In Conversation With Emil James

Words by Emil James

Emil James is a name you should know. The young rapper, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has remained completely independent while performing at some of the biggest festivals in the UK ( including Boomtown, Cross the Track & Moovin’), and racking up well over a million streams on his first few singles.

His latest release, “Little Old me”, is a return to his Brit-pop/indie roots, featuring dreamy guitar lines paired with Mike Skinner-esque vocals and punchy drums. The song, produced by himself & Sam Ellwood, discusses individualism and the cyclical nature of inner-city life. Sleaze sat down with Emil to hear about what he’s been up to and what’s to come.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself

I am an artist from South London, I mainly write lyrics but also play guitar/bass/keys & produce as well. I have 5 brothers, I am the youngest. I have never broken a bone. I used to dance and act before I made music. I want to move to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia.

What has influenced your sound the most?

Recently I have been listening to punk/post-punk & avant garde stuff from the 70s and 80s; and jungle/rock/rnb from the 90s and 2000s. I think the 90s/2000s might be the golden era of music for me. I love that sleazy stuff. I have also been feeding myself lots of British music & have been trying to reclaim ‘British’ vocal patterns, maybe this comes across in Little Old Me.

What was the creative vision behind the ‘Little Old Me’ Video?

The ‘Little Old Me’ video is about the cycle of life (I think). I didn’t help so much with the video process because I trust Ted ( director). As far as I can tell the video is about going to Work - LIfe - Pub; until the world ends. This kinda mirrors the chorus: “and around we go,” which I really like.

The song is also quite sad, even angry - it’s about ‘Little Old Me’. I kind of pictured an angry little geeza singing the song. I think this nastiness is captured in the video, all the drinking and cigarettes.

What inspires you to make music?

I get inspired by lots of things: The city, habits, nominative determinism, pyramids, lazarus, phantasmagoria.

What’s next for you?

I’ve got a wicked single coming out in August - Then an EP out in September! After that I’m trying to play the project game. I’m also putting together a new live show so hopefully I’ll catch you on stage soon!

Final question... please tell us your top three albums and why you love them?

1. AMY WINEHOUSE - ‘BACK TO BLACK’

“This is the album I’ve listened to the most, every time it sounds just as good as the first.”

2. SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE - ‘THERE’S A RIOT GOING ON’

“Reminds me of my mum :)”

3. STEREO LAB - ‘DOTS AND LOOPS’

“Shout out Jkarri! Shout out Stereo Lab!”