Music Review and interview with Incisive for Sober ft Shakka

Incisive is an up and coming producer and rapper hailing from South London. He has already released many tracks including the Where Is He Mixtape EP, which involved a number of collaborators and producers. He has already made quite an impact, with his videos on YouTube running up thousands of views.

Listen to Sober being played on WKXN – Power 102.7 FM [Radio Play Sponsored by Exposed Vocals]

This track, Sober, is, according to the man himself, ‘Just a fun song about a typical drunken night out…’. The track is essentially what I would classify as alternative rap with an element of trap. The production instantly strikes you as fresh, modern and cutting edge, with slick drum programming and atmospheric synths. After the intro it enters into the memorable chorus, the vocal hook sung by guest vocalist Shakka, who has a fine voice.

Incisive then lays down the verse with a fluent, rapid and distinctive rapping style that displays a natural flair for rhythm and rhyme. The lyrics, though supposedly about a fun night out, have a dark undertone with lines like ‘Now it’s remorse, regrets and remedies, unfortunate wrecks with no energy, we ordered in more than we’d ever need, I ain’t touching a drink again I swear…’.

Overall, this is an excellent track with a strong commercial potential. The contrast between the rapped verses and the choruses sung by Shakka works well, and it would make a great track to take to radio. Incisive is an original and witty rapper, as well as a fine producer – being multi-talented is almost vital for survival in the modern music industry. I expect to be hearing a lot more from Incisive in the future.

By Alex Faulkner

I’m 34 and a freelance music journalist, as well as a composer and producer. I’ve written reviews for UK newspapers and music websites. I run my own blog, reviewing the best new bands and artists . I’m very passionate and knowledgeable about music and that shows in my writing.

Exclusive Interview:

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?

My manager told me about it – thought it sounded good!

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

I grew up in Ladbroke Grove, West London – born and raised. I got into music mainly because of my big brother and cousin. They are about 5 years older than me.  My brother got into production somehow and my cousin used to come to the house and rap over the beats.  I was always the little boy in the corner quietly listening to what the olders were doing.  Eventually I guess I got involved and started to rap – I was about 9 years old – maybe younger!! I remember rapping in an American accent about the same topics my favourite rappers would rap about – snoop dogg mainly lol – I didn’t even know what I was talking about.  Eventually, as I got older, I grew into my own artist, with my own accent, and identity.  My brother fell out of love of production but he showed me the ropes in a local youth centre.  From there, I started producing and recording for myself and never looked back.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Haha – I used to have a funny name ( that I wont reveal ) I guess it got to the point when I realized I had to change it so I literally opened the dictionary and had a scan through…I came across the word Incisive : Mentally sharp, acute, consise, precise – describes my character perfectly so I ran with it.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

I think we have to embrace the shift in the times.  The internet is here and is here to stay.  People share online and its uncontrollable – we have to embrace it.  Ive come to realize that people, at this stage, buy music just to support the artist – not to hear the songs – that’s all online.  So yes, I give away music for free – embrace it – get the love of a solid fanbase and they will buy it if they feel like it – if not, there’s always shows to get revenue from.  But yea man…free the music lol

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

I think the key is in two parts : 1. Be HIGHLY critical of yourself or be around highly critical people – its annoying but a high bar raises your bar.  I don’t think people are critical enough.  Criticize yourself and surround yourself with the best you can.  2. Embrace your uniqueness – everyone is different – no one can be you.  Do you!  No one needs to here another rendition of the hottest new artist – be that hot new NEW artist doing that new NEW sound that no one has heard – lead, don’t follow…

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

HAHA – always – I think its natural to make mistakes – to always improve. The first thing I try to do is to not show the mistake – or to not use anything as an excuse.  Also though, I embrace that the audience are human and want you to be too – I can laugh at myself, or improvise – just keep it moving really – as long as I am performing, and enjoying it – they will enjoy it too.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

HAHA – I think most artists follow the same mantra – what happens on tour, stays on tour!

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

I really like to write songs OUTSIDE the studio.  So I may work with the producer on the beat in the studio, then take the track away to write.  I normally like to get OUT of the studio to write the song as studios are SO uninspirational.  Dim, dead sounding rooms, with no windows.  I like to look out of my window, or drive round in the car with the beat playing to draw off life as an inspiration.  On the flipside though, sometimes If nothing comes, ill go into the booth, play the song, press record and just start rapping – it could be gibberish but the flow will be there…then ill just put words to the flow.  That’s like forced inspiration lol.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Yea, I LOVE twitter so id mainly share stuff on there –  check me on http://twitter.com/Incisive1 http://facebook.com/mynameisIncisive and http://instagram/Incisive1 and on my itunes connect page where I put quite a bit of exclusive footage https://itun.es/gb/1qcRp

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

I listen to everything to be honest – and Im not even embarrassed! Maybe Madonna “Like a virgin” lol

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

I am SUCH a DIY artist.  I have learnt to do A LOT with A LITTLE – I record myself, mix, master, engineer, shoot my own videos, edit them – everything.   I would probably continue to do that to be honest.  I might buy a new microphone, but the rest, probably hold onto it – cash is king! Lol. Im good with what Ive got to be honest – Maybe spend about 10k on shooting videos for the year (like 10 videos lol) and the rest, cut up for the team to keep the wheels turning. I don’t believe in big old multimillion pound studios etc – we good lol

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Again, we very minimal.  Technology has put everything inside the computer so plugins have endless sounds etc.  So I got a macbook running Logic (9 – Refuse to move), Reason, and a ton of plugins.  A Motu 896 mk3, an  Avalon VT 737 SP pre amp, and an se electronics 5600 mic – and a booth – that’s it.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Ive used PR campaigns, radio pluggers, TV pluggers – I think they all work well but I think its shifting – direct interaction with the fans – now I can tweet something that ive put on soundcloud and it will spread just as much as that glossy video used to – I think people are really embracing real music, no gimmicks, more.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Id perform with MJ – obvious reasons – all time legend.  Id also like to perform with Paul Simon and ladysmith black mambazo.  I love there synergy, there vibe – and I always like to work with amazing artists that not that many people have worked with. Yea.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Ive just released an EP called “FM” it’s a concept EP and is performed like a drive time radio show – Im the radio presenter as well.  Its got traffic updates, radio adverts – all that kinda stuff – quite humorous – all in between what I think is dope music.  Feedback has been amazing – everyones been saying I should be a radio presenter – at least do a podcast or something which is nice to hear.  Im good though – ill stick to the rapping 😉

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

I.T Related job – Im good with computers and all that kinda stuff. So  yea.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

Artist:
I remember I was sick off school and my dad took me for a walk down Portobello road to cheer me up ( prolly wasn’t THAT sick lol) We walked past a Woolworth and he asked me if some music would cheer me up.  We went in and I picked up Michael Jacksons BAD album on cassette – obviously it hadn’t just dropped lol but it was still on the shelves for some reason.  I loved it – played it back on my little Walkman that couldn’t rewind – fast fwd only – remember those? haha

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Artist:
Not too sure to be honest.  Making music is a full time job – probably more than a full time job, writing, recording, performing, promoting, networking – it’s a lot to do.  That on top of a 9-5 is crazy to be honest.  I come home from work, to start work lol. I think late nights and early mornings is the key.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?

More good music – more EPs, more releases…more live shows 😉