As she just released the single An I Oop, UK rapper Paigey Cakey told us about her new mixtape that will be out in 2020, her acting career and the importance of supporting other female rappers.
How were you introduced to hip hop and what made you want to become a rapper?
I grew up in a household where my parents would play a lot of hip hop so I was introduced to it at a young age. I always loved music. I started rapping with my friends for fun when I was around the age of 10 or 11. We would record songs on a tape cassette and perform them in my room. Sometimes I’d show my mum the song I had written. It was more of a hobby I never thought I’d be a rapper.
Which artists did you listen to while growing up?
Growing up, I listened to all different genres of music from hip hop and rap to garage, dancehall and even pop music. I loved the Spice Girls. As I got older and took a liking to rap, I became obsessed with Missy Elliott and Ms. Dynamite. I even called myself Hype Dynamite just because I wanted to be like my favorite rapper at that time.
I’m full of melodies and cool one liners.
You are often presented as a grime artist. Do you identify as such?
I think a lot of people get my genre of music wrong. I’m not actually a grime artist, I don’t have any grime songs. I think it’s because I’m from the UK where grime originated so people just assume anyone who raps is a grime artist. I love grime music but I’m more into the hip hop and rap. I would describe my music as being flavorsome as I’m so versatile. I like to rap and sing. I’m full of melodies and cool one liners.
I support all the female rappers.
You released the EP Flavours last February that features several collaborations. How did you work on this project?
I like to work organically with other artists, so I set up studio sessions, tell the artist to come through and we just work. I had so much music, I thought it would be a good time to drop a new project so I dropped my Flavours mixtape last February. I called it Flavours because it had all different genres on there. I described the mixtape as being a plate of food with loads of different flavors.
What is the female hip hop scene like in London?
The female hip hop scene is very strong in London. We have some really talented females out here. All of us our doing our thing. We all have different styles and sounds which is cool. I support all the female rappers. I think it’s good to uplift each other as it’s a very male dominated scene so it’s always a lot harder for women to get noticed.
You released the video Lotto Bars a few months ago. Do you think having “bars” is one of the elements that makes a good rapper?
I released Lotto Bars a few months ago. It was a collaboration with the lotto sports clothing brand. The song is pretty much BARS! Straight fire, metaphors and punch lines. I think what makes a rapper good in my option is ‘how they connect with the audience’. Some people connect through emotion, others connect through stories. I like to connect my music with the audience through my hard punchlines and quirky flow.
It’s hard to balance both the acting and music.
You are also an actor. In which ways did your acting career help your rap career?
When I started acting, it really helped to boost my music profile. I was in one of the biggest shows on prime time TV in the UK called ‘Waterloo Road’. It would air weekly. Every episode which aired really increased my following. Those followers then found out I made music and before you knew it I had a really large following. It’s hard to balance both the acting and music but I love them both so I always make it work.
Who are your female role models?
One of my female role models is my mum. My mum has always worked so hard. When I was young, she had 2 jobs just to put food on the table and a roof over our heads. She has always taught me to work hard and never give up on my dream. She taught me how to be a hard worker.
What are your upcoming projects?
I’m currently working on a new mixtape which I will be dropping in the new year. I got some really dope visuals about to drop too with my first single off my mixtape dropping on December 1st feat Daina titled An I Oop.
What do you think of Madame Rap? What should be changed or improved?
I love Madame rap. I like how they give females a platform to be heard. We need more people to do this. So keep doing your thing!
Find Paigey Cakey on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and Instagram.
