Artist Spotlight: RA (Real Artillery)

Real Artillery, a prevailing figure from the primitive days of grime, has transcended in RA; one of the most accomplished and compelling players in the hotly contested real rap game.

RA entered into the scene in the early days of grime, thanks to a series of potent freestyles and his position within the rap collective Roadside G’s. After a decade hiatus, the raw and tenacious veteran is back, with no plans of stopping until he reclaims his rightful crown. Following his reemergence in 2018 on Krept and Konan’s ‘7 Days’, RA has supported the likes of Sneakbo and AM & Skengdo, as well as making an appearance in Rapman’s viral narrative hit feature ‘Shiro’s Story’. Over ten years in the making, the Brixton rapper has finally unveiled a fresh body of work.

This new tape Parabellum is a showcase of RA’s musical acumen and boundless authenticity. Well seasoned in UK rap’s sub-genres of past and present, RA peppers his listeners with hard-hitting cuts that ooze realism and grit, upholding his slick flow and visceral, detailed narratives. 

Fresh from his GRM DAILY 2021 Wrap Up, I sat down with RA to discuss the new tape, the current climate of the UK rap scene, and his endearing authenticity. 

 Who is influencing you at the moment?

I actually influence myself, fortunately I'm one of the founders of UK grime so it comes naturally.

From your perspective, how does the modern UK rap scene differ in comparison to back when you first came onto the scene?

Now there is actual money in the scene. Back then it was peanuts. Everybody is doing music now so it’s a big difference to when I first came onto the scene.

What’s your opinion of the UK rap / drill scene at the moment?

My opinion is that we're pushing hard and starting to become global now so it's a good look.

After a lengthy hiatus, how does it feel to be back releasing music and back on the lips of rap fans? 

Feels good man, to know after so long I still got people that respect my music n actual pay for it too.

I’ve been delving into your early freestyles and work with Roadside G’s. It’s clear you have a raw and natural talent, when did you start rapping?

Started spitting jungle from 12 ish, then moved with the flow from garage to grime to rap.

How have you worked on augmenting your delivery, flow and writing since your emergence?

It’s just natural to me. It comes effortless so I have no issues.

How important is maintaining authenticity in your music for you?

I'm one of the folders for UK real raw music, so my music has always been authentic and will remain this way.

Talk me through the main themes and concepts from the project?

The main themes are just hype, lively, shellings, and fire lyrics n touching on how I used to be and all that greazy stuff lol.

There is such a concise and coherent mixture of classic and modern UK sounds on the tape. How did you intertwine the sub-sounds and why did you choose to do so? 

I had to bring it back to the essence of where it all started. I'm RA so I can do anything and it will sound cool so I just made the tape with no rules.

I really like the beat selection across the tape. What producers did you work with and what was the creative process?

My main producer guy is Arkz Beats, he's cold and always has a mixture of bangers for me. Also a producer called Pulla who produced rewind-07 to give you that old school feel, and we also worked with a producer called Django and Benz music.

I’m a big fan of the collaborations on the new project, how did you decide who to feature?

Well Krept and Konan are my guys so that was normal, they shell it as usual.  Harris J is my guy too and he's got a unique sound which has never been done on a drill beat before so that was a cold selection of features.

Who would you love to collaborate with in the future?

I would collaborate with anyone that's got that lyrical content or knows how to make a beat rock so I'm not to picky, but my heart is in Dancehall so I’d have to say 6ix or Skeng.

If you were introducing your music to a new listener, what track would you play them?

‘Rewind-07’ because it gives up to date lyrics and old school lyrics too on a old school beat so it's a double edge sword.

What’s to come from you?

Got a whole load of things on route. I’m working on an album as we speak and more acting in movies etc. Keep a eye out!