Meet Cr4gg, upcoming rapper and event promoter, speaking on his new track 'TT Shard' and 2023 goals.

We've recently been in touch with Cr4gg to touch on his musical abilities, what goes into event planning, his future goals for this year, and of course, his latest single 'TT Shard'. Be sure to follow him over on Instagram - @cr4gg and keep up with other music he drops this year, you don't want to miss out. Big shout out to Cr4gg for his time and efforts.

Yes, Cr4gg, could you please just give an introduction on yourself for all of those yet to know who you are?

I’m Cragg, stage name Cr4gg. This is my surname but it’s what I go by both as an artist and casually. I’m an independent artist and event promoter originally from West Sussex.

How long have you been doing music?

Since before my balls dropped. I had success as a child actor/musician when I was younger. Taking scripts and singing other people’s songs didn’t feel authentic and this caused me to stop pursuing that path for a few years. After experiencing the real world as a teenager, I came back to music. I felt like I had a valuable perspective that could benefit others if I shared it. I started making my own music in 2020 and dropped my first song at the start of 2022.

How would you describe your music to someone that’s never listened to your stuff before?

I like to describe myself as a singer branded as a rapper, bridging the gap between the two. I prefer singing, however, rap tells stories more effectively and channels my aggression into a positive outcome. I think my story and image are more similar to that of a rapper. However, I try to promote a positive message, which is why I prefer the term artist over rapper, due to rap's negative connotations.

How does music make you feel on a personal level?

Growing up, I was a “special ed kid”. This meant a lot of people didn’t take what I said seriously. Music empowers me by allowing me to be heard and share my perspective. Every song has an emotion behind it, reflecting a time in my life and how I was feeling in that moment. Whether angry or sad, I can turn it into something beautiful and meaningful. The expression of my music is the only outlet that has helped me combat anger issues and addiction, which I have struggled with from young.

Big up yourself! Do you have any favourite musicians or inspirations?

When I was younger, I religiously listened to Rizzle Kicks and Skepta. I think my style is most heavily influenced by them. My mum and brother played a lot of dance music which is also present in my sound. HK, another West Sussex artist, inspired me to write my own music. I didn’t have access to a studio, so he would get me through to his sessions. He showed me how to record and release music and helped me develop my own sound significantly. Also, my boy ‘Prod BW’. He started producing at a similar time that I started songwriting. He motivates me to make music and it’s nice that we are progressing at it together. I’m currently listening to Lancey Foux, Greentea Peng, Len, and Pablomari. I find their music authentic and interesting to listen to in a game of generic artists. They encourage me to be myself and be experimental with my music.

Are you a fan of any American stuff?

For how cold American music is, I don’t listen to it enough, mainly cos I don’t find it as relatable. I listen to bbno$ and Kaycyy regularly. I think Noble Lyfe is sick as well but he’s quite underground at the moment.

Talk to me about being an event promoter, what does that entail?

It’s simple really, I book venues and then artists to play them. I used to do it for a company that allowed me to create a lot of opportunities for artists in Portsmouth, where I was working. However, now that I understand the music industry better, it’s not what I want a career doing. I’m a control freak, so I like to throw my own shows under my event brand ‘Waze2Kaze’. I will continue to throw events under this brand but only because they connect like-minded people. I’m not in it for the money. I like to make my music accessible and by promoting my own shows, the price of the tickets is reduced because there isn’t a promoter taking a cut.

Huge respect for your grind, what does 2023 look like for CR4GG?

2023, like 2022, will be another year of laying the foundation of my sound and building my audience before I unleash the SERIOUS stuff. I plan to move up north later this year as I’ve got a growing audience up there that I would like to connect with. There are also a lot of talented creatives up there. Before I leave Bristol I’m planning another Waze2Kaze event to say thank you to everyone that’s taken me in since I moved here last September.

Do you have any words of advice for anyone that’s just starting out?

My advice for those starting out is to build your audience before dropping music. Once you exist on major platforms there’s an expectation of consistency. You also gotta make sure your music and motivations are authentic. A lot of people will hate to see you doing something out of the ordinary. As long as you know who you are, what you stand for, and what your message is, the hate won't bother you. Real recognise real, you attract what you put out.

That’s going to help someone for sure, tell me about your new track ‘TT Shard’.

It’s an old song that came about ‘cos I was freestyling while driving and the beat came on as an ad. I stopped and made a demo, freestyling about my week. I recorded it with HK in London over a year ago. Since then it’s changed names from ‘Car Freestyle’ to ‘Cash n Card’ and now it’s ‘TT shard’. My boy Theo chose the final name. The song is for the hustlers that need a high-energy track to pump their busy day.

I hear it man, if it was to go huge and you had a chance to make a remix, who would you like to get involved in it?

The ad said DaBaby type beat, so as homage, he would get the first offer to be on a remix.

I respect it. Is there anyone you’d like to shout out?

Cris, Cranny, HK, BW

Appreciate it, is there anything else you’d like to add?

GUT, surprise coming on 420.