London rapper and producer Roseland En Why Cee is set to release his most ambitious project to date, MY LIFE’S A (low budget art) MOVIE, on 11th November. Blurring the lines between hip hop and cinematic storytelling, the five-track narrative album explores the highs, lows and creative struggles of life as an independent artist.
Following his acclaimed 2024 release B-Side Soul, Roseland takes a more focused musical direction, embracing leftfield alternative hip hop with influences ranging from Alfa Mist to The Silhouettes Project and Louis Culture. Through the fictional story of an aspiring filmmaker chasing success, the project tackles artistic compromise, ego and the pressures of the creative industry, all delivered with a healthy dose of humour and self-awareness.
Lead single ‘Dream Sequence’ introduces the album's surreal atmosphere, combining Grifton Forbes-Amos' haunting trumpet with understated lyricism. Fellow MC and producer MAX GRISE features on the track and returns for ‘Netflix Budget’, which captures the excitement of a long awaited breakthrough. However, closing track ‘All I Need’ brings things back to earth, exploring the importance of rediscovering the friendships, community and passion that sparked the creative journey in the first place.
Speaking on the project's playful approach, Roseland explains: “I’m not taking myself too seriously, making space for subtle humour as I try to find some personal truths through this fictional character.”
Collaboration remains central to the record, with MAX GRISE contributing to four of the five tracks, while MOBO Award winning engineers Adam Wren and Joker handle mixing and mastering respectively.
Both a love letter to independent creativity and a knowing reflection on its challenges, MY LIFE’S A (low budget art) MOVIE sees Roseland En Why Cee turning the unpredictable realities of artistic ambition into his own alternative hip hop soundtrack.
Roseland En Why Cee sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our unfamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
I grew up in a musical family. My dad and uncle are musicians, and my mum is a big music fan. So it was inevitable. There was always music on, in my house. Someone was always singing. My bedroom shared a wall with my dad’s studio, so whatever he was working on was my soundtrack for the night.
2. The new project ‘MY LIFE’S A (low budget art) MOVIE’ taps into the relationship between hip hop and cinema as story-telling mediums. Could you tell us about some of the artists and films that have influenced the project?
Yeah, there were 2 films that were a really big inspiration. The first is The Watermelon Woman. Written, starring and directed by Cheryl Dunye. She plays a version of herself, trying to make her first film while working at a video store and shooting weddings to pay for it. Something that is immediately recognisable to musicians. The film is really fun and it does a great job of celebrating the struggle of working independently.
The second is Bamboozled by Spike Lee. The track Netflix Budget is inspired by the main character Pierre Delacroix. The ultimate sellout!
Music wise there is so much. But some things that stick out are, Days with Dr Yen Lo - Ka. One of the greatest hip hop albums ever, loosely based on the film The Manchurian Candidate. Also, House, Lupe Fiasco & Kaelin Ellis. Nothing to do with film, but this really inspired the shape and the tone of the album.
3. On this project, you’ve talked about honing in on a sound, rather than bouncing between genres. Did that decision come as a result of the narrative direction, or did the narrative come from the focus? Tell us a little about the creative process?
I knew I wanted this project to be pure hip hop before I had the concept or anything. I wanted something that would force me to focus on honing my vocal delivery. I felt like I had neglected it a bit on my last album. Then I decided I wanted to work closely with MAX GRISE and that cemented the decision. But hip hop is a hard drive. A tool to carry on our oral tradition. So it just felt natural to make a narrative album.
4. The album is from the perspective of a fictionalised character, but obviously draws from your personal experiences. There’s also a strong sense of community from the features, skits and interludes. How did you find the process of bringing your friends into this concept-driven world?
It felt really natural. Me and MAX talk about films all the time. A lot of his production reminds me of soundtracks and he’s got a very visual style of writing, so I knew he’d be down. Same with all of the people in the skits. They’re all friends that I talk about films with. I knew if I got them in front of a mic they’d have something interesting, passionate, or funny to say.
5. The full album is going to be available exclusively on Bandcamp. Could you tell us a bit about the importance of the platform to you as a self-releasing artist?
It’s invaluable! A worldwide community of people who love music so much they are willing to spend time and money on it. Even when there are so many ways you can get it effortlessly and free. That’s beautiful.
Honestly, it makes me emotional thinking about it. Those people are just as important as the creators.
6. What advice would you give to any of our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
That you shouldn't pay too much attention to the endless advice out there.
The best thing I could say is, make the process as enjoyable as possible. There’s a large chance you will never make a profit with your art and you can’t guarantee how people will react to it, so you might as well make sure it's fulfilling in some way to create.
7. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
There’s a song called Past Life on my last album. The last verse is a mini life story of my grandma who had recently passed away. I'm really proud I was able to immortalise her in some small way. I still think it’s some of my best writing.
8. Are there any artists on your radar, or records you have on heavy rotation right now that we should check out?
Check out ‘maria’ by BEASTIE from earlier this year. My favourite album right now. He’s got a really interesting blend of influences and genres. And I'm always down for a cohesive, well sequenced album.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
Watch films and read Wordplay magazine.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
The right temperature.
The right smell.
Coffee, coconut water or wine (depending on the time of day).
