Interview | Labrinth
Labrinth London-born Timothy McKenzie, aka Labrinth, won last year’s Ivor for Best Contemporary Song with rapper Tinie Tempah. He co-wrote and produced Tinie’s debut single Pass Out, which reached No. 1 in the UK singles chart. After finding success as a writer and producer – he began producing aged just 15 – in 2010, Labrinth became the first non talent show signing to Simon Cowell’s record label Syco in six years. He released his debut album Electronic Earth earlier in April 2012. What do you remember about winning last year with Pass Out? I remember that I was nervous as fuck! It was weird, getting an Ivor Novello Award for something classed as a UK urban record. Obviously Dizzee Rascal also won [The Ivors Inspiration Award] that year, but I didn’t think we were going to get it. So yeah, it was really nice to be recognised. Was there anything special about winning an Ivor in particular? Definitely. The Ivors are one of the most important awards in the world. As a writer and producer, it was an honour to receive it. It’s good because The Ivors are not about how many records you’ve sold, they’re about craftsmanship. I actually didn’t get recognised too much on Pass Out, which makes sense – a lot of people who listen to the record just think Tinie, Tinie, Tinie. But I was up for nights on that record making sure everything was tight.
“The Ivors are one of the most important awards in the world. As a writer and producer, it was an honour to receive it.”
Were you cautious about joining Syco? It was very important that I had my own say. But in terms of business, I’m a minor. I know a lot about creating music, but not business. So it was a balance of talking to the label, making sure I have what I need, and they have what they need. I want to appeal to the masses – that’s my approach, but musical integrity is more important to me than anything else. How happy are you to have finished your debut album? Most writers are not happy with their works, that’s me all the time. Also, as a writer I’m a baby – I don’t know anything. When I think I do know everything then I won’t have a career. So I’m out there learning all the time. Electronic Earth was a great learning experience for me I’ve never finished an album before, and I finally got there.
Were your family proud? Ha ha, my family are the coolest guys in the business, so they don’t care much for all that excitement and stuff. My mum was actually almost not going to come, but she did. It’s The Ivors.
How has being a producer helped your songwriting? It has taught me loads. As a producer you listen to so many different artists that you’re always finding details that you didn’t notice before. Just listening to albums, like Radiohead’s OK Computer, lots by David Bowie, Purple Rain – they really helped me to figure out where I want to sit.
Do you remember your acceptance speech? I think I said that hopefully Simon (Cowell) can put out a credible album finally. There had been a lot of slating of Syco at the time – they’d just finished the Susan Boyle album and a lot of manufactured pop covers. I said, “Well, I’m on this label now.”
Do you find writing tougher than producing? It’s definitely very hard. As a producer, it’s easy to tell an artist that something will work or not – you can lay down the facts. As an artist, you have to go inside yourself. I had a lot of internal battles – lots of arguments in my head. I really had to learn how to balance myself.
The 2012 Ivor Novello Awards | 33
