Get To Know: Twyce

Born in Nigeria and raised in South-East London, Peckham, Twyce has been able to indulge in the divergent culture surrounding him growing up. In Nigeria, the rapper would listen to artists with the likes of Michael Jackson, Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg, but once reaching the UK, the sounds of UK Grime from iconic artists such as Skepta, JME, Giggs and Devlin, would also help shape him into the artist he is today. The versatility in his music taste has allowed Twyce to delve into his own music style and skillset.

In a time where Grime is arguably becoming overshadowed by the likes of Drill and Trap music, Twyce is a skilled rapper who's cadence, nostalgic sounds and music visuals lets fans know he is here to stay and amount an accomplished career. Twyce created a wider buzz for himself, gaining the respect and attention of UK music veterans such as D Double E when he participated in CORD's 'Up Next' series in 2022, eventually winning the competition. His debut single 'Grinding' distinctly showcases his abilities through crafty penmanship and bars heavily influenced by some of his favourite rappers, notable in the UK Grime scene.

Okay, first things first. Your name! Your name is Twyce, you said that your name means like twice as hard, twice as everything. You're really hard, But where did it actually come from? Was it something that was there before you were a rapper?

No, I think it was more of like a rebranding thing because obviously my name before was TT and I just wanted to come in because I've been rapping for a long time, but it's like I wanted to rebrand myself and come in completely different to how people know me. It was more like a random name generator. We'd just go through a list of names and we landed on that one.

Okay, cool. When did you start making music exactly?

I would say like 9, 10. It was just me and my boy. He had a laptop and we would just go to his block and just record one or two songs, et cetera.

Would you say that the people around you, like your culture where you grew up, have also influenced your music?

Yeah, definitely. I’m Nigerian, but it's like no one could tell when they meet me. They usually think I’m Carribean or something. I just haven't shown that side of me that I'm heavily influenced by. I haven't shown that side of me in my music yet, so people have yet to see that.

Why haven't you shown it yet?

Because I'm trying to build a story behind me as opposed to just dropping music, you know what I mean? I'm trying to actually be connected and feel a part of my journey.

So, about your journey, obviously people know you a lot from your Freestyle, the numbers Freestyle with Cord, which was very hard, by the way! You had D Double, you had Mimi the music blogger, as the judges. But when you were doing that Freestyle, did you know that, yeah, I'm definitely winning this like, I got this?

No, it was at the end, that's when I kinda knew because obviously Shakes, did his thing, did a madness. But yeah, I didn't really know until the end. I thought, yeah, that the freestyle was just alright. That's probably why I had an attachment to the freestyle. I just carried on. But it was the end song, which I knew, yeah, I might have won this.

Since the freestyle, you've obviously dropped more music, but from that freestyle and that opportunity, how would you say that your life has changed for you?

Naturally, obviously labels, I'm signed currently but yeah, that's pretty much it. It's also more eyes on me and et cetera, et cetera. There's even eyes that I don't really know that are on me…It's just more of that, really.

Would you say it's been a big jump? Because you performed at the Clash event at KOKO Cafe Camden, and from doing the numbers freestyle, you're getting bigger crowds. How's that all for you?

Yeah, it feels good. It feels good because you know what it is, between me and you. When I did the Clash show, the first two minutes my eyes were closed, but I knew. Just so I could remember my lyrics and rap in front of a whole group of people, because I'm not new to performing, but that was my actual first show that my name was on the flyer or whatever.

I feel like when you do more, you're going to get used to it. It'll just come really easy to you.

Yeah, definitely.

You’ve gotten a lot of comparisons to Knucks and Dave, and I actually get that because of the vocabs, the wordplay, even the whole vibe, the videos. Are they an influence in your music as well?

People would like to think that, but I wouldn't say too much. Yeah, I would say more Knucks I don't know why, but I just resonate with Knucks a bit more than Dave. I feel like Dave, he's gone in it. I can't relate to that right now. Do you know what I mean? It's just how relatable I can be with the artist, but yeah, I would say Knucks, really, I actually fuck with Knucks as well. I love his music.

I think people say Dave because of the vocabulary, he's also good at that as well

I think it’s my cadence as well. Like the way I actually sound. I can’t help it, but that’s the most obvious thing people compare.

What artists would you want to collaborate with?

It's funny you say that because we've got a couple that I’m working with but I don't wanna say just yet. I don't really want to say too much. But yeah, in terms of features, I'm just doing what makes sense. Also, I obviously have to like you, to be honest too.

Because I feel like, especially a lot of upcoming artists, you just want to feature everyone, but you have to actually make sure that it's fitting to your brand and the music.

Exactly.

On your song, ‘Of Course’, you also flexed how quickly you write bars. What is the quickest time you’ve written a song?

The numbers thing took me an hour and a half to write, but that was just because I knew there was a topic or whatever. But there was a session I had recently, it took me 40 minutes to write my bars.

Oh, wow!

I find it so cool. Not only writing your own bars, but that quick as well. Your mind is like...

Yeah, I'm on go. My mind is just pacy.

Then with your latest single, ‘Prouda You’, it's a very nice song again and the visuals are really dope. What was the meaning behind that? The whole concept of it?

It could have gone two ways, really, that video, because the initial concept was to just get a large amount of Prada items and just do a giveaway type thing. But obviously legal issues…You know what I'm saying? Obviously, then yeah, that's the route we decided to go with but the meaning behind it is just find someone you're proud of, surely everyone is proud of someone they know. We all have someone that we're proud of. That's pretty much the whole vibe of the song. Just appreciate who you're proud of.

On that track, you collaborated with TSB, the producer. I do want to ask, are there any other UK producers you want to work with as well?

I feel like man’s probably worked with some of the best already. I'm so early in my career as well, so it's like yeah, I don't know. I'll probably be looking at different country producers, and not producing in different countries because the top here, I’ve pretty much worked with them.

Yeah, okay. Are you working on an EP or album soon that you're going to release?

Yeah, eventually. Just putting in the work. Building a foundation right now. But there is definitely a tape on the way.

Stepping away from the music, from your instagram posts, I see actually you can dress well and you’re into fashion. And as your platform is constantly growing, with brands noticing you, would you collaborate with other clothing brands?

Yeah, definitely. We just did a collab with ‘Picante’ the other day. Like a little photoshoot. But I don't know. With clothing brands I just want to do the low key stuff. I don't really like stuff that's out there anymore because I feel like everyone's got it. Obviously there's other low key brands like ‘Too Busy’ and stuff like that, people that actually know their own brand.

Would you ever consider doing fashion week, like runway? We see a lot more of these musicians and all doing it.

I wouldn't shy away from it because obviously I'm getting in the model bag and stuff, but yeah, I wouldn’t shy away from it, man. It's definitely something I probably would do one day.

Aside from music and fashion, what else are you interested in?

I like gaming, like a lot. I also like art

Yeah, I heard you can draw as well!

Yeah, I can. I don't do it anymore, but I can.

Why not?

Because it's just like I don't have anything to draw. I draw with my words.

Nice way of putting it. Okay then. But is there something that you're actually thinking you want to get into. What about even acting, something else?

Yeah, literally, man, because when Asley Walters followed me I wanted to be on ‘Top Boy’ but they just finished wrapping up. But yeah, acting is something I defo wanna get into. I feel like, again, you've got to make one thing work for you before you start getting into other things. You've got to be on your toes and everything. If the opportunity comes, I'll do it. But for now, straight music.

Right now there are so many upcoming artists grinding and working to be where you are at currently, what advice would you give to them?

I would just say just be relentless, bro. Whatever people tell you, just don't listen to what everyone's saying, bro. Don't be fooled by the noise because that's what's going to make you get in your own head. Just literally do what you want to do. I feel like it's a bit cliché, but it's like that's really what's worked for me because I didn't listen to anyone. I'm saying even my mom, I love my mom, but I didn’t really listen to my mom as a kid. Not saying you shouldn't listen to your mom, but just do what you feel is best for you. You also have to be a bit selfish as well, because other people might have intentions that might not fit what you want to do, but you have to just block it out. Again, just be selfish about that. Think about yourself.

Before you got signed, you were on the independent route. But for a lot of upcoming artists, that is difficult as well. What was your journey like before getting signed?

It was long. I was working different jobs and stuff like that. I think I've done a lot of work, just doing what I had to do. But with music I wasn’t really as consistent, I wouldn’t really drop. I wasn't a consistent independent artist because obviously it requires money, but then you have life as well. You have to pay for stuff and you can't really go to the studio as much as you would like to, et cetera. We just had a vision and literally just did it. I'm not going to say how we patterned grinding, but you will know in a couple of years.

For you, what has been the biggest difference between being a signed artist and an independent one?

The difference is that you just have more of a structure and there's a team. You can build a team by yourself, but where's the money? You know what I'm saying? It's cool. The labels have the money, so you just want the money and the support to just bet on yourself and take the deal. Because I feel like these days, deals are looked down upon but it's not all bad. Especially if you're determined to be the best, I feel like you won't really go wrong with signing.

Yeah, I hear that. What can your fans, what can we also expect from your music coming up? New sounds?

New sounds? What! (Laughing)

Not in a bad way at all (Laughing)

I'm joking. I'm laughing with you. I'm sorry. No, I feel like because ‘Proud of You' was kind of me. I Was going to bring it back to what was different, what everyone found interesting about me with the whole grinding and bag. That's pretty much that's my thing. Not my thing, but I’m trying to be a blueprint other people can use.

Yeah, like starting your own lane or even probably starting a new wave of new things. You could be the first one to start something too.

Exactly. Pretty much, yeah. But I feel like the tape is where you probably will hear some new sounds. I don't want to steer too far away from the sound that I'm trying to create, but yeah, I got Afrobeats, I got Trap, I got Wave, I got trap or wave. There’s hella songs in my locker.

How would you describe your genre of music? Where would you categorise it?

Where would I put that? I don't know, I'm just going to have to make a new genre, or “Twyce and B” or something. I'm not D&B anymore, bro, so it's “Twice and B.” (Chuckles) Yeah, I could remember that. We can run with that!

“Twyce and B”, Nice! (Laughs)

The rising star has definitely mastered the mindset of a successful artist, not only treating his music as art but being intentional with it too. Keeping his private life locked away, creating a certain mystery about him, anticipates fans for more music from the rapper. Twyce and his team release his work accordingly and thoughtfully, allowing his songs and visuals to perfectly coincide. The promising rapper has a lot in store for us, and is surely one to watch when discussing Gen Z's fresh, authentic and talented artists.