Northampton rap is in rude health in 2020, and the latest sensations are Lay It Down regulars Section6 x PastelParty. Their debut EP is NN life exploding like fireworks. New Boots spoke to Section6 about how it came together.
Who are you, and how did you get this project together?
We are Section6 x PastelParty, we are primarily grime and hip-hop. The way it started was I went to the pub one night and bumped into pastelparty, who’s an old friend, and we had an idea to do some music – not realising the explosive energy we both have, and how it would create such interesting work!
How would you describe your sound? What’s influenced you?
section6: I remember growing up on the streets; Jedi mind tricks and garage music. First tune that was garage I heard was Sia ‘Little Man’. I tried to rap over it but the bpm was too high and was to difficult, but eventually gave me the urge to make my own music.
PastelParty: when I was younger I used to be into Wiley, Jme, Skepta – real grime – but my main influence was when I got a PS1 with a music program to make beats from. I cracked how to use it, then eventually got on to FruityLoops, and it worked pretty much the same.
Tell us about this EP, ‘All The Things I Was Never Allowed’.
I was inspired with the mix of growing up in Northampton and the whole vibe of St James, where I’m from, with the struggles of being a young lad. How things don’t happen for a reason, you create your own luck – “I truly believe that!” For the artwork we was lucky to have the award-winning digital artist Jack Savage to do our artwork, and his influence with the pictures he takes and creates.
How has lockdown been for you? Helped or hindered your creativity?
It’s not been too bad, I have been writing lots more and pastelparty has been making more beats than ever!! But it has been hard without playing at live venues.
There’s some nice NN references on the EP. Are you part of any scene in Northampton?
We are so lucky to be given the platform in Northampton to perform. Lay It Down is the best way for young rappers to work within the community, with a fantastic group of people that are so widely talented. Big shout-out to Leon Denton and Jason Williams aka Har-Q for being so active in Northampton! And helping do charity fundraisers and giving everyone opportunities.
What was the last album you bought/streamed?
Favourite punk grime music Riskee & The Ridicule.
Any live shows in the pipeline?
A few venues in mind at the moment, but don’t want to give away too much too soon, but hopefully seeing us around more and more.
The EP All The Things I Was Never Allowed is out now on the usual digital platforms. Art by Jack Savage.
