EQUATE Introducing SELASS

Words & interview by Tahirah Thomas

Identifying positivity in rap music has always proven a conundrum for those who live outside of its relative sphere of influence. Often in a contemporary context, the historically politicised genre is pigeonholed by the mainstream through the pointed lens of its aggressive delivery and outwardly controversial lyrical content. One rapper who has dedicated his creative repertoire to shifting this narrative as we turn into a new decade is South-Kilburn’s SELASS - who, across his rapidly growing discography has merged the worlds of religion and rap, showcasing candidly within his music new perspectives on hope, unity and black empowerment.

Catching up with the diligent rapper proves no easy feat, as despite the real-life constraints of the third nationwide lockdown caused by the pandemic, SELASS has found himself in a constant daze-like back and forth between home and the studio which he’s built at his parent’s community centre, in the local Peel Precinct. When I get him on the phone, it’s conspicuous that his mind rarely leaves that creative haven, as he begins our conversation explaining how the lockdowns have had a goading effect on his productive output, saying “I really can’t complain - having the studio during this time has been a blessing; it’s given me the opportunity to look inwards and hone my craft”. He continues pensively, “It’s been so instrumental in the forwards movement I’ve been able to achieve in my career so far, which I think is evident in the amount of work I’ve completed and put out this past year.”

The work to which SELASS is referring encompasses him independently conceptualising, producing, recording and releasing his debut EP “Long Way Home” at the beginning of 2020. A motivating accomplishment that the rapper expeditiously compounded upon with the release of his debut album “Met Quota” a mere 10-months-later. “It’s important for me to have a level of creative control” says SELASS of his hands-on approach to recording. “I don’t ever want my music to sound monotonous or directionless – when you build a track from inception through to completion, you’re able to create an infinite number of sonic possibilities and, even better, you don’t have to match any energies outside of the ones you yourself create”. In adopting this approach, SELASS has been able to quickly establish a definitive musical identity, one which he describes as “unique, soulful and real”. Concluding his line of thought by elucidating the latter, he explains “It’s helpful to work the way I do, because from an artistic perspective I know everything is coming from within”.

It’s discernible at this point in his budding career that SELASS is an artist who prides himself on self- sufficiency. In contrast to this, it’s also noticeable as we speak, that his humble approach and demeanour have been an equally fervent factor in his garnered success thus far. Guiding the conversation towards the time SELASS spent in the studio with rapper Kano last year upon winning Adidas’s 3 Bar Superstar competition, he reflects on the experience saying, “It was amazing to get to work in that environment with a legend like Kano. I appreciate that he took the time to sit with me and listen to my music, acknowledging the fact that I’ve put in the necessary groundwork to become well-rounded as an artist”. Whilst in the studio, Kano encouraged SELASS to hop in the booth, where he began recording the track ‘Check’, from his then up-coming album. “He really liked the song” SELASS recalls, “I think some of his influence can be heard too, whilst I was recording it, we discussed some of the techniques he’s used over the years; it was all very eye-opening”.

“I want the youngers who come across my music to take in the message – to learn from my experiences and mistakes, instead of making mistakes to then learn after the fact.”

- SELASS

If there’s one track that universally captures the wide breadth of subject-matter SELASS has covered within the lyricism of his debut album MET QUOTA, it’s ‘Check’. “Another black yute’ in the dirt / another black yute’ locked up he’s bout’ to do a bird / no breaking the curse / they’re tallying our death / it’s a definite turn for the worse”, SELASS raps expansively in the opening line, his flows creating a syncopated pattern against the modulated guitar sample which carries the drill-tinged beat. As the rapper lists off a series of home truths about the realities of black existence under a racialised system, he ad-libs the word “check” with growing assertion, as if in the moment he’s stepped into the mindset of an oppressor calculating the negative effects his decisions may have on others.

Asking about the artistic significance behind SELASS naming his debut MET QUOTA, the rapper responds, “It all stems from a questioning of societies’ hierarchies, it’s a meditation on how the powers that be often monopolise on the chaos they create for others”. Continuing to further elucidate the moral reasoning behind his artistic explorations, he says, “I believe there are people out there who do seek to profit from the downfall of those already living in marginalised communities”. People who work solely to generate statistics and meet targets regardless of the negative outcomes their decisions may have on the lives of the majority”. Concluding this line of thought, the zeal is evident in his tone, “I chose the name MET QUOTA because I want to create a conversation around these issues; conversations lead to change, knowledge holds power”.

Going further, I wonder whether SELASS reflects on the environment he grew up in as the impetus for the messages inherent of his music today. “It’s quite the dichotomy” he tells me, “I feel like my environment affected in me in both positive and negative ways”. We talk briefly about the relative sanctuaries of his parent’s community centre and his church growing up; how both environments allowed him to stay out of the way from the troubles he would often find on his doorstep. “What those spaces did for us [the youth in the community], was to outline a blueprint for morality.” So much so…”, he continues “that growing up, for me, everything outside of the precedent that had been set in those spaces felt like it needed to be second guessed”.

On the negative, SELASS ruminates, “I still did manage to get caught up sometimes – with the wrong people, in the wrong place, at the wrong time”. In hindsight, he ponders upon how these situations could have led to constraints being put on his freedom or worse, his demise. “Those experiences stick with you” the rapper admits candidly, before thoughtfully outlining that he still feels blessed to have had the push-and-pull of both territories working in constant symbiosis to inform the artist he’s becoming today. We talk briefly about how SELASS is also of the understanding that many young people coming up in similar environments today, may not have access to youth clubs or a religion to find refuge in. Overtly, he details how he hopes his music can provide guidance and respite for those who may share in the experiences he so meticulously details across his discography, saying “I want the youngers who come across my music to take in the message – to learn from my experiences and mistakes, instead of making mistakes to then learn after the fact”, he concludes tellingly, “I know too well that in some cases these lessons can come too late”.

Last week, SELASS dropped the visual for his breakout single “Jah Inna My Life” via LinkUp TV, a song which perfectly showcases the deeply moving core ideas characteristic of the rapper’s lyrical repository, as he elucidates how having faith can provide a means for one’s self-elevation. Interestingly, SELASS has dedicated the song to “Ras Kinfe”, who, he explains, is a cultural-figurehead and close-friend of his church that unfortunately passed away last year. When I ask why he felt it pertinent to pay homage to “Ras Kinfe” within his music, he explains “he was my dad’s best-friend; we’d have great conversations, you know? He loves music just as much as I do, and he’s always been a big supporter of mine. When he passed, I felt like I had to get the music done in his name – I know that’s what he would have wanted for me”.

It’s a touching sentiment, one that plays on my mind as our conversation comes to a close, I see now that at the heart of what SELASS does is a deep and genuine care for those in his community. Although his music may initially come across poignantly, it’s undeniable that there’s an endless fountain of personal experience to be garnered for anyone who listens faithfully; with an open mind. It’s even more crystalline, having had such an exchange with the rising rapper, that his trajectory in shaking up the landscape of religiously informed rap music has just begun, and will continue making an impact for many years to come.

Watch the visuals for ‘Jah Inna My Life’ from MET QUOTA below…

YouTube/Link Up TV

Stream SELASS’ Debut Album ‘Met Quota’ HERE

Follow SELASS on socials:

Instagram: @selass_official

Twitter: @selass_official