The UK Asian Music scene is about to get very interesting… as we introduce The Truth. The Truth has a distinctive, versatile voice which allows him to work with a variety of musical genres. Not only has the The Truth broken into the UK Asian scene, but he has also made a mark in the U.K Hip Hop Scene having already performed alongside the likes of Lady Sovereign and Tinchy Styder. Nang Beats is the label behind The Truth and founder Bobby is the man behind the beats, his experienced producing skills have remixed some of the biggest tracks around! Teaming up with Nang Beats, The Truth’s debut Single ‘Brown Butterfly’ proves to be the perfect blend of soulful voices, smooth lyrics with a touch of desi beats. So I catch up with The Truth and Nang Beats for a chat…




So for those who haven't heard of The Truth and Nang Beats, tell us a bit about yourself?

NB: Nang Beats is an up and coming production label consisting of myself Bobby and my two co-producers Kai and Quake. We have been working together for the last few years now and have come a long way from when we used to do music as just a hobby. A famous line we used to describe ourselves in another interview was ‘individually talented, together unstoppable'.

TT: Well what more can I say…..I AM THE TRUTH!



How did The Truth and Nang Beats join forces?

TT: Me and Bobby have known each other from a young age, however, we started off as sworn enemies at school until we found a common enemy and the rest is history really. We got heavily involved in the underground music scene whilst at college, where we formed our first group. We recorded our first tune on sound recorder and a hip hop Dj cd that came with a cereal box. We thought we had something special then but looking back at it now everybody has to start somewhere. Thinking about it now makes me realize if we hadn't of done that song back then I probably would not have developed into the artist you see today.

NB: We were worst enemies, but it was more the fact that he had a problem with my brother who was in his year so it was only right that I backed my brother haha! All that came to an end pretty much after we all found that we hated the same person and from then, we've been like brothers! The music connection really happened when I went to college and heard The Truth doing a radio show and he called me along. We started the show and me and The Truth went back to back on Wiley's Eskimo Riddim which was like the tune of the moment and from then on we've continued to progress from the days of sound recorder haha!



So The Truth, tell us a bit about your lyrical style?

TT: I guess I'm unique in the way I deliver my rhymes, I love all kinds of music from hip hop to Bhangra and Bollywood to funky hence the reason I believe I never use one flow throughout a tune or album. I can ride any tempo and tend to think deeply about my concepts, usually you'll find more than one meaning to any tune I do. I'm a fresh mc who moves with the times but keeps it smooth with the rhymes.

NB: The Truth is one of those guys whose talent is so natural he don't even realize he's rhyming when he's talking at times!



Who would you say has had the biggest influence on your music?

TT: In terms of musical inspiration I would have to say Notorious B.I.G his swagger was second to none and his delivery was always on point, there will never be another like him. But the person who inspires me most to do what I do would be Mahatma Ghandi….his philosophy on life has inspired some the greatest minds and encapsulated the notion that in order to achieve success one must first learn the principle of sacrifice. Even then without Bobby and Nang Beats you would never find The Truth, and I believe the music becomes effortless when such talent surrounds you.

NB: I think musically, I can't look beyond the people who I used to listen to as a youngster because they were the artists who used to inspire me to write and produce such as Bone Thugs N Harmony, Timbaland and Dr. Dre. However I took influence from so many artists and producers over the years its kinda hard to list them all. But most of all, I think the inspiration comes from the guy beside me because we've been through so much over the years that we literally live on the same wave length. When ever one of us needs a moment of inspiration we know exactly who to turn to and we both share the same ambition to be the best.



What was it like performing alongside Lady Sovereign and Tinchy Stryder?

TT: To be honest whenever I take to the stage I'm always in my own zone. However when I perform alongside or against some major artists I often have to compose myself and remember they are just as human as you and me. For example I used to gatecrash raves and parties with my college crew including Nang Beats just to hustle a couple of minutes on the mic. One of those instances includes a rave in bridge park complex where Lady Sovereign's crew where having a local party and whilst trying to get on stage we were called out for a clash, and me being me jumped at the opportunity and literally made them switch off my mic before I could cause them any more harm. However she's become a massive star in the U.S and I hold no grudges against her, it was a long time ago and she probably wouldn't even remember me now.



With the gradual success of UK artists in America , is launching in stateside something you would like to achieve?

TT: Of course, as I mentioned with Lady Sovereign she's a hit in the U.S and there's definitely a market for UK artists to breakthrough, it's just how you go about doing it that makes the difference. Hopefully more UK artists can take advantage of Jay Sean's success or even take a leaf from his book and represent the UK as it should be represented.

NB: The U.S is really the musical hub of the world and to breakthrough there would be a major success for us. Its definitely the target for any musician or artist and we can take positives from the fact that the UK is really starting to show that its got talent with people like Jay Sean, Estelle, Joss Stone etc.



Do you feel it is hard for a rapper to maintain credit on the underground scene and still go mainstream?

TT: Well I think the proof is out there, I mean look at Chipmunk he made his name being very gritty and grimey on the underground scene. However, he had to become commercial to actually stake a claim in the mainstream industry and oopsy daisy isn't something you would expect from Chipmunk. On the flip side though if you do it right I guess you can maintain credit if you still keep your swagger about you like Tinchy Strider.



If you could support any artist in concert who would it be?

TT: That's a hard question to answer, there's so many artists out there I would love to support like Bone Thugs N Harmony, Eminem, Nas etc. If I had to choose I'd want to support an artist who lets their hair down on stage and enjoys the moment for example I would have loved to be on the UP IN SMOKE tour but if Jay Z came knocking it would be a dream come true.



So Nang Beats, what inspired you to start your own label? Do you feel this goes hand in hand with producing?

NB: Well I was inspired to become a producer firstly by a defining moment in my life when The Truth was abroad and he laced a verse he had written over the phone to me and I had the vision at that specific point that we could be something great if we used the talent and knowledge we had. As time went on, I found myself and my team doing all the work a label would do and consequently became an independent label. I think that if you have the right resources and the drive and passion to be more than just an MC or producer, then why not become an independent label?



When it comes to producing music, how would you define the Nang Beats style?

NB: When it comes to producing music, I always say that the music should trigger an emotion with the listener. Music should make the listener feel something when they hear it whether it be the feeling of going wild in a club environment or the feeling of just listening to the song with your eyes closed and being touched by the instruments or the words. I am fortunate enough to have been exposed to many different forms of music in my life time from Hip Hop, R'n'B, Garage and Dubstep, Dance, Classical, Country, Rock and Indie to Bollywood and Orchestral. I genuinely don't think there is a genre of music that I do not appreciate and take influence from and that makes our music so diverse and individual.

TT: From my perspective. Bobby is someone who lives and breathes music, a unique talent who supercedes expectation and makes beats that would make any artist stand out. There's not another producer like him around, and I feel blessed that I'm able to work with such talent today.



What are your thoughts on the UK Asian music scene, are there any artists that you feel really stand out?

NB: I think the UK Asian Music scene has really started to gather momentum and has taken really big strides in the quality of music being put out. For me personally, the stand out artist has to be Jay Sean. You've gotta give him credit for making such a name for himself and he's taken the R'n'B industry by storm right now, which opens up so many doors for Asian artists like ourselves its unbelievable. Other than that, my musical idol Nitin Sawhney is still packing out theatres and venues across the globe! Gotta give him props.

TT: I think Mumzy is really doing his thing right now as well, he's definitely going places. The guys definitely got talent and from when I met him, he's a down to earth guy who's got his head screwed on. Also I'm feeling Navin Kundra's movement, I think his music is fresh and of a high quality something the industry has been waiting for.



Are there any future collaborations we should look out for?

NB: I think the standout collaboration on the album has to be the song with Mentor . I would advise you to look out for that one, we hope it's gonna be huge! We hope to be shooting the video for that soon as well so definitely watch this space!! We hope to be collaborating with a lot more people in the future so you will just have to wait and see!

TT: I had a lot of fun working on the tunes with Mentor , amongst all the laughter and commotion I think the final product is something the fans will be able to vibe to. We are also making a couple of tunes and working very closely with a UK singer by the name of David Mirga, he's definitely got something about him, watch out for him.



Is there any advice you have for young Asians, who hope to follow the same path as you?

NB: My personal advice to young Asians who hope to build a music career is to be real with yourself. Find out what your real talent is because I started out as an MC and moved over to production when I found my true ability. Once you find that, its all about hard work because nothing comes to your front door, you have to go out there and get it. Also, always be true. Listeners and viewers can always tell when you are trying too hard so just make the music you feel is right for you and it will always sound more natural.

TT: If you have a dream chase it, don't give it up, there will be obstacles along the way but you will be judged on how you recover from being knocked down. Don't use your colour or creed as an excuse, I believe in today's world being a young Asian is an advantage to break further barriers and make history.



Tell us a bit about your debut single ‘Brown Butterfly'?

NB: “Brown Butterfly” is our first ever single released mainstream and is a promo track for the listeners to get a first glimpse of what we are capable of. We decided to go with a commercial song as we wanted to appeal to everyone rather than just one section of fans such as hip hop or bhangra fans. The song has an amazing video shot in Spain and has gone down really well with listeners. The message behind the song is basically The Truth telling a woman how he feels and we pay tribute to all our beautiful Asian women out there with the title, Brown Butterfly.

TT: We went for a commercial song, but the idea really came about when we heard a song called Black Rose and I thought why isn't there a title like that to represent our culture and so I told Bobby my idea and he literally made me the beat over night! The single is available for download on our websites ( www.thetruthmusic.co.uk & www.nangbeatsmusic.co.uk ) with the video on Youtube and we hope to follow it up with a lot more material, so make sure you go and download it and watch the video.



What's in store for The Truth and Nang Beats in the near future?

TT: Well we have penciled in a release date for the album which is Spring 2010 so in the build up to the album we will be releasing much more promo material for our listeners and fans, which will hopefully provide us with the perfect platform for a big release next year. You never really know what the future holds for you but you can always create your own path and see where it takes you, and as long as you are happy doing what you do and you do it to the best of your ability there is every chance that you can be successful.