Making Conversation with Grant Brydon – Details, episodes & analysis

For this episode I spoke to musical adventurer Biig Piig, as she was preparing for the release of her debut mixtape Bubblegum.

At the end of last year the nomadic artist joined me at Levi’s Haus of Strauss to discuss moving into a new home, making music that connects with humanity, and navigating chaos in an upside down world.

If you enjoy this episode then please subscribe on your preferred podcast provider, and please check out my book Life Lessons from Hip-Hop which is available now from all good booksellers.

----------

@biig_piig

@GrantBrydon

----------

Artwork by @chanylbtc

Music by @jonphonics

----------

Buy my book ‘Life Lessons from Hip-Hop’ here: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

For this episode I spoke to my friend Mireille Harper, editorial director, writer, authenticity reader, communications consultant and the editor of my own book Life Lessons from Hip-Hop.

She recently joined me at Levi’s Haus of Strauss in London to talk about going viral with her Instagram post “10 Steps To Non-Optical Allyship” in 2020, the role of authenticity reading, how words can be harmful and working towards a more diverse publishing industry.

----------

During this conversation Mireille kindly signposts the following people and programmes that are working to make a difference in the diversity of publishing:

Sofia Akel - Free Books Campaign https://www.freebookscampaign.co.uk

Lemara Lindsay-Prince https://www.instagram.com/lemelp

Africa Writes https://africawrites.org

Leonie Annor-Owiredu & Hannah Lee - Words We Write Festival https://www.wordswewritefestival.com

Babes In Development - https://www.barbican.org.uk/take-part/communities-neighbourhoods/communities-in-residence

Hope Nbada - https://instagram.com/blackbookbitch

----------

@mireillecharper

@GrantBrydon

----------

Artwork by @chanylbtc

Music by @jonphonics

----------

Buy my book Life Lessons from Hip-Hop here: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

For this episode I spoke to singer, songwriter and producer Dave Bayley. Dave is the lead singer and producer of Glass Animals, who were in the middle of a US tour when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. They packed their stuff into a van, returned to London and have adapted quickly to the lockdown - keeping themselves and their fans entertained through a bunch of creative projects including a series of covers, film nights and an open source website that allows fans to use elements of Glass Animals work to spark their own creations. Recorded via Facetime from Dave’s studio, we talk about how creativity is helping him cope with the pandemic, his roots as a producer, and how collaboration has inspired him to be more personal with the band’s new material.  ---------- My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop ----------  @GlassAnimals  @GrantBrydon  ----------  Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith  Music by @kiina_dd

For this episode I spoke to singer, songwriter and producer Orion Sun.

In the midst of this global pandemic, she has released her debut album ‘Hold Space For Me’, a vulnerable and emotive collection of songs that’s suited to soothing listeners in uncertain times.

In conversation she’s as open and honest as in her music, and in our interview, recorded via Facetime from her home in Philadelphia, we discussed the theme of self-isolation that was already present in her work, her self-sufficient approach to making art, and how she’s worked on overcoming struggles with doubt.

----------

My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

----------

Orion Sun: @cloudgem

@GrantBrydon

----------

Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith

Music by @kiina_dd

Polaroid by @khufunajee

For this episode I spoke to Sade Lawson.

Sade works as part of the management team behind FKA twigs, co-owns consultancy agency Cozy Global alongside her close friend Mahaneela and manages dancehall DJ Lil C.

During our conversation she recalls her career so far and describes how curiosity and a passion for learning new skills has lead her on a constantly evolving journey through the music industry, where she’s worked in a variety of roles from running the door at clubs, directing music videos, DJing parties and marketing at major labels.

She’s a great example of someone who’s built a career based on her passion, following her creative interests and not being tied down by a traditional career path.

----------

My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

----------

@SadeLawson

@cozy.global

@GrantBrydon

----------

Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith

Music by @kiina_dd

For this episode I spoke to singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist BenjiFlow.

The day before the release of his debut EP, ‘BENERGY’, we sat down to reflect on his story so far.

The timeless sound that exists on tracks like ‘Deep End’ and ‘Can’t Lose’ is the product of a musical development that’s taken his entire life, from learning classical piano as a kid and playing almost every instrument at church, to recording grime tracks as a teenager and broadening his influences when he went to college.

He discusses how these experiences have made their way into his music and live shows, how going against the grain is paying off and why making music is freedom.

----------

My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

----------

@BenjiFlow

@GrantBrydon

----------

Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith

Music by @kiina_dd

For this episode I spoke to Diva Jeffery and Alex Headford of musician duo Jadu Heart.

Last year they released their debut album 'Melt Away' and we sat down to discuss their unorthodox origin story, the expansive lo-fi mythology they’ve created around their music and how that evolves as they grow as artists.

We also got into the anxiety that comes with writing and releasing music, and what ultimately drives them to overcome the pressure.

----------

My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

----------

@JaduHeart

@GrantBrydon

----------

Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith

Music by @kiina_dd

For this episode I spoke to singer, guitarist and producer Omar Apollo. 

A first-generation Mexican-American, Omar grew up in South Haven, Indiana and taught himself to play guitar and make beats on YouTube. He began to generate buzz online in 2017 with his soulful debut single ‘Ugotme’ which blew up on streaming services. And he followed up with two independently released EPs, ‘Stereo’ and ‘Friends’, in 2018 and 2019 consecutively. 

I sat down with Omar the day of his sold out London show at Heaven in December, to discuss his journey so far.

----------

My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

----------

@OmarApollo

@GrantBrydon

----------

Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith

Music by @kiina_dd

For this episode I spoke to R&B duo dvsn. 

Comprised of singer Daniel Daley and producer Nineteen85, the Toronto natives have released a pair of cult classic albums ‘SEPT. 5th’ and ‘Morning After’ via Drake’s OVO Sound. After touring relentlessly for the past few years, the release of their third album is finally drawing closer. We met up at their label’s London offices at the end of last year, while they were putting the finishing touches to the record, for a rare in-depth conversation. 

Across 40 minutes they talk about their earliest experiences making music, how they first began working together, why they’ve taken their time in revealing more about dvsn over the years, and how they’ve had to learn to dedicate time for self care.

----------

My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

----------

@dvsn

@workinonmykarma

@nineteen85_

@GrantBrydon

----------

Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith

Music by @kiina_dd

For this episode I spoke to photographer Vicky Grout. 

Vicky is known for her documentation of London’s music scene through portraits that capture her subjects relaxed and full of character. She’s shot a diverse range of artists from both sides of the Atlantic including Stormzy, Jorja Smith, Smino, Doja Cat, Amine, slowthai, Virgil Abloh and Joe Kay. 

We discuss her career so far; from her first experiences taking photos to working with brands like Nike and shooting that infamous photo of Skepta during a party at Ace Hotel. She speaks on everything from being self-taught, to photo etiquette and why it’s been important for her not to be pigeonholed.

----------

My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

----------

@VickyGrout

@GrantBrydon

----------

Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith

Recorded at Keakie.co.uk

Music by @kiina_dd