Lotek
Lotek is one of the hottest oz hip hop artist in Australia at the moment who mixes hip hop with reggae influenced grime and UK dancehall. Winning a Mercury Award and soon to be playing Glastonbury Music Festival. Lotek is a name to watch out for. So read on.
1. Are you happy with the response to the new album so far?
Everybody seems to like it a lot. It’s only been released in Australia so far, the UK release is in June.
I’m really looking forward to taking it back to UK with me and to see what the people who bought my previous records think of it.
2. How did it feel to win the mercury award?
It was obviously a great feeling to have produced the winning album, I’d worked on Roots Manuva’s "Run Come Save Me" album that was nominated for the award back in 2002.
We didn’t win then despite being the favorites and this time we were the underdogs and took the prize so it was a surprise but good to have your work recognized in such a major award.
3. What has been the inspiration for the album?
There is a strong reggae influence throughout most of my music past and present, and on this album I really let it shine through.
I wanted this album to reflect both my Jamaican and my English roots but also have that hip hop flavour I grew up on.
4. Where has been your favorite place to play?
I really enjoyed playing at Island Vibes on Stradbroke Island in QLD…really the location doesn’t matter its all about the audience, if the audience are into it then its a joy to perform.
5. What inspires you when writing your songs?
Everything, every waking moment (and some dreamy ones) has some effect on what eventually comes out of my head and into my music.
6. How the internet & social media played a part in getting your music out there?
It’s essential in this day and age, in many ways the internet plays the role that radio did for me as a kid. We’d record songs off the radio and edit them into mixtapes and pass them around.
That’s not greatly different from p2p file sharing these days, it just happens a lot faster now!
7.How does it feel to play Glastonbury Music Festival?
At this years festival I will helping raise awareness and funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. I’ll be helping run a Jamaican style record shack and recording studio where festival goers can have special song recorded for them.
(This is known in reggae culture as a dubplate) We’ll then be compiling a chart of the best songs.
Glastonbury is a hugely popular festival so to be appearing there in any way is awesome but to be doing something so worthwhile while I’m there is even better!
8. What do you hope the album will do for your music career?
I feel blessed to be able to make music for a living, I just hope I can continue doing that, so I have to keep producing and releasing good music.
Hopefully this albums lets people know I am an artist in my own right and not just a producer for other people.
9. What advice can you give to somebody wanting to make a music career?
Get a real job!
Seriously though a career in music not for the weak hearted or lazy. It’s not just about writing music then having a party on tour.
Even the most successful artists will have to endure periods of struggle, for a few people the eventual payoff is so great that it is worth it.
Don’t get into music cos the idea of being a musician is cool, it should be something you are very passionate about, its the only thing that will get you through the tougher times!
10. Who has been your greatest help with your music so far?
My girlfriend Florelie is extremely supportive, she also pushes me to broaden my musical horizons and try new things.
11. What is next for Lotek?
The next year or so is going to be very busy, I have the UK/European release of the album along with a tour over there. Then back to Melbourne for summer.
There will probably be another Lotek album or at least EP before the end of the year, I already have 8 tracks for it.
I’m also producing a lot of music for other people over the next coming year, I’m working on some new tracks with Roots Manuva and Chali 2na as well as some great local bands.
