Dagenham rapper Devlin has all the best tunes

28 July 2010

James Devlin

RAPPER James Devlin is taking the grime scene by storm and has been tipped as one to watch by the BBC Sound of 2010 List, alongside artists such as Ellie Goulding, The Drums and fellow rapper Giggs.

His single, Brainwashed, has had airplay on several radio stations, with forthcoming debut album - Bud, Sweat and Beers - due for release in January.

"It's all gone a bit crazy in the past few months," the 21-year-old from Dagenham says. "I'm all over the place at the moment with promoting."

The former Brittons School, Hornchurch, pupil started rapping at the tender age of 13 on pirate radio stations Rinse FM and Temptation.

His talents were picked up by OT Crew member Dogzilla and he featured on their 2006 mix-tape, The London Borough of Barking and Dogenham.

He later produced a solo release - Tales from the Crypt - and catapulted to fame after a regular slot on Flava FM.

James says: "I've been focusing on my music for the past six years and I owe a lot to the area. A lot of the inspiration I get for my songs is from my life in Dagenham, as well as what other artists are doing or even from hearing a new word or sentence that I like."

He has been compared to Mike Skinner, of The Streets, and cites Nas, Bruce Springsteen and Plan B as some of his influences.

Having released a single with Giggs, Shot Music, in April and touring with drum and bass duo Chase and Status, what's next?

"I'm pushing the single to the max within the next two weeks and then I'm on tour with Example in the autumn."

Brainwashed is out on August 8. Visit www.officialdevlin.com for information.