Get to know rap genius, Max Wood, the legend behind social media platform BTB Media

During November, we spoke to rap connoisseur Max Wood, the man behind socials BTBMedia. Max has previously featured on a bunch of podcasts, radio stations and has worked with CORD on a recent YouTube video on their channel 'Lil Baby - It's Only Me Reaction Party - Project SNS' which recently hit sixteen thousand views. You may have seen the rap legend on TikTok with viral videos talking about different rapper facts that fans may not know and a range of Vox pop type videos, asking members of the public to finish lyrics and play different games with him.

Hi Max, could you please introduce yourself and tell us what you do?

"My name is Max, I do all content UK rap, I am just a massive fan of the music, of the genre since like the re-emergence of grime in 2015. I used to go to all the concerts and I've just been a massive fan ever since. So I make content about my favourite music and all of the new music whether I like it or don't like it and yeah, that's essentially me. All things UK rap".

What do you like to do in your own time, when you're not making content or going to different events?

"In my spare time, literally, I work and then I work, which is going to events and making content, I don't actually have much free time because this is a side hustle and I do love to do it but I would say playing football, watching football and going gym and that's it really, I don't have time for too much else".

And, who or what inspires you to do what you do?

"A lot of the rappers that I listen to and love, inspire me because they've come from nothing and have become something. Dave is a big inspiration because he's like six months older than me, and is from the exact same area as me and that is just incredible to see. Other than that, on more of a daily basis, I inspire myself in a way like someone told me you got to be your own biggest cheerleader and you've got to be the one that does it every day so you've got to do it for yourself and that is my inspiration".

I hear that, 100%. I saw that you worked with CORD earlier in the year, what was it like working with those guys?

"I really enjoyed that day and I was really excited to work with them because I love how refreshing their content is. In terms of the actual shoot, it was a really good idea, a long day of filming but I think they did it really well and it was so nice to meet so many great people all doing a similar thing, that was probably the best thing I got from it".

It looked sick! Do you have a dream collab to work with for a video?

"Just with any big artist like Dave, on my own channel. I'd interview them, break down their bars and find out the meanings behind them. In terms of working with someone else, I'd love to be a part of The Champions League of Everything on JD, I just love the concept".

For you, what's the difference between grime and rap, do you have a favourite artist from each, and why?

"In terms of the music, grime has like specific beats, and it's always 140 bpm and it's got specific sounds, specific flows. But it's also more of the culture, in terms of the music, grime does come under rap music but the culture of grime is what brings the beats and the flows. It's a different kind of energy compared to generic rap. When it comes to grime, Skepta, Ghetts, JME, and Kano, to me are the best and I think it's just the energy, like when you see it live you can really understand the energy of grime, whereas rap can be anything. It can be as slow as Loyle Carner, it could be as aggressive as drill".

In your online career, what would be your "I made it" moment?

"It's weird because I feel like I've not made it, I've got so much more work to do, so much to come but I think my first moment when I was like 'wow, I can actually do something here' was when Giggs followed me, I did a video just like a funny video around a Giggs song and someone in the comments told me he'd posted it on his story and I couldn't believe it. It had only an hour left, I hadn't seen it all day and I couldn't believe it, I messaged him saying "yo bro, that's my video, glad you liked it" and he followed me, I just woke up the next day to a requested follow from @OfficialGiggs and I was like 'oh my gosh this is really real'".

And, I see on your page that you've met a few G.O.A.T.S in the scene, how does that sort of thing happen?

"Meeting my goats, this was just from me being opportunistic and a massive fan, so for example, I met Stormzy last weekend at a meet and greet, I just managed to get a free ticket and sign up quick enough. Same with meeting Dave, he pulled up at Bristol Uni, where I was when he dropped Phsycodrama and he was doing some album signings and I was about fifth in that queue. It's kinda fake it till you make it, so if I can make it look like Stormzy had met me as a pose to I have met Stormzy at a meet and greet, then people might think "oh, this guy's important". It's a bit about being hungry, being makeshift, and making things happen".

Finally, who is someone that you haven't already met that you'd love to meet?

"I would love, love, love to meet Wretch 32, he's the reason I got into UK rap in the first place, I've read his book, listened to all his albums, all his tv shows, documentaries, anything he's in - I've watched it. I think that guy's the greatest and yeah, I'd just absolutely love to meet him and in a proper capacity as well not even just a "hi, hello, nice to meet you", I'd love to talk to him".

A big thank you to max for his time and inspiring stories, be sure to give him a follow on all of his socials.