Mancunian hop hop star Blizzard may not yet be out of teens but he’s already achieved much in a short, intensely busy musical career.
He originally shot to attention as part of the city’s Mayhem Crew, before winning an EA competition that saw him record a professionally edited video. The track charted at number one on Channel U in 2005 when he was just 11. The platform, now known as Channel AKA, showcases new and up and coming artists and has played a key role in breaking the careers of Roll Deep and Tinchy Stryder.
Blizzard's deft use of social media and wily way with a tune has seen his reputation in Manchester and beyond snow ball. He released his debut EP Sooner Than Never in 2012 which reached 18 in the iTunes album chart and third place in the hip hop charts. BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra both loved it as did Ed Sheeran, Rizzle Kicks and Misha B. It all bodes well for his forthcoming Testing The Water EP due for release on March 30 2014 via his own Eight In Brackets label. We find out what makes him click below…
I first started writing music because…
I have always had a huge love and respect for creative writing. As a kid I loved writing stories and poetry/prose, and as I was growing up my relatives, who were also musicians, taught me what to do.
I have been making music since…
I was 11 years old. I first started writing as I was leaving primary school and entering secondary; recorded my first song as I was just about to turn twelve and picked up production a year or so after.
My music is…
True to the kind of person I am. I take inspiration from many different sources and people so I incorporate all that in to what I do. I’m primarily a grime and hip-hop artist but as the years have passed the sound has started to widen.
You'll like my music if you listen to…
Wiley, Sway, Jamie T, Just Jack… I guess anything with an urban touch to it. But also, production wise, if you listen to J Dilla, Madlib or Flying Lotus, my music may just be up your street!
My favourite venue is…
Matt and Phred’s in my hometown of Manchester. Brilliant jazz club, awesome room, great staff. Honourable mention goes out to the Shaw Theatre in King's Cross; that place is beautiful.
Music is important because…
It is unity. It brings like minded people together. When you’re at a concert and you look at the crowd, and see the expressions on peoples’ faces when somebody’s favourite song is playing, you realise that it is an extremely powerful and captivating art form.
My biggest inspiration is…
Thom Yorke from Radiohead. He’s just an absolute genius. Everything he touches turns to gold. If I could spend a day in studio with him to rack his brain and listen to music I know that I’d come out of it extremely inspired and enlightened.
My dream collaboration would be…
Same as the above. But I have to mention King Krule as well; another brilliant multi-talented musician (he raps, produces, plays guitar and sings… nice.) from London that is my age, signed to XL, touring the world with his record, it’s so inspiring to see. He's outstandingly good live too.
To try me out, listen to my song…
Kids Of The Night… it’s my latest single taken from my new EP Testing The Water out 30 March; or if you want something acoustic try The Megabus Song. It always goes down well with crowds at shows as it’s comedic and relatable.
If I wasn’t making music I’d be…
In university or working a nine-to-five job in Manchester. I’d probably be lacking in motivation and self confidence, and I wouldn’t know the slightest thing about the music industry. To put it bluntly, without music I’d be pretty much purposeless.
In 10 years time I want to be…
Touring, recording and exploring around the world with my music. I hope to have a few albums released so my back catalogue is wider, and so people that are new to my music can go back through the years and have more to listen to.
www.facebook.com/blizzarddubs
twitter.com/iamblizzard??
He originally shot to attention as part of the city’s Mayhem Crew, before winning an EA competition that saw him record a professionally edited video. The track charted at number one on Channel U in 2005 when he was just 11. The platform, now known as Channel AKA, showcases new and up and coming artists and has played a key role in breaking the careers of Roll Deep and Tinchy Stryder.
Blizzard's deft use of social media and wily way with a tune has seen his reputation in Manchester and beyond snow ball. He released his debut EP Sooner Than Never in 2012 which reached 18 in the iTunes album chart and third place in the hip hop charts. BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra both loved it as did Ed Sheeran, Rizzle Kicks and Misha B. It all bodes well for his forthcoming Testing The Water EP due for release on March 30 2014 via his own Eight In Brackets label. We find out what makes him click below…
I first started writing music because…
I have always had a huge love and respect for creative writing. As a kid I loved writing stories and poetry/prose, and as I was growing up my relatives, who were also musicians, taught me what to do.
I have been making music since…
I was 11 years old. I first started writing as I was leaving primary school and entering secondary; recorded my first song as I was just about to turn twelve and picked up production a year or so after.
My music is…
True to the kind of person I am. I take inspiration from many different sources and people so I incorporate all that in to what I do. I’m primarily a grime and hip-hop artist but as the years have passed the sound has started to widen.
You'll like my music if you listen to…
Wiley, Sway, Jamie T, Just Jack… I guess anything with an urban touch to it. But also, production wise, if you listen to J Dilla, Madlib or Flying Lotus, my music may just be up your street!
My favourite venue is…
Matt and Phred’s in my hometown of Manchester. Brilliant jazz club, awesome room, great staff. Honourable mention goes out to the Shaw Theatre in King's Cross; that place is beautiful.
Music is important because…
It is unity. It brings like minded people together. When you’re at a concert and you look at the crowd, and see the expressions on peoples’ faces when somebody’s favourite song is playing, you realise that it is an extremely powerful and captivating art form.
My biggest inspiration is…
Thom Yorke from Radiohead. He’s just an absolute genius. Everything he touches turns to gold. If I could spend a day in studio with him to rack his brain and listen to music I know that I’d come out of it extremely inspired and enlightened.
My dream collaboration would be…
Same as the above. But I have to mention King Krule as well; another brilliant multi-talented musician (he raps, produces, plays guitar and sings… nice.) from London that is my age, signed to XL, touring the world with his record, it’s so inspiring to see. He's outstandingly good live too.
To try me out, listen to my song…
Kids Of The Night… it’s my latest single taken from my new EP Testing The Water out 30 March; or if you want something acoustic try The Megabus Song. It always goes down well with crowds at shows as it’s comedic and relatable.
If I wasn’t making music I’d be…
In university or working a nine-to-five job in Manchester. I’d probably be lacking in motivation and self confidence, and I wouldn’t know the slightest thing about the music industry. To put it bluntly, without music I’d be pretty much purposeless.
In 10 years time I want to be…
Touring, recording and exploring around the world with my music. I hope to have a few albums released so my back catalogue is wider, and so people that are new to my music can go back through the years and have more to listen to.
www.facebook.com/blizzarddubs
twitter.com/iamblizzard??
