With the lead single from his upcoming mixtape out now, Northampton rapper Weirdoe follows up the release of ‘DECOYS’ with this VIPER Presents interview…
What five words define your sound?
Aggression, passion, grimey, real and unique.
Tell me something unique about your creative process.
Sometimes throughout the creative process, I play a game called the rhyming game that allows me to explore rhyming groups that then sparks creatively from words into lyrics. I created it when I was teaching my nephew how to write bars and it’s just become part of the writing process.
Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?
That’s a hard one to answer because all of my songs are different, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be ‘DECOYS’ as it just slaps. Most people know me as the guy from JDZ, but there is more to me than that. I’m an artist.
What inspired you to make that song?
The beat really. When I heard it it had a very sinister sound to it, which gave me the perfect foundation to let my imagination run wild. That track sounds like a statement as well. I’m so glad it’s the first single from the new mixtape.
What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music?
I wrote a song dedicated to my brother who passed away earlier this year. I don’t think I could get more vulnerable than that. It’s going to be on my new project and I hope people will be able to relate. It was the most difficult song I’ve ever had to write but I know he would be proud.
What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?
I feel comfortable on stage, there’s no better feeling. The only negative is I jump around a lot so it’s like a full work out, I need water by the gallon.
What is your favourite song to perform?
I have a lot of fun performing ‘INSOMNIACS LULLABY’. That’s one of those where I’ll hear the lyrics recited back to me and I just get gassed.
Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?
There’s definitely a few but some stands out are Dizzee – ‘Boy In Da Corner’ and ’The Marshall Mathers LP’. I bet loads of artists say those, but they are both classics and really set the bar.
What’s the meaning behind your name?
It’s my childhood nickname which is a play on my surname. It’s just always just stuck with me.
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?
Maybe acting. Maybe a writer. Anything creative. I’ve always had a love for words so this was always on the cards
What’s success to you?
Success for me is finding a good balance between time and money. I would like more money to be able to make more time and I’d like more time to make more money. I’m a provider and I do this all for my family and those who have stood by me since day one.
What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?
The hard times motivate me more than the good times unfortunately, that’s what’s always driven me. The older I’ve got the more I’ve learnt how to pour emotion into my music. I’m blessed to have a strong team around me who keep me on track and believe in the vision. When I was young I didn’t have a plan, now I know where I’m heading and how I’m going to get there
Where can people keep in touch with you?
All socials platforms, Instagram, Facebook you can find me @therealweirdoe. I’m also on all streaming platforms.
IG – @therealweirdoe
TIKTOK – @manlikeweirdoe
FB – @therealweirdoe
Photo by Paulo Donato
