After signing a deal with Columbia Records before dropping new single ‘Lehenga’ – which hit almost 200k views online in its first week – local artist and producer Sliime is looking a safe bet for the next Sheff representative to make waves in the UK music industry. Last month, Exposed’s Iago Castro went to find out more about the rapper flying the flag for Bengali culture and the Steel City grime scene.
You were born and bred in Sheffield. How did you find growing up here? Did your surroundings have any early influences on your music?
Growing up in Sheffield is quite a big thing at the time, you know. There’s a lot you can do around here. As an influence? I guess just looking at all those famous musicians over the years, I’ve realised a lot of the music has been made and influenced by people from Sheffield. Seeing how all these people have influenced the music scene in their way, influences me to do it in my own way, you get me?
What about wider musical influences?
I listen to musicians coming from different genres: American rap, UK rap, bassline are big ones. When it comes to bassline, people like Jamie Duggan and DJ EJ are influential. When it comes to rap, I listen to Dave, Nines, Rick Ross, Meek Mill… a lot of big names.
“I aim to represent South Asia, particularly the energy, and that’s the main goal of my last video.”
How did your journey into music begin?
It all started freestyling at the back of the bus – you know, just messing around with the lads. Over time, asides from it being a hobby, I figured out I can actually do it well. And then, later on, when everybody started to like it, I thought, “You know what? I can probably give this a go”. And yeah, here we are…
The influence of your south-Asian background is clear to see; from the notes on your instrumentals, the content of your lyrics and the aesthetics in your latest video. How important is this background in your creative process?
Very important. I mean, it’s the core of the whole project, because I aim to represent South Asia, particularly the energy, and that’s the main goal of my last video.
If you mention Sheffield music to someone who’s not from the city, they probably think guitar bands and the likes of Arctic Monkeys. But there is a burgeoning grime scene here. Do you feel like it’s growing?
I do feel that within the next couple of years we’ll definitely have more opportunities than we had during the last decade. You’re right about the grime scene, and we need to make shout about them way louder because I know some really talented grime rappers from Sheffield who unfortunately just haven’t reached where I feel like they should be. We all need so much more attention in that way; it’ll be good if we all come together as a city and bring it out.
Last time I checked, TikTok users made over seven thousand videos in TikTok using your ‘Lehenga’ track. Did you see that coming at all? Was it part of the promo plan, or was it spontaneous?
I did anticipate some sort of traffic, you know, because I’m representing South Asia. But I didn’t expect over seven thousand! That was unexpected, and it’s a crazy number of creations. Seeing that level of support was amazing.
I know some really talented grime rappers from Sheffield who unfortunately just haven’t reached where I feel like they should be. We all need so much more attention in that way; it’ll be good if we all come together as a city and bring it out.
What else does 2023 have in store for you?
There’s plenty more, way more, to come. ‘Lehenga’ got released in the first month of the year; now I have another eleven in front of me to drop some serious bangers, so there will be plenty more stuff coming. We’ll make sure everyone is pleased. I’m gonna keep it secret right now, but just keep an eye on my socials – Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok – where you’ll see something coming up soon, and you might like it, so stay tuned!
Any last words you would like to add?
‘Lehenga’ is out now on all the streaming platforms and GRM Daily. Cop it now! Thank you for your time, bro.
