Feature

Master Shortie: High Hopes

Master Shortie, or Theo Kerlin as he’ known to his mum, has rattled the urban pop scene to attention with his mischievous and cheeky persona. Bridging gaps from indie to dance and rap, his music represents a new generation of artist. One that holds no qualms about making music absent of that all illusionary pigeon box.

With his debut album ‘A.D.H.D’ of which mash up influenced ‘Dance like a White Boy’ and the new single ‘Dead End’ both stem, it is acutely apparent he’s placed himself in a bona fide position for popular culture supremacy. Blues and Soul's Ali Raymond caught up with the South London born and bred to discuss the hardships of having to choose beautiful models for his videos, inspiration, having more energy then a bowl of Weetabix and his unquenchable need for so many hats.

Your debut seems like a personal Album, did you enjoy making it?

Um yah definitely it’s the first album I’ve done, very eclectic and I’ve put my all into it. I think It will always be very personal for the rest of my life. It was a great experience, hard work and late hours but in the end I got there. I’m really happy with the end product, which is really good.

What was your main inspiration for the album?

To be honest inspiration is people in general and my life. That’s why (the album) is so eclectic because I’m always around numerous people from different age and life experiences.

Which are your Favourite tracks?

Why (pause), 'Under the Moon' and 'Right Time.'

A lot of your stuff has that indie electro influence to it. Where you influenced by those scenes whilist growing up?

Yeah definitely. The people in those scenes influenced me. I was never in one group in school I use to hop between people. And I think that’s how I got my taste in music and when it comes to recording I just poured in all those influences in the making of the music.

We are seeing a lot of cross genre working in the industry at the moment like indie artists collaborating with rappers and visa versa. What do you think of that?

Yeah I think it’s good man, like if there’s opposition then people are gonna come together to make good music. Sharing the same hobbies, you know. People might not think of making the track in that way but that’s what collaboration tracks do. They enhance the ‘stand out’ track to appeal to bigger audiences.

Tell us a little about your musical journey, was it always on the cards you were gonna be a recording artist?

After the 90’s I was very much into Hip-Hop, and uk hip-hop artists. I got massively into the London underground scene and started working with grime artists like TAZ, Doctor, Scibba D. From then on I was able to step back before putting out my own music and learn from people – what they were doing right and what they were doing wrong. So when it came to my time to finding my sound and getting the backing that I needed I was ready to go that extra step.

So being close the UK Hip-Hop scene that wasn’t particularly dominate compared to the UK garage or other areas at the time, you still believed it was possible to make it commercially as rapper?

Definitely. I believe you have to remember that it’s easier for Garage and Dance and Grime to be popular here because it was made here, were as Hip-Hop unfortunately is originally an American sound. But I believe that as long as your music is your own and you’re not trying to imitate things in the states - that are far ahead as far as production and lyrical content - then yes I think the genre has the capability to prosper. I mix Indie and a lot of British style now to make my Hip-Hop very unique. Which hopefully will make it different. My music is an interpretation of my influences but at the end of the day I rap rather then have a grime flow. I’d rather collaborate with Hip-Hop then with Grime.

Is there anyone you’d like to collaborate with in the UK scene?

Klashnekoff, Dirty goods, Roots Manuva - Roots Manuva is amazing. I heard his album again ('Run Come Save Me'). You know when you haven’t heard an album in ages it’s special.

So do you find yourself going back to classic albums?

Definitely. I love going back to classic albums that remind me of a place in time. You connect with albums. My life is so fast paced at the moment that I don’t connect with albums, only singles. But there are specific albums that reflect a time in my life and I find myself going back to them.

Lets talk about your niche style. First of you’re a man of many hats.

I love different hats (laughs). They show my different emotions (Laughs again). At the moment I’m loving my baker hats. The truth is, with my hats, my hair grows extremely quickly – I’m a hairy motherfucker, so it makes my head look ok if I’ve got a hat.

Are you experiencing the perks of free cloths?

Yeah man, like all the time. My stylist collects my cloths and it’s a huge burden off your back if you don’t have to be buying cloths all the time.

The first single of the album was ‘Dance like a white boy’. The video looks like a nuts party. Who came up with the concept?

Yeah (laughs), It was me actually. In fact it didn’t go to plan to be fair. I had invited loads of different people from diverse backgrounds and dance to the beat how they felt. But I think after post-production there’s a lot of glazing across the scene and light sequences that make it hard to watch but it was a fun video to make.

Where did the idea for the track come from?

I always thought there were songs influenced by black dance routines. I wanted a song that represented the white side of my family and their routines – like big fish, small fish, cardboard box. I think black dance routines take a little longer to loosen up in the club where as the white side just go for it from the offset.

Your new track ‘Dead End’ holds a retro feel to it as well?

That definitely comes from my 80’s influence and mixes the electro Hip-Hop, Pop and Indie. There’s a catchy chorus, which I sing. My producer did harmonies on my voice to make it sound better when I recorded it. But as times moved on and I’m performing it live I feel I’ve pretty much nailed it now.

So it’s a true story?

Yeah absolutely (laughs). I think when you’re in a relationship you release there’s a huge amount of females out there.

There are some beautiful girls in the video, especially the young lady playing your girlfriend. Did you get to choose who took part?

Yeah I did. I went to New York to do that video and he gave me a list and briefing on about ten girls. I just picked from the ones I liked the best.

That sounds like a tough decision?

It was a great day (laughs). I hope to make much more decisions like that.

You’ve performed at a few festivals this year so far. Had you experienced that type of Wellie wearing extravaganza before?

I new about festivals of course but I didn’t have the finances or mind set to go. But it’s actually an amazing experience and I can’t wait to continue going to festivals for the rest of my life. The hospitality and being around other music lovers - listening to good music, rain, sun or mud it’s just great.

With such a busy October tour schedule how do you relax?

My October tour is real busy. I’ll probably start (typical day) with a performance at a school and in the day time I’ll probably do radio promo and In the evening I’ll do my actual show. Then late night I’ll probably do a club. It’s just like milking a cow! I do try and chill out, but I get breathless. Like I do need to do something all the time. I feel if I chill its just gonna take longer for me to get where I want to be. I’ll rest when I’m dead. Ha (laughs)

It’s been a pleasure. Any final thoughts.

Just I want to take my live shows to the next level - Something that the critics can talk about. With the album I’m just waiting for the penny to drop in terms of Major’s. Until then I’m just gonna keep pushing.

Catch Master Shortie on the Bizzare BURRRAP TOUR along with Chipmunk, Ironic, Kid British Master Shortie, MPHO, Tinie Tempah, Mz Bratt, Gracious K, Mclean & Aggro Santos + a few other surprises. For dates hit the 'buy now' button.
Words ALI RAYMOND