Stephen Williams
Stephen Williams musical influences mainly come from his up bringing within his family mostly from the music that was played on vinyl by his father at my home on a frequent basis. His brother and sisters loved listening to genres of music like Rare’ Grooves, lovers Rock, Reggae and dance Hall. Most of the time someone some where in his home was always listening to music.
“I loved’ it… young free gifted… we all kind of got reared if you like, on genres of music such as classic rival Reggae, Calypso, Soul classics, & popular music. We were listening and partying to soul classics. The music in my life played a big part to influence me in the sort of music I have come to love and appreciate”
Also being a DJ with his friend Raymond who was named Slinky B. in a sound system early on in his youth, he was selecting music to be played from various great soul/reggae/artists/bands to be played on vinyl in his community halls and other places venues etc. This gave him the inspiration to want to also be a performer in the life of music as well as being a DJ.
As DJ’s they did not make a professional career of it, although it was a great time and good experience. Having a natural skill for playing the drum kit which was partly influenced by his uncle Evrod, uncle Chrisie, who both played the drum kit and accoustic guitar.
“I just knew a part of my life had to be involved in the music industry or either in a band or going solo”
“Being in a band, or working with a music production team is like family to me, we all comunicate through music sound waves and musical expression, it’s a beautiful thing”
From an early age in his life he felt that same union from musicians such as: Earth Wind and fire, for example. And some of the soul funk bands from the early days’ like soul legend group ‘Maze and Frankie Beverly etc’
This union with his family listening and playing music in the ‘sitting room’ started early as he can remember, ‘Jamming’ with his uncles and brother who used to play the bass guitar’ with Stephen on the drums.
“We were just creating whatever.. great fun… Sometimes we would swap instruments, but most of the time I was on drums, my sisters would sing some times as well, we were just being free… and having fun with maybe the possibility of actually becoming something or someone known in the music industry,’ well I was anyway’ we loved the Jackson family like most people do, and played tracks from their album quite a lot. My parents weren’t that surportive of any of us when it came to music projects or anything to do with arts really, they were more interested in getting what they said “an education…” Although my dad did have an accoustic guitar in the house; apparently he played/strummed a few chords now and again”.
My personal influencies stems from bands and artist like;
Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Alexander O Neil, Freddie Jackson, James Brown, The Whispers, Fat Back Band, Roy Ares, Al Green, Bobby Womack, George Howard, Grover Washington, Loose Ends, Soul to Soul, Aretha Franklin, Usher Raymond, Bobby Brown, Anthony Hamilton, Chic, Will Smith, Eddy Murthy, Curtis Mayfeild, George Benson, old school house music Ten City………
The list goes on, there are so many more to mention…
IMRAZ
IMRAZ know as Imran Noor originates from East Africa, Kenya, He was born in Mombasa and came to UK when he was 2 years old. Growing up he was back and forth to Africa over the years.
Since he was a youngster he knew he had a passion for music,
“The likes of Tupac & Biggie kind of kicked it off for me”
As he grew older he became aware of other artists such as Eminem & many more artists, the more he delved into music. As he started to become more consciously aware of words and meanings then started to realise how words and word play meant more then appeared. .
When he started rapping he was around the ages of 11. He had a best-friend back then, that actually believed in him and encouraged IMRAZ to pursue rapping as he believed whole hearted in IMRAZ that he had the potential to one day become a “famous rapper ” that’s how he would put it… When that day unforgettable day came he was told that his best friend had passed away. IMRAZ had realised the faith his best friend had in him. He didn’t have many close friends and felt like they family so he remembered a promise he made to him
“I would at least try to make it, so that’s what I’m doing… trying”
A few years after his best friends death he started to attend Cranford Community college and to put the long story short that’s where he really started to purse his passion for writing & rapping . His music teacher also saw great potential in him as well as his friends & family and guided him and a few others in the right director for music.
The goup he was part of before he signed to Spy-da Recordings was a group named CKz. In there was Segun aka SB , Surjeet aka Triple S, Shak , Mittz and IMRAZ. From then till now he has been surrounded by music.
“Music makes my life live, breath, think and shine… but music doesn’t need to make me believe to know I will make it in time”
So how did the collaboration of Spy-da & IMRAZ come to be?
Spy-da & IMRAZ had actually crossed paths over a period of 4 years. It was only until IMRAZ approached Elusive and told him that he was into music and gave Elusive a demo of some of the music he was making. As soon as Spy-da heard the demo he knew it was going to an amazing collaboration.
That very same day Spy-da & IMRAZ met and straight away got into the studio. They were in the studio for the next 8 – 10 hours, & we can tell you there was some serious fire going down in the studio.
IMRAZ signed to Spy-da on the 2nd December 2015. The rest is now history and they now bring the future.
Spy-da
Bio Coming Soon