INTERVIEW: Jammin in the Studio
To celebrate the opening of the new Urban Development Studio we had Jammin and producer Rowntree, to record a few tracks with our engineer Wonder. They talk about bringing the vibe into the studio, why Jammer is funny to work with and who they’d like to work with…
So what do you think of Urban Development?
Jammin: It’s great man, I can see the vision. I like in here, fresh, smells nice, I’m feeling the vibe right now, and guess what’s in here? Air conditioning. I’m vibsing.
Rowntree: It’s been a big look since Industry Takeover; it’s a vibe down here.
What do you think of Urban Development providing a platform for up and coming artists to use the studio?
Jammin- Wicked. In-ting. You know what’s good as well, it’s somewhere for kids to go and channel their energy. It’s an environment where they’re learning and you’re the right people, the engineer Wonder, he knows what he’s doing.
Rowntree- State of the art equipment. You can channel your energy and get professional guidance as well. It’s the right combination.
What are three things you need when recording in the studio?
Jammin: Just a computer, the right Mic or maybe water and a vibe. If someone walks in with the deadest vibe, that’s it, I’m going home. It’s the energy of the people you go studio with. If someone’s on skengdaddy mode, that’s not a vibe.
Rowntree: Definitely the vibe, once you got that you’re nice to go. Sometimes you can be up until four in the morning and be tired but if someone brings a good vibe then you’re up and ready to go.
Do you have any funny studio stories?
Jammin: Jammer is the funniest person to be in the studio with. He’s the worst guy to be recording with when you have a s*** lyric, not like I’ve ever had a s*** lyric but I’ve seen someone under pressure, and he didn’t make it on the tune.
Rowntree: There was a well-known female singer, and I was admiring her lovely physique, the engineer must have left the talk button on, I’m saying all these things and I must have turned around and she’s looking at me like ‘okayyyy’. Awkward.
If you could work with anyone, dead or alive, in the studio who would it be?
Jammin: Bob Marley. I’d make the wickedest tune with Bob Marley. You can feel his vibe, even with it turned down low. Michael Jackson as well. I didn’t cry when he died, but there was water.
Rowntree: I’ll say it loud; there was an element of water. I’m gonna say Andre 3000, he’d probably do something mad on a dubstep/drum & bass beat.
Jammin: He’s the best, so underrated but he is the best though. I’m never gonna be in a studio with Bob Marley though, unless I go Kingston, Jamaica, make the impossible possible.
What have you got coming up for us?
Rowntree: I got CD out from last year called ‘Out Of Reach’ featuring Jammer, Jammin, Wretch 32, Scorcher, Ny, Big H and the whole grime scene. Grab that on iTunes – help pay my rent, get me.
Jammin: I've got a free EP coming out on Tuesday 14th June called "Wake Up Call" so make sure you download that!
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the newly built state-of-the art recording and rehearsal studios at Urban Development, in the heart of east London, are now open to all. For bookings call 020 8536 0630 or email becca@urbandevelopment.co.uk.
Members we haven't forgotten you either - you get 10% off any booking you make.
WORDS: Dorsa Nam
PHOTOS: Kids of Grime
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