Born in the Ivory Coast and raised in Sydney, rapper Miles Glyphers is hoping to set the world alight courtesy of his “unlike hip hop” style. With his mixtape Twisted Youth produced by London’s Sound of Fractures soon to be released, he talks to GIITTV about Australia’s hip hop culture, being into fashion and how the internet has opened up the world.
Moving to Australia must have been a massive culture shock. What was it like for you?The first thing I remember seeing was the beach – I’d never seen one before. There were a bunch of people running around enjoying themselves; I’d never seen anything like it. A lady came up to me with a Polaroid camera and took a photo of me and handed it to me and it blew me away. I’ll always remember that. It’s hard to put into words how different things were, it was crazy seeing a stove for the first time, not having to walk to get water. Even bills. I remember my aunty getting a bill for the first time; we thought it was all free until then! I was only 9-years-old and was ready to absorb everything new. I was too young to see the harder side of starting a new life in a new country. All I knew was it was better than where I was before, and suddenly had access to so much culture.
When did you start to develop an interest in hip hop?
I used to buy comics when I was young, and one day I saw a hip hop magazine with Snoop on the cover. It was really interesting because it had articles about Ice Cube and other west coast rappers; that was my first introduction. The first thing that I noticed was there were black people on the front cover to be honest. There was an Ice Cube interview in there and I read about his struggle and could relate to that. When I got to school the next day I went on the internet and started to research more about hip hop and that’s how I fell in love with the style and culture in general. Growing up we never had internet at home or TV, so discovering music is still new for me. Coming to Australia changed everything; suddenly there was TV, radio and internet to discover music through. I was hearing all types of music I’d never heard before; not just rap – rock too. Hearing bands like ACDC will always stick with me. I could relate to the energy in it even though I didn’t understand it.
In the early days, I was all about the west coast, Dre, Snoop, Ice cube, Tupac; but as for current artists I am more into Vic Mensa, Frank Ocean, Childish Gambino, Audio Push, Chance the Rapper, Earl Sweatshirt etc. I wouldn’t say they have an influence on me because I’d rather be myself and create my own style, but I like them because they are all artists that have developed their own style in their own way. I just jam to their music and support them as a fan.
I know that a lot of big rap names have concerts in Australia, but what is the hip hop scene like at a grass roots level out there? Do you have to go to the bigger cities for it? Or is your best bet getting on the internet to connect with other people?
Yea they do tour Australia that’s how I got the chance to open up for Kid Ink with a few mates, but it’s a new thing really and only in the major cities – for people who can afford it. There are hip hop club nights around, and there are people who are actually working to help it grow, but like any other country the artists at a grass roots level all have to hustle and work hard.
Australian hip hop wasn’t really on the radio here much, so it took me a while to discover acts like Hilltop Hoods, and 360.There was one TV show called Rage that was on early in the morning. I used to get up really early to make sure I’d catch it. But this is the age of the internet so young people are absorbing the same music and fashion at the same time. We live our own stories, but we connect through the same things. I’ve recorded my whole mixtape via the internet so that shows its importance to me, and how it has opened up the world.
What is the rap culture like out there? Is it typical, or is it more in line with surf/skater culture?
The rap culture out here is a bit of both worlds really. As for me, my dress sense is more skater with my own style. We’ve deffo got our own vibe out here. Skater culture is big, but it borrows from hip hop and visa versa. Like most young people my age, we borrow from all styles and genres and put it together in our own way. Where I am from most are still stuck in that typical hip hop old school boom base sort of style, but now there’s artists like myself, Tkay, All Day and a few others trying to create our own lane and really be different with the craft. There’s only American music on radio really, no Aussie rap which makes it hard to build our own scene. I want to be part of changing that and be the first young black male on the radio from Australia.
You say your style is “unlike hip hop”, can you explain a bit more?
I know its weird in a way when I say my style is unlike hip hop. Unlike hip hop just means I am giving it a little twist, something new, something that’s chilled and relaxed. I feel like what I do wouldn’t need a typical hip hop beat for it. I don’t want to limit myself by saying I only do hip hop and that’s it. I don’t want to recreate old music, I make new era rap.
Would you like to get more involved in fashion, or are you deeply rooted in music?Looking good and styling up is my thing even when I am broke! Eventually I want to have my own clothing line but lets not take nothing from the fact that I am pushing the music and I have fun doing it.
Tell us about your mixtape dropping this year?
My mixtape Twisted Youth is set to drop end of May. The name of the tape is built around what I was going through at the time, some of which I still endure up to date. It’s based around young people like me. No matter where in the world, we all connect to the same cultures and go through the same struggle. Modern life is confusing for our generation, so much noise and chaos, you can get lost in it.
Everything on it is produced by my one and only producer: Sound Of Fractures. Big shout out to him because ever since he found me he has been putting a lot of work towards my development. Recording the EP was a tough job because Sound Of Fractures stays in the UK, but through Skype and emails we made it work. Before we knew it, we had the whole mixtape. It was a very natural process even though we’re miles apart.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
I’m just starting my career so every little thing that happens is a highlight for me. Even being placed on music blogs like Complex UK, Noisey and I-D; they all count as a highlight because I didn’t see me on there at such an early stage. It’s a good feeling and a big thank you to everyone helping us get there. Big shout out to Sound of Fractures as well, and same goes for everyone listening, sharing and showing support… these are all highlights for me.
@MilesGlyphers
