Jeye Severe sounds like he’s a very angry person just based on his namesake, if you listen to his mixtape The Hierarchy he raps like an angry guy who’s about to overdose on pent up rage. But lo and behold he’s, according to the man himself, “a very composed character”. RWD sent resident hip hop head (there’s still loads of them about apparently) Jerry Gadiano to talk about being one of Peterborough’s finest, record shopping with his old man and using his brother’s battered headphones as his first microphone…

Let’s go a bit into the Jeye Severe history first, when did you first pick up the mic and start rapping?

I was into poetry and soul from a very young age, so hip hop for me seemed a natural progression. My first mic was my big brother’s broken headphones. I was seven at the time and I adapted the words to Run D.M.C’s  It’s Tricky.

How would you describe the Jeye Severe sound and flow to new listeners?

I would say ‘Original’, but I haven’t got a set sound, although my style is predominantly hip hop I have a rather eclectic taste and listen to many different genres. My flow is as varied as my sound; fast, slow, raw or melodic, whatever the music or my mood dictates, most of the time I’ll switch it up every four-to-eight bars.

There’s a lot of hardcore and rawness in your lyrics where does that come from?

My music is for the most part is a page in my diary, a day in the life of me and reflection of my thoughts. So with that in mind some songs will be direct or raw or on the flip side some will be uplifting with a feel good factor. My lyrics come from experiences, observations and emotion.

Growing up in Hull and Peterborough was there a lot of musical inspiration for you there?

With my Pop’s being a top soul and rock collector and DJ I was immersed in music early on, I used to follow him around car boot sales and record fares then learn to sing what he’d bought back. My four brothers all play instruments and sing so I’m from a musical family, maybe it’s in the genes. Contrary to popular opinion Peterborough is a very musical city with an array of talent bubbling under the surface so I’ve never been starved of inspiration living here.

What did you take in from the environment you were brought up in and how did you incorporate it into your music?

I try to take lessons and stories from my life and other areas where ever possible because people relate to realness, but like they say we are all products of our environment. It’s a subconscious thing I guess.

Growing up who were you listening to? What artists influenced your style, your music and your flow?

Everyone from Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, Bob Marley, The Beatles, Phil Collins, Slick Rick, Tupac Shakur, Biggie, Pharoahe Monch, The Fugees, Nas, Big L, Big Pun.. etc. The list does go on and on.

Was it hard for an emcee such as yourself to break out and be noticed as a lot of UK hip hop’s premier rappers came from London?

London has always played a major role in getting UK music to the world so to me it’s just a channel I’ll have to go through obviously. By not having something on your doorstep it does leave you at a slight disadvantage but I’m only an hour away and I’d struggle to get from Brixton to Kentish Town in that time.

How do you view the UK hip hop scene in Peterbrough and Hull – and outside London for the matter – is it stronger, more vibrant, or is hip hop culture in ‘The Big Smoke’ still dominant?

London is the capital of the UK with the most diverse cultural mix, so I doubt whether many cities could compete with London whatever the genre. Maybe Manchester with Indie or Brighton and Big Beat. That said my mantra is “It ain’t where you’re from, but where you’re at”. Hip Hop is a genre of music, the music I have chosen to make so London, Compton, Brooklyn – it’s all hip hop… even Peterborough & Hull.

Your mixtape The Hierarchy has got you going pretty hard in the booth. Is there some sort of pent up rage when you’re spitting?

Rage? Nah [laughs], I’m a very composed character, I think I just wanted to show my music like me has passion, conviction, and substance.

What does The Hierarchy mean/represent to you?

Everything has a hierarchy, a structure or a chain. I’m constantly trying to work my way to the top of them.

Do you feel there’s some sort of ‘Hierarchy’ in the industry and in the rap game?

Yes mainly due to the fact that a lot of independent labels and artists struggle to compete with the financial push the major labels can provide. It’s nothing new and ‘EVERYTHING’ has a Hierarchy.

Because you’re part of the UK hip hop movement do you feel that your music along with so many other UK rappers can only be relegated to the underground?

Underground is used as almost a derogatory term, but most underground artists are making the music they want to with no restrictions. I was a singer before a rapper so you‘ll never really know what’s coming next from me. Maybe crooning to a Sinatra cover, you heard it here first.

Can UK hip hop ever do mainstream music for charts? What do you reckon?

A few U.K hip hop artists have managed to expand their target audience, given a chance. There is definitely more than enough talent within the UK hip hop scene. Whether or not being given the chance means watering down the hip hop element is a different question.

Do you see yourself making music to get yourself in the charts?

Definitely, Ideally I want my music to reach as far out as possible, but as a hip hop head from day one I needed to make the Hierarchy mixtape and Perseverance album before I continue with my own journey.

How’s the recording for your debut album Perseverance going?

Good thanks, Perseverance is coming along nicely I’ve nearly finished my next mixtape, Black Noise. But I’m not rushing anything I’m trying to produce a real hip hop classic with this one.

What can we expect from it? Any guest features and producers?

What has been recorded so far is heat, the album is predominantly produced by my long term producer Chat-One, off the back of the mixtape I had the honour of recording a track with the mighty Jean Grae which is bananas considering she is one of my favourite MC’s. There’s more but I don’t want to give away too much.

When can we expect a release date?

I’ll be looking to release the album at the beginning of next year, around January or February but the Black Noise mixtape will be out there before then.

What can we expect to see from Jeye Severe in the future?

More good music, I’m currently recording a string of features and involved in a very exciting project with an American producer.  I also produce music as well so I’m trying to get my beats out there to other artists. Also I really have always wanted to get into acting.  I’m currently taking lessons which I’m really enjoying. You never know what’s round the corner right.

You can get Jeye Severe’s current mixtape The Hierarchy by clicking here and you can check out more of his stuff by going to MySpace.com/jeyesevere and by following on twitter @JEYESEVERE .

Tags: Chat-One, Hip Hop, Interviews, Jean Grae, Jeye Severe