GLIZZ INTERVIEW: Tottenham rapper Glizz is known for his razor-sharp storytelling, he follows up his AntsLive collaboration, ‘INCONSISTENT‘, with this VIPER interview. Get familiar…
What five words define your sound?
Authentic, gritty, raw, jumpy, distinct.
Tell me something unique about your creative process
90% of the time I don’t write anything down. I rehearse lines over and over in my head. It’s also rare that I’ll finish a song in one session. I’ll usually revisit a song over several weeks before I finish it.
Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?
Probably ‘SAD’. That’s me at my most open and honest. It’s also the song I think people relate to the most from my catalogue.
What inspired you to make that song?
Just keeping it real with my listeners about my situation at that time. I was at a point in my life where I was stuck in between two worlds and it felt like everything was hanging in the balance for me.
What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music?
All of my music is pretty vulnerable. I’ve never struggled with stripping away my pride and keeping things real and I think that’s why a lot of my listeners connect with me. I want them to see me for who I am.
What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?
My headline tour in 2024 was the first time I’d ever performed on stage so I was definitely thrown in the deep end. I think there were moments in every city where I struggled to contain how blown away I was by the whole experience. I think during the London show I stopped performing for a good five minutes and just stared into the crowd in shock.
What is your favourite song to perform?
‘One pop’. Always. Mosh pits every time.
Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?
Eminem made me want to be a rapper when I was like seven or eight. But beyond that I don’t think I could say any particular artist made me want to make music, I think it’s just something I’ve always had in me.
What’s the meaning behind your name?
The same way most rappers get their names, it’s just a nickname I had when I was younger that stuck. I couldn’t even tell you where it originated from cos I don’t know myself. I listened to Shy Glizzy a lot as a kid so that’s probably where it was influenced from.
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?
I’d be doing what I rap about. But I always wanted to be an actor when I was a kid.
What’s success to you?
Taking care of my family and being content. I’m not the type to chase crazy numbers and strive for superstardom. What is meant to be will be and as long as I’m happy and proud of what I’ve done, then I’m successful.
What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?
I think around the time I made ‘SAD’ I was acutely aware I had a choice to make. Either I give everything to music or call it a day. Luckily I made the right decision.
Where can people keep in touch with you?
TikTok and Instagram – @glizz6xs – but better than that, come to one of my shows. I take time to speak to everyone so if you wanna chop it up I’ll see you on tour.
Photo by Joe Magowan
