Music can break down many barriers and unite creatives who share a passion for making something special, it can be a beautifully rich and diverse industry to work in.
However, from the outside looking in, it may feel like it can also be a difficult industry to break into. Bitesize has teamed up with 成人快手 Music Introducing LIVE to find out how some big names from the world of music took their first steps to stardom.
Our first 成人快手 Music Introducing LIVE Backstage session looks at the key talking-points around diversity and making it within the music industry. Our host, Jaguar caught up with musician, Joy Crooks, DJ, Harpz Kaur, rapper, Ransom FA and DJ, Angelle Joseph to chat about their experiences breaking into the music industry, how they have overcome any setbacks in their career and what advice they have for a young person wanting to take their first steps on a journey to musical greatness.
Jaguar
Hey everyone, it's Jaguar here. I'm a DJ and broadcaster at 成人快手 Music Introducing. I host 成人快手 Introducing Dance every Sunday on Radio 1 as well as 成人快手 Introducing Beds, Herts and Bucks. It's great to be here today and thank you for joining us for the 成人快手 Music Introducing LIVE backstage area with 成人快手 Bitesize Careers. I'm so excited for this collaboration, we're going to learn all about getting into the creative and music industries. Great to be here with you guys. I'm just going to introduce our guests quickly, we've got Ransom FA; we've got Joy Crookes; we've got Angelle Joseph and Harpz Kaur as well. Hey, guys, you're all good? Great! Thank you! Good, good to have you here. So I'd just love to know a bit more about each of you and what you do for our audience and so if you can just I guess give a bit of an insight as to who you are and what you do and Angelle, we'll start with you.
Angelle
OK. So, I am a music artist and a broadcaster as well. I present 成人快手 Music Introducing in Suffolk and I'm interested in community work, youth work and radio. I love music and I love rap music as well. And I like finding artists from across the country and pushing them to use the uploader and letting them have their first step into radio.
Jaguar
Perfect, thanks, Joy.
Joy
Hello I'm Joy. I am a musician and a sister, daughter, cousin and I'm from south London and I love food.
Jaguar
Who doesn't. Great shout. Harpz, what about you?
Harpz
Hmm I'm a 成人快手 Radio Breakfast presenter on the Asian Network. So I have to be fully charged every single morning to wake the world up. Hmm on the side, I'm a DJ by night time and I'm also a C成人快手 Kids' TV presenter on a Saturday morning. So, I'm kinda everywhere at the moment. Sleep deprived as well as you can tell, ah.
Jaguar
Oh, God, aren't we all to be fair? And Ransom FA, tell us about you.
Ransom FA
Ransom FA, king of the north, rapper pretty much, TV presenter just all around grandeur.
Jaguar
Sick. Thanks, guys. All right. Let's dig a little bit deeper now. So this is a question for all of you. Who or what inspired you to do what you do? Again we'll start with Angelle.
Angelle
I'd say life just inspired me. I've always been passionate about people and music and I guess that becomes a job in radio. And I think challenges as well. People telling me that I can't do X, Y and Z or that I should do something else. It鈥檚 just driven me to do more into the lane that I was born to be on. So, yeah a mix of that.
Jaguar
Joy?
Joy
Boredom. Boredom really helped. Boredom and not, not being down to write a diary helped me write songs because I find diaries, really, really annoying and I'm just whenever I read a diary entry I'm like argh鈥 but when I was writing songs instead to talk about my little problems it felt better and there was too much going on outside that I stayed inside and learn how to play the guitar and use songs as diary entries. And now, I'm a musician.
Jaguar
Nice, thank you. Harpz what about you?
Harpz
Hmm a little bit similar to Angelle actually. I kind of like proving people wrong so I think all my life I've heard because you're Asian, you're female, you're not going to get there. It's going to be harder, made me want to do it more. And because I never really saw a lot of that on TV or radio, I worked even harder at it to get where I am. And I feel like now I can proudly say I'm glad that even though it took me ten years to get to where I am right now. It was so worth it.
Jaguar
Great and Ransom?
Ransom FA
Um. I think just my family. They're really into music, that pushed me to go into music and similarly to everyone else, the fact that it's never been done where I was from and the fact that it almost seemed impossible, kind of just made me feel that I have to do it then. So it's just the love and the passion.
Jaguar
Great, thanks guys. We've got a few questions for each of you individually. Harpz, How did you get your first big break in the industry?
Harpz
My big break was definitely the time I got a message from someone, person who didn't know I remember it was on Facebook and I think you should put your work forward for the Asian Media Awards. I had no idea what that was so did a little search and I wasn't at the 成人快手 then I was just working on a local radio, working hard, being, doing gigs, DJing and when I searched it, I realised it was actually a big deal like there were a lot of big, big people that were part of these categories like well known radio and TV presenters and I was sat there thinking I'm a no one, so why would I do this and he responded with, "we've got a new category which is the Outstanding Young Journalist of the Year Award. So we've seen some of your work about on social media, you should put yourself forward. Didn't want to do it. It took a lot for my friends to encourage me. It was like fifteen minutes to the deadline and put myself forward and thought, fine we'll see what happens. I did become a finalist, got down to the last four, went to the ceremony, didn't win, but that night is a night I won't forget, because that night was where I met some very important people. And if I did not meet certain people, I don't think I would be in this job right now.
Jaguar
Yeah, that's so true like being out and about and networking is so crucial, isn't it?
Harpz
That's 100%.
Jaguar
Angelle I'm going to come to you. So you are multi faceted girl, you do so many different things. Hmm what does a typical day look like for you?
Angelle
Oh, my gosh. No day's the same. Even on my days off, I'm working or doing something. But, um. I dunno. I work for a charity media company who do work with young people, working in prisons, doing music and radio, so that鈥 that's usually my day to day. In the evenings, on the weekends, I'm on radio presenting the 成人快手 Introducing show and a community show as well. And sometimes I do youth work in the evenings as well. Sometimes when I have time to write I'm at studio or performing. I love performing. It's probably one of my favourite things. So, yes. It's a mix of all of those and tiredness and food in between and some naps as well.
Jaguar
I feel that tiredness and food like a theme of this talk. Good. Oh, Joy. So obviously you're a performer, songwriter and artist, a creative person. And you've done a lot of things as well. What has been one of the most memorable things that you've done in your career so far?
Joy
My brain went to, erm. I once dropped my electric guitar on my feet at my first like first show.
Jaguar
That is memorable, what happened?
Joy
Not the best thing to say, but you know, maybe like I think maybe the Bitesize thing about that story was that I picked it back up and I got on with my show, but it was painful and my History teacher was there and I rate her so much. And I was so nervous. Most memorable thing other than that which is actually a Bitesize quantifiable memory. Um, probably, I've got a picture of it up there, and when I did, when I did my last headline show literally this summer last year in a place called Earth Hackney and I think that when you do a headline show and the capacity gets bigger, this is the biggest capacity show I'd ever done. And as I was saying to these guys, it was an auditorium, so unlike a normal kind of if you're on a stage and you're looking out. You don't really get to see kind of after halfway. You don't really see anyone but I could see everybody and I was really proud of how diverse my audience was. And how together it felt. Such a great little memory.
Jaguar
Thanks, thanks and Ransom in your career, have you had any setbacks that you've been able to overcome and as a result progress?
Ransom FA
Yeah, I mean, I think anyone in our industry has come through a numerous amount of setbacks. Things that you would have felt that would have almost stopped you, as in like there's certain projects maybe in my earlier years that I put a lot of time and effort into it. And I really felt that this was going to be the thing that took me to the next level, but I guess it wasn't the timing and so things like that have been setbacks. When we were from鈥 when I was in Aberdeen. This is a major one, actually. I remember, I recorded a whole project with my producer because there weren't many people, we'd worked really hard to get this project together. We got all our equipment. We made sure everything was moving forward and literally towards the end of when we'd finished the product and more finishing this project should I see鈥 say, his computer just broke down. We lost everything. We lost everything. And at that time, it almost felt like the world just doesn't want us to continue with this anymore, the world just wants us to just give up, but we kind of realised that if we keep going, we'll be able to pick up the pieces and then, from there, we here now. So yeah, we kept going.
Jaguar
Wow. Yeah. It's so good to hear from all of you and, like, sort of from the early stage of your careers and how you've progressed into doing what you do now, day to day. it's very inspiring and just mad because one day you're at school like learning and try and figure out and the next, you're literally doing it. And talking about school days, like, there's more than one million students who use Bitesize to help them with their GCSES and equivalent every single week, which is mad. And if we go back there and go back in time now. We'll start with you Angelle, what kind of kid were you like at school?
Angelle
Class clown, cheeky, silly, not serious but was a real academic at the same time. I did like learning. I just鈥 My style of learning wasn't taken in by the teachers. So, it became a challenge because I want to do everything at home because I can't sit in the classroom, couldn't sit still and everything was bounce. So it is a bit of a mixture. I did like sport and I really liked music, so they were the two things that I would come in for and really focus my day on. So, yeah.
Jaguar
Yeah, absolutely. And Joy we'll come to you. What kind of kid were you like at school?
Joy
I'm the only person in my family that's had the privilege and opportunity to be able to go to a private school and my dad saved when he found out I was an idea in鈥 Not even in my mum's belly and he just didn't want me to have the same experience that either of them had. My mum went to boarding school in Bangladesh and my dad was in a working-class Catholic school in Ireland. So, I knew I had these five years, just to do my GCSES at this private school and I was going to go back to college in south London. I was a chatterbox. I knew how to distract everybody, but I had this really, really, really strong pressure to do well because I understood from day dot that this wasn't something that came by easily. This wasn't something that had just been鈥 Oh, yeah, we're going to send you to a private school. This has been something that for my whole life, my dad had planned because of his lack of experience, experience like a bad experience that he had at school.
Jaguar
Um, Harpz what about you when you were at school, what were you like?
Harpz
Um. When I think about school, I feel like I lived two completely different lives because it feels that long ago. I was definitely not the smartest. Definitely not the most intelligent in the room. I failed my maths three times. Still, if you told me to sit that exam I would probably fail that again. But what I realised was that in practical, anything that was practical, I was up here, but anything theory wise and I had to really focus on a book or really had to read, like really read something for a long period of time, I'd be bottom of the class. That really used to get to me in school because I always used to think, Why do I not get it? Why does everybody else keep like doing so well and I keep falling behind. But when it came to doing the talking stuff and the practical stuff, I was so far ahead, but only when I got to like college and uni days. As I got to like the age fifteen, sixteen, did I realise there's a reason why I鈥檓 better at this and not that. My point is, you can't be good at everything. There will be a lot of people that you know you'll be surrounded by your classrooms where you鈥檙e thinking these guys keep getting As and I'm still sat here with the Cs and Ds. It doesn't mean you can't become someone or something. It doesn't mean you can't take that with you somewhere.
Jaguar
Ransom, what kind of guy were you back at school? I鈥檓 interested to find out.
Ransom FA
I think I was bored because I got to a point at school when I realised what I wanted to do. I kind of knew that I wanted to do music. I was always kind of producing. But having an African heritage, it's hard to tell your parents. I know from early secondary school that I wanted to be, you know, do music but for them, you need to have a degree at least because in this generation if you want to travel, you want to do things. So, it's just kind of like it was balancing the two. So, like, I tried to pay as much attention as I can. And I feel like when I did pay attention I was actually a good student, but more times, I was always just focusing on music or me and my mates and working on different tracks to the point where I kind of failed all my exams the first time. Cool I need to at least to sit them, so that I could go to uni. To be fair the only reason I wanted to go to Uni because it's free in Scotland and so I could get a student loan, so I could buy a studio. So, I was like ok the two go together. If I pass these tests I can progress with my music. So, yeah, for me, I was a bit bored because I feel like school doesn鈥檛, school trains you to be a worker, but doesn't train you to be a leader and whatever you want to be. You get what I mean? You get these grades to go to Uni to be a worker, but a lot of the time and the industries and different companies that have been started. They鈥檝e been started by people who didn't necessarily follow the same routes. so like everyone else said, your grades never鈥 they don鈥檛 epitomise you, they don鈥檛 really say this is what you're going to do, because you've got all As it doesn't mean you're going to be super rich and because you failed everything, doesn't mean you're going to be a failure. In fact, it could spur you on to do more stuff than the person who got all As. So, yeah. That's how I see it.
Jaguar
Yeah, Really good point. And on the subject of GCSEs when you guys were doing it were there any in particular that you did really enjoy that have helped you in your career where you are now and Joy, we'll come to you.
Joy
History, hundred percent. Love History. Best, best teacher, lesson I've ever had. This one time she threw the textbook out, she was like you don't need to learn this right now. I'll get you through your exams. You need to learn real history. Taught us about the colonisation of India, taught us about the slave trade, taught us about the civil rights movement. This is鈥 I was patent at history and I think that, especially the type of person I am, I'm um I'm very, I'm very into the history of my culture, the history of my heritage. It makes me feel like a richer person having that knowledge.
Jaguar
Nice, and Angelle what about you? GCSES that helped you?
Angelle
As I mentioned earlier maths was the big one. I was just really determined to do well in that one because I found difficult in the early years of school. English literature was massive. I used to love reading when I was in school, so that helped. And that kind of helped me with my music as well when I was writing, when I was younger. It helped me patting up the words and you know, just expand my vocabulary and things like that as well, which I guess links to working in radio now and talking to people and having interview skills and all those different things as well.
Jaguar
Yeah. Love that. Ransom, what about you?
Ransom FA
Well I didn鈥檛 sit any GCSES, because you don't do that in Scotland.
Jaguar
Of course, yeah.
Ransom FA
To be honest, if I really look, maths is probably the only subject that I really have continued to use. Nothing, really, to do with music at all. I don't think any of the school subjects, particularly helped me with that. You could say English because you learnt different things, but with maths because I run a lot of different businesses and I'm into like trading and investing, It's very important to know things like compound interest and all that kind of stuff. And that's the basis of what you learn in higher maths. That's what we do in Scotland and Standard Grade Maths so yeah. Maths to a degree but life is the best subject. Leave your Life.
Jaguar
Harpz. GCSES or equivalent that have helped you in your career now.
Harpz
I think English definitely to a certain extent. It was the only subject I was top set in but also also because the communication skills. I had to carry myself in certain situations. You learn obviously a lot in English. Art as well um it was one of my favourite subjects and I think that's where I really learnt how to express myself through expressions. Maths, I have to say just to make a point, I wish I did concentrate a lot more. I wish I did pay more attention because it took me three attempts to get my GCSE in Maths.
Jaguar
Ok now we're going to find out what our Bitesize audience wants to ask you guys. We asked them on Instagram and they they sent us some questions. So I've got one for each of you and Angelle, this is for you and what is your advice to upcoming artists and musicians trying to break through.
Angelle
Oh I'm going to say if you're making music and you want to get it played on radio, you need to put it on the uploader. It's the first number one space for you to get your music listened to by people that are on the ground, listening to music and it's a good way to move up to the networks, national radio to more opportunities. So, for me, obviously, that's what鈥 That's what I'd do. That's what I'm part of and I'm so proud to see loads of new artists come through that way. So you get, get it sent to 成人快手 Introducing for sure.
Jaguar
Harpz, what is your biggest motivation?
Harpz
My biggest motivation is鈥 that's a hard one, actually, because a lot of things are to be honest. But I think it's, it's the strive to do better each day. It's not a particular thing or a particular someone, it's just鈥 If I've had a good day, tomorrow I want to be better. So, my, my day to day "routine" is something that motivates me because whatever I've done today, I want to make better tomorrow. Whatever I do tomorrow I want to be even better the next days. That motivates me constantly. It's the best kind of motivation for me to be honest and it keeps me going.
Jaguar
Thank you guys. And thanks everyone for sending in your questions. We've got one final question now for our guests and this is what advice would you give to your teenage self? So if you could go back in time and just give a little nugget of wisdom to yourself, what would it be? And who wants to go first?
Ransom FA
I will. I've got鈥
Angelle
Well, you go.
Ransom FA
I jumped it. Cool. It's just a quote and it's a quote that I love yeah but it's just, this quote goes: "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." Just as simple as that.
Jaguar
Great. Angelle?
Angelle
Oh, I should have gone first now. Ah ah ah
Harpz
He set the bar now.
Ransom FA
Oh sorry!
Angelle
I'd say, Stick, Stick with it and keep doing what you do and keep having fun with what you do because you never know what you do for fun right now might become a job in the future.
Jaguar
Love that and Harpz, what advice would you give to your teenage self?
Harpz
Don't beat yourself up because I did a lot of it. There was鈥 there was too many dark days for me where I used to want to give up and I'd think to myself, you know what, forget it, What's the point? Why am I trying. And you will feel like that, there will be times like that. You'll have an inbox filled with rejections. You'll have job people telling you no. But what I've learnt in life is even though every door might be close on you I've always managed to find a little window somewhere. You can find it if you really look hard for it. There's always a way out.
Jaguar
Brilliant advice there. Thank you guys so much. So much to take away from the session. Of course, just study as hard as you can, the creative and music industry is super competitive but if you believe in yourself and you work hard then you can get to the amazing levels that these guys have reached. Thank you and that brings us to the end of our session. Hope you found it interesting and panellists I want to say you're wonderful. Thank you very much. And just remember, 成人快手 Bitesize is here to help you. If you've got any questions about school, the future, jobs, careers, exams, mental health and wellbeing. There's so much you can find us at 成人快手 Bitesize or used the #成人快手Bitesize on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Guys, thank you so much. And everyone watching. We'll see you soon. Bye.
Angelle Joseph
Angelle is a music artist and broadcaster for 成人快手 Introducing Suffolk. She also works with youth and community groups in her local area. Angelle is very passionate about new music, championing fresh talent and providing opportunities to others.
Stick with it, keep doing what you do, and keep having fun with what you do. Because you never know, what you do for fun right now might become a job in the future. 鈥 Angelle Joseph
Joy Crookes
Joy Crookes is a neo soul singer-songwriter. Brought up by Bangladeshi-Irish parents in south London, Joy incorporates her identity, culture and roots into her music. Joy was nominated for a Rising Star Award at the 2020 Brit Awards.
I was really proud of how diverse my audience was and how together it felt. 鈥 Joy Crookes
Harpz Kaur
Harpz is a breakfast presenter on 成人快手 Asian Network. She is also a DJ and C成人快手 presenter on Saturday Mashup. Harpz was voted Radio Presenter of the Year at the 2019 Asian Media Awards.
You can鈥檛 be good at everything鈥 it doesn鈥檛 mean you can鈥檛 become someone or something. 鈥 Harpz Kaur
Ransom FA
Grime artist Ransom FA grew up in Aberdeen and recently appeared on 成人快手 Three's The Rap Game UK, performing in front of 18,000 people in Birmingham. Now based in London, Ransom has never forgotten his Scottish and Nigerian roots and has a desire to develop a rap scene in Scotland, helping young aspiring grime artists from his Aberdeen studio.
Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't鈥 you're right. 鈥 Ransom FA quoting Henry Ford
成人快手 Music Introducing LIVE ran from Saturday 24th October 鈥 Saturday 31st October 2020 and Bitesize brought you five backstage discussions with special guests.
One of the UK鈥檚 biggest, fastest-growing and most exciting music industry events, 成人快手 Music Introducing LIVE supports and inspires the next generation of industry leaders, artists and creatives. The 2020 event took place digitally for the first time, with a week-long programme bringing audiences an array of live performances, masterclasses, talks and interactive sessions featuring high profile 成人快手 Music Introducing alumni, industry experts and special guests.
To find out more details and watch all the panel talks, check out the 成人快手 Music Introducing LIVE page.
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