ADMT
ADMT is a force to be reckoned with. Always busy creating new songs, working with others, and putting his own spin on popular tunes, he quickly built a loyal, ever-growing audience due to his art of genre-blending. A great example of his talent is his recent version of 50 Cent’s “Best Friend,” which quickly went viral- Even 50 Cent noticed and shared the video with his massive following of 29 million people, introducing a much wider audience to ADMT’s talent. Despite launching his music career in the midst of a global pandemic, he never gave up on himself. Whilst touring was off the table he took to the streets, and through busking he found a way to give people a taste of their much missed live music. By taking matters into his own hands, he captivated thousands of new fans in the process and even bagged a feature on Apple Tv’s Ted Lasso.
We caught up with him about all things touring, busking and 50 Cent.
EQ: In the midst of the global pandemic, you took to the streets through busking to connect with fans. How did this experience contribute to overcoming the challenges of launching your music career, and what impact did it have on cultivating a new fanbase?
A: To be fair, I’m not sure I had any fans when I first started. If I’m being truthful I took to busking because music was the only thing I loved and with working in a factory and my mental health being pretty low. Music was the only thing that gave me peace. Busking taught me a lot. First of all it prepares you for rejection - not everyone likes buskers haha. Most people are lovely but being on the street in the cold teaches you some truths about the grind, survival resilience you know?
EQ: Your recent reimagination of 50 Cent’s track ‘Best Friend’’ went viral which is insane! First of all, what made you cover that song in particular? And what was your initial reaction when you found out that the man himself shared it as well?
A: I’ll be honest, the decision to cover that song was initially turned down by myself. I wasn’t sure how it would sound and if I could pull off taking a rap hook, such as that and making it my own haha. But after some experimenting with my best friend in the studio we ended up with what you hear now. I love 50 Cent, that’s the main reason I wanted to do it and also I was doing a lot of different covers at the time, this one just seemed a bit different you know.
When I first noticed big things were happening, I was in bed scrolling - as you do! I remember earlier on that day, I’d said to my mate “can you imagine if he shared it” literally as a passing comment and then 10pm that night I saw it, jumped out of bed and rang everyone I knew hahaha
EQ: Overall,In the current challenges faced by emerging artists, how has your online presence, particularly on platforms like TikTok, helped you expand your reach and connect with a wider audience?
A: As far as I’m concerned social media is a duality of positivity and quite the opposite. I think if it’s used right, it’s the greatest advertising platform in the world. Not just Tik Tok but instagram has proven to be equally as effective if not more for me recently too, which is also blessing. It’s great to be able to interact with fans as they are the most important thing to me, without them I couldn’t do this at all! I use these platforms for just that. It’s easy to fall into a rabbit hole of scrolling which inevitably affects me badly mentally, but I try to use them for their pros.
EQ: Do you have a streamlined creative process when creating new music or does it differ each time?
A: Hahah I’m not the most streamlined person but I feel the more I have been writing the better the process has become. Writing songs has always felt pretty natural to me. I have quite an overactive mind which has always had its challenges haha. I like to just catch a vibe in a room of creative people when writing and see what the universe delivers, as cliche as that sounds haha. Or have a beer and wing it.
EQ: How do you believe your transparent approach to songwriting has contributed to the normalization of conversations around mental health and wellness, especially among men?
A: I honestly don’t know. All I can do is speak my truth and if that makes it easier for one person to open up, that’s great. If that helps people seek support or maybe not do something they may have otherwise regretted then that’s amazing. I don’t like the direct approach of YOU MUST TALK, I don’t think it always works but I believe if I just normalize being open around everyone I meet, no judgment just safe conversation then maybe that will spread in a positive way. I’m no mental health professional, yano. So I just think it’s about people talking but that can only happen if they know they won’t face backlash for it. As cliche as it sounds it’s all about a bit of love innit haha.
EQ: Your tour is happening next year! What can someone who’s not seen you live expect from a live show, and is there any city you’re excited to perform in the most?
A: Can’t tell you. You’ve got to come see! haha. I’m not sure, these songs are all true and parts of my life, so you can expect some pain, some struggle, some love, some happy moments and a bit of dancing I guess.
Stream ‘Best Friend’ below
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