frontline In association with Meet the industry’s brightest new talents…
Yinka Bokinni DJ, Capital Xtra @yinkdaddy
What made you want to be a DJ? “My love for music, to put it super-simply. I have always been obsessed, from musicians, to tours, to production, dancing and singing – extremely badly – and I knew I wanted to incorporate that into my life. For a while, I had no idea how to, since I cannot sing or lay down a wicked 16. Eventually, though, I found a way. Being the host of the Capital Xtra Breakfast Show allows me to put my love for music – and talking, don’t forget talking – to use every single day. And DJing at gigs and festivals and seeing the tunes I select affect people just feels absolutely insane. I feel lucky (and tired, because phew it is hard work!) to have been able to navigate from a dream of wanting to embed myself in the music game, to hosting a flagship show and DJing in the coolest spaces.”
How should radio support artists?
“It plays a huge role. People are so used to hearing the radio and it being a part of their lives that it is pretty easy to underestimate the power of it. Radio can help deliver music to corners that you never thought you would reach, to people who you would never meet. Radio can support artists by taking chances on those who aren’t already established. On my show, I get a thrill every time someone wants me to namecheck a song or wants more details on the up-and-coming artists that we break, because that is where the magic is. Yes, getting to play the bangers and give the people what they want is important, but giving others the exposure is vital.”
What’s your best behind-the-scenes story? “One of the things I miss the most about face-to-face interviews
are the moments just before we go live, just before we put our game faces on and chat ‘on the record’. One of my absolute stand-out moments was from Wireless Festival. We had set up a few games to make our backstage interviews a bit more fun and one was a punching game. The Hit As Hard As You Can game, designed to test the actual strength of your favourite rappers. The problem was Jorja Smith. She actually hit harder than a lot of them! We didn’t officially add her name to the scoreboard because she wasn’t on the festival line-up and wasn’t being interviewed, but every time I hear her sweet, sweet vocals or a rapper mention her in their songs, I think, ‘She could probably out-box you,’ and I crack up.”
What should we be looking out for this year? “The rise of R&B. I am not playing down the talent that has existed in the UK for generations, but I think this year we will see the rise of the R&B superstars. In their own right and not just as features on your favourite rap records. Artists like Shaé Universe, Bellah, Haile and Kadeem Tyrell should be on your radar. I have a great feeling about this often underrated genre finally getting its flowers.”
What’s your wish for the industry? “That it continues to flourish. That artists continue to collaborate and grow. The way that the industry has grown and developed in recent years to be artist-focused, and the way eyes currently seem to be placed firmly on the UK side of things is insanely exciting. Long may it continue.”
YINKA’S RECOMMENDED TRACK: Pa Salieu – Energy (feat. Mahalia)
ARE YOU A RISING STAR? Under 30? Making a name for yourself? Email Ben Homewood at
ben.homewood@futurenet.com to appear here...
Yinka Bokinni: “Radio can deliver music to corners you never thought you’d reach”
THIS MONTH: Is re-recording the best way for artists to take full control of their repertoire?
Kwame Kwaten, founder, Ferocious Talent: “Artists need to be thinking about their masters from the beginning of their career. They’re like real estate: if you gave a house away it would be hard or impossible to get back on the ladder, so to speak, unless you have lease agreements that return the house (masters) to you. Re-recording is a good option and you do earn well
if you release your re-records through label services – suddenly you’re on 80/20 or 85/15 in your favour. But you rarely get the feel of the original recording spot on. Fans love original recordings or outtakes, that’s what makes it special.
musicweek.com
Also, new tech is using masters in new ways, giving music new, relatable backdrops that can earn long-term. Many acts are now so good at marketing their music on platforms like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, that what was considered the ‘promo cycle’ for a song’s release now is an infinite line. You can keep promoting a good enough song in so
many creative different ways now that if any of the techniques work, that song or master could convert into tens of millions more streams. Hopefully, new tech will shift, re-evaluate and strike new, fairer, bolder, even more transparent master deals with artists and managers. The future could be a pretty fruitful place.”
Talent spotter: Kwame Kwaten Music Week | 15
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