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. After I first began recording music, I made fairly a number of 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, “Regardless 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 at all times been rooted in Hip Hop, Grime, RnB, Gospel, Neo-Soul, and Reggae. I even grew up B-boying (breakdancing). Hip hop and Grime have at all times been my largest loves, carefully 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 house to precise myself totally, each emotionally and lyrically. Not like most individuals my age, my lyricism has at all times been impressed by Grime, from writing bars at 13 to tracks like Treble Clef’s Ghetto Kyote. Plenty 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 imagine actual creativity is about. I feel UK hip-hop has misplaced a variety 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 unsuitable, there are nonetheless artists making music that’s substantial, authentic and highly effective… … it’s simply clear to see that the music pushed in entrance of the business at present is extra based mostly on its virality than its substance. Time beyond regulation, music has change into extra within the background of life, like a multitasking exercise, versus an exercise in itself, the place you truly sit down, LISTEN to your favorite album, and take it in, layer by layer. As consideration spans have shortened and expertise is usually judged by stats over substance, I feel we are able to all agree that UK hip-hop may use a breath of recent air. GRIP HOP represents that. It calls for your full consideration, or none in any respect.
My signature type, which I showcase by way 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 mates, the way in which we make music naturally leans towards that GRIP HOP sound. As a result of all of us take heed to Grime, Hip Hop, and Neo-Soul/Jazz, a variety 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, power, and strategy to creativity have performed an enormous position 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 recent spin of melodic choruses, has been a robust journey, and one I’m genuinely excited to share. After we discuss Hip Hop, we’re speaking a couple of motion not nearly rap music – we’re speaking a couple of tradition.
Hip Hop consists of 5 core parts:
- MCing
- Breakin’ (Dance)
- DJing
- Graffiti (Artwork)
- Data
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 an alternative, I’m centered 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 recent, trendy twist. In the end, I’m attempting to elucidate 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 a large step for UK rap. What does this efficiency imply to you, and do you assume orchestral collaborations will change into extra widespread within the style?
This efficiency is well 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 strategy are so unorthodox, it may 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 get pleasure from 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 once they hear it?
So, the central theme is, after all, the sound of GRIP HOP itself. The EP serves as each an indication and an introduction to my self-crafted, uncooked sound. However beneath that, every monitor tells its personal story.
1.“Not The whole lot” – The graceful 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 way of hardship.
3. “When It Rains” – A deeply private story-telling monitor about resilience by way 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 File ft. Varntae”– An ethereal anthem about confidence, self-belief, and overcoming adversity with non secular power and goal.
Ghetts put you on his “One to Watch” record 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 occurring, and the following 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 learning his craft. As for sudden alternatives? Let’s simply say… there’s extra to return.
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 method. So, lengthy story brief… my mum went to uni with Delroy Corinaldi, the Founder and CEO of an organisation known as The Black Footballers Partnership (BFP). Delroy wanted a catchy theme tune for BFP; they’d a serious marketing campaign arising centered 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 beloved it. Considered one of BFP’s Co-Founders, Eartha Pond, is mates with Toddla T, so Delroy linked us up and organized for me and Ke4t to go right down to Toddla’s studio in London for post-production and mastering. That’s additionally the place Sky Sports activities got here by way of and interviewed us. The Guardian bought concerned too — a couple of 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 house for the piece. Massive 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 may’ve occurred with out her. She’s an actual motion taker.
UK rap is at all times 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?
Purpose 1 – Musical IQ. To place it bluntly, and I don’t say this frivolously, being good at music is a type of artistic intelligence, identical to being good at English, Science or Maths. You may be taught 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 degree 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 capable of take orchestration or cinematic parts to that subsequent degree.
Purpose 2 – Worry of standing out. Let’s be actual, individuals are scared to step exterior the field of what’s thought-about ‘regular’. If one individual 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 choices. 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. After I hear again to them, I feel to myself, “I can’t go away this world with out placing these out.” I simply know the sensation my music offers is effective and never simply the sensation, however the ideas it provokes too. I genuinely imagine it might be a disservice not simply to myself, however to the universe if I didn’t share my music with as many souls as potential.
“Chosen One” has the sort 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 simply drums and e-piano, provides this highly effective, cinematic stress that I feel would land completely in a trailer or dramatic scene. If you happen to hear carefully 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 sport – 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. Massive waves are shifting proper now – don’t miss the experience
Uncover CreezOn on all main platforms by way of this hyperlink.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast