I had the pleasure of speaking with Caiz – a genuine, talented and wise young artist who is making feel good music. We discussed so many interesting topics from the music scene now, his journey so far and a few of his life experiences. See my interview below for an artist we are tipping for big things…
Where did the name Caiz come from?
Everyone around me calls me Kai for short. I didn’t really sit down and think of a name for me in music, it just sort of come naturally from people calling me Kai to me then just saying Caiz. I stuck with it, made socials and then was thinking, nah I want to change it but everyone around me say’s it suits so me, so yeah Caiz it is now for perm.
How was life growing up?
Life growing up was different but not different to many others. I grew up on a council estate; Me, Mum and Sister at the time, brothers stayed now and then on a family thing. l can’t say life was easy but that’s what still till now, gives me that hunger to get it.
Dad wasn’t around I haven’t seen him for a good 10yrs+ now but it doesn’t bother me the slightest. I lose respect for a man (I should say boy) that doesn’t look after any child they bring in this world cause, I know the feeling… it’s just how you deal with it to be honest.
Me and Mum live together now, we get along and we don’t – my mum is one of a kind lol, but at the end of the day without our mums we wouldn’t be here, so that’s the thing you have to cherish.
I was just a kid on the estate, constantly playing football it was unreal. I took football real serious before music and from the age of 3 I was out and about, but back then it wasn’t a thing – everyone knew who you were and if anything happened, you’d get help straight away, cause everyone knows everyone. Now you can’t let your kids out for a second. I don’t have kids, but I know how this world is. From playing football on a Sunday league like everyone else, to trialling for few semi pros, to then being at Barnet FC for a year, whilst I was there I got scouted for Nike Academy FC but rah boy round 2 in that competition was game over for me. Then started hanging with the wrong people and yeah things changed from then.
Been like a year and a bit I been taking music serious, but I feel I can take it next level if I have the right people around me that can guide and fill me with knowledge about the game, I ain’t in it for the jewels, cars, and clothes. I need to own stuff.
Where is your heritage from?
Mum is from here England, and my Dad is Jamaican.
When did you realise you wanted to do music? And why?
Music is half of me honestly. Like I wake up straight away put tunes on, get ready and vibe. It puts me in a good mood, but what made me start it was, being able to change someone’s mood from bad to good, and people who listen to your music even if you don’t personally know them or even never met them. That to me is enough.
Tell me about a person in music and outside of music that inspires you and why?
Dave… Santan Dave, you have to know of him. I’ve met Santan whilst he was shooting for his song “Picture Me” it was mad early in the morning, about 7-7:30 am. I was walking the dog before work with my Sisters husband, at this time the song I constantly played was his Fire In The Booth. I showed everyone I could, not on a beg thing but on a thing were you need to take him in, he is actually a different cloth, no one has that fabric except him, his music and who he is and what he has done at the age of 20 or 21 is unbelievable.
I spoke to him that day and got a photo and from that day, something just made me start writing and really trying for this music ting. I must say one of the most down to earth people I’ve ever met. So yeah Dave has been like a mentor in my head for me to stay on track and do the right things literally. Also, my family too – I won’t forget to mention them and close friends.
Would you classify yourself as a rapper? Singer? Both?
Yes and no. I feel I make hooks much easier than rapping. Like, I still have to work on both cause, there is always room for improvement, but I personally feel I’m stronger at making a catchy hook. With rapping I find it much easier to just play a beat, find a concept and freestyle and I’ve heard many other artists are the same, but not all can do it the same. Me personally would put myself over… Dancehall, Rap, Hip Pop, RnB, and others. Like I know I’m saying this now, but many will see, my aim is to be versatile – no one flow artist, that’s boring.
Who did you listening to musically growing up?
Reggae I heard a lot, like to the point I hated it. But now I do love reggae when it’s needed to me – it isn’t an everyday genre to be played, I personally feel. 2pac and Biggie of course, garage and house too, but to be fair that was all the music really until I grew up and grew into music.
Who do you listen to now?
Everyone and anyone, I feel there is so much talent out there and underrated talent too, so yeah anything popping of underground I’ll listen -why not, I stand strong by the saying… “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. And it also helps you being a diverse artist.
Right now, the game is hot. So many good artists out here doing their thing. Who’s at the top right now for you and why?
Dave, Mostack, Yungen, J Hus, Krept and Konan, Dappy, Geko, Fredo, Yung Fume, Yxng Bane, Chip, Burna Boy, Stefflon Don, Popcaan, Roddy Ricch, Koffee. And many more – I’ve definitely left some wavy people out but yeah.
Are you currently independent? If so, would you sign a deal or stay independent?
Yes, and not looking at a deal anytime now or soon, I need to build myself… like many have said own your s**t, but I hear many things I can’t 100% believe but yeah I’m not getting ahead of myself.
A few artists you would like to collab with, if you could?
Mabel, Jorja Smith, MoStack, Dave
Do you have any collaborations already planned?
Not with anyone big, but no one can see the future.
We are seeing more and more artists investing their money on chains, rings, watches, designer clothes…. what are your thoughts on this?
Bro, them people will soon realise, I sit and watch the big boys in the game like Jay Z and Diddy, they done that all and was worth only 100 bags, what’s 100 bags now in this life! I don’t have a 100 bags but I’m just saying, all having is good, but that isn’t going to put food on my family’s plate, or pay my mums debts or rent off, everyone is to themselves but play your cards right, people would rather look successful, rather than being successful.
I don’t watch others; I look in my lane. If I take my eyes off my lane it’s a possibility, I crash… you see what I mean like driving.
But my plan is to give back I’m definitely starting a charity from music money if it comes. Making people happy and not feel down about themselves is what my plan is. Rappers don’t realise they are role models; many sit on social networks, thinking why haven’t I got what he has or she has. We beat ourselves up, lose confidence and many things come with that.
I believe in “you do good, you receive it”. Forget getting back from people because I don’t care about wanting from people. I’ve always given – it’s just me… it’s for when I meet god and to know I’ve helped massively not just in the UK. I will die a happy proud, man knowing I helped thousands, and then them thousands will carry on and before you know there will be millions of people doing good things for each other. Not seeing it, as who has better or more, life is being happy and having memories literally all the extras are just objects.
So you have released “She likes designer “and your new single “Foreign”. Tell me a bit about both songs.
Designer was one for the girlies, I really ain’t into designer right about now. I will buy few bits when needed but I ain’t desperate for it. I made that one quick, just came up with the hook, then laid it in the studio there and then.
Foreign was crazy, I was about to leave studio and my guy found the beat to “Foreign” and I was just like “YEAHHHHH” !!! Took my jacket off got back to the mic, made the hook up off the spot, my friend didn’t let me leave until I finished it! So yeah it came out as a banger to me and many more, 11k+ views in like 24 hours was crazy to me. Designer at the time was on 11k something and it was out few months before foreign so yeah, it’s an achievement to me. Thanks to everyone who supported and who still is I’m very grateful.
Your new single “Foreign”. What’s the inspiration behind this track?
For any sweet girl out there, when I made it, I pictured myself with a foreign ting crushing in a bus down drop top lol, gotta dream hah, but yeah, I feel I make music on the vibe or energy I’m in or around bro.
What’s next for you?
A lot I don’t like to talk much, I can’t be saying too much, but all I have to say… everyone remember the name CAIZ ! Big things coming.
Thanks Caiz. We wish you a successful, positive and rewarding career!
Interview by AV