A while back we caught up with Jon Wrec you tipped us off on his latest artist to grace his strong management list. Byron's regarded as the UK's best kept secret! Team Addict decided to lift the lid on this as we caught up with Byron to find out what he's been up to and what we can expect in 2012…

At the start of the year you decided to take a step back and make a plan. How has that helped you? Is everything going according to your plan?
Yeah, it has worked. Or rather, it did work. By that I mean, I basically came to the conclusion that as valiant as it was and is to follow the independent route of managing, funding and expanding everything yourself, that it wasn't the best route for me for many reasons. That is an interview in itself to be honest! So what I wanted to do was essentially present myself to any potential managers in a light that showed my professionalism and talent in a way that would mean my individuality could be maintained and my path continued, not drastically altered, if any interest came about. This has happened and is happening right now so yeah!

When you’re putting pen to paper and writing lyrics is there a certain method you have to go through?
As I get more and more entrenched in a life of music I think my methods of creation continue to evolve. I would say that is characterised by a new-found confidence I have found in myself and my musical style, meaning that all those little things I used to think were 'weird', I am now embracing and realising that they are a part of who I am and that I should run with them! I do usually follow a rough pattern though: Step 1 - listen to the beat until I can hear it even when I don't have my headphones on; Step 2 - figure out a concept from the way the song makes me feel; Step 3 - write a hook or a bridge that kind of summarises the concept nicely; Step 4 - start hacking into those verses! I do plan the content of the verses before writing too. How soulless does that sound?? But, I assure you there is lots of soul involved!

What do you enjoy writing about?
I enjoy writing about real emotions, real people, real situations. And by real I just mean tangible and possible, not necessarily based on actual facts or events. It's never too far from people I know, things I have read or emotions I have felt. I'm the rapping equivalent of 'Based On A True Story". I do think it's important to know about the shit you rap about.

You’ve been labeled as the ‘UK’s best kept secret’ what sets you apart from other artists out there at the moment and when do you plan on lifting the lid on this?
Haha um I am sure there are a lot of good, hidden secrets in our delightfully confused country but I definitely think I am someone whose talent and ability deserve a bigger, national and international platform. What sets me apart is me! Me being me, me being confident in being me and me being allowed to make creative decisions about me. It's all me, me, ME!! Haha but an analogy I sometimes use is the Onion analogy which is about layers and depth. What I mean is that I think that many of our artists at the moment that are being invested in are suddenly being exposed for having reached their depth and perhaps not having the potential to make the amazing music their early promise showed. And as for me? I am confident that as I continue to be pushed, push myself and find myself in new situations with more and more talented people, that my depth and potential as an artist will be discovered and proven. Call me the infinite Onion!! And thats Mr Infinite Onion to you...oh and I will be released when the time is right.

How old were you when you realized this is what you wanted to do? And for how long has this been your full time job?
Should I be so honest and say that this isn't my full time job?? Of course I should! This isn't my full time job at all. That will come in the next stage of my career but it certainly isn't here yet! I have wanted to make it my full time job for about 6 years consciously, but I suppose ever since I was 13 I have wanted to be this.

Would you consider yourself an underground rapper? How important is commercial success to you?
Yeah I am an underground rapper. Which roughly translates as: music ain't the only thing paying your bills! Commercial success to me means being able to take your brand of music and creativity to as many people as possible. Someone once asked me what my one music dream would be and I said that I would want everyone in the world to have a copy of my debut mixtape, "Jack Of None". The only person I want to impress is myself. But I want as many people to gain enjoyment from my music as possible.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from all the people and things we see, hear and feel in life. It's so inspirational, I don't even have to do anything! Just document it and express it.

What do you think’s lacking from the UK scene? And how do you fit in?
Balls! I think balls are missing from the UK scene. Artists with the balls to dictate what popular music should be to their employers, rather than the other way round. Maybe that stinks of naivety, but oh well, you live and learn. Anyway, I have heard naivety is endearing. I think that I fit in somewhere between Mike Skinner's grave and Bob Dylan's latest tour date. No, honestly, I don't know where I fit in. That's not for me to decide. I just know that our scene will be richer with me in it.

Which artists did you grow up listening to and have have the influenced your style?
Growing up I was extremely influenced by pirate radio stations as we lived on the top floor of a block of flats and could get them all! My mum used to bang out the House music stations like Point Blank FM alongside stuff like Morcheeba, Jamiroquai and Suede. My brother and his mates used to listen to Flex FM, Freeze FM and all the Jungle/Garage tape-packs like Helter Skelter and Garage Nation before he got Technics 1200's...then it was pretty much Garage vinyls and basic bars pumping out of his room! Lyrically and style-wise I think I have been influenced by the Raw Mission Hype Squad (if you know, you know), Jehst, Eminem, Slick Rick, Jadakiss, Wiley and probably every piece of music I heard between 1994 - 2011. Oh, The Snowman and The Chronicles of Narnia too.

John Wrec is currently your manager, how did you both meet?
Yeah...well he basically found out my address and waited outside my house, crying into my pond until I agreed to a meeting. Nah, that's a joke hahahaha!! I don't really have a pond.

What have you got planned for 2012?
I know a lot of people say shit like 'Trust me fam, 2012 is my year, big up my team for a 2012 takeover' etc but I genuinely believe that 2012 is going to be the year when everything 'falls into place', I make my mark on the wider UK conscience and I release some of the most horrendous bangers ever known to man. I want to get my life geared towards this in every way, fulfil my potential and achieve some long held goals. Plus, I want to be able to buy my mum whatever she wants for putting up with me for this long.

We’ve only just starting flowing you product, how are you getting on with the garments and is it important to rep for an Independent British brand?
Yeah, I am feeling the clothes in a big way. The jumper has been worn more than is necessary already and the duck down jacket means I can go out with a scarf or hat! The clothes are all really good quality. When you start getting clothes from quality brands, you realise how much money you wasted on shitty Nike stuff that looks stretched after 2 washes. I am a believer in supporting British labels and all aspects the UK scene which is expanding all the time. Also, the brand name 'Addict' is worryingly accurate for me...so it's the perfect match!

How can people find out more about you?
If you want to find out more about me, head to www.itsbyron.com which is a gateway to all my stuff... My latest release, 'Deep Lyrics/Dirty Beats' part 1 is available for free download at www.itsbyron.bandcamp.com and my debut mixtape "Jack Of None" is available from iTunes, Amazon and a few other online stores...Google that!

Cheers Addict!

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