The UK music scene is constantly thriving and South London resident Kadeem Tyrell is one of the artists who has been flying the RnB flag for some time now. He’s a singer-songwriter with a velvet voice, who has been making music for just over six years and has collaborated with a variety of homegrown talent from Shae Universe to Baker Aaron.
Kadeem’s latest track Let Me Know is an ode to 90’s RnB. Combining the vocals of Kadeem, Shae Universe and Geovarn, all three-artists sound completely seamless on this track from Kadeem’s latest EP, As Time Goes By. Let Me Know also has additional writing credits from Southeast London's very own rapper, ENNY.
Just six months into the year Kadeem has already dropped 3 singles, featured on a track with his brother and artist P-rallel, released an EP, had his first headline show in August and has racked up 4 million streams during his time as an artist. A very busy guy to say the least. Here's what happened when we sat down with the man himself.
Did you always want to become a musician?
I originally wanted to become an architect, but once I found out you had to study for seven years, I realised it wasn’t for me. When I eventually chose a university course I picked photography, but later I realised I wanted to pursue a career in music due to the fact I had a pretty good singing voice - I just had to figure out my style and tone.
"2018 was a pivotal year for me because that’s when I really started to take music seriously."
I worked closely with producers and started figuring out and establishing my brand. In the same year I released a track called Let Me Know and that’s when I began to get wider recognition.
Who are your musical influences?
Apart from my most obvious choices like Aaliyah, Brandy and A Tribe Called Quest, I am heavily influenced by my musical peers. For example Lucky Daye, the incredible producer Inflo, who has worked with Little Simz, Cleo Sol and Adele. I first heard Inflo’s production on a Michael Kiwanuka track and then on a variety of Cleo Sol’s music. After that I was pretty much sold on his distinctive sound. But my musical influences go beyond UK and RnB sounds, my dad has a very good taste in music and he put me on to quite a few artists when I was younger like Jazz Pianist Patrice Rushen, Singer-Songwriter Chante Moore and one of my favourite artists to date being Joe - anything he sings to me is just out of this world.
Are there any UK artists that you really admire?
I could name so many, but off the top of my head I would say Tiana Major 9, Ragz Originale, Bellah, Jaz Karis, BenjiFlow, Jvck James and my brother of course P-rallel!
If you could collaborate with anyone right now, who would it be?
Anyone from my scene and of course any of the artists I’ve just mentioned. I’m lucky enough to call some of them my friends, I’m just waiting for the right moment because I believe nothing happens before it’s time. Saying that, if I did get the chance to collaborate with anyone it would be producers Kaytranada and Inflo. I would love to just see them both at work. I’d also like to work with Ari Lennox, I think she’s amazing. And I’d love to be in the room when Cleo Sol and Inflo are in the studio - the music they make is crazy!
How do you balance being a Postman and a Musician?
It’s about planning. Whenever I’m not at work, I try to schedule time for the studio, things work best when I organise my time. I was so grateful for the lockdown because I had a lot of time to focus on my music and create the latest project. I'm currently so thankful for my PR and management team because they’ve supported me heavily with setting up my upcoming tour and listening party.
What’s the story behind your track I Want You?
This track is actually based on my Brother’s love story he proposed to his fiancé and I thought the whole thing was beautiful so I decided to write a song about it. After he told me the proposal story, so many words and ideas instantly came to my mind about the love the two of them were experiencing and that’s pretty much how the song came around.
When it comes to my other tracks, I’m also inspired by my day-to-day experiences with family, friends, lovers and even colleagues. Overall, I would say my music is open to interpretation.
It’s refreshing to see more men speak about their feelings and emotions, is this something you think is important to embed into your music?
It’s extremely natural for me to express my emotions in my music, sometimes It can be challenging to transfer the words into lyrics, however it is something I enjoy doing once I break everything down into Chorus, Verse and so on.
When you are recording a track what is the process?
I won’t lie to you my studio is at home in my utility room, it’s where I feel most comfortable and at ease. When I’m in a studio that’s not in my home I do feel overwhelmed at times. That's why I like to record here, no pressure, lots of peace and I can even have little food breaks in between. I am trying to get more comfortable in the studio though, I recently went to Brighton to record a track which will be on my EP.
How would you describe your sound?
The sound that I’m about to release will have no musical boundaries. Before I was scared to hit certain notes, or explore my voice in a certain way, but now there are no limits when it comes to my music. My music will still have that 90s influence that most of my track’s already have in it. In years to come I want my music to be seen as timeless.
What is your go to track?
When I’m in Your Arms – Cleo Sol. I love her growth as an artist and her strong discography. Her music makes me feel like home and I could honestly listen to her all day.
What can listeners expect from your EP?
With all the ups and downs we've had in the world over the last few years I feel like I couldn’t make this exactly how I wanted to make it, that’s why it’s an EP and not an album. I want to go so much harder for my debut. I keep calling this a ‘Gangsta Grillz’ EP with 11 tracks for fans to indulge in, but really, it’s a reflection of the time that has gone by. Ironically, that is also the album title. Also, I wanted to feed my fans something until my album is ready. It’s been three years since my last project so it’s most definitely overdue. Expect some surprises and some 90’s-influenced duets.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Even though I’m about to drop an EP now, I already have my next project in the works because that one is a true reflection of who I am currently - it will be a project of growth. I’m improving as an artist every day; from my writing, to my singing, and I feel like that will really be reflected through my music. My headline show is on the 17th of August. I also want to do another show towards the end of the year. I have a listening party and I have my project which is dropping very soon.
Kadeem Tyrell is a genuine artist with a passion for his craft. I cannot wait to see what the rest of this year brings for him. Check out the latest tracks by Kadeem Tyrell, including I Want You and Let Me Know featuring Shae Universe and Geovarn.