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Damn Trouble Q&A
How has Chancers changed your life?
Chancers allowed me to see why the Americans are so successful at what they do.
They treat music as a serious job which goes beyond the boundaries of 9-5. Their
production line turns out music 24/7.
What lessons did you learn?
I learnt that in order to make it in this industry, you need to be aware of what
your competition is doing. Is your competition working hard while you're sleeping
or being sociable? The work ethic that I saw was amazing. I had to bring it back.
What most impressed you about New York?
The quality of talent. They have rappers out there who they class as rubbish that
would blow out some of the top UK rappers; that's crazy to me. There are hundreds
of Jay-Zs and 50 Cents out there, so they all know they have to grind that bit harder.
Who did you most enjoy meeting in New York?
It was someone that wasn't even scheduled for the show. We were backstage at Kanye's
concert in New York and he was the opening act. He's possibly the greatest rapper of
all time. Slic Rick. The producers of the show didn't have a clue who he was. But I
told Fatman Scoop that we needed him on the show. He's from the UK and is a legend in
the hip hop game. His was the first hip hop album I was given. The engineer, Steve
Dent, who's engineered for Puff Daddy was definitely a good look.
Does the UK still have a lot to learn from US artists?
Not all of us. There are some UK artists signed and unsigned that are doing what the
US artists do, but the US scene is a lot bigger so their careers can jump off a lot
easier. Some of the UK artists are on par, the rest need to step up their game; hell
I need to step up my game.
How did you choose your stage name?
DT came from my initials. So I've been called that since childhood. Damn Trouble came
a bit later on, when a lady friend described me as that. So it stuck with me since.
It then went into the beats; the beats seemed Troubled. So here I am causing nothing
but Damn Trouble.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My greatest influences from the show would have to be Bronz and Tempa. They both helped
me focus on my production. Bronz on the technical side as he knew the equipment and on
a musical side as he has a good knowledge of the American market. In general my greatest
influence has been life.
What is the best thing about the music business?
The best thing is the environments and people you get to meet and work with.
What is the worst thing about the music business?
The suits at the head of companies that know nothing about the music they are signing and
they are promoting. They need to listen and understand artists more. To me XL Recordings is
probably one of the best labels out there; they understand Dizzee!!!
Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
Where I am now but more advanced and richer.
More on Damn Trouble.
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