It’s not everyday that you come across someone who you can just tell is going to be a big star someday - REDD. is very much one of those people. They have always felt a natural pull towards music, beginning their music journey at a very young age through piano lessons, and later on being introduced to music production through a friend in early 2021. REDD. would write and make music everyday, whether that was waking up early before school, or staying up into the early hours of the morning creating.

A big part of REDD.‘s music development occurred in lockdown, where they claim it being exactly what they needed for their own personal and musical development. School was a difficult time for the artist at 14-years-old, with navigating social situations and struggling with identity.

“Being in lockdown gave me a lot more confidence to be quiet, and to be myself and to find myself. I got to connect with myself and connect with my music in a way that I literally would not have in any other situation.”

Being ‘stuck at home’ acted as the perfect escape for REDD., as they would spend hours upon hours on making music, developing their sound, and creating purely for themselves - not worried about what anybody else was doing or what anybody else thought. To have this opportunity as a teenager to go through this experience of introspection and self reflection was a really special and pivotal time for REDD.

Their debut mixtape ‘RAUNCH’ is an accumulation of self-expression, freedom and angst explored through a blend of alternative hip hop, punk, rock and a sprinkling of pop - in other words, the music cannot be tied down to one thing, it cannot be tamed. The creation of the mixtape began when REDD. was 17, and they finished it before turning 19, making it a pure encapsulation of this transitional period of leaving school and the freedom that came with this. From getting told off from wearing skirts at school, to now having created a collection of songs that act as a time capsule of the artist at 18 years of age, REDD. aims to forever be their authentic self - powerful, dynamic and constantly developing as an artist and as a person. They strive to be present, to live in their youth and for their music to tell a story of the different eras of REDD. Growing up as a theatre kid, REDD. has always felt comfortable and free on stage, making performing live their favourite way to connect with audiences. Getting to go on tour with their band members (who also happen to be their close friends) and meeting people along the way is a life that REDD. aspires to live.

“I want to be a career artist, and that means in 20 years time, you’re going to listen to RAUNCH and say ‘Wow that sounds like REDD when they were 18!’ …this is the journey that I want people to come along with me.”

REDD. has already established a unique image and style, as they’ve always daydreamed about being a pop star, they have really leaned into this stylised, cool, edgy persona. The artist says to have many different sides to themselves, some sides being more loud and even abrasive, whereas they also maintain a soft and genuine version that comes out when speaking passionately about music. ‘RAUNCH’ is a project where REDD. has really been able to express themselves not only musically but visually. Making note of and thanking the support from photographers, stylists and directors, they have really been able to explore and have fun with the project.

I got to have a listen to REDD.‘s new upcoming single ‘MESSY’, which is fully energetic and angsty. The song is a reflection of a particular time in REDD.‘s life, of going out to parties, drinking and having a great time. The song came about in one of their unique writing sessions, where the artist gives themselves the last 15 minutes of a studio session to get ideas out as fast as possible.

When asked about what they would change about the music industry, REDD. expressed that musicians should receive a minimum wage, separate from their advance, and overall better support to pursue music. The industry often only allows those who can financially back themselves to be successful - REDD. believes that anyone should be able to enter the music industry and make a career out of it. They also made note of artificial intelligence (AI) and how its presence in the music industry needs to be more heavily regulated, suggesting that AI music should not be allowed on major charts, and that it needs to be clearly stated if something is made by AI.

I asked REDD. what they hope to accomplish in their music journey, they described the desire to be ‘the most purposeful artist ever’, meaning every decision of sound, instrumentals and vocals is carefully considered, and definitive of REDD.‘s music style. They want to keep growing, keep meeting new people, keep playing shows, and for the biggest goal of all - to become the youngest person to receive the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) title. REDD. knows who they are and who they want to be, and this passion for their craft just naturally flows from them.

Go and check out ‘RAUNCH’, and listen to REDD’s new single ‘MESSY’ which is OUT NOW.

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