nineteen97

Photo by Jack Slade

Name, where are you from?
My name is devszallday aka nineteen97 and I’m a midlands boy - Coventry born, Birmingham raised.

Describe your style in three words?
Clean, calm and black.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Has to be Murkage Dave’s Birmingham show on his last tour. I wasn’t that familiar with the album around the time I randomly ended up at this show but by the end of it, I was sold. You know them ones where you play a song and just get flashbacks to a mad time? Yeah, insane one.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Sick question, I’d have to say Chief Keef and Kanye West. The combination of ignorance and artistic grace would go down amazing. That’s a category I’m trying to slide into.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
The two main subcultures that I’d say influenced me the most have to be Jamaican based sound culture (and everything that has stemmed from it like dancehall, grime etc). Just due to the rawness of the sound and the attention to detail when it comes to the significance of matching energy with elite tier lyricism which I don’t think is always emphasised in the wider scope of black music. The other would have to be alternative/indie pop. I’m a sucker for a good pop song every now and then but indie pop tends to showcase individuals with fresh ideas and sounds. Take an act like 070 Shake, her voice is so refreshing. It makes me wanna innovate and do better.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Hmmmmm, this answer might change next week aha but I’d have to say, Steve Jobs. I’d wanna understand why he was so keen to innovate and expand his product when he was at the top and so clear of anyone else. I need to know what his fuel was.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I’ve been to a few cool venues but I think nothing beats a festival in a great park. Being able to enjoy live music in the sun with no restrictions. That’s Brazy! Finsbury Park goes off if you wanna be specific.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
My greatest unsung hero is probably Earl Sweatshirt. This fluctuates depending on my mood but this is how I’m feeling today. I related to a lot of the stuff my man was saying. Especially as a teenager trying to figure myself out. I saw myself in him. Songs like 'Grief' saved my life to be honest - I knew I weren’t alone.

Multi-disciplinary artist and creative nineteen97 recently released his new track 'Unapologetic' featuring Footsie & kwes e. You can listen, purchase or stream it via https://ffm.to/unapologetic.oyd.