Geko & Nicola (UHH)
Photo: Ben Walsh www.benwalshphotos.com

[INTERVIEW] GEKO

Geko was the first artist to pass through the press area on Day 1 at Wireless, so you can imagine the buzz he produced. This was amplified by the fact Geko was rolling seriously deep (I heard he brought the most guests of any artist – fair play!) At only 19, Geko has already surpassed what many hope to achieve, and there’s so much more to come. Having started rapping at only 8 years old, he became part of the collect USG at 13. He disbanded from them a few years’ later and created his own independent label, One Tape Records. His sound is a mix between RnB, afrobeats and hip hop and his voice is of a much older man, which just goes to show that Geko is a wise soul, far beyond his 19 years.

In person, Geko was nothing short of a sweetheart. I went for a handshake, he went for a hug. His appearance is almost mouse-like but don’t let that fool you, he is no wallflower! He had done at least 10 interviews but was no less keen to chat, with a seemingly unlimited reserve of energy. I have no doubt Geko has shown us only a fraction of what he can do so watch out for this one. Here’s what Geko had to say when I managed to grab a few minutes before his performance:

Our blog is based in the US, you’re from Manchester – where do you see the bridge between American music and music from the UK?

It’s going to be hard to get there, but once I get Rihanna, I’m blessed. I’m gonna be there in America, you know what I’m saying?!

I think she’s going to come on tonight with Calvin Harris, that’s my prediction [for the record, I was wrong].

If she is I’m staying, and I’m gonna watch, and she’s gonna be my wife by the end of the day. Mamma made it, you get me!

Who else from Manchester should we be looking out for?

Alize my boy. I’m bringing him out today as well. Watch out for him, he’s the best, the greatest.

And last question, do you prefer performing at big festival stages or small intimate gigs?

This is my first ever festival [UHH gasp] so I wouldn’t know. I’m not nervous though! I’m high on life right about now!

So good to meet you – good luck!

Here’s a clip of Geko, Afro B and his entire crew performing ‘Y’ at Wireless: 

@WirelessFest WAS A COMPLETE SHUT DOWN !!!! @RealGeko FT AFRO B - Y 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/PcF2m2LVE9

— Afro B (@AfroB_) July 8, 2016

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/realgeko
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealGeko
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realgeko/?hl=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEKeSKd5Qb36lbXmdfBdWCg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GekoUpdates/

Photo: iPhone Afro B & Nicola UHH

[INTERVIEW] AFRO B

A little later in the day Afro B popped by and we grabbed him for a chat after Geko brought him out to perform their single ‘Y’. He’s been breaking the afrobeat scene into the UK for years now, originally as a radio DJ and since 2013, with his own music. Here’s what he had to say about the new wave of mainstream afrobeat, and who he would like to collaborate with the most (clue: one of them is from Toronto).

Afrobeats is blowing up everywhere right now and you’ve been in the game for a long time. Now Drake and so on are jumping on it, is that a good thing?

Yeah obviously it’s a good thing, bringing more exposure to the genre and the country as well. When I started promoting the genre, people were thinking ‘what’s this’ ‘what is he doing?’ But now it’s acceptable, everyone’s jumping on it, you hear Rihanna doing something, Beyoncé, big names jumping on afrobeats so it’s a good look man.

Who would be your best collaboration?

I think I would make a sick hook for Drake, a sick hook for 50 Cent. But 50 Cent doesn’t have the same buzz as before, but you know when it was popping. Akon – people along them lines…Sean Paul!

So Geko brought you out today, how was that?

It was sick man, crowd reaction was mad, everyone was jumping, it was a sick experience man.

Amazing, and is this your first festival?

Yeah first festival but more to come, Reading & Leeds I’m there as well, and Napa too.

Who are you listening to right now?

I listen to a bit of everything, like Pharrell. I’ve been listening to Calvin Harris – that new Rihanna song. A bit of everyone – DJ Khaled, Drake obviously.

Okay so we’ve got a few rapid fire questions for you, no pressure. The only rule is you’ve got to answer quickly otherwise it’s not rapid fire…Ready?

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunrise

North or south?

South

Tea or coffee?

Tea

Leather or denim?

Leather

Call or text?

Text

Kim or Kanye?

Kim

Trainers or heels?

Trainers

You passed! Really good to meet you, enjoy Calvin Harris!

The official video for ‘Y’

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/deejay-afro-b
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfroB_
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_b88itzF4hreKbNctuCu-w
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfroB1/