Blue Lab beats - 10 Questions
One of the fastest-rising production duos in the world right now, Blue Lab Beats consists of producer NK-OK and multi-instrumentalist Mr DM. Starting out as bedroom producers, remixing tracks from A-listers such as Dua Lipa and Rag’N’Bone Man, the pair quickly grew into something far more potent - crafting a supple, wide-ranging sound inspired by the pioneers of hip-hop and the music of the African diaspora while staying true to their London roots.
With over 25 million streams and having played Glastonbury as well as supporting the likes of Roy Ayers and Thundercat, Blue Lab Beats releases such as 2017 EP ‘Freedom’, with its stand out track ‘Sam Cooke & Marvin Gaye’, or 2018’s ‘XOver’, a debut album brimming with hits including the six-million-times-streamed ‘Pineapple’, have proved how popular their sound has quickly become. Releases such as the 2019 EP ‘Vibe Central’, which has features from vocalist Jodie Abacus and Grammy-nominated trumpeter Theo Croker alongside statement track ‘Hi There’, a soulful instrumental sermon that also appears on Blue Lab’s 2020 album, ‘Voyage’, brought them further success. That project finds guests including rapper Sampa the Great, hornsman Kaidi Akinnibi and a talkbox-wielding DT soul bouncing off the remarkable creative chemistry that exists between NK-OK and Mr DM.
Blue Labs Beats sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
My mum and dad used to always play loads of music when I was growing up from disco to highlife to rare groove to 90’s hip-hop then by age 12 I started making beats and loved it from then.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Anderson .Paak would be amazing to work with and knxwledge.
3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?
We didn’t really release music in the middle of the peak of the pandemic we just focus loads writing a new material for next project and at the same time getting signed to Blue Note records was amazing in itself.
4. How would you describe your sound?
We are a Jazztronica duo that also likes to experiment with Afro beats.
5. What’s your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
We just confirmed one of our biggest features that we have ever worked with for our next project and to get this person on the record is definitely one of our proudest moments.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
I would say when getting into music just try anything. don’t be afraid of trying anything new. and that’s on creatively and that’s if you want to pick up another instrument the next day or learn a different genre. don’t be afraid to try anything new.
7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out
Seed ensemble
Doom Cannon
Shea universe
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Little Simz - sometimes I might be introvert
Cleo Sol - Mother
Villain park - the Recipe
9. What do you like to do when you’re not making music?
I like to read or listen to audiobooks - Herbie Hancock book is pretty amazing as well or I’m playing my Nintendo switch.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
My Fender Rhodes.
My drum machine.
My samples that I’ve collected for the past 10 years.