Entertainment

Interview: Tkay Maidza Flicks The Switch With Debut EP

By Darren Hassan

Posted on December 8, 2014

Adelaide Rap sensation Tkay Maidza has finally released her debut EP of Brontosaurus proportions ‘Switch Tape’, which dropped on October 24 to a most welcome reception

IxHSnDohFKcej9AHHgnfq0jvEs89WBbEHfG6AsBXd0g,1hhgE7gKuKsl3SIkc38Nsi-Cp1-cqPdyQ4cWZt4h0Bk Adelaide Rap sensation Tkay Maidza has finally released her debut EP of Brontosaurus proportions ‘Switch Tape’, which dropped on October 24 to a most welcome reception. Having already wowed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their Australian tour earlier this year which she claimed was a ‘surreal’ experience, 18 year-old Tkay is on a stellar trajectory so early in her life, and keeps on kicking out some cool jams such as Brontosaurus and the newest addition to her quiver of hits U-Huh

On the process she goes trough to pump out songs, Maidza says she purposely takes timeout to focus on writing. “Sometimes it’s just me in my room, and if I hear something I like then I’ll start writing to it. I always come up with random choruses, I record them and come back to them later with the beats.”

On who her influences are, Maidza cites Nicki Minaj specifically but also anyone that puts out good tune. We discuss the current rap/hip-hop scene and how it is known to use explicit images and lyrics to sell its point, and when asked about Minaj’s image as a ‘bad girl’, Maidza philosophically imparts that she doesn’t see Minaj’s film clips as so much sexploitation, but clever marketing. “In a sense she’s probably doing it as a smart marketing strategy, I don’t read much into but I think she’s just expressing her point…’Anaconda’, with all its scantily clad hip grinding and twerking is a pretty funny song actually.”

I ask her if this is something she could see her doing down the track, to which she replies “…it would be funny if I did, maybe if I had a billion dollars I would, I dunno. Minaj is probably doing it just because she can, she’s happy with her life and doesn’t care.” (laughs)

On that famous performance for Prince William and Princess Kate at Elizabeth’s Northern Sound System, Maidza was initially concerned about playing a full on club song (Brontosaurus) to them in the middle of the day, but was made to feel comfortable by the Royal couple. “ I initially thought it was pretty weird to be doing it, but it was great actually. After I played they came up to me and were asking questions and congratulating me, which was really nice. They were asking genuine questions and got what it was all about.”

Being in the spotlight at such a young age can be precarious for emerging artists, but Maidza remains grounded about her career path thus far. “ I feel nothing too big’s happened yet, I still have to work towards something although I feel pressure to keep putting out better songs. People want more so it’s good to keep it going. I think my family are happy, which is great.”

Having grown up in Adelaide since she was 4, Zimbabwean born Maidza is already a success story at such a young age and a testament to hard work leading to rewards.

It’s already been a big year for Maidza, she’s had high profile collaborations alongside the likes of Night Slugs’ Bok Bok, prolific hometown producer Kilter, Berlin’s bass-maestro Must Die! and beatmasters Swick & Lewis Cancut for ‘Wishes’ released through Ryan Hemsworth’s ‘Secret Songs’ label.

To cap off a fantastic year, Tkay will be hitting the stage with Illy and appearing at the Falls festival which she’s super-excited about.

“I’m really looking forward to it especially George Ezra and Alison Wonderland, they’ll be cool to watch but I’ll try catch as many acts as I can.”

Keep your eyes and ears peeled to Tkay’s official soundcloud in the coming days for her epic ‘Switch Tape’ Mixtape. Mixed by Tkay’s longtime producer / collaborator as well as tour DJ, Elk, ‘Switch Tape’ premieres Friend Within’s brand new track ‘The Monochrome’, collaborations with local prodigies Kilter, Motez, Carmada and Paces. Also featured is Skrillex protégé Must Die! and Mad Decent alumni Swick with Lewis Cancut, as well as Tkay’s personal take on SBTRKT’s ‘Everybody Knows.’