
- I've released a lyric video to accompany "(Extra)Ordinary People" but there are no plans for a full video.
If there would be One thing that you would like to change in the Hip hop industry, what would it be and why?
- Yet another fantastic question! Whilst diversity is a popular slogan these days, the meaningful inclusion of women and people from a black and minority ethnic background behind the scenes is still sadly lacking. Heavier lifting from those with power, finances, resources, networks and influence is required. A commitment to gender balanced line ups at musical festivals is a small but important step.
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Tommy Evans... Other Rappers have their stage names, why did you decide to go with your real name?
- I could never think of a pseudonym; it's a simple as that!
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Few Years from now, where will Tommy Evans be?
- I’m currently working on multiple projects of various sizes; at last count it was 10! That was a couple of weeks ago; I’ve given up counting since then! The main objective is to release a steady stream of songs, literally and figuratively speaking!
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Shout Outs
- Thank you firstly for taking time out to talk to me! Thank you also to all the artists who contributed to my projects; I couldn't do it without you! Oh yeah, #BlackLivesMatter!
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