Fresh air in the Big Smoke: Ny Interview

These are some serious times. Ringtones out-sell vinyl, Rihanna is the new Wet Wet Wet and kids are force-fed US R'n'B as the new Pop. All this is about as healthy as a Krispy Kreme wedged in a Big Mac. Thankfully UK has its own sweetness. The lady's name is Ny. Blessed with the silkiest of voices, the North London soul singer brings a breath of fresh air in the Big Smoke. Her depth of writing and distinct edge captures the realities of London living, painted with a palette of Grime, Hip Hop, Bashment - and a whole lot of Soul - influences. Ny's appeal to a population that is neglected by the charts is reflected by her cult-like status. With her 'Split Endz Vol.2' mixtape on road and industry heads whispering her name, it won't be long before she blows up. Killa caught up with her to get the lowdown:

Talk on road and in the media is that you're next to blow into the mainstream. Does this talk open doors for you or put more pressure on?
No not at all in fact I embrace it and thrive on the challenge and pressure.

From a female performer's perspective, how do you feel the Grime scene has changed since you started at 14 years old?
I think it has become easier in a way because from all the females that have started to establish themselves within the Grime scene, now being female is not seen to be negative or even different. Generally grime has evolved and the presence of females is more accepted, another factor that has helped is the fact that audiences are now also listening to grime based studio tracks more than just focusing on the normal DJ/MC sets which was where the focus was when grime first started to come through.

Having worked alongside many of the most talented Grime artists on Split Endz Vol.2 (such as Ghetto, JME, Wiley). How have their lyrical styles influenced your own songwriting?
I first started writing when I began writing poems. This really helped me develop my own writing style which I continue to develop now. I have taken this style into my songwriting and so now when I work with other artists i bring my own flavour and style and they bring theirs and so in the end hopefully some special music is made.

You've been working with blazing beatboxer Faith SFX recently. How did this partnership come about, and what are your plans with him in the future?
I have known and worked with Faith for many years now. He is an amazing artist, and we are currently promoting his brand new single featuring myself and Maveric which is called Passion Fruit. You may have seen the new video out now so please request and support it.

What has been your most memorable gig?
Probably my performance this year in Denmark at the Roskilde festival. It was my first ever fully live festival performance and it was a mad experience, the 10,000 crowd really felt our show plus also with all the fields of mud, tents and thousands of campers make it an experience I will never forget.

So where do you most want to perform?
I would love to perform to millions of people in Ethiopia out in the country somewhere on the top of a cliff overlooking the beautiful Ethiopian scenary!

You're running tings in both UK and Ethiopia at the moment. Are you planning to bring Ethiopian collaborations to the UK scene?
Definitely the artists in Ethiopia are so talented. This year I am going to be performing at the massive millennium concert in September 2007

Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Hopefully in 5 years I will have worldwide success spreading my music into minds of as many different people from around the world by putting out classic albums and music.

www.myspace.com/splitendzvol2 & www.nysworld.com