Surviving with BowLDN
Reigning from South London, Brit artist BowLDN has had an upbringing that many can relate to. Growing up with learning difficulties and getting into scraps with the law, it didn’t take long for BowLDN to turn his experiences into the purist art form - music. Instead of being pigeonholed he's created something new, a sound that can be described as rap and dance infused together mixed with BowLDN’s exquisite take. His latest track ‘Survivor’ beautifully encapsulates BowLDN’s experiences, of overcoming adversity and creating a better life.
We chat to BowLDN on how he found his sound, his reaction to when his Dad wanted Whatsapp and how family made him change his life around. Margaret Tra writes.
You have a very unique take on hip hop, could you tell us how you came up with it?
For this particular track I thought I would do something different, I wanted to tell a story with the verse and I wanted to deliver energy and emotion in the chorus. It's a cross between dance and rap.
Your track 'Survivor' is a personal one, was life in South West London hard for you?
Like anybody who has grown up in South London - it can be challenging. From the richest to the poorest person everyone has struggles, but it’s about having faith and believing in yourself. I’ve had a few problems, but overall I love where I’m from, I wouldn’t change anything, I had a great childhood.
I read that you had learning difficulties, what would your advice be for others who suffer from the same thing?
Yes I did. I found it difficult in school, little things like reading out loud would make me very uncomfortable. I always felt like the other kids would laugh at me, so I would do everything and anything not to be asked to read, even if it meant getting in trouble. Maths was another subject I found tough, I still do, but I get by. I would say try not to worry about what others think of you, if you need help don’t be afraid to ask for it, a lot of people want to help. Most importantly don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed because you might need a little more time than the others. All you have is time, so make sure to make the most of it.
What other projects are you working on?
Well, I’m working on a few different things. I’ve just finished recording my new EP, it is currently being mastered so it will be available next month that has been keeping me quite busy. In the next few weeks I will be shooting a videos to one of the tracks of the EP, so right now I’ve been working to get the themes and style sorted out. I’m also working with Lewis Lloyd on his new album S.I.N produced a few tracks for him. You can follow him on Twitter @Lewis_L_A.
It looks like you've had a journey that most could relate to, getting into scraps with the law, what made you turn your life around?
To be honest, I just didn’t like the life I was living. I was very young at the time, only 14, so growing up has changed me a lot, I’m 21 now. I didn’t like the life I was living, I was letting myself and my family down. Family is everything to me, so seeing them disappointed was hard on me. I don’t regret anything because it made me who I am today, Music was my saviour hint the title ‘Survivor.’
I read on your twitter that your dad asked about Whatsapp?
Yes, he did. I bought him a phone for his birthday and the main thing he wanted was to have WhatsApp on his phone, so I set that up for him. Now he loves using it.
What stimulates your soul?
Positive energy, working hard and taking care of people around me. That's all I ever wanted to do, to be able to support people. Nothing makes me feel better than knowing I've helped someone.