Meet Hackney-born UK Open Mic performer DefDrive:

Hi DefDrive, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Solo

How old are you?

29

Where were you born?

Hackney

Where did you grow up?

Islington

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

There’s a booming music scene all over london.

Where are you based now, and why?

Enfield until I move back to Islington.

What got you into making music in the first place?

Battle rap

What instrument/s do you play?

Rapping

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

Eminem, Distillers, MF Doom, Ata Kak, Gorillaz, JPEGMAFIA, The Beatles, Childish Gambino, Freddie Gibbs, TOOL.

They all make banging music.

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

14

What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?

I write to drum beats and the brain does the rest.

How long have you been playing open mic nights?

0

Why did you get into playing them in the first place?

I’ve just been writing but not really jumping into the music scene so I thought I’d give it a try.

What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?

I’ll let you know after I’ve played a bunch.

What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?

Actually doing it I’d guess.

What’s the most bizarre, or fun, open mic, or gig, you’ve ever played, and why?

I got to freestyle on stage during a Denzel Curry concert like a decade ago with a few other people… Pretty fun.

If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?

Yes

What do you currently find the hardest and biggest obstacles to moving your music career forward?

Recording, mixing and mastering. Too expensive. Seems better to do it solo dolo until you get paid.

What’s the one truth about you that people often find surprising?

I have an anime tattoo I’m way to embarrassed to show anyone.

What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?

An album inspired by a book I’m trying to write.

Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?

https://www.instagram.com/jesseattah/

We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?

No thanks!