The Playground Meets: Idris Miles
“The journey is fun. I enjoy creating my music, it is never hard work. I wouldn't even classify it as work because when you start to classify it as work, it's a subjective matter of whether it's hard or easy. So obviously, I just create, I share my music, and I'm blessed to have a bunch of people that listen to it.”
Our very own Steph sat down with Idris Miles earlier this year to discuss his journey thus far. He currently holds the titles of BBC Introducing Hotlist Artist 2020 and BBC Introducing Essex Sound of 2021. At the top of the year, Idris dropped his self-titled album Miles and has since followed up the project with his most recent single “Maddie.”
Idris has the artistic capabilities and charismatic energy to become an international sensation. While his flow and lyricism comes off effortlessly, the East London rapper has been working hard since 12 years old. Luckily, he has always had the support system of his family and the fire under him to keep going. His fearlessness to try new processes and his comfort with the uncomfortable are key to his success. His flow and overall sound has been most inspired by the forced syllables and steeping flows of artists like Skepta and Wiley. When discussing his inspirations, Idris goes on further to tell the Playground, “When I grew up a little bit more, I started listening to a lot of old school hip hop, like The Pharcyde and Slum Village. Those were the sort of flavors that I was getting into and I'm trying to mix up both in it. I like the vicious, coming at you flow sort of thing, but I also like the very mellow, chill, laid back vibe on tracks. It’s what makes the alternative sound that I have at the moment.”
Although Drill music originated in Chicago, the UK holds its own distinctive Drill sound and community. The most recent mainstream artist heavily influenced by the UK sub-genre was Pop Smoke. The way Idris sees it, artists drawing from it are bringing more traction to the music and honoring the pioneering the UK has done. When asked the difference between Drill rap and Grind rap, he explains, “There's definitely a few differences, but as the time has gone on there's a lot of intertwining between them. You'll hear a lot of Grind music on Drill beats or Drill on Grind beats, but Grind to me is 140 BPM and came well before the Drill scene. It was like the best MC, it was really just bar for bars. And it was just literally on the bars and talking about culture. I'm not the spokesperson, but Drill to me is 140 to 160 BPM. There's always a Drill flow that you'll hear and it's more about how certified you are on the road when it talks to gang culture. Grind is like the music and the culture. Don't get me wrong, it can get a bit violent and a bit tasteful in that sort of way, but Drill is talking about being certified in the streets.” Although he doesn’t consider himself a Drill rapper, he plays on the contagious energy and passion that Drill rappers have.
Rather than create a roadblock, the chaos of the pandemic has made him more creative by giving him the space and time to work through his feelings. He describes his album Miles as a personal, completely vulnerable diary entry. While his music in the past was filled more with catchy club bangers, this release allows listeners to get to know him on a deeper level. While he may have been held back physically, nothing could stop his craft. “I’m not afraid to tell people who I am and what I'm trying to do this for. It's kind of like a vibe. Your vibe attracts your tribe kind of thing. People are just happy to hear my story and support it, so I’ve found my place, but don’t get it twisted, I’ve always worked hard for it.”
To close out the interview, Steph asked our classic question: What’s your favorite Playground attraction? “The swings, not to ride it though, but to try to throw it as hard as I can and wrap it up, so don’t judge me.”
You can watch the full IGTV interview here.