Words: Iris Beek | Photos: Five Points Project

Iris Beek sits down with 20-year-old North Londoner Brodie, the mononymous project of BIMM student Alex Evans, to hear more about finding his path to music making, racking up the shows in 2024, and his mission to brighten a listener’s day.

If there is anyone who has really surprised me during an interview, it’s 20-year-old North Londoner Alex Evans (alias Brodie). The first time I met Brodie I may have created my own image of him in my mind. But during our chat together, I found out that he’s completely the opposite. Brodie is not your average UK artist; he shares his true colours in his songs – fully honest and open about his own experiences in a very laid-back way.

Hi Brodie, thanks for chatting with us! Could you tell us a bit more about yourself?

I’m from a very creative family, my dad was signed to a record label in the mid-90s with a rap group called The Brotherhood. But I was actually not very into music during my childhood, I was more focused on sports during term break. At some point though, I was in Denmark, skipping my training to create music. Since then I’ve come back to London to take music more seriously. It’s like my brain just made a completely different switch. I had to figure out first what I really wanted to make, but it’s so cool how music can change anyway!

How did you find out you wanted to make music?

It was when I was 17 or 18 years old. I dropped a song, and I was like ‘Yeah, let’s do music!’. Sports is cool, but it wasn’t something for me. I felt a bit controlled there, whilst with music I can let my creativity flow. It’s just more how I am as a person, having control in my own hands.

How do you come up with an idea while making a song?

Usually, I just live my life like any other day and then I take inspiration from my surroundings; the sky, or from people on the bus. I write down a word or sentence that pops up in my head and then when I’m in the studio I come up with beats that I make at home. We go through all the beats and from there on we write further. That can take up to 5 minutes but sometimes half an hour. My producer Ivan and I didn’t really have a process. We sat there until we created a song. We improvised.

What do you hope people will feel when they listen to your music for the first time?

The songs I create are mostly about my feelings from a certain time. Music is all about emotions for me. I can be sad or in a good mood or I can make a song where I question my whole life. But it’s crazy how music has this effect on people. I just hope when someone else listens to my music that they can relate to the mood of the song and that I can brighten up their day.

The UK rap scene is quite huge. How do you think you stand out?

I don’t really like the word ‘scene’ to be honest. I’m just out and about haha. But I think I stand out as an artist because I do pretty much what I want. Some artists still do things that they normally won’t do, but my thing is that I do what I always want to do. If I feel like I want a rock beat on my raps, then I do that. When I’m feeling a bit bougie, I’ll take myself to a jazz bar and join the people there. That’s my main thing. I do it for fun. It’s only a plus if I can make a living of it as well.

You’ve performed 27 shows this year which is insane! Do you get nervous before shows? How do you prepare for them?

Firstly, I want to say it’s so cool to me that people want to see me on stage. How nervous I am depends on what kind of show it is. Sometimes I’m more nervous about one show than the other one I have. I once had a show where I didn’t know who would be there. Then I get a bit more anxious. There was also a show where my mum would see me perform for the first time and that was such a big deal for me because I want her to think it’s good! I don’t prepare too much for shows though, I just rehearse.

Do you reflect on yourself a lot as an artist to improve yourself?

Yeah, I do. I like to make sure that what I do is working for me. Just what makes me happier as a person but also to improve myself as an artist. Work is a part of your life, and I do see making music as work, it’s a part of me. I try to be the best I can be.

Are there any artists you hope to collaborate with in the future?

Jay Critch. He’s from my old area and I love him so much. I’ve been listening to him since I was 14 years old. Another artist I hope to work with is Lil Yachty. I found out about him when I was in China for basketball in Year 9. There was this song called ‘Shoot Out The Roof’, the video had some basketball marks in it. That was just inspirational to me. He’s sick!

Is there a stereotype around you? Because personally, I feel like I had a whole different view of you before I started talking to you.

Maybe it’s just me who thinks it, but I feel like some people think I’m intimidating or egotistical when I rap. I’m usually just more on a chill and relaxed vibe. Very laid back, not doing too much, it’s just me and my shades on.

Is there anything we can expect from you in 2024? Besides all your gigs of course!

I’m planning on dropping a new song after 3-4 years which is crazy because I’ve been doing all these shows. It just took me so long because I want to make music when I want to, but a new EP will be definitely on the way… and about the gigs, I’m gonna step down a bit, because doing 20 of them again is a bit too crazy!

Find out more about Brodie, his music, and upcoming shows over on Instagram.