Rob Kelly and Rebecca Creighton Exclusive Interview
Recently I had the pleasure of chatting to breakout Irish hip hop / rap artist Rob Kelly, and Rebecca Creighton, formerly of Belle Amie, about their debut single together, The Real Thing.
The video was filmed in Dublin and you can check it out here;
Rob, a hip hop / rap artist from Wexford…tell us a little about your inspiration and influences.
I have too many musical influences to mention. I love all the greats; Jay-Z, Biggie, Nas but I listen to everything new. At the moment I like a lot of Rick Ross & Slaughterhouse.
How did you break into the industry?
Some would say I haven’t done that yet but I suppose it was all just meant to happen. I used to just rhyme every week on a radio show and then I went on to making songs and it’s all just happened from there.
Your videos on YouTube, like Crazy and Dropkicked have gathered momentum and more and more people are experiencing your music. Do you see outlets like YouTube & Facebook as platforms for artists to get their music out there?
Yeah, I think you have to use the Internet these days more than ever. If you aren’t doing videos you are nowhere ‘cos kids don’t listen to music anywhere else anymore so it’s vital.
Rebecca you got your break into this industry on X-Factor; what was that experience like for you?
The experience was amazing, I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. I met so many inspiring people and I learned a lot from them.
You recently took a step back from Belle Amie to concentrate on your solo career…How have things been for you and is it much tougher as a solo artist?
Yeah I left Belle Amie about two months ago, I wasn’t happy anymore nothing was really happening for us. I gave Belle Amie two years and I felt I was progressing as an artist personally. It’s actually so much easier to work as a solo artist I’m 110% happier and I know where im headed. I’m never gonna stop til I get there.
What direction do you hope to go in with your music and what have you planned next?
I’ve been locked in the studio co-writing and doing a few collaborations. I know what sound I want I’m just working hard with my team to create it. I’ve a lot of important meetings coming up in the next few weeks so hopefully they go well….I’m on my way!!!
Speaking of collaborations guys, the single is fantastic and has a great vibe and pulse to it, in the same vein as Eminem ft Rihanna or B.o.B. ft Hayley Williams. How did the collaboration come about for you two?
(Rob) The planets were aligned because Rebecca met my DJ Mo-K’s friend on a flight back from London and when I heard we could get her on a song I knew which one it would be when Mathman had sent me the beat.
Are there plans to work on anything else together in the furure?
(Rebecca) Yeah we are doing the next single together because we left the video open for a sequel so we are doing one more single and video before going back to our solo projects.
The single is available Monday 21st May on iTunes and we wish the guys the best of luck. For any updates regarding singles and performances, be sure to follow the guys on twitter – @robhkelly @becka_creighton
(Video courtesy YouTube)
