Q). How things with you? 

Very good Thankyou! Excited to start releasing all this music I have been working on over the last year. Many may projects are on the horizon

 

Q). Where did the whole Ill Sykes journey all begin?

A lot of people I was hanging around with after I left school used to rap when I was a guitar player in a progressive metal band.  I used to chime in here and there with a few bars and i enjoyed the creative process. I was always good at English in school particularly creative writing and I found writing visually evocative rap music to be a suitable outlet for that.

Q). Your single ‘The Road Less Travelled’ feat. Sheikhyground is available now. How has the response for that been? 

The response to the track and the ep in general has been great. We have had many people saying that the track is their favourite song this year and also that it has helped some people through some difficult stuff which is truly amazing.  If I can help people with music then that really eclipses anything else I could hope to achieve

 

Q). Whats it like being in the studio with Ill Sykes? 

Generally I record everything on my own and engineer myself but when I am with people In the studio it’s generally quite a serious affair. I don’t like to drink or smoke and am very focussed on the task at hand. I used to get pissed up and have a laugh but I find the results looking back have always suffered so nowadays I’m probably not as much fun but if you are there for the right reasons then you will leave fulfilled.

 

Q). How would you describe your sound?

I’m not sure how to answer that as I have so many.  I feel they are all tied together with an Ill Sykes sound that is hard to put your finger on. Idiosyncrasies characterised by unexpected vocal inflections and harmonies with stark writing juxtaposed with music that often has an undercurrent of strong emotion (whichever emotion that may be) and catharsis.  I don’t really do light hearted and I don’t make background music.  I don’t intend to be eclectic as such that it’s not a premeditated decision to set out to do different styles just to piss about or genre bend for the sake of it.  It feels like they are all born in the same well In which i draw from and are tools for me to paint the picture how I want it.  My background in rock/metal music and acoustic pop/folk (I am also a singer songwriter under the name Morgan Eden) maybe makes this easier for me.  I find when it’s forced it comes across as a gimmick and is very obvious and lame

 

Q). Is there anybody who you would love to do a track with? 

Coheed and Cambria

Q). Who is your biggest influence? 

My writing/rapping was heavily Influenced by Eminem when I started. I loved the syncopation and the fluid style of rapping between the lines. The Marshall Mather’s lp era is something I still listen and marvel at stylistically.  I then got into immortal technique and Jedi mind tricks and my delivery in its development at one point was heavily influenced by Aesop rock. His metaphorical style is unbelievable.  I am also heavily influenced by the many characters of the holocaust/warcloud. His off the wall style is something I am in awe of.  My favourite rapper and writer is Chester p. I wear this influence on my sleeve and is heard in a lot of my music.  For me no one comes close really when you break down the writing and the craftsmanship it transcends hiphop in my honest opinion. 

 

Q). Why did you choose to get into the music industry? 

I just write music man it burns in me so I’ve got to get it out. There is nothing that excites me about the music industry and I hope I never have to deal too closely with these reptiles

 

Q). What would you say is your biggest achievement in music so far? 

I’d say definitely opening up for Chester p at chip shop in Brixton.  Having him gassing me up on stage rapping along was an unreal experience. It was my first solo rap show as well and I was shitting it.  I always had trouble remembering my lyrics but I haven’t since that day. I think it prepared me for everything that was and is to come

 

Q). What can we expect from you for the rest of the year?

I’m hoping to get out a few more eps this year. Next will be a special sort of concept ep “the chronicals of nefaeria volume 1” neafaeria being sort of like the shadow realm (the darkness behind the veil). It’s like a stark social commentary mixed with fantastical hyperbolic elements it’s really cool.  Its produced by relense. One of the best producers I’ve heard. His sound inspired the project probably. he sent me a bunch of beats and I put one of my sort of fantastical verses over it and it fit so well I knew I was going to have to make it a project and built the concept around it.  Me and SheikhyGround are dropping our next single “adrenaline renegades” which is a rave number completely different to anything I’ve done before on august 26th which is taken from what is shaping up to be probably the greatest album of all time…. That will most likely be next year though.  Expect a bunch more single releases from myself and various producers im working with. I have about 9 eps and 3 albums on the go that I hope to have finished and released over this year and the next

 

Q). Do you have any social media for new fans to follow you?

Yes follow me on 

instagram @ill_sykes

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IllSykesofficial

YouTube https://youtube.com/user/illsykes

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/38ZlRMTeRFjlscMvT7F5IY?si=kjNFWbfRRka99c-eHAYmWg

Linktree https://linktr.ee/illsykes