tuning in with

Despite only being active in the music game for two years, Arz has worked to prove himself as one of London’s artists to watch. We sat down with upcoming East London rapper Arz to find out what drives him. From his ideas on producing music, to his influences, and his experiences with combining family and management, we learnt a lot about what makes him unique.

You make a lot of music about the women in your life, Various women, some being family as well. Why do you think you gravitate to the subject?

I don't know. I grew up around women like my Mum and my sister. My dad didn't really live with me in the house, so mainly my mum and my sister. I spent bare time with my sister. I don't know…I think that helped me to understand them and the world better. […] women are sick. Without women, there’s nothing so… feel you. We were even talking earlier about how music as gotten shorter these days through these mediums such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts and IG Reels. Are you seeing anything about how you shoot your videos, make your music, or select beats that feels influenced by this? don't know, people always ask me this - I just have to respond like its more Rap. can hear Grime ‘cause I came up on Grime and listened to bare Grime when I was younger so when started spitting you might hear the Grime influence, so i understand when people say it but really man Rap, Grime - just make what I make really. don't feel there is one category that specifically fall into. one

Yeah for sure. And not to keep it only about love interests cause obviously you also rap about your mum a lot, you talk about your family, your sister - You work with your sister as well. How is that? Can that be difficult at times?

Yeah, she’s a part of my management, which is sick, and it definitely is [difficult] at times, you know - Family and business is never going to be straightforward. There’s a lot of love in it and you got to think about the business, what’s right business wise. But obviously, think above everything its good cause it is someone close that I can trust with the business.

So how do you think your music affects your family? Do you think about them much when creating?

I don't know you know. I know when make music that they're not particularly going to like some of the language or whatnot - but overall, they love it. My mum's really proud of me, like really, really proud of me. My dad always checks for my music. I remember chilling, me and my dad talking about his favourite songs on my project and that, what i''m doing next and stuff.

So, how has your rise through TikTok played a part in where you are today? Like what’s your honest thoughts on TikTok and its influence on music right now?

I think it's sick, I think it's blessed a lot of artists but also feel like its inconsistent.

Is that just because there's a lot of people trying to shoot their shot?

There's lots of people but even the way the algorithm works, it’s quite random. So, like to build a support network is probably a bit more difficult than everybody thinks. Just because you can post something and then it goes crazy, it’s not easy to follow up, or easy to keep those people around. So, I don't know. Has it pros and cons init. I think it works out for people in different ways, but in my case, it definitely helped with my song 'Alone with You'.

Its interesting though, a lot of people hit once and then they just try and do it again. You're not that kind of guy, we haven't seen like try and mimic or imitate that again. Is that a conscious thing that you are not trying to do?

Yeah, I think so. I think - I don't know, don't want to stay in one place with my music or just try and do the same things so naturally I have to move on init.

Not really, I think. don't know. think sometimes do try and consider it. think it should be considered at the same time, because you should just be rapping - how you want to rap init, despite what social media platform is going to help boost it or what not. So, I don't think so. I think I've just been doing what I do. I don't really try to take in too much.

20 years ago the likes of Wiley and Dizzee Rascal and Grime was dominating East London, solidifying itself as a prominent genre. They often group you a lot within lo fi rap or grime. Does that feel accurate?

Who was you listening to coming up on Grime?

Bare Chip. Bare Wretch.

Grime is as a as a genre is quite niche init, so I guess when you add it to the pot of stuff you do. It’s a bit of a shock like “rah he can spit bars as well.” It’s quite impressive thing when we see you show off.

There’s just something gassy about Grime, It’s like a throwback thing when you hear someone spitting and you know like that’s a Grime flow.

On collaboration - Imagine there are no limits, you could go anywhere, spend as much as you want. What’s the dream collab? Who’s producing it, who’s doing the verse and who’s on the chorus?

Okay... Jhené Aiko, Produced by ATL Jacob, featuring Lil Wayne!

Yo that’s sounding insane! [laughs] gotta make that happen man. You're still young but what would you tell your younger self if you could?

Don’t get caught up. Think about things before you do them. Block distractions before it gets too late and just stay focused man. Stay hungry

Tion Wayne is no stranger to releasing a hit song. From his feature on NSG’s Options, to his successful 2021 debut LP Green with Envy, Wayne has proven his ability to jump on a variety of beat patterns and showcase his lyrical versatility. His creative prowess is also clear in his music video success - with multiple music videos amassing millions of views on YouTube.

Wayne’s recent video, Healing for example, has already gained 2.2 million views, within the short time span