- Fri, 2010-03-12 15:10
Theo Kerlin, aka Master Shortie, is a young up-and-coming rapper from London. Having impressed critics with his debut album A.D.H.D., as well as a string of singles, his designs on the big-time are increasingly becoming reality, and his collaboration with Polluted Mindz on latest single Daydream can only further speed him on his way.
I Like Music caught up with the man himself to chat about his inspiration, why he loves playing live, his brief stint at the Brit School and his plans for world domination...
"I Like Music because… it inspires me to go out and make the most of my life.” Master Shortie
ILM: What's the story behind the single Daydream?
Master Shortie: The single is by Polluted Mindz, and I feature on it. It’s a dope song. Quite commercial, nothing like I’ve done before. But I like testing myself and taking myself outside of my comfort zone. That’s exactly what I did with this track whilst still remaining true to my style and bringing my style to something different.
ILM: How would you describe your style?
Master Shortie: I’m quite eclectic. I love loads and loads of different genres of music and I just try and bring it all together really.
ILM: How would you describe the Master Shortie process of making music?
Master Shortie: In terms of writing, it normally comes from freestyling, by which I mean I just do it in my head. I‘ll start by mumbling, just saying words. The production or the producer or the beat talks to me and tells me what to say on the track. I know it sounds weird but you somehow get a certain vibe from music, and I just run with it. As the process goes on it turns into something more solid.
ILM: Of the producers you’ve worked with, which have you had the best connection with?
Master Shortie: Originally I worked with a guy called Labyrnth. He’s a producer from East London who hadn’t really done much commercial work before, like me. We kind of found each other at the beginning. For the first album that I did we took a good year out. We made it on the basis of just making good music and having fun. Then it got more serious and I’ve gone and done my thing. He’s now signed to EMI Publishing. He’s working with everybody under the sun, from JLS to Tinchy Stryder, plus stuff in the States as well.
ILM: So you got in there early then!
Master Shortie: Exactly! That’s been the best connection. That’s what I always do with producers. I like to find them when they first start out so that they’re eager about the music and they’re passionate about what they’re doing.
ILM: Where does your drive and passion to make music come from?
Master Shortie: Music just inspires me in ways that aren’t just grab-able. Certain songs can play with my emotions which I think is just amazing. I wanna do the same for other people. That gives me a drive. Ambition also comes from being brought up well. Obviously there’s also a dream to be successful at the end, that gives me drive. People in general as well, man. I’m a people-person so being able to see my music affecting people is a great thing.
ILM: Can you remember the first moment you listened to something and it really grabbed you?
Master Shortie: The first song I bought, I think, was Earth Song by Michael Jackson. My dad owns a jazz bar, he’s always been very influenced by jazz so I listened to a lot of jazz music when I was younger as well. My mum is very much into Tracy Chapman, Bjork, Harry Connick Jr. It’s quite eclectic.
ILM: What can people expect from your live show?
Master Shortie: The live show is probably my favourite bit about being an artist. Seeing me live, 99% of the time is with my band. I like converting people who come to a show not really being a fan so that they leave a fan. My music is very different to what you’d expect.
ILM: How long has it taken you and the band to get the live show together? What was the vision?
Master Shortie: The vision is obviously not to hold back, to go all out in all aspects. If that means bringing a choir in, then fine. We just go out and make people leave wanting to see it again. In terms of how we put it together; obviously playing the music took very, very skilled musicians. They’ve been put on to me by people I’ve worked with before. They’ve just got a great reputation and really took to the music. Our music stretches people, and they’re musicians who have done so much commercial stuff so they were happy to be playing some music that actually tested their ability.
ILM: What have been some of the highlights of the live shows so far?
Master Shortie: Well, I did my own concert at Indigo and that was dope. There was a tube strike on the day, and they hadn’t sold many tickets at all. I was nervous that no-one would turn up, but as I walked up on the stage it was just completely packed! That’s a dope memory. Also, the festival season was cool, doing Wireless, Reading & Leeds, Radio 1 Big Weekend.
ILM: You make music with a strong party vibe, do you get a chance to do much partying?
Master Shortie: I don’t really ‘go out’. I’d rather go to a show, concert or a bar. Or just stay in and listen to music really...
ILM: What music have you been listening to recently?
Master Shortie: Bombay Bicycle Club have got a really unique singer. He’s got a really unique voice that draws me in. I’ve been listening to a lot of neo-soul recently. I went through a stage when I was younger when I was listening to a lot of Erica Badu, Jill Scott, The Roots, India Arie… Listening to that music again is definitely inspiring.
ILM: What are your dream collaborations?
Master Shortie: I’d love to work with Prince, Andre 3000, Mos Def. Just people that have inspired me when I was younger like Wyclef Jean and Tracy Chapman, Bjork, Paul Simon…
ILM: You’ve got some big names there!
Master Shortie: Yeah! But in terms of realistically, I’m hopefully gonna work with Wyclef this year.
ILM: Wow! That’ll be amazing?
Master Shortie: I know! That’s gonna be really good! He’s one of my idols. In terms of other artists; just people that I listen to. If I listen to you and I enjoy listening to you then I wanna collaborate with you. Because my music’s so diverse and I can do so many things there isn’t anybody it wouldn’t work with.
ILM: Have there been any gigs that you’ve been to that have really struck you as outstanding?
Master Shortie: I saw the Roots. I supported them actually! That was summertime last year I think. It was last minute and I didn’t get to do it with my band, which was really disappointing for me. The Roots are obviously all about live music and having to do it with a PA was a bit annoying. But the experience of meeting them was great.
ILM: Did they give you any useful advice?
Master Shortie: Nah, they were high off their heads! Didn’t even know where they were or what country they were in! But they’re still cool people and they rocked the show. It was amazing, very musical.
ILM: You were at the Brit School for a bit, but you didn’t stay for the full time....? What happened?
Master Shortie: Well I went there for two years. There’s two terms; you can go from 14 to 16, and from 16 to 18. I did 14 to 16, but I didn’t carry on from 16 to 18, I just wanted to get out there!
ILM: What did you learn in that time?
Master Shortie: I kind of learned more about sociology than the musical side! People do get it twisted. It’s not just about the music. You do music once a week. You have one day that is dedicated to the strand that you choose. In terms of finding myself, it did help me. My music just came over time from the people I was hanging around with and from listening to other music and seeing what inspired me.
ILM: What are your future plans?
Master Shortie: I just wanna relate to more people, get my music out there. I believe that a lot of people could take to my music, and will take to my music. It’s just about getting to them, and as an independent artist it’s a lot harder. It’s just a matter of thinking outside the box and finding the means to do that. Also I want to strike some deals in international waters in order see whether or not my music can go down positively in other territories.
ILM: Have you just played the UK thus far?
Master Shortie: I’ve done some shows outside, like Marseille, Paris, Austria. But not many. Just the odd one here or there.
ILM: Is there a grand end goal that you’re working towards?
Master Shortie: Not really. People keep asking that question but there’s not really an end goal. I just want to be successful, go over to fashion and to film… I wanna build myself as a brand. That’s probably where I see the end point as being.
ILM: That’s exciting, what aspect of fashion are you interested in?
Master Shortie: I’d like to invest in some clothing brands. I’ve already started my own line Odd-One-Out Music. I had a pair of trainers out in the summer in Shoo, and I wanna do another brand. Preferably a female one, cos I just came out with a male brand.
