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 id. Contemporary from performing alongside Woman 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 monitor ‘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. Once I first began recording music, I made fairly just a few 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, “Despite the fact that I’ve proved to myself that I could make music in any style, what tradition do I actually resonate with? How do I need to be seen?
My life has all the time been rooted in Hip Hop, Grime, RnB, Gospel, Neo-Soul, and Reggae. I even grew up B-boying (breakdancing). Hip hop and Grime have all the time been my largest loves, intently 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 area to precise myself totally, each emotionally and lyrically. Not like most individuals my age, my lyricism has all the time been impressed by Grime, from writing bars at 13 to tracks like Treble Clef’s Ghetto Kyote. A whole 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 believe UK hip-hop has misplaced a whole lot of that authenticity ….and that is evident by the repeated lyrical content material, visuals and comparable sounding beats. That’s to not say individuals aren’t nonetheless out right here making substantial, out of the field and uncooked UK Hip-hop music. Don’t get me mistaken, 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 business in the present day is extra primarily based on its virality than its substance. Additional time, music has develop into extra within the background of life, like a multitasking exercise, versus an exercise in itself, the place you really 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 believe we are able to all agree that UK hip-hop might use a breath of contemporary air. GRIP HOP represents that. It calls for your full consideration, or none in any respect.
My signature type, which I showcase by means of GRIP HOP, has been formed by many influences, each inner and exterior. Internally, I’m surrounded by creatives daily: 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, a whole lot of our beats find yourself sounding like J Dilla-influenced Grime- uncooked, soulful, and layered. Externally, my largest 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 categorical myself musically
GRIP HOP is the results of me sitting alone in a studio I owned in 2023, creating music from essentially the most uncooked and sincere a part of myself on the time. From the manufacturing to the lyrics, even right down to the blending and mastering, this challenge is authentically me. The fusion of Hip Hop and Grime, with a contemporary spin of melodic choruses, has been a strong journey, and one I’m genuinely excited to share. Once we discuss Hip Hop, we’re speaking a few motion not nearly rap music – we’re speaking a few tradition.
Hip Hop consists of 5 core parts:
- MCing
- Breakin’ (Dance)
- DJing
- Graffiti (Artwork)
- Information
That’s why, with GRIP HOP, my aim was to incorporate sufficient substance to feed into all of those parts – from the unfastened, off-grid drums for the dancers, to the storytelling and concept-deep diving for the data 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 a substitute, I’m targeted on how deeply I can transfer individuals. That, to me, is value far more than any numbers on a display. I’m coming from a singular 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 contemporary, fashionable twist. Finally, I’m attempting to clarify one thing that’s only a feeling- it’s intuitive, and if you recognize, you recognize. GRIP HOP is a serious restoration of that feeling.
Sharing the stage with the Metropolis of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra alongside Woman Leshurr and JayKae is an enormous step for UK rap. What does this efficiency imply to you, and do you assume orchestral collaborations will develop into extra widespread within the style?
This efficiency is definitely my largest milestone up to now, 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 might typically really feel like individuals don’t totally get it but. However to see that I’ve made sufficient of an influence to be positioned on a serious stage, subsequent to main names, is an enormous affirmation for me. That is what I’ve been ready for. Performing is certainly one of my strengths as an artist, I take pleasure in 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 individuals 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 monitor tells its personal story.
1.“Not The whole lot” – The sleek introduction to GRIPHOP. “Not The whole lot” has a assured vibe, balancing self-growth and private ambitions with relationship pressures.
2.“Three Pictures” – A Triumphant, daring, cinematic anthem celebrating wins and victory by means of hardship.
3. “When It Rains” – A deeply private story-telling monitor about resilience by means of damaged household construction
4.“Chosen One” – A grime-hip-hop fusion with mysterious, orchestral depth. excellent for movie, gaming, and model placements.
5.“Hit Document ft. Varntae”– An ethereal anthem about confidence, self-belief, and overcoming adversity with non secular energy and goal.
Ghetts put you on his “One to Watch” listing on Kiss FM, which is a robust endorsement. How did that second have an effect on you, and has it led to any sudden alternatives?
That second was an enormous increase 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 subsequent 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 discovered so much simply by finding out his craft. As for sudden 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 discovered from working with him
That collaboration took place in a brilliant unorthodox manner. So, lengthy story quick… my mum went to uni with Delroy Corinaldi, the Founder and CEO of an organisation referred to as The Black Footballers Partnership (BFP). Delroy wanted a catchy theme tune for BFP; they’d a serious marketing campaign arising targeted on the 2024 European Cup. My mum was working with BFP on the time and really helpful me and my cousin Ke4t (dangerous boy producer) for the job. We made the monitor — and Delroy cherished 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 means of and interviewed us. The Guardian received concerned too — a few 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 area for the piece. Huge 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… massive shout out to my mum, for actual. None of this could’ve occurred with out her. She’s an actual motion taker.
UK rap is all the time altering, however few artists take orchestration and cinematic parts so far as you do. What do you assume stops extra artists from exploring these sorts of sounds?
Motive 1 – Musical IQ. To place it bluntly, and I don’t say this frivolously, being good at music is a type of artistic intelligence, similar to being good at English, Science or Maths. You possibly can study 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 stage of musical IQ, the power 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 stage.
Motive 2 – Concern of standing out. Let’s be actual, individuals are scared to step exterior the field of what’s thought of ‘regular’. If one particular person begins dancing on the street alone and nobody joins in, what do individuals 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 selections. How do you keep in command of your imaginative and prescient whereas ensuring your music reaches a wider viewers?
It’s not a activity for the weak. Severely. However the one factor that has stored me grounded and motivated alongside this path is… my very own music. My creations are like my infants. Once I hear again to them, I believe to myself, “I can’t go away this world with out placing these out.” I simply know the sensation my music offers is efficacious and never simply the sensation, however the ideas it provokes too. I genuinely consider it will be a disservice not simply to myself, however to the universe if I didn’t share my music with as many souls as doable.
“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 assume would fit your sound finest?
“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 monitor strips again to only drums and e-piano, provides this highly effective, cinematic stress that I believe would land completely in a trailer or dramatic scene. When you hear intently to the challenge, 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, sequence, or high-concept recreation – 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. Huge waves are transferring proper now – don’t miss the trip
Uncover CreezOn on all main platforms through this hyperlink.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast
