Meet The Dynamic Emerging Talent RESPONS
21-year-old RESPONS is an artist that is delivering music with an unapologetic message. Growing up, Billy Crabtree soaked in the sleek and iconic stylings of some of hip hop’s biggest artists, like Jay Z and Mos Def. The rapper’s poetic sources of inspiration can be seen throughout his music, with each release being an honest retelling of his personal experiences. With a sound that blends the elements of hip hop, R&B and pop, RESPONS is quickly creating his unique sector in the music sphere.
We were able to chat with RESPONS about everything from the meaning of his name, his favourite albums from Jay Z and Mos Def, recent EP release and more…
When did you fall in love with hip hop?
When I was 13 someone showed me The Marshall Mathers LP and 2001 by Dre and it just blew my mind so from then on I just didn’t stop listening.
Which album from Jay-Z or Mos Def can you listen to on repeat?
For Jay Z would have to be Blueprint, that’s the first Jay Z record I fell in love with. And the for Mos Def, 100% would be Black on Both Sides.
How would you describe your sound?
It’s just really honest and has a lot of hip hop influence with some pop influence too in the hooks.
How did you land on your name, RESPONS? What’s the message here?
My family mantra that my mum would always say when I was growing up was “respond and don’t react,” so it was always in my mind as a name. And then when I was like 13 I wrote a very bad song called the response which was about my school haha, so it came from that really.
You dropped your fantastic debut EP ‘Virtually Everything Means Nothing’ last month. What was the creative process like for the record? What was your vision?
Honestly, the EP was definitely a bi-product of just 2/3 years of writing and then deciding to put that kind of hip hop/pop sound across. I wrote the EP pretty much with the same guys, so it was just a lot of fun and was chilled out just making music.
I’m really digging, ‘Hate Me’ and ‘Pray for Change’! Out of the six songs on the EP which was the most challenging for you to create?
Thank you! Probably Scars, only because that took the longest and was just going back over certain things and production until we got it how we wanted.
How has self-isolation been treating you? Have you been feeling inspired and creative?
It’s been good thanks, I’m definitely getting pretty bored now haha. But overall has been good. At the start of it, I was feeling pretty creative, but I’m ready to get out now and just do some normal life and write some songs outside of my bedroom and living room.
With your EP and amazing visuals making the rounds, what else can fans expect from RESPONS in the coming months?
I’m just working now on the next EP which I’m really excited about. So, soon that’ll be starting to come through, and then once this lockdown is over, hopefully, shows will be slowly allowed to happen, so just lots of shows and new music.
Listen to RESPONS brand Jack Daniels track here and watch his brand new video for the electrifying single below…
