Jkarri

Name, where are you from?
Jkarri, South London.

Describe your style in three words?
Comfy, London, Free.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Roy Ayers and Lonnie Liston Smith Kentish Town O2, this was the first proper gig I ever went to, these two artists are some of my biggest inspirations musically and in life. They taught that you can express strong messages through sound without the need for words. They taught me the power of conveying emotion through sound. To me, their work is a picture of the black experience presented through chords and rhythm.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Mos Def/Yasiin Bey was the first rapper I truly felt in my spirit, it's like he’s an instrument, the cadence in which he raps and sings speaks to me. Plus his lyrics are pure poetry and have been so inspiring to me in my life from the start. The other would be Sade because I grew up on her music and I’d love to produce for her one day, her voice is otherworldly and the energy of her music brings me so much emotion and nostalgia.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I think pirate radio culture has influenced me a lot. When I was younger my older brother was involved in that world and I just think the idea of putting your art out into the world at any cost as a means of expression is amazing, it’s similar to graffiti culture in that way. Influenced me to be free and do my thing on my terms.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Gil Scott Heron. I grew up on his music as he's my mother's hero. His music and poetry are embedded in my soul and he really stood for a message. He expressed his raw messages and feelings in ways so new yet so familiar, that’s definitely something I want to do with my art so I reckon I could learn a lot from him.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Jazz Cafe, my dad is from Camden so I remember as a kid I would always see it from the outside thinking how much I'd love to play there, so when I did it was a big milestone for me.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
King Tubby - I think what he did in terms of creating new soundscapes that no one had heard before was so monumental for music. I’ve been obsessed with his work from a young age, he definitely doesn’t get the worldwide acclaim nowadays that he deserves as a pioneer for popular music and sound.

Jkarri is an artist and producer who has worked with the likes of Bel Cobain, RADA, Safiyyah, Finn Foxell and Nia Archives. Listen to a selection of Jkarri produced tracks below.

Jkarri and IZCO will team up to release a joint vinyl called 'Erodes & Explodes' on their Brighter Days imprint, under the name IZKARRI. For more information visit brighterdaysmusic.bandcamp.com.