In the lead-up to his first performance in South Africa, at STR.CRD on Saturday, Trinidad-born American rapper Theophilus London spoke to Helen Herimbi about crazy metaphors, kicks as well as comparisons with Kid Cudi.
To make it right let the brimstones burn.
Hm.
Now I’m trying to U-turn on the way out, the fire all around us is played out.
Okay.
They say some things is better not said, I’ll paint you red and stick horns on your head.
What?
Theophilus London laughs heartily. These are the lyrics to his song Why Even Try? (featuring Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara), which is found – depending on how early you became familiar with London’s music – on his debut album, Timez Are Weird These Days.
“I’m using hell as a metaphor,” he starts, “but does it scare me? No, I don’t even really know if it exists. But hell is imagery most people are familiar with. I think everyone has been in a relationship that was like hell.”
Thankfully for London, the life this alternative hip hop artist has become accustomed to is one that entails flying through the clouds, being worshipped by adoring fans all over the world and landing some out-of-this-world collaborations with leading fashion labels. In short, it seems like heaven. Judging from the title of his first album, this Brooklynite who will perform at the STR.CRD sneaker culture festival this weekend is having one interesting ride as his star continues to rise.
He tells me: “It’s called Timez Are Weird These Days because this has been a very weird year for me. I’ve been able to meet a lot of my idols and there are certain things which have been checked off my lists this year.” One of those is coming to perform in South Africa.
London has taken to social networks to express his glee about coming to the Motherland for the first time. But as long as he brings the sounds to snap to and the snapback caps he’s famous for, STR.CRD music lovers are in for a treat. He will perform on the same stage that will host AKA, Ill Skillz, Khuli Chana, Spazashop Boyz, BIG FKN GUN and Dirty Paraffin, amongst many others.
London exclaims: “This will be my first time around those parts, but I’m thrilled to perform my new songs there. I’m even more thrilled that everyone is excited about the music, I’m excited that I even get to come out there.”
Although he admits “I’m not a sneakerhead, but I collect a lot of sneakers because I can just afford them now,” London has managed to make the fashion world dance to his tune. Recently, the 24-year-old collaborated with the US luxury shoe designer Cole Haan on the Blue Suede Buck shoes. The men’s shoes weren’t inspired by an Elvis Presley song, but Nat King Cole had a lot to do with it.
London shares: “I covered the Calypso Blues by Nat King Cole and I really like the Cole Haan style so they approached me with this idea and then we collaborated.”
He may be approached by a designer a day, but when it comes to his music, London is the man with the plan. Take, for instance, the fact that before Malian duo, Amadou & Miriam’s Sabali was given mainstream exposure by being sampled on a Nas and Damian Marley song, it was the inspiration for London’s Grey x Sage.
“I did that song three years before Nas and Damian,” London recalls, “so it was obviously inspired by Amadou & Miriam, whom I’ve performed it with numerous times in New York and other places.” In fact, “I’ll probably perform with them again because I was with them in the studio working on a song for their new album.”
The rapper who occasionally sings and employs electro-pop sensibilities to his sonic brand is proud of the strides he’s made. But, it seems, he does get tired of the comparisons with an early Kid Cudi.
“It’s only fair (to make a comparison), but I think it’s really lazy. You haven’t really listened to both artists to make that comparison. Actually, when I see Kid Cudi the next time, I’m going to ask him who people said he sounded like when he first started out. At the end of the day, I am the one who is in control of the music I make.”
And we’re pretty sure hearing it live won’t be hell.
This article appeared in Tonight on 22 September 2011.