EQUATE meets Backroad Gee

Catching up with Backroad Gee in the thick of lockdown was as insightful as it was humorous. Though a brief conversation, I was able to get a little look into the life of one of London’s up-and-coming rappers in the scene, find out what inspires him, and get the lowdown on what we can expect for the rest of 2020.

Words by Danielle Temeng

Taking 10 minutes out of one of his busy writing sessions of the day to speak with me, Backroad Gee was very humble when I congratulated him on his list of accolades, which includes making it onto multiple Spotify playlist, chart topping singles under his belt, and amassing over 1,000,000 YouTube views on his breakout single ‘Party Popper’ (Remix) ft. Ambush and Pa Salieu. Right off the bat Gee expressed the need to not get too comfortable in his position, and it was immediately obvious just how hard he works at his craft, “I can’t lie – I really actually never imagined it [success] being like this, I’m just glad we’re here though, you know? I’m taking it in slowly and just really taking it day by day, but it’s been great. I just don’t let that get to my head, there’s still a lot of work to be done, so I stay working.”

Hearing his distinctive flow, you might think that rap music is all that the 23-year old newcomer is about, and you’d be mistaken - growing up he was heavily influenced by his mother playing traditional Congolese music around the house, which has clearly lead to the melodic and infectious style he now possesses. Interested in his stage name (for lack of knowing what to address him by), I asked about its significance and how he came up with it: “my friends actually gave me the name ‘BRG’ which stands for ‘Back Road Getter’, they knew I didn’t really like being on the main roads [laughs], I would always be on side streets, back roads so the name “Back Road G” just kind of developed from there, and as I grew in music the name stuck, so myself and my manager just changed it into ‘Backroad Gee’”. Getting his start in the industry a little over two years ago now, but being catapulted to the spotlight earlier this year following his viral hit “Party Popper”, it’s hard to believe that Gee might not have pursued this path: “I knew from young I’ve always wanted to do music, it’s been a dream for a while, but I don’t really think I believed in myself back then. It was my bredrin that really gave me the hope, so as soon as I got out of jail, I told myself ‘you have to do it properly you know, you owe it to you to try’”.

“…I’ve met a lot of people and I understand life from a lot of different angles. There’s always more to it than what people see.”

- BACKROAD GEE

Highly praised by key tastemakers in the music scene such as Tiffany Calver and DJ Semtex, as well as peers like Chip & Lethal B, Gee is making quite a name for himself in the industry which some might consider hard break into. Laughing, whilst describing his sound as “madness, straight to business, ‘outta this world and sensational,”, Gee explained that he gained inspiration and relates to a lot of established artists, especially notable names in the African music scene such as Burna Boy, but also stated that: “…overall I’d define my sound as just unexplainable, like no one else, but yes, there’s a few people I really do look up to!”

Gee is on the rise, and his fan base continues to grow as he’s grows from hit to hit. Listening to early tracks such as “I’m Free”, to the gritty rap style we know today, it’s clear his talent is based off a natural flair. However, growing up across many differing parts of London, mainly Tottenham, Stratford, Pimlico, East Finchley, and down to Thornton Heath is how Gee ultimately discovered his sound, and the story he would tell: “…that’s what my music is all about, my whole upbringing, what I’ve seen, what I’ve experienced, what I’ve overcome and conquered - my journey in life. My environment, of course, plays a big part of who I am as a person and as an artist; I’ve been around everywhere – from South to East to North, so I’ve met a lot of people and I understand life from a lot of different angles. There’s always a lot more to it than what people see”. These experiences and merging of environments all culminated into shaping Backroad Gee into the musician we know and respect today.

With my time almost spent, I wanted to get a quick insight into what we can expect from Gee after lockdown, but keeping his cards quite close to his chest I knew I’d have to wait and see. However, he did offer me something in the form of a playlist addition: “you’ve GOT to listen to my boy Pa Saileu’s new track ‘Betty’, it’s not even out yet, but when it is you’ve definitely got to look out for it!”

On a mission to leave a firm imprint on the UK rap scene, Backroad Gee is rapidly building a reputation as ‘one to watch’ for 2020. Gifted with a unique flow that sets the newcomer apart, and a vigorous ‘make it big’ mentality, he’s an artist that shows that not only can he stand out from a crowd, but proves that he can hold his own when in good company too.

YouTube/GRM Daily

Stream His New Single ‘I Got Mine/My Famlee’ HERE

Follow Backroad Gee on socials:

Instagram: @backroadgee

Twitter: @backroadgee