Drum+Basics

Hey Illmatika & Sofi Mari! Thank you for answering my questions for us.

Let’s start from the beginning. For those who are not familiar with your names – can you tell me a little bit about yourself, how long you’ve been doing what you are doing and how you ended up in the music/dnb scene?

ILLMATIKA: I’m an artist/host and I’ve been doing it for more than a hot minute, ended up in the scene by giving a demo tape to my barber who was on pirate radio on weekend rush 92.3

SOFI: I’ve been involved as a drum and bass vocalist and host MC since 2008, starting in Miami. I met some mates in middle school who introduced me to d&b and I got into it properly from there. While a couple of them would practice spinning, others would MC, and I would improvise singing over those sets too. That led to me jumping on the mic at house parties and as time went on I met Stereotype [Formation, Intrigue, Driven AM] while at college for music business. I was already working with a jazz fusion band at the time and upon finding a fellow d&b head, that DJ’d and produced, I didn’t hesitate to agree to working with him on some drum and bass.

Do you guys remember your first rave?

ILLMATIKA: I remember my first rave: it was Voodoo magic at Equinox, Leicester Square. MC flux was there on the night and I remember MC Five O and Andy C. I also remember lots of ravers on that night approaching me for pills and drugs and I had no idea why they continually were asking me. Later on I would find out why.

SOFI: I can’t say I really remember my very first rave, as I’m sure it was a house party of some sort in the early 00’s. Global Gathering was a massive rave in downtown Miami that was thrown in what I think was 2002 or 2003 and that was my first proper experience in a major club setting. I remember Goldie, Fabio and Grooverider were playing in the main room and Africa Baby Bam of the Jungle Brothers hosted an outdoor stage with hip hop. I’ll never forget that night. The music was incredible, everyone was there to simply let go and have a great time. I ended up meeting Baby Bam after he let some of us jump on the mic to freestyle. I sang and he approached me asking how serious I was about being a vocalist. That led to him linking me with producer and drummer [Mike Cupino] who asked me to join the jazz fusion band he was in. That was when my professional vocal journey started. It’s mad reminiscing over what’s happened since that one night.

How are you guys coping with what’s going on in the world right now? Has it affected your creativity in any way?

ILLMATIKA: It can be hard at times however there are some positives from it. It has given me more time to be around family and more time to concentrate on writing; but the performing side is very hard to take not being able to do. So some days I’m feeling very creative, other days I just can’t be bothered.

SOFI: I’ve managed this whole year by placing more focus on my well being and overall health. The initial shut down and uncertainty of both the hospitality and entertainment industries caused me to uproot myself and relocate. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions and although I’ve managed to get some writing in, I haven’t been as creative as I was aiming to be this year. These releases have been the silver lining: reminding me that you can’t force something. When the time is right you will know.

Let’s chat about the track! ‘Perfect Summer’ is a beautiful tune which really takes me back to warmer and more easy going times…. Late summer nights, watching the sunset, no worries about tomorrow… What was the inspiration behind the track and the lyrics?

ILLMATIKA: The concept of experiencing that very ‘perfect moment’ was the initial idea for the track. For example: having that perfect evening or having that perfect bite of a chocolate, and then it grew from there… The energy of the track really came from Mr Joseph. He sent me the beat and from there I thought of Sofi Mari because we had been talking about getting on a track together for a while and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

SOFI: Illmatika initially sent me the track with his first verse recorded. That verse, and the feel good summery vibe of the track itself, inspired me to write from one of the possible viewpoints of a woman (or anyone really) being approached by someone who is interested in them. I did go based on some of my own experience as well as experiences I’ve known others have had.

How did you put the track together?

ILLMATIKA: In terms of putting the track together I had an idea of the arrangement and I shared that idea with Sophie before going to the studio, once we got to the studio the magic came together quickly with Sofi’s big pad of rhymes and writing on the spot and recording.

SOFI: Most of it was done separately until Illmatika and I got together to record in studio. I arrived and realised my verse was a bit too short so I got straight to adding more to it while Illmatika recorded. We’d accomplished all recording in that one session. It was great. I really do miss being in a proper studio setting.

How long have you been working on it?

ILLMATIKA: The actual making of the song didn’t take long at all. We spent maybe 3 hours in the studio together. Sofi and I with the beat and it was done and we sent Mr Joseph the vocals so he could put the finishing touches to it.

SOFI: This collaboration was one of those lucky ones where we all got it completed and recorded within a matter of days. Illmatika and I were pretty shocked at how quickly and smoothly it all came together. We kept wondering what the catch was—Haha!

It is coming out on Liquid V on the 2 December (today!). Big label and big release! How did that come about?

ILLAMTIKA: We’ve all had previous releases on liquid V so it was a case of just sending the track to Bryan G and he loved it and said it would be good to release on liquid v.

SOFI: It’s been amazing to represent and be represented by such a legendary and well respected label in the game! Thankfully we’ve all had past releases on the label, so that definitely helped us. Illmatika and Mr. Joseph got this particular single locked in for us. Bryan Gee was feeling it once he heard it and, well, here we are!

Illmatika; can you tell me a bit more about your artist name and how that came about?

Long story, I’ll tell you when I see you.

Sofi Mari;  You are living in the USA at the moment, but have been living in London too – can you tell me how you ended up in London in the first place?

I was born in the UK and have family there. Once I finished my bachelors degree back in Florida I wanted to live in England, even just for a little while. I packed up and moved over, initially aiming to move to Bristol. Locking in a place to live there was challenging and I ended up in London thanks to friends I knew living there.

What is the hardest part of doing a collaboration?

ILLMATIKA: The hardest part for me is ensuring that I’m not dominating a discussion and allowing for office to put their point across because I think, at times, once I get a picture in my head that’s the only thing that I can see. But I think with a collaboration it’s important to listen to all points of view and ensure that you are all happy with the representation that you are giving of yourselves on the music.

SOFI: I’d say the hardest part is simply making sure everyone gets their fair say in the process of getting the work completed. It’s a proper challenge when having to remember a collaborative effort is actually a team effort; there’s no I in team. That and the distance. Some people would much rather work together in the studio, but often can’t due to where everyone involved lives.

What’s next?

ILLMATIKA: More music on continuing to spread that soulful sound within the dnb arena

SOFI: Looking forward to more collabs with both Illmatika and Mr. Joseph for sure! I’ve also got another 2-track EP with Mozey forthcoming on liquid V later in December. Keep an eye out for that too!

Any famous last words?

ILLMATIKA: Yeah big up and thanks for having us! Shouts out to the liquid V family and shout out to all the people that have been supporting us in buying our music, commenting and giving us good vibes.

SOFI: Big shouts to Illmatika and Mr Joseph here for such a great experience working with them. Bryan Gee, Jumping Jack Frost and everyone involved in the V Recordings camp, as well as everyone worldwide who has supported our journey and music! And thanks so much to you, Drum and Basics crew, for interviewing us. All Love!

Thank you guys and big up!

Buy the tune here.

Follow IllMatika, Sofi Mari & V Recordings on Social Media;

Instagram.com/SofiMari

facebook.com/SofiMari

Instagram.com/Illmatika

facebook.com/IllMatika ‘dnbsoulbrother’

facebook.com/V Recordings

Instagram.com/PLanet V