Four years ago, UK singer/rapper HEX embarked on his major-label music career after signing with Parlophone Records. Since then, he’s toured the country, released more than a dozen bangers and racked up over 13 million streams on Spotify.
First thing’s first, how did the name HEX come about?
I’ve always been interested in different things growing up but music was always my main interest whether it was playing guitar, listening to music to then making it. Every time I stopped [making music] I always came back to it, so to me it’s like a curse, in a good way [laughs] & that’s why I chose the name HEX, a curse but not a bad one… music is stuck with me for life.
Who is your biggest artistic influence?
I have so many influences when it comes to music. Some of my favourite artists growing up included Michael Jackson, Coldplay , 50 Cent , Gorillaz. All of these artists definitely made me interested in trying music myself, but my main inspirations for my own sound came from artists like Young Thug, Post Malone , Travis Scott , Lil Uzi Vert. Even songs I heard playing around the house growing up on compilation CDs helped me create a lot of different melodies.
You’ve been making music for quite some time now, but when did you realise it could be a full-time career?
To be honest, I never thought about it being my career. I just kept making music and it naturally became my full time career.
Were your parents and family supportive of your pursuit in music?
Yeah, they’re really supportive and always like to hear the new music I’m working on.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your work and music?
The COVID lockdowns have been hard for me with being in the music industry, because it stopped me being able to travel and do live shows. But I spent a lot of time working on a load of new music in my home studio which is a good thing I guess, so now I’m working on getting new singles released and being more creative online via social media and digital music platforms. Hopefully things will be back to normal in the near future!
Where do you make your music?
In usual circumstances when I’m able to travel around, I make music in different studios, usually around London. But I’ve been making my music in my home studio, which has been challenging to say the least. It’s hard to stay inspired but at least I’ve been able to get music ideas down when I need to.
Your single, “Lost Soul”, is great. How did that song come about and how long did it take you to make?
I’m glad you like “Lost Soul”! The funny thing is I wasn’t even thinking of releasing it as a single and it was basically a 15-second-long clip for months. It was just one of the songs I started but never finished. But then I made a list of around 30 of my unreleased tracks and sent them around to some friends and family, which included “Lost Soul”, to get people’s opinions and find out their favourites. Everyone I sent the songs to chose this one as one of their favourites, which I was actually surprised at when I was reading all the lists. It was then that I went back and listened to it and realised I actually really like it, so decided to finish it, then I knew I had to release it as my next single!
What was the first CD you ever purchased?
I actually can’t remember [laughs].
Do you have a favourite from your discography? Or is it something that hasn’t been released yet?
When it comes to having favourites, it’s a hard question because every time I make a song it’s usually my favourite at the time, then a month later it’s not [laughs], but my favourite song of mine at the minute is definitely an unreleased song I made a few weeks ago that will be out soon, it’s called “Without You”.
What was it like supporting D-Block Europe on tour?
Supporting D-Block was a totally new experience for me because I was performing to new crowds where many people weren’t even aware of who I was! It was a chance for me to show people what I’m about and introduce new people to my music. It was a crazy feeling gaining new fans from performing on the stage! I rate D-Block Europe’s music highly as well, so it was great getting to see them perform.
Can we expect an album or mixtape from you in the future?
There are more than enough songs ready for me to release two albums, I’m just trying to find the right time to drop one. I had a release plan before the pandemic happened, but now I’ve had to re-think. I only want the very best music to be on my first project, so when it’s re- leased it will be the best music I’ve made. Either way, I’m going to be dropping a lot more singles this year and I’ve started a new series on YouTube that I’ve called ‘Selective Memories’, so I’ll be dropping some new short songs on there in episode instalments..
Where would you like to see yourself in 10 years time?
Retired! Nah I’m joking, hopefully touring around the world and charting highly worldwide with every release!
With world domination on the horizon, more music incoming and hopefully a debut album on the way, the future is certainly looking bright for HEX.
Featured Image Credit: Meara Kallista Morse
Ben Wilkinson 