Solo artist Tommy Archer has been making music under the radar for the last couple of years but Madly Juicy caught up with the Essex rapper and found out that he has big plans for 2012.
1. How would you describe yourself as an artist?
“I’d say firstly I’m relatable; I like to write about things that we all go through, but don’t speak about! So not the break ups, and struggles but growing up, storytelling, experiences, and having FUN. Some artists get absorbed by the negatives but I like to highlight all the positives first.”
2. The music video for ‘Shooting Guns’ came out over a month ago and has got over 3,500 views on YouTube, are you pleased with the reaction so far?
“Shooting Guns was released through a moment of spontaneity. We went out to shoot a video for a different song but couldn’t get into the location, it was midnight and there was a HUGE dog so we swiftly left. We met back at my place, and decided to shoot a video in my living room that was shooting guns. It’s the first video I’ve released on YouTube and after over 3.5k views in 4 weeks we plan to release one a month. Whether it be a remix video, freestyle, original song the response was AWESOME so I feel a duty to give the first wave or supporters more to enjoy!”
3. How do you go about coming up with your lyrics?
“Lyrics often come to me while I’m rapping along to the radio, driving or working on the computer. I’d come up with a catchy line, then it grows, and I’ll write it down, on a pad, napkin, or on my phone. Then I can pick up an instrumental or theme and it just happens, most of my songs or verses come from what started as a catchy one liner!”
4. Which artist currently on the scene right now inspires you the most?
“There’s a hand full of artists that I look to for inspiration, from all different areas of music, from Grime, Rock, House to POP. The most inspiring of recent years has to be Tinie Tempah, I can relate to him as a person as well as musically, just read his book! He’s a positive bloke and isn’t shying away from what he loves to be and do and I can relate to that.”
5. If you could choose anyone to be in your next music video who would it be and why?
“I could pick an international Pop star, or Hollywood actor but I’d have to go for Keenan Cahill, Look him up! He’s a truly inspirational dude, and we could have so much fun filming it.”
6. The most random thing you have ever done?
“When leaving school we filled my head of years bin up with water and a dozen gold fish, and left a chicken in his office, BOOYAR!”
7. What is your opinion on the current state of rap music, especially in the UK?
“I think UK Rap music hasn’t looked better, Wretch 32, Kano, Skepta, Sway all holding the flag high for us musically, and we have some amazing UK Urban acts outside of rap coming through because of that, Angel, Josh Osho, Cleo Sol, Clement Marfo & The Front Line. There was a time were nothing but POP would amount to anything from the UK but we have grown a strong urban scene and it continues to flourish.”
8. Would you say you’re a typical Essex Lad?
“If ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ is anything to go by NO, those guys are cool, small pockets of Essex, but I’m not one of them… really.”
9. What can we expect from Tommy Archer over the next few months?
“I’m going to be busy writing the last few tracks of an EP that will be dropping early summer, but until then I will be releasing a few more tracks with YouTube videos, maybe one every 3 weeks.”
10. Your favorite 3 lyrics of all time?
“I always fall in love with new lyrics, my favorite recent line this week is ”Fake hair, Fake lips, Fake Tan, Fake Tits… But you’re looking for a real man?”
The next freestyle to drop has a line ”I’m over here picking a track to bruise, your over there still picking which hat to choose, more concerned about buying a jacket to match the shoes” Its all observational, you can’t forget the Flip Flop line in shooting guns too!”
11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
“As far up the ladder as I can get, I’m aiming this year to create as much of a buzz as possible, and by next summer play some festivals and maybe work with some of my heroes from music, there is a lot more to my 24 month plan but its top secret, In five years I want to be recognized as a credit to UK music.”
12. What made you want to be involved with music?
“It was never a want; it was always a need, a way to vent emotion, and creativity. I have always drawn and designed and it’s just another avenue to express what I feel and think but in a frigging cool way!”
And you can keep up to date with Mr Archer by following him on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/#!/MrTommyArcher
Website: http://www.tommyarcher.co.uk
By Matthew Trevett
A Journalists portfolio 