Words by Art Jefferson
Images courtesy of Adian Coker
Adian Coker is what one would call the perfectly balanced emcee. With the ability to let-off bars for days with clever metaphors and punch lines, he also possesses an in-depth skill of storytelling which allows the listener to form vivid pictures whilst being musically transported throughout the journey. There is also the element of accessibility. Coker’s songs cross both the underground and mainstream with sheer dignity and a quality level that blows everything else out of the water. With his latest EP Connect poised to be one of the best releases of 2016, Adian Coker is clearly out to dominate not only the Hip-Hop landscape but music as a whole.
Hailing from Woolwich in South London, Adian Coker released his sonically diverse mixtape Lights Fantastic back in 2012. Not only showcasing his skills as a gifted lyricist, it also demonstrated his beyond sky-high levels as a producer, incorporating bits of indie rock into his plate of Hip-Hop. It was his critically praised 2013 Young World recording that catapulted Coker into the international circuit. Refusing to slow down the momentum, his 2015 EP Time Out of Mind featured the high-powered singles ‘Get Money’ and ‘Gospel’ featuring Raheem Bakaré. By that point, the writing was on the wall that Adian Coker’s imprint was going to be a lasting one.
Having set off 2016 with his monster cut ‘No Angel’, followed by his massive Connect EP, Adian Coker is like the golden child of the game with his name reserved on the throne.
When did you first begin emceeing?
Adian Coker – I started rapping when I was 13 I think. I started making beats the week before when my music teacher asked if I wanted to be a last minute addition to a music production workshop. I said yes, didn’t look back, and didn’t like the way everybody else was spitting so I just started writing!
You have been experimenting with different styles of music even going back to your Lights Fantastic mixtape. Growing up were you always into an eclectic range of music?
Adian Coker – Yeah man. It’s exciting to me that you noticed that. Lights Fantastic was very ‘musical’. The verses weren’t ‘bars’ in the traditional sense that I could hop onto the radio and spit. It was definitely more about the songs. I’ve always listened to a range of music. Always. From a very young age, and I think you can hear that in the diversity of my music.
You’re equally as talented as a producer as you are a lyricist. When did you first start delving in the production side of things?
Adian Coker – Thank you. Yeah, pretty much just before I started rapping. The two have become inseparable for me. One acts as just as much a vehicle for the other. That’s not to say I’m not interested in rapping on other peoples beats, but I enjoy the freedom I have when making my own stuff.
Of course you’re from South London which has always had a reputation for its variety of sounds stemming from the area. Has growing up in South influenced the way you create music?
Adian Coker – Definitely. The different areas of London are all very different. They have their own characteristics that make them unique. The way we speak, the slang we use, the music we listen too, all of that would differ from, say, somebody that grew up in East London, and as a South Londoner, you would definitely be aware of that.
Many people would have caught on to you when you dropped your Young World release in 2013. That was a big project for you. Whilst the levels were really high with that mixtape, did you already have a feeling that it was going to explode the way it did? It got your name known outside of the UK.
Adian Coker – Not at all. I was still a newbie to the game even though I’d dropped Lights Fantastic prior to that. That mixtape still has a special place in my heart man. It was a real exploration of my musical palette; just me being young and trying to find my sound. But it still sounded so accomplished. I wish I was rapping on it with the authority that I do now, but I’m still proud of it.
One thing that I have noticed with you is your attention to detail when it comes to not only the lyrics but the immense quality of production. Would you call yourself a perfectionist when in the studio?
Adian Coker – Less so these days. I used to want to make sure that absolutely everything was perfect, and my quality control is definitely still up there. But I’ve realised that the magic comes from the imperfections, that’s what gives music it’s character. The music still sounds clean and accomplished, but not everything needs to be finessed and scrutinised over and over again; it’s so much more important to go with the vibe and the feeling over whether the technical aspects are perfect.
You’re latest release Connect is in my opinion, better than most album releases that have come out in the past year or so. How would you describe it compared to some of your past recordings?
Adian Coker – That’s a huge, huge compliment. Thank you. It’s growth man. Even from the last one, you can hear that I’m super comfortable on the mic. The flow is better, the beats are better. I’m always happy when I listen back and I hear that I took another step forward in the creation of the music. I want to keep pushing the envelope and making music that make people feel something, anything, but feel nonetheless. Also, just growing as a person, the music is going to sound different, the subject matter will change. But that’s what’s supposed to happen. If it’s not you need to put the pen, pad, and the mic down and go and live, get some different life experiences under your belt, then come back and have something different to say.
Finally, having performed a number of festivals and gigs over the past few years, which would you say has been your most memorable show?
Adian Coker – Actually, the last show I did was in Paris for Kitsuné. It was absolutely amazing. The crowd were amped, it was packed and we had an amazing time. Plus it was in Paris so what could be better. I’m going to be supporting Hopsin at Electric Brixton July 14th. Hope to see you there!
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