‘TAKE CARE’ IS OUT NOW
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Block Babii, the emerging hip-hop artist from Stockholm, to discuss his debut EP, ‘Take Care’. With this project, Block Babii unveils his unique sound, marking a significant milestone in his musical journey. In this interview, he shares insights into his creative process, the influences of his challenging upbringing, and his experiences co-founding SGM Europe at just 17. Join us as we dive into the mind of this promising artist and explore the themes and stories that shape his music.
Congratulations on the release of your debut EP, ‘Take Care’! How does it feel to finally share this project with the world?
I feel like it’s about time I show the world what I am truly capable of through music.
You describe ‘Take Care’ as the initiation of your own sound. Can you tell us more about the process of discovering and developing this unique sound? The discovery process for the sound contains lots of experimentation of vocals lyrics, and beats.
The beats on ‘Take Care’ are effortlessly addictive. How did you approach the production and selection of beats for this EP? Personally I believe that beats are the binding agents of every song , so I spend a lot of time scouting for beats on platforms like Youtube and Beatstars, as well as meeting up producers.
Your lyrics are known for being introspective and thought-provoking. What themes and personal experiences did you explore in this project? On this project I spoke about personal experiences that revolve about topics like friendships, love, loyalty, respect, personal goals and achievements mainly on financial bases.
Growing up in a high-crime neighborhood in Stockholm, how did your environment influence your music and drive to succeed? Growing up in such an environment has taught me a lot of things. One of them happens to be self-defence, which I also talk about in my music. I’m not a fan of violence but it’s important to know how and when to protect yourself physically and mentally.
You co-founded SGM Europe at just 17. How did that early experience in the music industry shape your approach to your solo career? I still do not consider myself a solo artist, despite the project. But I would say SGM has and still is my foundation and has also served as a training ground for Mark Cyne and I as artists.
The transition from being part of a music group to a solo artist can be challenging. What were some of the biggest lessons you learned during this transition? Like i said in the previous question, despite the project, I do not consider myself a solo artist so there hasn’t really been a lot of change in that aspect.
Your artist name, Block Babii, has a significant meaning behind it. Can you share the story of how you earned this nickname and why you chose to adopt it as your stage name? I have always been the kid who hung out with older guys which influenced me a lot, so much that I almost forgot I was younger. The older guys found it hilarious and I got nick named ‘baby boy’, I use to go by ‘UDI blings’, but I wasn’t really feeling it. Long story short, in my process of rebranding Mark Cyne came up with the idea of Block Babii in a studio session, I felt it and decided to adopt the mantle officially.
You’ve mentioned seeking guidance from older figures in the industry. Who have been some of your biggest mentors, and what valuable advice have they given you? By spending time with local producers who have worked with top artists here in Sweden I’ve been opportuned to gain impactful advice from these professionals. Like prioritizing music, the importance of consistency and more which could take a whole day to list, but I am grateful I met these people at the time I did.
As you establish yourself in the hip-hop scene, what are your goals for the future, both artistically and personally? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations we should look out for? My goals are simply to get bigger and better each year, both in music and life generally, and before the end of this year SGM Europe will be dropping our next EP titled Phase One.
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Rishma