Making Conversation with Grant Brydon

For this episode I spoke to musical adventurer Biig Piig, as she was preparing for the release of her debut mixtape Bubblegum. At the end of last year the nomadic artist joined me at Levi’s Haus of Strauss to discuss moving into a new home, making music that connects with humanity, and navigating chaos in an upside down world. If you enjoy this episode then please subscribe on your preferred podcast provider, and please check out my book Life Lessons from Hip-Hop which is available now from all good booksellers. ---------- @biig_piig @GrantBrydon ---------- Artwork by @chanylbtc Music by @jonphonics ---------- Buy my book ‘Life Lessons from Hip-Hop’ here: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

For this episode I spoke to my friend Mireille Harper, editorial director, writer, authenticity reader, communications consultant and the editor of my own book Life Lessons from Hip-Hop. She recently joined me at Levi’s Haus of Strauss in London to talk about going viral with her Instagram post “10 Steps To Non-Optical Allyship” in 2020, the role of authenticity reading, how words can be harmful and working towards a more diverse publishing industry. ---------- During this conversation Mireille kindly signposts the following people and programmes that are working to make a difference in the diversity of publishing: Sofia Akel - Free Books Campaign https://www.freebookscampaign.co.uk Lemara Lindsay-Prince https://www.instagram.com/lemelp Africa Writes https://africawrites.org Leonie Annor-Owiredu & Hannah Lee - Words We Write Festival https://www.wordswewritefestival.com Babes In Development - https://www.barbican.org.uk/take-part/communities-neighbourhoods/communities-in-residence Hope Nbada - https://instagram.com/blackbookbitch ---------- @mireillecharper @GrantBrydon ---------- Artwork by @chanylbtc Music by @jonphonics ---------- Buy my book Life Lessons from Hip-Hop here: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

Welcome to season two of Making Conversation with me, Grant Brydon. I’ve been sitting down with some of my favourite artists and thinkers to discuss creativity and life, for this fortnightly podcast. For this episode I spoke to ELIZA, the North London musician behind A Sky Without Stars, an immersive slow-burning soul album that she wrote during the pandemic and shared with us earlier this year. ELIZA recently joined me at Levi’s Haus of Strauss in London to talk about music as a vessel for human connection, the paradox of creativity and commerce, and how she’s finding ways to reconnect with nature. ---------- @elizalovechild @GrantBrydon ---------- Artwork by @chanylbtc Music by @jonphonics ---------- Buy my book ‘Life Lessons from Hip-Hop’ here: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

Welcome to season two of Making Conversation with me, Grant Brydon. I’ve been sitting down with some of my favourite artists and thinkers to discuss creativity and life, for this fortnightly podcast. For this episode I spoke to Haviah Mighty, a rapper, producer and recording artist from Toronto who won the 2019 Polaris Music Prize with her breakthrough album 13th Floor. Last year she followed up with the Stock Exchange mixtape, which won a Juno Award. She recently joined me fresh off the plane at Levi’s Haus of Strauss in London to talk about maintaining balance through the ups and downs of success, and how she hopes to implement change through the power of being her authentic self. ---------- @haviahmighty @GrantBrydon ---------- Artwork by @chanylbtc Music by @jonphonics ---------- Buy my book ‘Life Lessons from Hip-Hop’ here: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

Welcome to season two of Making Conversation with me, Grant Brydon. I’ve been sitting down with some of my favourite artists and thinkers to discuss creativity and life, for this fortnightly podcast. I’m thankful to have some incredible guests lined up to talk to in the next few months, and am looking forward to sharing these interviews. For this first episode I spoke to Murray Matravers, a singer, songwriter and the frontman of easy life, an eclectic group that are pushing sonic boundaries and redefining the British indie band. Ahead of the release of the band’s second album MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE… we caught up at Levi’s Haus of Strauss in London to discuss anxiety, how to create a culture of vulnerability in a group of men, Murray’s relationship with being a leader and more. If you enjoy this episode then please subscribe on your preferred podcast provider, and please check out my book Life Lessons from Hip-Hop which is available now from all good booksellers. ---------- @easylife @GrantBrydon ---------- Artwork by @chanylbtc Music by @jonphonics ---------- Buy my book ‘Life Lessons from Hip-Hop’ here: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop

For this episode I spoke to singer, songwriter and producer Dijon. The LA-based artist has been doing his best to stay as proactive as possible during the pandemic. In May he released his latest solo project ‘How Do You Feel About Getting Married?’ alongside his first production credit for Charli XCX’s ‘pink diamond’, the opening track from her latest album ‘how I’m feeling now’. And last month he dropped ‘mothership coming’ a collection of experimental music on Bandcamp, with all of the proceeds going to support the Black Woman’s Blueprint, The Okra Project, NAACP, Afrorack and Black Lives Matter LA (https://lilithsbrood.bandcamp.com/releases). We caught up over FaceTime from his home in Highland Park, where he was very candid about his creative journey so far, and how studying literature and underground hip-hop would lead him on a quest towards making music that feels necessary. ---------- My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop  ---------- @dijondijon_ @GrantBrydon ---------- Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith Music by @kiina_dd

For this episode I spoke to Atlanta rapper Deante’ Hitchcock. Deante’ has been making a name for himself over the past few years. Starting out with viral freestyles recorded in his car, he soon began attracting attention with projects like 2016’s Good and last year’s Just A Sample 2. He put in work to promote his music on the road, joining acts like Rapsody, 6LACK, JID, Wale and Jidenna on tour, and ended up with an invite to DreamVille’s legendary Revenge Of The Dreamers III sessions last year. Deante’ appears on ‘PTSD’ for which he received a Platinum plaque and a Grammy Nomination. Now he’s released his anticipated debut album BETTER via RCA Records and we caught up on FaceTime while he drove around Atlanta on Friday afternoon to talk about the album, how he’s coping with quarantine and his journey so far. ---------- My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop ---------- @deantevh @GrantBrydon ---------- Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith Music by @kiina_dd Photography by Justin Dunningan

For this episode I spoke to rapper, producer and multi-instrumentalist Kota the Friend. The proudly independent artist has been making waves over the past few years, with his blend of uplifting, relatable raps and jazz-influenced production. Having built a following through his self-directed Lyrics to Go YouTube series, he released his debut album Foto and toured extensively last year. Not letting the lockdown hold him back, we caught up for a conversation as he prepares to drop the follow up Everything this week. Recorded via Facetime from his home in Brooklyn, we discuss his musical background playing in bands, his new album and creative freedom. ---------- My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop ---------- @kotathefriend @GrantBrydon ---------- Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith Music by @kiina_dd

For this episode I spoke to singer, songwriter and producer Lolo Zouaï. Born in Paris and raised in San Fransisco, Lolo Zouaï came up writing songs, making beats on her laptop and listening to Bay Area rap before moving to New York where she’d take her career to the next level. Finding a creative partner in producer Stelios, she released her debut album ‘High Highs to Low Lows’ last year. A generational voice, she’s developed a rapidly growing global fanbase and spent most of 2019 on the road. Next year she’ll join Dua Lipa on the rescheduled Future Nostalgia tour. Recorded via Facetime from a friends house in LA where she’s currently isolating, Lolo and I discussed production, the specificity of her song-writing, how she keeps a healthy mindset and more. ---------- My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop ---------- @lolozouai @GrantBrydon ---------- Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith Music by @kiina_dd

For this episode I spoke to Bay Area DJ, Noodles. Born in San Francisco, Noodles learned to DJ from her father using disco and funk vinyl, before getting into French electronic music and her native Hyphy sound. She moved to Boston to start her career as a stylist with legendary streetwear site Karmaloop, before being introduced to Kehlani who convinced Noodles to take a chance on becoming her DJ in 2015. Since taking the gig and returning to the West Coast, Noodles has established herself as a globally renowned selector, headlined two tours of her own and played a Las Vegas residency last year. Recorded via Facetime from Noodles’ home in LA, we talk about how she’s adapting to the Covid-19 pandemic through live-streaming, and shares some insight into how she’s become a charismatic and beloved DJ who inspires her audience beyond the music. ---------- My debut book, "Life Lessons from Hip-Hop" is available now: geni.us/LifeLessonsFromHipHop ---------- @noodz @GrantBrydon ---------- Artwork by @smithsmithsmithsmith Music by @kiina_dd