Donnie Numeric

What is your name?

Donnie Numeric

How old are you?

32 years young! lol who am I kidding!!!

Where are you from?

London

How long have you been making music?

From As far back as I can remember. Myself, Deve and Mick Swagga used to freestyle to every instrumental we could get our hands on. I guess professionally i’d say the last 5 or 6 years.

How many songs /albums have you released to date?

2014
Delegates Of Rhyme – Road To Ambition f. Alex-is (apart of UK Runnings hosted by Tricksta)
Delegates Of Rhyme – Stresses And Definitions f. Seraphym & Joe Bird

2013
Donnie Numeric – London Blues – (from the forthcoming Yellow Haze EP )
Popables – Soft Crush f. Rebecca Whelan)
Popables – So Much More Sky (LP)
Delegates Of Rhyme – Shadows f. Jimmy Davis
Donnie Numeric – Poison well (Craft & Culture LP produced by KMT)
Donnie Numeric – Zambony (remix)
Delegates Of Rhyme – Spark (part of Rhyme Square Clothing Mix-tape)

2010 – 2012
Donnie Numeric – The Balance The battle (Mix-tape)
Donnie Numeric – Too Easy (Mix-tape)
Footsoldiers – Weapons Of Choice EP
Footsoldiers – The Wait EP
Footsoldiers – Return To Arms EP
Footsoldiers – Kicking Up Dust EP

Can you tell us about your new latest project ‘Stresses And Definitions’ and the background and inspirations behind it?

The latest release from The Delegates Of Rhyme is entitled Stresses and Definitions f. Seraphym & Joe Bird. On a lyrical front it was my take on the pressures men in todays society have to deal with (and yes we do have them!) . Whether it’s being strong… good looking, smart, cool, rich or whatever modern day you may face. At one point I was a victim of this image massacre. Don’t get me wrong I like to look good but I look good for me. Even in UK Hip Hop there’s a pressure to be tough, or on the grind. Every body is alluding to shotting, selling or stealing, even when that’s nothing to do with their needs or wants, just to get noticed, and look “real”!

I know artists who work hard to everyday. The have families and do the best they can. Does that make you less of a man? I’d rather listen to an artist who has had to be a man and a father, a big brother, an eldest son, a best friend etc and the issues this brings whether good or bad. I wanted to let people know there is no one way which defines what a man is or is not.

Myself and Vice also wanted a female take on the issue but not glamourising anything, instead highlighting the annoyance and fickleness of the music industry which blinds young women by visual exploitation which Seraphym aka DNA Deez touches on in this track.

How have you ended up in the music industry?

To be honest I wouldn’t say I am in the music industry. I’m just in the music and I just enjoy working with artists, producers, photographers, film makers and the creative process behind every aforementioned element.

What do you think of the music industry in 2014?

I could go on for days on this question. Sex sells. Sex is first and then comes the beat and a hook.

I think musicians need to stop looking to get signed and do it on their own. There’s little signs of change, but more needs to be done. We need to remake the music industry.

Who inspires you when you make your music?

I’m influenced by a lot of music…. but what inspires me? I’d say life. The day to day living. Finding the rare bits of life’s beauty, be it watching people on train platforms, or absorbing myself in the city when it’s raining or when the suns out. The beauty and tranquility of the stillness of the night or the morning. There’s lots of stuff.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your Career?

Just real musicians and artists like The Popables, Carvalho, Genius Collective, Alex-Is, Big Dutty Deeze. I guess there’s no one who is “BIG” but I just want to collaborate and build with people who are trying to make their way up like myself and Vice are doing on a daily basis.

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

Mos def, Elizhi, Q-tip! Regarding the Uk…as many artists who I respect as possible. It’s a big list!

What was the first album you bought?

Fugees – Vocab or Aaliyah one in million

What’s your favourite song at the moment?

Ab soul – Terrorist Threats f. Danny brown and Aiko

If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album would you leave in your draw?

Marvin Gaye – whats going on

What do you think of TV music talent show competitions?

It’s a way to being seen. If that works for you then go for it!

What do you do when you’re not making music?

I’m writing about or watching the world.

What’s your favourite Fashion brand?

I don’t have one.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

No i don’t

How many pairs of trainers do you own?

Not a lot… 3 – 4 pairs

How many hats do you own?

2 or 3 but I only wear one

What’s your favourite takeaway?

Grandma.com lol

How many followers do you have on twitter?

I was peer pressured into twitter….sooooo maybe a hundred?

Interviewed by Giles Sawyer