London trio WSTRN are on a mission to switch the world on to their blissed out urban soul.
With an online fan base that’s growing at a rate of knots, and a place on the BBC Sound of 2016 longlist, it seems they’re having no trouble shaping up as real contenders for the New Year.
Cousins Akelle and Haile, together with key collaborator Louis, create a sound that’s pure R&B with a big bassy wallop.
Their debut track In2 messes with roots reggae, hip-hop and pop, garnering them praise from far and wide for their fresh take on the UK urban sound.
Now signed to Atlantic Records, and with the last few dates of a UK tour coming up, we caught up with the gang to find out what more’s in store…
We first started writing music because…
We didn't know any different. Music was a way of speaking out, expressing ourselves and giving the West a voice.
We have been making music since…
Akelle and Haile: We’ve been properly producing/writing since our teens but been around music/knowing it was our lives ever since we can remember. It's always been in our family and around our homes, we can't imagine life without it.
Louis: I always enjoyed music but only relatively recently did I have the confidence to put stuff out there and acknowledge my skills as a rapper & songwriter
Our music is…
‘Feelgood’. We keep joking that this is an actual word to describe our music haha! Just good vibrations that you can listen to in the club, in your bedroom, with friends…
You'll like our music if you listen to...
If you like good melody, clever lyrics and catchy hooks - our inspiration comes from the likes of Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Jadakiss, it's a mix.
Our favourite venue is…
Akelle: I have a lot of love for Bush Hall because I went there a lot as a kid. But I would love to sell out Shepherd's Bush Empire too. That place is iconic!
Louis: It depends on the night. If it's an intimate set up then a small venue is best but BBC 1Xtra Live in front of 15,000 people was mad - so big venues are cool too!
Haile: Yeah, it depends on the gig/night but I really like TAPE in London. We've had a few sessions there, they've got a sick studio attached to the club
Music is important because…
It gives people a voice and a way of channelling your emotions and thoughts into something. It's a way of getting your message out.
Our biggest inspiration is…
All would say god.
Our dream collaboration would be…
Jay Z would be sick and Lauryn Hill would be a dream.
To try us out, listen to our song…
IN2.
If we weren’t making music we’d be…
Akelle: I can't even think what I'd do
Louis: Maybe football but again, now I can't picture doing anything else
Haile: I used to want to be an athlete and trained but music was always in the back of my mind. I couldn't shake it off.
In 10 years’ time we want to be…
10 albums down haha! Nah, just have people continuing to enjoy our music, having worked with our dream collabs and be able to provide for our families and give back to those who've supported us.
Upcoming live dates
6 December: Hertford University, Hatfield – Official Charts University Tour
11 December: Clue One, Ascot
19 December: Mirage, Aylesbury
21 December: Crystal, Blackpool
With an online fan base that’s growing at a rate of knots, and a place on the BBC Sound of 2016 longlist, it seems they’re having no trouble shaping up as real contenders for the New Year.
Cousins Akelle and Haile, together with key collaborator Louis, create a sound that’s pure R&B with a big bassy wallop.
Their debut track In2 messes with roots reggae, hip-hop and pop, garnering them praise from far and wide for their fresh take on the UK urban sound.
Now signed to Atlantic Records, and with the last few dates of a UK tour coming up, we caught up with the gang to find out what more’s in store…
We first started writing music because…
We didn't know any different. Music was a way of speaking out, expressing ourselves and giving the West a voice.
We have been making music since…
Akelle and Haile: We’ve been properly producing/writing since our teens but been around music/knowing it was our lives ever since we can remember. It's always been in our family and around our homes, we can't imagine life without it.
Louis: I always enjoyed music but only relatively recently did I have the confidence to put stuff out there and acknowledge my skills as a rapper & songwriter
Our music is…
‘Feelgood’. We keep joking that this is an actual word to describe our music haha! Just good vibrations that you can listen to in the club, in your bedroom, with friends…
You'll like our music if you listen to...
If you like good melody, clever lyrics and catchy hooks - our inspiration comes from the likes of Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Jadakiss, it's a mix.
Our favourite venue is…
Akelle: I have a lot of love for Bush Hall because I went there a lot as a kid. But I would love to sell out Shepherd's Bush Empire too. That place is iconic!
Louis: It depends on the night. If it's an intimate set up then a small venue is best but BBC 1Xtra Live in front of 15,000 people was mad - so big venues are cool too!
Haile: Yeah, it depends on the gig/night but I really like TAPE in London. We've had a few sessions there, they've got a sick studio attached to the club
Music is important because…
It gives people a voice and a way of channelling your emotions and thoughts into something. It's a way of getting your message out.
Our biggest inspiration is…
All would say god.
Our dream collaboration would be…
Jay Z would be sick and Lauryn Hill would be a dream.
To try us out, listen to our song…
IN2.
If we weren’t making music we’d be…
Akelle: I can't even think what I'd do
Louis: Maybe football but again, now I can't picture doing anything else
Haile: I used to want to be an athlete and trained but music was always in the back of my mind. I couldn't shake it off.
In 10 years’ time we want to be…
10 albums down haha! Nah, just have people continuing to enjoy our music, having worked with our dream collabs and be able to provide for our families and give back to those who've supported us.
Upcoming live dates
6 December: Hertford University, Hatfield – Official Charts University Tour
11 December: Clue One, Ascot
19 December: Mirage, Aylesbury
21 December: Crystal, Blackpool
