“There’s Room For You To Break Out Your Box” – An MM Exclusive With JD Cliffe

JD Cliffe is making a statement. After being influenced by the first wave of Grime through his older brother’s music taste growing up, the Northwest London artist first made waves in UK Rap by performing on COLORS alongside Kai-A six years ago. Originally experimenting with intricate flows and smart lyricism across Trap inspired beats, now his attention has turned to merging the genres of Grime and Indie, creating an innovative, distinct sound that is turning heads right now.

I sat down with JD to talk about his musical upbringing, the state of the UK Rap scene, and the birth of the ‘Grindie’ genre: 

How do you think growing up in Northwest London shaped you musically?

I feel like that’s always gonna be in my music. Just growing up around Grime and listening to Boy Better Know, Skep, Wretch 32. It was just all over London, really, and that initial Grime culture has always been a part of me. Whatever I do, even if I do Rock music, you can still very much hear that influence in there. 

Aside from Grime, what else influenced you growing up?

It was Grime until I was like 10 or 11 through my older brother, then my big sister was heavily influenced by bands like Paramore and Green Day. After I started listening to what my sister was on, I started getting into bands like the Arctic Monkeys and found my own kind of admiration for them. Around me and the area I was coming from the predominant genre was definitely Grime but through my own research is how I discovered Rock and Indie music. My siblings helped put me onto their kinds of music and around the house I was hearing Highlife and Nigerian music from my parents, so it was sort of a mix of everything.

In terms of your own career, when did you first start to try and create your own music?

I would say the first time was when I was 13. I was going to a youth centre and they had a mic and a studio so we all just jumped on a freestyle. After that, people told me I was good so I just kept on doing it and doing it. 

How quickly after that could you see yourself doing music as a career?

At first, it was just for bants. It really wasn’t a serious thing. Until I got my first COLORS performance four years ago, I didn’t really take it seriously but since then it’s kind of gradually developed into something more serious. I still don’t want to lose that element of fun that I started with, though. Even though it’s feeling more important I still look at it in the same way as when I started.

You’ve been at it for a few years now. How would you describe your musical process?

It really changes. I try not to have too much structure when it comes to creating and creativity. Once I get into a certain structure for something, for me it really stifles my creativity. I like to take inspiration from real life shit, so something that I’ve seen during the day might give me a melody that gets stuck in my head. I don’t like to work with a set routine.

Across your career your style has been quite eclectic. Where do you think that comes from?

I feel like it all stems from just growing up around music. With so much music being played in my house I had love for all these different types of genres, and I like making music that I like listening to. I feel there’s not really a box you can put me in and that’s because I’m inspired by the music that I’m making. 

From the start of your career to now as well there’s been a clear shift in the type of music you’re making. Is that a conscious decision for you?

Definitely. It came about because I was bored of the music that I was listening to as well as the state of the game and just music in general. I felt like everyone was trying to copy each other’s sound so I kind of set about making my own sound and making it interesting enough for me to want to go back to the studio. It definitely came out of a frustration of not hearing anything new but also the fact that I like Rock and Grime, so it felt fun and natural to put the two together.

What about the state of the game did you find uninspiring?

I feel like you can kind of split it into two with the mainstream and the underground. The mainstream feels a bit uninspired because no one is breaking any boundaries or doing anything new. There are a lot of people on the come up who are doing their own thing and making it interesting, though. People like Kelvin5star, Sudi Skywalker. The underground definitely makes me feel more energised and inspired to keep breaking those boundaries.

And your recent singles, most notably ‘BUSS UR HEAD’, have been quite Rock heavy. What do these songs mean to you right now?

It’s weird when you’re in a creative space because when I made BUSS UR HEAD I’m not thinking too tough but when I’m able to look back at the whole piece I’m able to see that I’ve done something wavy. I try not to have too much of a thought process when I’m creating because sometimes that can get in the way. It’s just another day. Another banger.

A lot of people are describing your music as ‘Grindie’ – a mix between Grime and Indie. Do you feel like you’ve created your own sub-genre?

Yeah definitely, and I really rate that term, Grindie. It’s funny, man. Those are the two things that have really influenced me so for people to go out of their own way to call it that feels sick. It means that what I’m trying to do is making sense to people. 

The Indie music scene in this country in particular has always been dominated by white middle class acts. You must be feeling like you’re pushing through some barriers…

Yeah, man. I think it’s kind of a statement in itself. I’ve kept working away and shown that there’s no boxes you can put me in. I’ve made Rock music and Indie music and I’m using Grime flows over the top of it. 

I hope it shows other black boys that even though you may like different types of music that you might not want to share because it’s not cool or whatever, maybe they can watch me and be more comfortable choosing to do what they want. You don’t have to be limited to one type of music or genre and there’s room for you to break out your box. 

Just finally, obviously your new direction is helping you move up in your career but what is the short term goal for you and where would you like to see yourself end up?

Right now I’m just trying to build up my fanbase. I really want people to care about my music and me as an artist rather than just having one hit. That’s the focus for me right now but in a few years time I want to headline Glastonbury. That’s always been a big goal of mine.

Thanks for your time.

No worries, Bro!■

JD Cliffe’s new single, ‘Bad Company’, is out now.