Nesha, London, England - The Official Interview, 2002

Name: Nesha (I'm not telling u my last name!)
Age: 22
Sex:Female
Born: 1980
Location:: West London

1.For the not so clued up person on you. Who is Nesha?

Nesha is a good-looking girl with a gift for music. I like making music and I hope people like listening to it!!

1a. Who or what had the greatest influence on what you listen to today?
1(a)Was through listen to your parents (Did they have an artists or performer that they constantly kept going on about that influenced you).
1(b) Was through listening at a early age to the Radio to a particular sound or artist/s.
1(c) Was through going to the church (being part of a choir?).
1(d)Or was it by being forced to take musical lessons that influenced your choice?

None of those really. I did take music lessons when I was younger but I wasnıt forced into it at all. As a child my music came from 4 places; My Dad, who listened to Roots Reggae & Reggae music. My mum, who listened to hymns and gospel, T.V and radio I donıt think one was a bigger influence than the other.

2. Who was your first musical hero? Was it Artists from the.. Soul area Hiphop scene Rock/Heavy Metal scene, Pop artists, Drum and Bass artists... Or just any particular artist/s?

My first musical hero was of course Michael Jackson. I think he was the first person who made me want to perform.

2a Who is your musical hero/s in todayıs age!!

I think Lauryn Hill, because she really brought consciousness to the forefront of rnb.

3. How did you get into the music business? What were you doing before you got your break. Was it through someone hearing you?

It was actually. I was working for someone who knew Martin Lascelles (owner of Props Records). She heard me singing one day and gave me his number.

3a.Was it hard getting into the music business as a whole - What difficulties did you need to over come - if any?

The main difficulty we had (and still do have) is trying to become successful as a U.K. rnb artist. Also there's a stigma attached to independent record labels in the industry.

4.You are a VOCALIST (First and Foremost!!). What was the first club or music venue that you played that allow you to gain vital experience to that is invaluable now! Is it still there now?; and have you gone back to play there from time to time? Can you play any musical instruments yourself?

WHOAH!! Too many questions all at once! Ok, I think ALL my performances give me invaluable experiences, because all venues are different. U could do the same club twice in the same week and U wonıt get the same response.

My first ever gig was in Somerset!! There were about 5 black people in there (including myself) but I still got a big clap at the end. And yes, I play the flute, and a little piano.

5. You are also a Songwriter. Have you always written songs, as from a young age. Or is this something recent that you have done? Do you write for other artists?

I started off at school writing poetry. I started writing songs when I started working with Props. It seemed natural to me; I thought that ALL singers wrote their own songs. I do write for other artists, but theyıre all up-and-coming at the moment. Iıd love to write for other people.

6. It seems to me that you have entered the music business from a Soul/Rnb music angle. Would I be right in saying so...?? How did you get into the Uk Garage music side of things?

The garage side came about when the remix of "What's it Gonna Be?" became so successful. It wasnıt a problem at all, except that a lot of people still donıt know I do rnb!!

7.You have recently produced an album called 'Know My Name'. Were you happy with the release of the album. What were your favourite cuts from it?

I think the album would've done better if the single had been released properly, but we were ready to release the album a long time before we actually did. My personal favourite tracks were the duet, "U Donıt Think I Love U" and "Lately"

8. Do you hate being stereotyped as a just Soul vocalist?( Supposedly one that prefers to sing Soul and Rnb cuts only?). Are you glad that you are given the chance to sing to House and Garage cuts as well?

I actually get labelled more as a garage singer. It doesnıt bother me that much, I like all types of music and I hope as time goes on my music will vary more and more.

9.You had a big club hit over here with 'What's it Gonna be' during 1998? How did that come about? Please tell us.

Well we (Sticky and I) wrote the original Rnb/Soul music version. When that was done we wanted a remix for the single. Sticky decided he wanted to have a go, even though he'd never made a garage track before. I guess he discovered a hidden talent!!

10 Are you still in touch with Sticky - Richard Forbes? Are they any plans on you releasing a future 12 inch single along a Soulful House record.

I still speak to him occasionally but weıre both very busy. But we are trying to hook back up again. Iım not to sure about a house tune!! It's one of the few genres of music I've never gotten into. I wouldn't rule it out though.

11. Vocal Uk/2-Step Garage music has hit a bit of hard time of late as groups such as So Solid Crew, the Heartless Crew and the Pay as you go Crew,making major in roads into the Uk Garage scene. Are you a fan of this style of Uk Garage yourself. Or do you prefer the more Soulful approach?

Well first, I wouldn't put The Heartless Crew into the same category as groups like So Solid and Pay as u go. Firstly they've been around a lot longer, and second, they donıt carry the "gangster persona" that people associate with the other collectives. But sticking to the point, when I got into garage it was about the music, and it was for everyone, not just the bling-blingers. I think the problem is that the "crews" are representing something that doesn't apply to all garage ravers. But because it's mostly groups like So Solid who are breaking into the mainstream, the average person gets the impression that what garage is all about. It's the same thing that happened to hip hop music.

12. Did you get a chance to flick over to those Pirate station shows that are in abundance over here (England)?In short what do you think of the Pirate radio set-up within the London area?.

I think itıs cool, I can usually always find something to listen to!

13 I have heard that you yourself run your own Radio Show. How did that come about? What is the music policy on your show?

I used to host a garage show on Horra (99.0 f.m). A friend hooked it up for me, but I've taken a break from radio for a while.

14. There seems to be a love for GARAGE and Souful House at the moment ( especially in England) that resembles the early days of Hiphop within the USA. Labels are being sought after, the pirates are canning the music. Underground clubs via word of mouth are becoming "Sought after places to visit". Is this still the case in your opinion? Or have you got a different voice on the matter?

I think Uk garage is on a downhill slope. Promoters don't want it in their clubs anymore, labels are signing less and less garage tunes and I think it's partly because the mainstream aren't all that interested. But to be honest, I don't think the mainstream is ready for garage. The underground can save itself, but it could go either way right now.

14a. The BBC corporation seems to be championing the cause of dance music in the Uk more then ever. A new National digital radio is already in place (2002). However is this good for dance music in the long run? Has dance music on the dial making it become too commercial?

No I think it's good that specialist music gets more coverage. The people hosting the shows all know their stuff, and it gives the djs a chance to make bigger names for themselves. It also makes it more accessible to people outside of bigger cities.

15. Chicago, New York City and New Jersey have traditionally dominated the musical output coming from the USA with regards to Soulful House and Garage music. Do you listen to much Usa styled House music at all?

To be honest, I don't listen to a lot of house.

16. Coming from a city and travelling like you do. You must have come across quite a few Vocalists, Musicians and Dj/producers of all shapes and sizes. Who would you say to keep an eye out for? Is there someone out there that in your opinion will be huge in 2002?

I heard a couple of tracks by a guy called Jason Jermaine, he's really good, kind of a Musiq Soulchild vibe. Also a group called Second Nature, I like their stuff too.

17. England newest superstar is Mr.Craig David. At the start of his career he made quite a few singles with the group called The Artful Dodger ( Southampton, England.)

He's album called "Born to Do it",( Rnb' and Soul album directed, with a few Uk Garage cuts on it !!) he also made with the with the Artful Dodger has gone gold in the Usa.Are you impressed with England's newest International star. What are you thoughts on him and his music?

I think Craig's got a stupendous amount of talent and he was treated really badly in England with the whole Brits incident. He seems to have been received well in the U.S and I wouldnıt be surprised if he put two fingers up to the U.K and never came back!!

18.Is the future bright for future Uk Soul Vocalists at the moment? Alot of them are struggling with regards to getting record deals at the moment. Why is?

I don't think soul music listeners in the U.K buy British soul music. It's been the problem since time began. The labels aren't going to sign something if it's not gonna make a profit.

19. Have you got a new record out at the moment? Did you write the lyrics? If so when is it to be released?

Young Sexy Dangerous is out now. It's a remix of an album track written by Rd, who works at my label Props Records.

20. Changing the subject totally and dubbed the "New Ibiza" by music critics and fashion experts alike. Have you ventured out in Ayia Napa, Cyprus as yet?? What were you experiences of the place? Did you perform out there at all?(if you have been!!)

I was in Napa two weeks ago, and Itıs still quite live out there. It is quietening down though. I did a gig at Black&White club which went really well.

21. If you ever got the chance, who would you liked to perform with via a vinyl single release, and then though a live performance? Please tell us who and why?

If it could be anyone at all it would be Stevie Wonder. I think I could learn so much from him.

22. When can we next see Nesha perform? Have you got any club or live dates available?

Not at the moment, but I'll keep U posted!! (for bookings contact Vital Edge or Xtreme Talent)

23. Have you got any advice for any aspiring Record label producer, DJ , Club owner or Dj/Producer within the world of House and Garage. Any rules that he should adhere to!

Be true to yourself. Be persistent, but make sure U really are good before U go round harassing people for work!!

Interview conducted by Nesha - London, England and Carl Brown, Ipswich, England

All rights of the text and the images belong to Carl Brown, Ipswich, England and Nesha, London, England.
If you which to use any of this interview. Please contact us. Copyright laws apply.