Royal T

This young producer is one to watch out for in 2009.

M: How’s it going sir?

R.T: Not bad mate, just taking it easy.

M: Where you from ?

R.T: Southampton, the same place Craig David and Artful Dodger come from. Its a nice place, but a crap football team!

M: Your rolling out some banging grime beats at the moment bruv. What made you start producing grime, how long have you been at it and what do you use to produce?

R.T: Ive been doing it for probably about 2 years now on FL Studio, regardless of what people say about it, it works for me! Originally though my uncle gave me and my brother a copy of Fruityloops 3 ages ago and thats what i used to use.

I had listened to Grime from the birth of it really but Southampton hadnt really been introduced to it by then, but as the sounds started to spread people got into it and thats when i had a go at it.
I’ve always been listening to music as a kid. non stop and i still do now, i can’t leave my house without my iPod.

M: How would you describe your style of production?

R.T: I don’t know how to define it, i like people to make the judgement for me because everyone will have their opinions. But i’d say its more garage influenced, bassy and a funky combination, its weird. I don’t think i have a certain style really, just whatver comes out of my brain at that time.

M: “I Know my place which featured Blacks ( OG’s) was a good tune and the first time i heard your name.
How did that track come about?

R.T: Just through the internet really, its sounds so simple but thats literally just it, i got lucky. I think Blacks noticed something in my music because he actually took time to listen to it and i sent him a bag of instrumentals but that was the one he liked most. He got Jendor on it and a singer called Olly Boi for the chorus then boom, a hit.

When he sent me the tune, it was the best feeling trust me, because i knew we had made something big out of it, then it got played on Logan’s and Cameo’s shows and thats when it hit me. But it don’t stop there because me and him have got
couple more tunes on the way.

M: Who else have you worked with?

R.T: Not a lot of people really, ive just tried to keep my head down until i knew i was ready. I didn’t want to take the same route as most unknown producers or artists do nowadays because i don’t want to throw anything in peoples faces, good things come to those who wait.

But i have done work with Blacks obviously, Jendor, i’m on Snoopy’s new mixtape with a song called Hit ‘Em and i’m currently working with Untitled on his projects. Im just trying to make as much as i can at the moment so if the time comes when i work with other MC’s,
i’ll be ready.

M: What type of grime fan are you? Are you a nostalgic grime fan or do you embrace the new styles of grime?

R.T: Definetly nostalgic. I’ll always throw on Ice Rink or Igloo every now and then because it takes me back to them times when Grime still had that garage influence which i love. I do like listening to new Grime though but i tend not to listen to the stuff that just sounds like Hip Hop rolled to 140bpm, i like more synthy and dark stuff.

M: What’s your view on the Electro/Grime faze the scene is going through at the moment?

R.T: I think its been long overdue really, i think it was about time people realised that they didnt have to just stick to one certain sound. Producers inparticular becuase the only way they will improve is if they are versatile. That dosen’t even mean they have to stray from 140, but just do something different or a little unorthadox because it will get noticed. Wiley and Bless is the perfect example.

M: Do you think Grime as a whole will be more sucessful in 2009 and what elements do you think the scene needs to do so?

R.T: I think it will definetly have a place in 2009, i know a lot of people have said Grimes dead etc. but i don’t see how. Chipmunk just got his Mobo, Wiley and Dizzee topping the charts, not even with Grime but still, the industry will tag them as Grime artists, so if Grime artists are doing things like this, the only way is up, definetly.

M: What are your main interests outside of music?

R.T: Outside of music, it used to be football, i used to play all the time but i gave that up, but i try to play every now and then though. Other than that its just college and just being with mates going out drinking! Can’t beat a good chilled Bud.

M: Are you a ps3 or 360 kind of guy?

R.T: Definetly PS3, i don’t like them Xbox controllers at all! Playstations the original.

M: What game are you playing at the moment?

R.T: It will be Pro Evo 2009 when i get it, don’t like FIFA, they’ve just spent the last 5 games trying to be Pro.

M: What are you working on at the moment? And what are your plans for 2009?

R.T: I’m just working on bits and pieces for the moment but i’m focusing more on getting tunes to DJ’s and more radio play so i can build a good platform for myself. i’m planning to probably release some vinyl soon because i’ve got some monsters to release on to the decks, just wait and see!

Thanks for talking to us mate.

http://myspace.com/royaltbeats