EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH KOSHA
BROWN EYEZ caught up with the talented singer Kosha from East London who first established himself in the pirate radio scene on Flava FM 87.6 alongside the esteemed company of Kano, Dizzee Rascal, D Double E and Jammer, toured the UK with RnB and Garage Nation before hooking up with Wiley and Danny Weed to record solo material. He tells BROWN EYEZ about how he started singing, working with Wiley and about being a product a of the road!
BROWN EYEZ - How did you get into music?
KOSHA – I have always been around music since I was young, and was doing radio for quite a bit. I used to record tapes when garage was about performing at rave and doing the whole pirate circuit. But then it came to a point when I didn’t want to do radio anymore, but decided that I wanted to make a product and make my own sound and record my own music.
BROWN EYEZ – You rap as well as sing, how would you describe your style?
KOSHA – There is a lot of Londonisim in my music, I try to keep it English, keep it real and keeping it UK. My style if I had to sum it up neatly I would say outside the box!
BROWN EYEZ – Who are your musical influences?
KOSHA – I got loads, from Barry White , Jagged Edge to Ja Rule.
BROWN EYEZ – You worked with Wiley on your track ‘I Need You’, what was it like working with him?
KOSHA – It’s good, he is very inspirational, he just comes in and gets the job done, no messing about! Its good to see someone who has ‘been there and done that ‘ and help out people on their way up! Its good man!
BROWN EYEZ – You have a track called The Belly of The Beast. What’s that?
KOSHA – The Belly of The Beast is cockney slang from East London, it’s the bits of a area, the endz.
BROWN EYEZ – You also have a track title “Product of The Road” feat Wiley and Ghetts, what made you write that track?
KOSHA – This was me talking about what I feel. It’s about not wanting to be stuck on the streets and being a product of the road. It’s about want to taking that negative out of our life and try and make something positive . I’m just telling people that it is possible, a positive message without being too cliché.
BROWN EYEZ - Although you have independently sold 40,000 copies of “It’s All Kosha Volume 1” do you think it is necessary to go to America?
KOSHA – It’s a catch 22 situation because people say that you cant make it here , but if you go to America they embrace you! But it seems like America is opening their eyes up to our music now, as they are coming over here to sign artists. So I think the UK music scene is quite healthy at the moment, although there is only a few people doing really well, its still paving the way for others to come up. It’s a gradual process. It’s a good look!
It would be good to make it in America but I think it’s important to have your foundation set in the UK first.
BROWN EYEZ – Which producers are you working with on your up and coming album?
KOSHA – I’m working with a few underground people eg, Smasher, Matt Monty and Forte.
BROWN EYEZ - Who would you like to work with that you haven’t had the chance to as yet?
KOSHA – I’m not one of them guys that loves anyone with a name! I want to work with anyone that’s talented! Even if they do not have a massive name I would still work with them.
BROWN EYEZ – Name five top tunes you are listening to at the moment?
Kosha – Old skool
McLean – Broken
Ghetto – Skadoosh
Wiley – Take That
Kosha – The One
Check out Kosha’s music video for his debut single “Old Skool”.
Kosha in the studio with Ghetts ” Product Of The Road”
Kosha’s single “Old Skool” is out now!
