Estelle Talks HUGO URBAN RULES
Artist:
Estelle
After asking for an American Boy, Estelle is now asking for talent to step forth from HUGO URBAN RULES…
HUGO URBAN RULES is a campaign designed to reach out and invest in new talent. This seems to be a subject close to your heart, why?
When I was discovered at first, people didn’t get it or understand how important it is to be nurtured and helped to grow. That is exactly what HUGO URBAN RULES does; it supports new talent and supports that ethic. My involvement is to support that platform.
You have long had the respect of the UK Hip Hop and Urban scene, what is it like to have hit the mainstream with four weeks at No. 1?
It feels great! It feels cool! I’m really happy that everyone gets it and understands it now. Now they know my story and it feels really good that they do, and that they are putting a face to the name when it comes to my music.
You have been out in the US working with John Legend and Kanye West but did you have to leave the UK to get that kind of success?
No, at first I was trying to get resigned in the UK but I couldn’t. So when the US wanted to, I was like…okay! It just seemed practical.
From reading your interviews it appears you bumped into Kanye West outside a chicken restaurant in LA. How much of your success would you attribute to lucky incidents like that?
That is absolutely true! And I would attribute a lot of your career to things like that. I have had way more experiences like that too, especially when it comes to meeting some of the producers I’ve worked with. I met Mark Ronson at a showcase, and he came up to me and was like ‘I Love You!’ I knew exactly who he was, and I was quite shocked and real happy that he knew who I was. I see potential in people a lot. The first time I saw Mark Ronson was four or five years ago. And now he has won the Grammy for Producer of the Year and he is making ground breaking music. I feel honoured to know these people.
It seems that lots of singers from the urban scene need to collaborate with well known artists to bolster their own reputations, what does this mean for new talent of the future who might not have these opportunities?
They have to go for it. It might not blow them up. I didn’t think it would blow me up – I didn’t think it was the be all and end all of my career. If Kanye hadn’t come on American Boy, I still would have played the song without him.
If you could give one message to new artists to help them break into the music scene what would it be?
Figure out who you are first – that really helps.
Are you good at spotting new talent?
I’m not sure if I’m good at spotting talent. I like what I like, and it happens to be good. Like when I saw John Legend the first time, I really liked his voice. And when I saw Mark Ronson the first time, I really like his first production. But don’t take my word for it!
What do you look for first in a new performer?
Confidence.
Tell us what you like best about John Legend and Kanye West!
Haha! Well John Legend is a great singer and a really cool person. And Kanye West is very confident and he is always pushing the envelope.
For more on HUGO URBAN RULES visit MySpace.com/hugourbanrules
MySpace.com/Estelleonline
After asking for an American Boy, Estelle is now asking for talent to step forth from HUGO URBAN RULES…
HUGO URBAN RULES is a campaign designed to reach out and invest in new talent. This seems to be a subject close to your heart, why?
When I was discovered at first, people didn’t get it or understand how important it is to be nurtured and helped to grow. That is exactly what HUGO URBAN RULES does; it supports new talent and supports that ethic. My involvement is to support that platform.
You have long had the respect of the UK Hip Hop and Urban scene, what is it like to have hit the mainstream with four weeks at No. 1?
It feels great! It feels cool! I’m really happy that everyone gets it and understands it now. Now they know my story and it feels really good that they do, and that they are putting a face to the name when it comes to my music.
You have been out in the US working with John Legend and Kanye West but did you have to leave the UK to get that kind of success?
No, at first I was trying to get resigned in the UK but I couldn’t. So when the US wanted to, I was like…okay! It just seemed practical.
From reading your interviews it appears you bumped into Kanye West outside a chicken restaurant in LA. How much of your success would you attribute to lucky incidents like that?
That is absolutely true! And I would attribute a lot of your career to things like that. I have had way more experiences like that too, especially when it comes to meeting some of the producers I’ve worked with. I met Mark Ronson at a showcase, and he came up to me and was like ‘I Love You!’ I knew exactly who he was, and I was quite shocked and real happy that he knew who I was. I see potential in people a lot. The first time I saw Mark Ronson was four or five years ago. And now he has won the Grammy for Producer of the Year and he is making ground breaking music. I feel honoured to know these people.
It seems that lots of singers from the urban scene need to collaborate with well known artists to bolster their own reputations, what does this mean for new talent of the future who might not have these opportunities?
They have to go for it. It might not blow them up. I didn’t think it would blow me up – I didn’t think it was the be all and end all of my career. If Kanye hadn’t come on American Boy, I still would have played the song without him.
If you could give one message to new artists to help them break into the music scene what would it be?
Figure out who you are first – that really helps.
Are you good at spotting new talent?
I’m not sure if I’m good at spotting talent. I like what I like, and it happens to be good. Like when I saw John Legend the first time, I really liked his voice. And when I saw Mark Ronson the first time, I really like his first production. But don’t take my word for it!
What do you look for first in a new performer?
Confidence.
Tell us what you like best about John Legend and Kanye West!
Haha! Well John Legend is a great singer and a really cool person. And Kanye West is very confident and he is always pushing the envelope.
For more on HUGO URBAN RULES visit MySpace.com/hugourbanrules
MySpace.com/Estelleonline
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