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.

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

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Orion Sun: @cloudgem

@GrantBrydon

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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.

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

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@SadeLawson

@cozy.global

@GrantBrydon

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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.

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

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@BenjiFlow

@GrantBrydon

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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.

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

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@JaduHeart

@GrantBrydon

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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.

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

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@OmarApollo

@GrantBrydon

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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.

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

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@dvsn

@workinonmykarma

@nineteen85_

@GrantBrydon

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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.

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

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@VickyGrout

@GrantBrydon

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Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith

Recorded at Keakie.co.uk

Music by @kiina_dd

For this episode I spoke to vocalist, songwriter and producer Tom Tripp. We talked about his journey from being a bedroom producer releasing songs on SoundCloud while working retail jobs, to releasing his breakthrough track ‘Aurelia’ on NAO’s Little Tokyo label, performing with Mura Masa at Coachella and the creative process behind his latest EP, ‘FLAG’. Tom also discusses the peaks and troughs that come with a creative career, and how therapy helped him to reconnect with his purpose as a musician.

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

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@TomTripp

@GrantBrydon

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Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith

Recorded at Keakie.co.uk

Intro: Tom Tripp - TAM

Outro: Tom Tripp - Check

For this episode I spoke to grime MC, Manga Saint Hilare. Manga came up as part of the legendary Roll Deep crew, but over the past few years has been building his own fanbase as a solo artist with 2017’s ‘Outbursts From The Outskirts’ and last year’s ‘Outsiders Live Forever’. We talked about the difference between being known and having fans, building a brand that’s true to self and knowing the difference between the things that influence you and the things that you should make.

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

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@MangaSaintHilare

@GrantBrydon

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Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith

Recorded at Keakie.co.uk

Intro: Manga Saint Hilare - Fear No One

Outro: Manga Saint Hilare - Outsiders Prayer (feat. Cas Jones)