You call yourself “The Visionist” and “King of Fantasy.” How do these titles reflect your creative philosophy?
Hi there, Heatwaves and everyone!!
These slogans are more than just a part of my Brand—they reflect my non-conformist mindset. People often tell me my Music sounds “different,” and that’s exactly what I want. To me, making generic Music lacks creativity, is too safe, boring & usually garbage gets made. This is some of the reasons why I’ve usually rejected how Major record labels approach Music. They prioritize trends over originality, pushing artists to follow formulas instead of encouraging authentic expression. Their Marketing strategies tell people what to like, rather than letting the Music speak for itself. Being independent allows me to grow into the artist I truly want to be!!
Can you tell us about your cousin Deyaz, the UK artist?
Deyaz is my cousin and an Independent artist from the UK. Although we no longer communicate—largely due to him distancing himself from most of the family, except his mother, I like to call this phenomenon I’ve made it syndrome. He has achieved success early on, especially he initially got signed without a Music buzz. He got very lucky as Deyaz does look very marketable!! I’m confident Deyaz couldn’t create a Music buzz without a Label (like myself) & get signed. He told me he’s not a “Singer” & he does use Auto-tune on his Mic when he sings live. Music never really has been about talent, it’s more about who’s very Marketable/Brand & who’s a safer investment for Record labels to make money. I remember seeing a special group in Deyaz’s Instagram (before he blocked me) sometime ago called; Deyaz’s family for his fans. I find this to be very ironic because of how he treats his own blood relatives!! Deyaz is not a very sincere person.
Nevertheless, it’s unfortunate how things unfolded, as some people in the family who have supported him have been cut off. This behaviour isn’t reflective on how he was raised & he does struggle with addiction: Alcohol and Drugs. He has a baby & a girlfriend who’s keeping things together!! It’s a sad reality, but I guess it’s ‘natural selection.’ Although Deyaz and I were supposed to collaborate at one point, that never materialized, he chose to work with his friend Jessie Reyez and they’re very cosy together!!
Musically, the people who have helped me out the most are not related to me. Family these days for most part, doesn’t mean anything. I remember a time when Deyaz asked me to take him to the Hospital, he came to my mum’s House in distress late at night, I was worried something had happened to him. I was prepared to have a fight with anyone who hurt him. Deyaz told me that he’s so called Bandmates were stealing his Clothes. I told him “they’re not your Bandmates and you should go solo”. He even faced conflict within his own immediate Family, with his brother punching him in his Face for him being “ungrateful & overly-selfish”. It seems like a lot of what has happened stems from Deyaz’s deeper personal issues. For me, any setbacks in my life only fuels my determination to stay positive, grow, and persevere. I’m committed to never losing sight of my identity/Brand, even as I gain recognition in the Music industry. I’ve seen how other artists have been affected by success in unhealthy ways, and I won’t let that happen to me. On a lighter note, I’ve recently had discussions with Nines’ Music manager, and I’m hopeful that something may come from it. Only time will tell…
Your near-drowning experience and childhood hospitalization were life-altering. How have these moments shaped your artistic voice?
Music to me, is therapy. The euphoric feeling I get from writing, singing, producing, and sound engineering is indescribable—it makes me feel so alive. Every aspect of my journey, as shared in this interview, is part of my Brand and my mission to manifest something meaningful. The near-drowning incident was a deeply personal experience that made me value life in ways I hadn’t before. Also, I was a pre-teen when that incident occurred. I never actually told anyone close to me about this story, as I feel so embarrassed. Because I was and still am a strong swimmer. It’s just that I misjudged how deep the water was so, when I couldn’t stand in the deeper end properly I panicked. Nevertheless, when I have bad days/moments of self-doubt, I remind myself that life is fleeting. When it’s all said and done, I want to have given my all and see where it leads.
As a special needs individual, you’ve overcome unique challenges. How has this influenced your approach to music and self-expression?
Growing up with Special needs has been incredibly challenging, and it’s something I continue to struggle with every day. However, I’ve learned to embrace it, recognizing that there will be both good days and bad days. No one is perfect—I’m a Human being, not a machine. My experiences have profoundly shaped my outlook on life, and I’ve chosen to channel that energy into my Music. While Music helps me release my logic, emotions & feelings, it also allows me to connect with others, reminding them that they are not alone!!
You blend genres like Soft Rock, Funk, Jazz, R&B, and even Metal. What’s the most unexpected musical element you’ve ever experimented with?
I go by instinct—plain and simple. I’m a Genre-blending artist, so I let the Music guide me. If a melody feels like Soft rock, Funk, Indie, or R&B etc, I follow that direction without overthinking it. For me, it’s all about the feeling. Overanalysing can lead to over questioning oneself, and that’s not productive for creativity. For an example, my song Say it like you mean it—at its core, it’s a mixture of Alternative pop & Indie R&B. That blend happened naturally through intuition, not over planning. I approach Music like an MMA fighter approaches a fight: why stick to one style when you can draw from many elements to create something dynamic and expressive? Music is an art and art has no limits.
Also, I’m not a Rapper but I have a song called: It’s none of your business (which will not be included on my 1st Album called: Hazard) which is a bonus Single: utilising both singing & rapping. This song takes me outside of my comfort zone.
You’ve worked with industry veterans like Nick Michaels and Phil Curran. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from these collaborations?
Working with Nick & Phil has taught me a lot of things & it also keeps me humble. Because there are skills I either lack or need improving on, honestly, everyone has or at least should have a team behind them. No one truly makes it by themselves, even great artists like Prince, MJ, George Michael & Freddie Mercury, etc had a team behind them. It’s also important to have a team that resonates with oneself as this can further enhance a harmonical professional relationship, environment & better Music.
I remember when I first worked with Nick & Phil, the Production owner Nick gave me about 2 hours for free to show me what they can do to my track: It’s all within time (travelling through the stars) (which is also on my debut Album Hazard). What I’m about to reveal is very personal, so here goes. I had tears in my Eyes that I quickly wiped away so they wouldn’t see how overwhelmed I was. It was truly amazing & I knew from that moment this would work out.
You reject the “sheep mentality.” What’s one piece of conventional music industry advice that you’ve completely ignored or defied?
I’ve often heard is that artists should develop a vocal style/branding that makes them instantly recognizable. That idea stuck with me—not because I rejected it, but because I struggled with it for a while. It took a lot of trial and error to find something for me, that felt natural and true to me.
My vocal expression naturally evolved over time, incorporating elements like Tongue clicks or intentional gasps for air to convey urgency, emotion, or atmosphere—especially in songs about pressure, love, or intensity. Not everyone will resonate with my sound, and that’s okay. My style is for those who connect with what I do—and most people enjoy my sound!! I’ve learned that by staying true to myself, I’ll find the right audience that will properly appreciate my work.
Your vocal style has drawn comparisons to artists like Prince, the Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, and George Michael. How do these influences manifest in your music, and what do they mean to you personally?
I’m glad you asked this question!! For me, the most influential Music and artists came from the 1960s &, especially the 1980s. Although these eras were before my time, their impact is undeniable and continues to inspire artists like myself today. What I admire most is how those artists took creative risks and trusted their instincts—an approach I’ve adopted in my own work.
While I don’t exactly aspire to match their legacy, even reaching a fraction of their level would be an honour. This influence sets me apart from many contemporary artists, helping to shape a distinct sound and Brand identity.
Listeners often compare my vocals to icons like Prince, the Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, and George Michael. Billie Eilish is another key influence—not only do I appreciate her sound, but as a contemporary artist, she represents a bridge between legacy and current relevance. When people explore a new artist, understanding their inspirations offers insight into their creative DNA and helps assess their potential. If those inspirations resonate, it can create a deeper connection In many ways, my Music serves as a tribute to the legends who’ve shaped me—musically and personally.
“Say It Like You Mean It” addresses the pain of unreciprocated love and emphasizes the importance of valuing one’s time and energy. Can you share the personal experiences or insights that inspired this song?
Say it like you mean it is my debut Single, and it conveys the importance of valuing one’s time and energy. The song highlights self-worth and encourages listeners to learn to read between the lines, recognizing that not all communication is direct. In fact, about 90% of communication is nonverbal and/or indirect. As a man, I’ve experienced situations where I pursued someone despite subtle signs they weren’t interested, and it left me hurt. I believe this song will resonate with many, especially those who’ve experienced similar situations. My message to listeners is while a smart person learns from their own mistakes, a wise person learns from the mistakes of others.
The production blends multiple styles. What was the biggest challenge in balancing all these sounds cohesively?
I did face some challenges while writing and recording ‘Say it like you mean it’. At the time, I was still figuring out my Brand and how I wanted to present myself to the World, while also navigating away from the temptation to follow popular trends. I approached the production instinctively, as for me, this procedure felt more natural and allowed me to create a more authentic sound, a stronger process, free from overthinking & external conditioning. This instinct-driven approach also contributes to the uniqueness of my sound.
From a technical standpoint, the only objective elements in Music are key, pitch, rhythm, and timing—areas in which I’m overall solid at. Beyond that, everything else is subjective, which gives me the freedom to experiment and blend styles that for me, is authentic.Ultimately, though, I’m incredibly proud on what I’ve accomplished with my song and the direction I have taken!
You have global touring ambitions. What’s a dream venue or festival where you’d love to perform?
I don’t really have a specific dream venue or festival per say. For me, what matters most is to perform at reputable venues with a strong history—places where I can become part of something meaningful. That said, the venue should ideally align with my artistry. Not every stage is the right fit, and performing in the wrong space can have a negative affect on my Brand just as much as the right one can elevate it. Exposure is important, but it has to not only have the right exposure, the right setting, that truly makes a positive impact. They say
You’re already working on your second album. Can you tease any themes or sounds we can expect?
At this point in time, the message of my Music is usually centred around individuality, self-worth, self-investment, uplifting and empowerment. Life has taught me that there’s too much negativity in this World, which only reinforces my ‘non-sheep’ mentality. Too many people are conditioned by external forces, and it’s crucial for individuals to invest in themselves in order to grow and develop. When people do this, they often realize that many challenges are by design.
My goal is to inspire others to break free from the cycle of misinformation and become the best versions of themselves. While I don’t claim to be perfect—since everyone makes mistakes—I aim to back up my words with actions, particularly through my Music. Regarding my 2nd Album-for most part, the core message of my Brand will remain consistent to what I’ve done prior however, I’ll be executing a more aggressive & dynamic sound. Expect a bolder, more intense style. Stay tuned!
What do you hope a listener walks away with after hearing *Say It Like You Mean It* for the first time?
I would like for listeners to “walk away” with a deeper sense of self-worth & to self-invest in themselves. I would like them to value their time, energy, learn to read between the lines, and use those insights as a foundation for growth and self-development.
