Not only will Abu Dhabi be treated to the highly anticipated Macklemore and Ryan Lewis; Wiley and Rick Ross will also be joining the stellar line up at du Arena on April 25. TOAD chatted with UK rapper, Wiley about all things Macklemore, the UAE and his music.
It’s been said that you invented grime music back in London. Do you feel it’s true?
I definitely paved the way for others myself and a few others helped create what it is today. It wasn’t all me but I was definitely one of the key people and probably the only person who truly wanted to see others do well and bring others through into the scene. We had to create our own scene and movement as at the time the people who ran the UK garage scene didn’t want us involved so we went and created our own sound. I never imagined all these years later what would have come from those underground raves and pirate radio stations. Grime has created more stars in the UK then most other genres – we have the likes of Dizzee [Rascal], Tinie Tempah, Chipmunk, Tinchy Stryder and even me to some degree.
How important were you to the scene?
I’ve always wanted to help push others forward. It started with ‘Pay As You Go’ and then ‘Roll Deep’ – about me wanting to bring people together and push us forward as a scene. This week it’s good to see a song from that scene Meridian Dan’s ‘German Whip’ enter the top five of the UK charts. I can’t sit here and say I solely invented grime but what I can say is I was one of the key people behind it and I was one of the only people who truly want to grow and build the scene and help acts come through.
You’re warming up for Macklemore or Ryan Lewis at du Arena on April 25. Have you worked with either of them before before? What do you think of their music?
I haven’t worked with them before I love what they are doing and how they have managed to have such success and achieve it independently is amazing. I am a fan of their music and their videos are very inventive.
Is there anybody you haven’t worked with before that you’d like to in the near future?
I would like to work with Drake or Lil Wayne, Macklemore as well, I’m open to working with people who I feel inspired by or there is a creative spark.
Who’s the best rapper in London right now that we won’t have heard of?
Giggs is the best rapper for me.
Have you been to the UAE before? What are your thoughts on playing here?
I lived in Dubai for a few months last year I love it out there – the weather, the culture, the people, it’s great. I can’t wait to play in Abu Dhabi and be in front of that many people and feel the energy.
What can fans expect from your set in Abu Dhabi?
Non-stop party from the first song to the last – I want to see everyone jumping up and down.
What’s your favourite Macklemore & Ryan Lewis song?
‘Here We Go’ is a great song… or ‘Thrift Shop’.
Wiley supports Macklemore and Ryan Lewis at du Arena, Yas Island on Friday April 25.
