It’s no secret that UK hip-hop is under funded and under appreciated. At the time of writing, the only British artist in the BBC’s black music chart is Leona Lewis. Grime, hip-hop’s supposed saviour, has either been pushed so far underground that no one can hear it, or so far into the mainstream that it ends up being watered down pish like Calvin Harris’ Dance Wiv Me.
Chipmunk could be the first to buck the almost decade long trend of UK MCs having to choose between being marketable or good. “Everyone knows that I can switch up (my style) and that’s enabled me to explore the creativity in my music more. To make money from your music you have to be commercial but I can keep the original fanbase happy as well.”
Chipmunk’s outlook is paying off. Last month he won Best New Act at the MOBOs despite being the only unsigned nominee. He’s stuck with school and got an A for drama AS. Oh, and his myspace photos have been commented by a few hundred young ladies remarking “I Want You”, “Choongting” and “Fresshh Piicc’ Yuh LoOk Buff”. All of which has put hip-hop’s new hope in a tip-top mood.
“I can be in the worst situation and I’ll just look at it and smile. That’s what I’m on right now: smiling. I can approach anything. Nothing’s pulling me down.” Chipmunk ‘“ re-writing the rap star story sky high above grime’s wasteland.
FOR FULL ARTICLE SEE DAZED AND CONFUSED OUT DECEMBER
CHIPMUNK’S NEW SINGLE ‘BEAST’ IS OUT DECEMBER 1ST
