Thanks for having me! I’m Hilts, I’m an artist from Lewisham, South East London. I produce all my own music in which I enjoy exploring how rap sits in different contexts and genres.
You’re heading out on the road, including a stop of at Bodega on 4th March. Anywhere in particular you’re excited to revisit or anywhere you’ve never gigged before that you’re looking forward to visiting?
I’ve actually performed in all the cities we’re visiting on this tour but back when I was doing more MC sets on grime, so I’m very excited to revisit with this new music. I love Brighton, Manchester and Nottingham – I’ve always felt warmth and a richness of culture in all three places.
Congratulations on the release of your debut EP, A Night Not Alone. How has that been? Your first piece of work with a tracklist! A positive reaction?
It’s been great, I’m very proud of it. For me, this project is a step further into being adventurous. I think rap music in the UK is still exploring where it can go and that excites me. I hope people connect with it like me and and the people around me have, they seem to love it so far.
Have you had chance to play any of the tracks off your new EP yet, or will this tour be a bit of a live exclusive? What else can we expect from a Hilts headline show?
This will be a live exclusive! I have tested the waters once or twice with a backing track but the big thing about this show is that it’s with my live band. I really believe the music comes to life when there’s musicians up on stage, making the music live in the flesh.
As a producer as well as vocalist, the rapping is just the cherry on top. So witnessing Lennyn and Antonio (my band) bring out the depth of the music is very special. Also, you can expect one or two special guest!
Ace! Can you put your finger on the one or two influences that kicked off your musical journey? Does it still run through the music you make?
Novelist was the first man to pass me a microphone. We both grew up in the same area and one evening he was playing at a youth event in Deptford. I went along to enjoy and whilst he was waiting to go on stage I spat a lyric to him – he was gassed and told me to come up with him on stage for the grime set.
For some reason I did and got an instant wheel up. After that my life literally changed overnight, we went to the studio the next day and before I knew it I was in The Square (grime crew), dropped out of college and was travelling the country/Europe as a grime MC. And now here we are.
Once you’ve finished your tour, what next? Are you treating fans to festival appearances over the summer? Any other plans you can tease for us?
I’ve got plenty more for the people this year. I’m sitting on music that I’m really excited for people to hear and I want to get it out very soon, so watch out for that. I’d love to play festivals also, none booked yet but yo bookers shout me man I’m down! I played We Out Here last year with Jianbo and it went off. Overall, I really feel like I got a lot to say right now though, It all just kinda makes sense.
If you were cast away to a desert island tomorrow and you were allowed an unlimited supply of crisps but only of one flavour, what flavour would you pick?
I can’t lie this question is absolutely brilliant because I’m a crisp fanatic. Easily the best snack there is. But also such a difficult question to answer…
Alright I’m going Tyrell’s cheddar and onion, I know it sounds rogue but don’t knock it til you try it. A close second is Tyrell’s again but the sweet chilli ones, boy oh boy they’re good. Third is the M&S sour cream and jalapeño combo mix, if you know you know.
I know you didn’t ask for top three but this is the most important question you asked me.
Tickets are on-sale now for Hilts at our place here.
