By Miz
Kid Bookie. A name that once you hear, it is hard to forget. This unique artist has been breaking down all genre boundaries, storming all types of stages and is taking over the world with his distinctive sound and style. Even though he was part-way through his first UK tour of the new year, he took some time to answer some questions I had about his sound, his thoughts, his past and what’s next for the rockstar.
For the first-timers, could you introduce yourself?
I am a mere mortal, nothing to win, nothing to lose, just destined for an inevitable death.. and people also call me Kid Bookie.
How long have you been creating music, and what got you into it?
My dad, he rapped and brought loads of vinyls, Nirvana, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J , then bought me Eminem CD’s, SlipKnot autobiographies and I was immersed in this shit differently, studying shit, like insanity.
Who were your musical inspirations growing up?
Bone Thugs, D12, SlipKnot, Big L, Jay Z, System of a Down, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Beyonce, Edvard Grieg, Nas, My Chemical Romance and Durrty Goodz were the most prominent that I still use as influences today.
Thinking about your very first live performance, to your latest shows on tour, how have you grown as an artist/creative over your journey?
Probably confidence, and sometimes I actually start to believe I am good which makes me black-out, then I just get in a zone where everything is beautiful because my no-fucks-given state of mind goes so far. I just don’t remember what’s happening anymore until the adrenaline ends. Also I don’t ‘rush’ anymore which gives me a nice comfort in the studio. People pride themselves in doing like songs really fast and I’m like “fuck that, you cunts”.
What’s your biggest achievement to date?
Not sure, too many ‘wow’ moments to glorify but I guess some of my favorites were Bone Thugs N Harmony bringing me on their European tour for a couple shows.
In a sentence, describe your style and sound.
Rebellious, loud, sometimes angry, sometimes calm, a lot of sadness, A LOT of humour,eccentric, experimental, fun.
Have you ever felt the need to change your character to fit in with the mainstream or more ‘popular’ sides of the industry?
No, I’ve never felt like I ‘fit in’ anywhere so I just created my own escapism, and then it ends up becoming your world, your mantra. Then other people start to fuck with your ethos and before you know it, you’ve kinda created your own universe that people are entering. You bring YOU to the mainstream, everybody I love or watched growing up created their own worlds, we just lived in it.
Considering you’ve worked with the likes of Corey Taylor, Zeph Ellis and many other legends, who is next on the hit-list to create with?
I got some shit with the Good Charlotte family, Billy Martin (their guitarist), one of the dopest people on earth. We got some nice punky, kinda melodic records. I want to work with City Morgue on some angry shit, Frank Ocean on some new shit and My Chemical Romance on some emo shit.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Saving the lives of those who need my help, in turn saving my own.
If you could go back and speak to your younger self, what’s the main piece of advice you’d offer?
Stop being afraid. Your fear is a reflection of judgement from others. Be content. Your individualism will change your life, Tyrone.
You can catch Kid Bookie on tour later this year with Pengshui with the new rescheduled dates taking place in September, and passing through Newcastle, Birmingham, Doncaster, Manchester and London.
Twitter: @kidbookie
Instagram: @kidbookie
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kid_Bookie