Published on December 13th, 2015 | by Jameelah "Just Jay" Wilkerson

Who is London Ivy? #OfficialHype

London Ivy is a talented, young rapper hailing from Tottenham, North London, England. Showing a keen interest in music from a young age he was known as the ‘human jukebox’ by his school friends for his ability to remember the words to every song. It would appear that even at this tender age a musical fire had started that no amount of obstacles could extinguish.

Although being extremely shy he was encouraged to pursue music professionally by his peers as they spotted not only his ability and talent but his intense passion for the art of sound. It would turn out to be this push that made London Ivy charge out of his comfort zone headfirst and fall in love with music. He recalls: ‘When I did eventually start writing I ended up enjoying it and then I fell in love with it from there really. It was difficult but when you love something so much I think it pushes the fear and anxiety to the back, and that’s how I dealt with it. I love it so much. My fear helps the situation in fact’. This would be the pinnacle era that encouraged him to pursue his vision.

Armed with an unwavering desire to succeed and a drive to push past these personal hurdles Ivy’s first professional venture onto the scene came when he joined a group named Combination Chain Gang, which included none other than Wretch 32 who has become a big name in today’s scene. The collective eventually went their separate ways which brings us to the birth of London Ivy and his eclectic present day independent movement into music.

Early musical influences began with old R&B, dancehall, and the sounds of Stone Love which were all a direct influence of his parent’s musical taste. It was from this era London Ivy would cement his ideas of keeping his music ‘rare and smooth’. As he reached his teenage years his taste in music would start to shift to an altogether different genre. ‘Growing up with your peers you start listening to what they’re listening too and I started getting into the Hip-hop side of things, the Biggies, the Tupacs, the Timbalands’’ and I was addicted from there on really.’

Much like one of his idols, Tupac, London Ivy wanted to be able to appeal and reach out to the masses through music and song writing. It’s evident he doesn’t want to be just another London rapper singing about just anything. It is clear he wants his music to count, to stand for something, to be a canvas that will depict his life experiences with integrity. He describes ‘It’s a way to speak. …I’m always careful about what I say and how I portray things. ..How I articulate myself. I want people to listen to my music and feel like they can just get away from the world for a second, that’s what I use music for, escapism. If I could do that for somebody it would be amazing.’

After seven years of making music and the last 4-5 months spent in the studio mastering his craft, London Ivy is now gearing up towards the release of his debut EP ‘Life of London’ (‘LOL for short’). The title ‘captures the different ways of living that the city represents’, ranging from life on the estates to the classier areas of the capital. Keen to establish his music and make his mark on the scene, London Ivy promises to deliver ‘catchy, up-tempo sounds’ that will be timeless and unforgettable incorporating his love of rap whilst keeping the tracks ‘smooth, clean and smart’. His attention to detail with each song, particularly the choruses and their ability to stick in the listeners mind is a main objective of the project alongside a desire to stand out from the stereotype of a London rapper and capture his audience with the element of surprise in order to set himself aside from anyone else on the scene.

As you see your self, who is London Ivy?

London Ivy is an exciting up and coming rap artist from the UK. With smooth vocals and catchy flows topped off with an ability to deliver unforgettable hooks.

Tell us about your current project?

My current project, “Life Of London” (L.O.L) is a project that captures the different moods and diverse culture of the city I live in and come from. With a core base of smooth hip hop, the project also offers an alternative sound.

What’s happened in your career that makes you feel this is the industry for you?

There’s been a number of incidents that’s confirmed this is the industry I want to be in. However, during my career so far, I’ve always been around people that have had reasonable success, I’ve seen people go from nothing to number one within 12 months.. Each of these people have told me I can be next and have always encouraged me to push my sound.

What makes you the next great happening?

Due to the fact that I’m current, yet offer an alternative sound. With the vocal ability to do a vast range of genres as well as entertain on the sound I love, hip hop.

Are your currently signed to a label or have any situation in the making?

I’m currently independent at the moment, I do work with a collective called RebelNation who everyone will be hearing about real soon!

Who and what are your influences?

LI: It sounds cliché but My influence is life in general. The environment I grew up in for example, you could write a new story everyday because it offered so much materials.. Watching my family and others try to progress out of a poorly area, all the way to watching someone become successful is enough to influence me for life!

What should people expect from your upcoming 2016 projects?

Expect more catchy hooks, memorable melodies and all round “bangers” I guess.

Is there anything you would like our readers to know?

Other than my music? lol I’m a massive football/soccer fan and support Liverpool Fc which happens to be a different city from where I grew up.. Weird I know..

Last but not least, HYPE wants to know…What’s your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?!” moment…

My craziest “Where they do that at?!” moment has to be when I went to a house party with no music?! Lol the neighbours complained and the home owner had to turn the music off. However, the show went on (barely) and it was terrible! lol

Interviewed By: Just Jay

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