By Kristen Bingle
Double S was born Bashir, meaning the bearer of good news. As he grew in his musical career, the name began to take on a new significance for him as he began to find self-expression within his sound. Born in Uganda and raised in North London, Double S began his career in the grime scene, as one third of group Marvell. He spent his childhood days listening to Eminem, Busta Rhymes and Jay Z. Feeling like the American sound was a bit far out of reach, Double S was drawn to garage and grime which were being moulded in his environment at the time. He may have had his roots in grime but Double S is dabbling in other genres and adding his own twist.
Double S is also embarking on a new project with a few of his friends. M Global is a movement spearheaded by Double S himself, Shocka Kenneth and Subten. The aim of the M Global platform is to help people around the world, support their hustles and showcase talent. There are so many artists who are just killing the game with their craft but they just don’t have the platform or an audience. M Global wants to provide that platform and offer a helping hand to help artists or entrepreneurs get to where they want to be.
Its Culture caught up with Double S prior to the release of his brand new video, Day One.
How would you describe your style/sound?
It’s a mix of lots of different styles, I call it ‘flow.’ I can flow on any beat; funky house, afro beats, grime. I bring my own style to a beat.
When did you start making music?
I started making music from around 14, but professionally at 17. I went back to Uganda for a year. I was a bit naughty when I was young and my parents didn’t want me going down that road. When I was out there I realised that I don’t control my life the way I think I do. Then when I came back, I thought this is what I wanna do.
How has your heritage, where you’re from and where you grew up influenced the music you’re creating today?
It’s definitely influenced my sound, 100 percent. You can only speak your truth. Whether I like it or not, there’s so much competition out there and everyone is doing the same thing. Where I grew up in North London, there’s so many different kinds of cultures all in one place and I think I reflect a mix of all of these cultures.
Talk to me about your creative process?
I always start off with a beat, the beat has to move me. If the instrumental makes me move, it’s a banger. Then I’ll get a nice chorus, or a lyric and go from there. I let the beat do everything, then I add my 2 pence.
You’ve been doing music for a while now, what’s been a standout moment in your career so far?
When I was in Marvell, we went on tour with diversity. This was about 2010. It showed me a different world and made me want to pursue more. Sometimes you need the next level to push you to change your strategy or your vibe and that’s what the tour did for me. If you stay in the same place, you want what everyone else has. When you branch out it teaches you different things
One artist/producer you would love to collaborate with?
J Hus, he understands music. And JAE 5, he just gets it.
Where do you see yourself musically in 5 years?
Travelling around the world, touring, letting other people hear my music. I would want to do a few things with a few American artists for sure. Theres alot of artists I want to work with who are bigger than me, but I know we’ll gel musically and understand each other — Drake or Rihanna for example.
Any upcoming projects/EPs/tracks?
I’m working on something at the moment, an EP, but I can’t give too much away just yet. Right now singles make more sense so I’ll be dropping a few of those. It’s a lead up to a project. I prefer dropping projects though.
What’s your favourite track that you’ve created?
I have a few actually. I really like the one with Wiley ‘Get Paid’ and ‘Oluwa Diamond’ with Oluga. That made me want to release tracks for women
One UK artist you can’t get enough of right now.
Darko, I like everything she releases. She’s a vibe.
What is your favourite part of being a musician?
The creative process and other people listening to what you’ve created and appreciating it.
I really like going into the studio, it feels like magic. Other people gravitating towards your music, I don’t think there’s a better feeling than that.
You took a break from music for a bit, what pushed you to come back to the scene?
I’m gonna be real here. I grew up in the industry, a lot of us grew up in the industry, and we never had our childhood. It’s a different world. You wanna chill for a bit, or sort out real life stuff. You wanna be ‘normal’ but life pushes you in a certain direction. I genuinely love music. I could do anything else, but it doesn’t light a spark for me. I always want to be creating something. Even if I was to do music as a hobby, I’d always be doing it.
What impact has grime had on you?
In London, it gave us an identity. We’re trying to build something and build a culture. We were these kids on the block, and as much as people think we’re doing stupid things we’re not, we’re trying to be creative. We get labelled in ends — grime gives us a positive label.
How does it feel to have been part of the early grime movement?
It was amazing. I definitely played my part. We didn’t get the respect we deserved, but
we know in our heart of hearts, what we did bring to the table. It feels nice to have played my part.
How have you evolved as an artist, from your days with Marvell to today?
Around that time, when you’re younger, you’ve got bare energy and don’t know what to do with it. With grime, you kind of get pushed musically, it helps you sharpen your sword. I’ve grown into the person I want to be. When you’re older, you’re honest with yourself and that’s translated into my music as well. I’m making more honest songs now. Back in the day, we were just talking a bag of breeze. When you’re honest with yourself, you don’t hold things in.
Do you see yourself dabbling in other genres?
I’m dabbling in afro beats, my style, my version of it. I’ve got a few RnB songs as well.
I think my next vibe will just be honesty. I will definitely bring an element of Uganda into it
I’ll always have my flow and add my own spin to a genre.