Camden-based female rapper and singer-songwriter Mercedes was raised in Copenhagen, and is of South American and Jamaican descent. Mercedes has toured and performed on stage across Europe with artists such as Will.i.am, Nicole Scherzinger and Snoop Dogg.
She started in music at a young age and has since conquered the music industry releasing singles, videos and working with great producers to promote her electronic roots sound. Find out what Mercedes is up to this year and who influenced her to make music.
What age did your love of music begin? I think around 7 years old. I was little hippie obsessed with music like the Mamas and The Papas, Jefferson Airplane and Doctor John.
You started a dance group in your early teens, what was that like? By then I had moved on to James Brown and Otis Redding. My three girlfriends and I used to dress up in Men’s suits and do locking. We got to perform at some pretty cool places really young, so that was great!
You were raised in Copenhagen what was your childhood like? I grew up across from a place that is kind of like a mini Amsterdam, if you know what I mean and very hippie-like and free. We didn’t have a bathroom, so we would use the public bathhouse over there and everyone was butt naked! It was also a place where loads of artists like the Fugees, Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Beastie Boys would come and do small very intimate gigs, that I got to go along to!
How long have you lived in London and what do you love about it? About 8 years, but have been back and forth my whole life, because my mum is English so we have family here. I love London for the vibes, the energy, the clothes and the pubs!
Last year you shot a music video for Boots 17 Cosmetics, called ‘Tonight We’re Going OUT Out’, what was that like? It was cool and fun to try something different.
Your track ‘Stars’ is featured in ‘This is 40’ the sequel to the movie ‘Knocked Up’ that must feel great? Yeah I love Judd Apatow movies like ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin’ and ‘Superbad’, so when he chose to put one of my songs in his movie I was smiling a lot.
You’ve had a lot of recognition tell us what else you’ve been up to? Other than the Kill The Noise feature I did recently, I have a few more features which are really exciting and you should hear very soon! Following that my next single will be out later this year along with my mixtape which I’m doing wit Brad Baloo from The Nextmen.
How would you describe your sound? I would say it’s a mixture of old school Hip Hop, Pop and Electro.
Which producers have you been working with? Nextmen, Kill The Noise, Mnek, Dimitri Tikovoi, BlessBeats, Cores, Woz, Breakage and loads more.
Shift Key remixed your track ‘Airwave Hustler’, what was it like working with him? I love what he did on Airwave Hustler! He is dope!
Describe what ‘Airwave Hustler’ is about? The Airwave Hustler is one of my persona’s. As always he/she is the condutor of the airwaves and the robot is the crazy maestro of rhythm from the planet funk!
Which artists made you want to do what you do? Everyone from Salt-N-Pepa, Roxanne Shante, Beastie Boys, EPMD to Grace Jones, Bjork, Portishead and George Clinton. This eclectic mix has definitely inspired me.
Who are you listening to at the moment? I really love that track ‘Wavvy’ by Mykki Blanco and the video is so sexy!
Anyone you think we should look out for this year? My home boy Mnek! Not only is he a great producer, he has a silky smooth voice and I cant wait for his album to come out….I know its going to be crazy!!
What are your plans for the year ahead? I have been working on new music for the past 6 months, that I’m really happy with and will be released 2013. Obviously I’m releasing ‘Cool For Me’ now. You can check out the video I did with Benny Jamz here and on my website www.airwavehustler.com. Its produced by the freshiest French boy I know, Demitri Tikovoi! Also with two wicked remixes from KC Lights, who is with Herve’s Label and Kidbass!
