
Q&A with Triple O
"Young, confident and versatile" are just some of the words that have been used to describe Triple O. The young MC is in the running this year for Best Gospel Act for this year's MOBO Awards. We caught up with him for a quick Q&A.
Q. How does it feel to be nominated for a MOBO Award?
A. It feels good. It was a shock to the system when I initially found out but it’s great to see that the hard work we’ve put into the music over the past couple of years has been recognised by such an establishment. The MOBO organisation is one that I’ve been looking up to for a while. It’s great!
Q. What is your musical background?
A. I’ve been doing what I’ve been doing in a sense of the music for about seven to eight years now. It’s mainly grime but then of late I’ve kind of evolved and diversified into a little bit of hip hop as well. So it’s just literally playing around with words and big music and having an interest in different genres as well.
Q. Do you play any instruments?
A. No but I am curre ntly teaching myself how to play the piano at the moment, but I’m still learning.
Q. Your latest video on your youtube channel is a refix of Kanye West’s ‘Heard ‘em Say’ titled ‘Arrogant Words’. Where did the idea come about?
Well, what I’ve been doing in promotion for the MOBO Awards is releasing a video every week. So that was two weeks ago. Last week I did my own version of Skepta’s ‘Big’. But the concept behind ‘Arrogant Words’ was basically just as individuals it’s very easy to get sidetracked by pride. And that kind of takes it away from what they’re doing simply because they think they’ve made it before they’ve actually made it. It’s just a reminder for me to remain humble and focused on the arts and crafts and what I do.
Q. In the beginning of this video, it displays a scripture from proverbs. Do you often find inspiration for your writing from reading scriptures?
A. Yeah! As a Christian artist that is the foundation of where I get my material from. From the bible, so that I’m able to convey Christian messages and the bible in a more relevant and understandable fashion and medium, using music. So that’s literally where that comes from.
Q. Which artists/musicians would you love to work with in the future?
A. I think I’’m one of those individuals who loves to appreciate different genres and different styles of music. One person who really, really inspires me is Kirk Franklin. I think he’s an absolute amazing musician. His arrangements and what he’s done, and what he’s done for gospel music in general is encouraging. He’s someone I’d definitely love to work with. I guess it’s one of those things, if collaborations came along the way then we’ll see but he’s definitely at the top of my list.
Q. Your latest album ‘Flatline’ is available now. What do you feel is the most important message/feeling you want to leave with the audience?
A. Yeah, I guess the most important thing I want them to understand is the gospel and an understanding of what it means to be a Christian. And to kind of get rid of the stereotypical views of Christianity and who Jesus Christ is. I wanted to make that very evident in what I do as well as encouraging young people. There is music which is has negative connotations attached to them but I want them to know that there is an alternative to what a lot of people are actually throwing out there. So that’s the vision behind the album and to encourage people in that sense.
Q. What advice would you give to a young person interested in writing Gospel Music?
A. What I would encourage them to do is understand what it means to be a Christian first and foremost You can only write about what you know. For those who want to get into gospel music, you need to start away from the fundamentals of music and just become a Christian. Get an understanding of who Jesus Christ is, what he did, why he did what he did and then you’re able to convey that through the medium of music in a way that’s not just done for music’s sake, but because that is your belief and conviction. That way you’re able to stand by it and deliver it via the medium of music in a more believable way because that’s what you’re living as opposed to what you’re writing about.
Do you think Triple O deserves to win Best Gospel Act this year? Place your vote here:
To keep up to date with Triple O, visit: http://www.tripleouk.com/









