SPOTLIGHT: B of Briz - ASBO Magazine

New Single: ‘A Spark In Your Heart’ Is Out Now

Who is ‘B of Briz ’

B of Briz is me, I'm feminist rapper and producer from Bristol, Uk. I wear a mask (it’s a boundary, not a mystery!). I have a PhD in Philosophy, I’m passionate about social justice, and I really, really love Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Vimto ice lollies

For someone that is yet to discover you, how would you describe your music?

I'd describe it as bass-led alt hip-hop with organic beats and a philosophical sensibility. I've heard terms like wonk-hop and sincerity rap that seem to fit pretty well!

What inspires you as artist?

I love getting lost in the process of putting a track together, its iterative, repetitive nature, and I love the other kind of focus involved in writing lyrics, of thinking deeply enough and laterally enough to be poetic and playful and honest and real.

But what really drives me is feeling like I have something important to say, I can contribute. If I didn't feel that way, it would've stayed on my hard drive!

What Is Your Pre-Show Routine? Do you have any Diva demands ?

I don't perform live, but when I'm heading into the recording studio to record some vocals. I have to have a massive flask of fruit tea, and there's this place round the corner with amazing flapjacks- perfect fuel for keeping me on point in the booth!

Where do you feel you fit into the music landscape?

If I told you my vibe and might hover between The Streets and Kae Tempest. Or between Stacy NKR and Ren, I feel like you'd get the idea.

But more broadly, I'm a digital artist working online, a path that's only been a thing recently! I'm really glad the internet means I can make this art and share it quite directly with people who might wanna listen, it’s amazing!

What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?

Trying to narrow it down is hard! I love hip hop, dnb, dubstep, grime, trip hop, dub, folk, pop.... I wouldn't describe myself as disliking any genres- just ignorant about some of them!

Is there a story behind your new single ‘A spark in your heart’ ?

When I was a kid, I loved Method Man and Mary J Blige's love song 'All I need' and I loved the pragmatism and so I wanted to write my own love song the evoked that same pragmatism

Love is such a floaty concept a lot of the time in songs, I wanted to really nail down what it means to me to love someone.

What would you say is your greatest strength as an artist is?

My greatest strength is my weirdness, my ability to show up flawed, in all my humanity. It's to have lived an interesting life and to be able to bring that into my music.

What would you say is your greatest weakness as an artist is?

Too many to name!

What can fans expect from your new single ‘A spark in your heart’

Musically, they can expect harmonica to classic hip hop piano, they should expect something completely different that at once feels totally familiar. My trademark earnestness! Really lush bass.... A little hint of folk. A love song with feeling and substance!

What music artist/band would you say have influenced your work?

In hip hop- Dead Prez, Salt n Pepa, Missy Elliott, Aailyah, Monie Love, AIM, PM Dawn, Us3, The Streets, Kae Tempest, Self Esteem, Stacy NKR.

Who would you most like to collaborate with artistically?

I'd love to collaborate with Nat Oaks, Sophie Hunter, Aldous Harding. They’re probably my three faves right now, and I think we could make beautiful music together!

Oh, and Phillip Glass! I love his music.

What was your worst performance?

Early on, I did an interview for a local tv station. In the masks and the full B of Briz shebang. I had not expected how hot it would be and how difficult to talk properly in it! Not my best interview!

What was the most difficult obstacle you have ever faced and how did you overcome it?

My most difficult obstacle in music has been how vulnerable it makes me feel to share it. I guess self-expression carries with it the possibility of rejection, and that’s part of the challenge of making art public. I’m ‘braving’ the rejection to get this to the people it will mean something to!

Oh, and the business end of this business is a f*cking nightmare! (Trying to be organised and do my research and get advice, but it’s haaaaard!)

What is your creative process when making music?

I’m a very idea first kind of person, when it comes to conceptualising a song from a lyrical perspective, and very intuitive and meandering musically, I think it’s fair to say!

I keep notes in my phone of interesting ideas or kernels of lyrics, so that’s often where I start, then I read, then I write. In a notebook. I wrote my whole PhD in a notebook, I’m quite old and paper-oriented!

What are your top ten desert Island tracks ?