Relentless Crew (RC) are a diverse British rap group from London. The group consists of three members: Castro, K-O and Odin, who deliver a solid sound and all bring something different to the mix. RC have won UK Unsigned and released single ‘Way With Words’, among others. We catch up with these driven rappers to talk music, inspiration and who to look out for this year.
When did your love of music begin?
Castro: From about when I was about eight-years-old.
Odin: I can’t even remember to tell the truth. It was always destined though, with my dad involved in sound and my cousin being a Garage DJ back in the day!
K-O: I think I’ve always had a love of music! My mum tells me I used to perk up to the Eastenders theme tune when I was 1… not sure what that says!
How did the group come together?
K-O: The three of us went to school together. Cas and Odin already knew each other pretty well and a mutual friend introduced me to them. We basically all had a love for music, rap in particular, so we started to make some songs, see what we could do and it pretty much went from there! Once we realised how well we gelled as a group, things got serious! In a good way!
Who inspires you in the music business?
Castro: Simon Cowell & RC!
Odin: Jay-Z. No label would sign him, so he started his own label.
K-O: Any artist that really takes their craft seriously and puts every ounce of themselves into being as good as they can be!
What artists are you are listening to at the moment?
Castro: Mic Righteous, Action Bronson, Meek Mill, Dappy, Marger, Krept n Konan.
Odin: Same. Plus, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Nas, Ricky Rozay and K Koke.
K-O: I chop and change every day, between old and new! But, recently if I’m totally honest, it’s mainly tracks that we are currently producing!
This turned serious for you guys because you got a lot of positive feedback from people, did you think you would get as far as you have?
Castro: Yes, because I knew what we were capable of as individuals and as RC.
K-O: Definitely, 100%. I’ve always had faith in what we could do, and I expect us to do a lot more as well!
Odin: This is only the tip of the iceberg to me! I expect us to get much further!
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Castro: For me it’s got to be winning UK Unsigned and performing overseas.
Odin: I would have to agree. You can’t beat flying out to perform in a different country.
K-O: Music is the universal language!! For me I think it’s just in general having the opportunities that have come our way. Releasing music, having people love it and performing to fans! That’s what I love.
If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?
Castro: Mic Righteous or Krept n Konan.
Odin: Delilah! We need to make that happen.
K-O: I’m with Odin there!
Who do you think we should be listening out for in 2013?
K-O: RC!
Castro: A female group called M.O they could do big things this year, I also have to big up Random Impulse, another guy who could break 2013 and also of course, RC!
Odin: Ab-Soul, Emilio Rojas and Joey Bada$$.
What can we expect from Relentless Crew this year?
Castro: Just more of what you see, high quality visuals and music for the fans supporting us, also more shows up and down the country.
Odin: Quality. Whether it’s a big budget video or a free download, people have come to expect a high quality product. Also, people that have only heard ‘Way With Words’ need to go and check out our previous stuff, including our single ’24/7′ and mixtape ‘Eyes Don’t Lie’.
K-O: Let’s just say the chamber is loaded. We can’t wait to show people what we’ve got coming up!
If you could use one word to describe each member of the group what would it be and why?
Castro: For K-O it would be ‘perfectionist’, he doesn’t stop until things are ‘perfect’ and for Odin it would be ‘freestyler’, because he’s a sick freestyler.
Odin: I would describe K-O as ‘technical’ and Castro as ‘passionate’.
K-O: Ok guess we have to be nice here? Castro I would simply say ‘energy’, and Odin I would say ‘rawness’.
Which artists influence your sound?
Odin: Pay As You Go and Heartless Crew. They remind me that music is about entertainment.
K-O: I think we genuinely have our own sound! But, I draw inspiration from and study the techniques of people ranging from Michael Jackson, to Coldplay, to Kano!
Are you all friends as well as band mates?
Castro: No…(Just joking…or am I?)
Odin: When we have to be!
K-O: I don’t even know their real names…
With your last single ‘Best Kept Secret’ in mind, what’s the best secret you’ve kept?
Castro: If I said what it was it wouldn’t be the ‘Best Kept Secret’ anymore!
Odin: I am Batman. (I wish!)
What are your holiday plans for this year?
K-O: Wherever we are getting promoted, so hoping it’s somewhere nice!
Castro: Hopefully, Spain or the USA.
Odin: I’ve just been on an epic journey that included: Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand! I think it will be somewhere in Europe this time, unless someone wants to fly us out for a show?!
If you could give advice to anyone starting out in the industry what would it be?
Castro: Just ‘do you’.
Odin: Be relentless in everything you do. Take every opportunity and don’t take no for an answer. I think that advice will help in any industry to be honest.
K-O: Expect knock-backs and then expect more knock-backs, but do not accept NO for an answer.
Keep in touch with Relentless Crew via Twitter – @relentlesscrew or visit their website – http://www.rele
