INTERVIEW — Trim

Trim has always been one of the most respected as well as one of the most eclectic rappers to have come out of the grime scene. He recently released his first collaborative album with the 1–800 Dinosaur collective and sees him demonstrating his vast and superior lyrical talent over a selection of forward thinking beats. We caught up with him for a quick chat to hear all about the album, his career and plans for the future.

Hi Trim, thanks for hooking up with us. First up, what were your earliest musical memories?

Me and my cuz Leon listening to ODB in his bedroom and Method Man and Mary J Blige. Repeating the words like it was us!!

Who were your inspirations when you first started rapping?

Inspirations were my mum and dad who both did music when I was growing up.

The early days of grime looked to have been all about raw energy. What do you remember about those early days?

Sets with the all stars and all the big guys were normal. Everyone would hurry to the set when they heard whoever was on, and that feeling of getting the mic passed to you and having to drop a new one (lyric) in hope of a response.

You have just released a brilliant new album with 1–800 Dinosaur. How did the recording of the album go?

I used several tunes as templates andthe 1800 guys built the majority of the tunes around my lyrics.

There are lots of different styles that you spit over on the album and your voice works so well over the various productions. Did you want to have that eclectic mix on the album?

Listen, the album made itelf but we still have a few tunes that didn’t make it, but the putting together of the tracks is down to Dan Foat who pieced the album like a puzzle.

Do you have a favourite song from the album yet?

It’s my 1st album. Every track is my fave!!

How did you hook up with the 1–800 Dinosaur crew?

James and I met after he remixed a song of mine called Confidence Boost and at the video shoot for it, we discussed shows and stuff and I went to a few performances and met the Dinosaur there as Airhead and Mr Assister both play in his band. Klaus I met when we had DJ shows, who plays some dark Mala DMZ isshh!!

What has the reception to the album been like so far?

I honestly can’t believe the response an so grateful for all the comments and support. Really it’s the fans that have pulled me through and I won’t be letting them down anytime soon!

What is the latest on the Crisis album you have been working on, can we expect it this year?

Maybe. Or early next? We’ll see as I’m about to start a lil tour with this album but I’ll be back asap to hit whatever topic I missed in this album

Are you working on anything else presently?

Yes i’m working with Rage from Slew with an EP/mixtape.

Are there any upcoming artists that you could recommend to us?

I believe Rage, Nico Lindsay,Capo Lee and Tempz (from Lil Rascals) are all individuals an have a very sick way of playing with words.

There has been a lot of talk about the resurgence of grime in the past few years. How do you feel about grime in 2016?

I just look at grime as another genre. I love it like I love all music but I don’t just listen to one thing so I won’t be making jus one thing.

What music are you feeling at the moment?

I was hanging with James Blakes friend Bon Iver recently and been listening to his album 22 a million.

Your output has been incredibly consistent and you have always been forward thinking when it comes to your music. Do you constantly seek out new and interesting music to explore?

I’m always looking for new things to write and new words to play with, It’s my job!

What lyric is the one that you’re most proud of during your career?

My best lyric? I couldn’t say. They are all a part of one person so I’d say I love all my lyrics good and bad.

Have you got any live dates coming up?

Yeah, gonna start a lil tour this November.

Will you ever release another Soulfood volume?

I will be releasing an series of mix tapes before and after Crisis.The series is called RoadWorks and it starts with Lemsips Vol.1.

You have played Fabric before. Do you have any thoughts about its recent closure?

I have no thoughts on Fabric. I will urge the city of London to go to work though, and try and get access to clubs and trust us as performers to try an keep the peace

What is your favourite ever rap beat?

I dunno my favourite rap beat, but one of em would be Biggies Kick In The Door, This goes out to to you, and you, Your reign on the top was short like leprachauns” Also RZA has a million on my faves alongside Dre.

If you could work with anyone, who would you choose?

If I could work with anyone, right at this second is probably choose Eminem/Andre 3000.

Thanks so much for answering our questions Trim!

Love for having me guys!!! 👊🏾❤️