As white rappers go, Outasight — aka Richard Andrew — has more in common with the old days of the Beastie Boys than Eminem. He’s the first to admit that, even as the two artists are due to play Abu Dhabi in November on the Grand Prix entertainment line up.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for him but there’s differences between us. I don’t think we compare much as artists,” he says over the phone from the US. Music fans will be able to make their own comparison when Andrew takes the stage at Skybar on Yas Island on November 3 (Eminem plays the du Arena the following night, although entry is restricted to F1 ticketholders).
The singer behind the insanely addictive summer hit “Tonight Is The Night” is heading to a concert in Pontiac, Michigan — basically Eminem’s home turf near Detroit when we speak to him. But if he has anything in common with another artist on the Skybar line-up it’s with Travie McCoy, who shares the stage with Outasight the same night.
“I’m homies with Travie,” says Andrew of the Gym Class Heroes singer. “I’ve toured with Gym Class Heroes like three times. Travie and I are of the same ilk of being about our busines. We have fun. but it’s a grind. We are about putting on the best performance.”
Of his Skybar show he says to expect “a lot of fun, a lot of energy. I’m always jumping up and down”.
Tonight is the night has been a huge hit. What’s next for you?
It’s been an amazing year — Tonight Is The Night was my first single and to see it do so well was a blessing. I had a follow up with Now Or Never which did quite well. I’m going to put out my album in November and my next single is coming up.
What’s the album like? Can we expect another Tonight?
The album is very eclectic. I’m inspired by so many genres — there’s pop, some rock’n’roll, hip-hop and dance.
What are you listening to these days?
A lot of hip-hop, keeping up with what’s new. And this British artist called Jessie Ware. [We recommend a listen to “Running”.]
Any collaborations coming up?
Collabs are fun, especially if you have a friendship. I just did a song with [rap outfit] Chiddy Bang, and I did a song, I don’t know when it will come out, with Cobra Starship.
What happens if a collab turns out, well, rubbish?
If you’re ever going to make a song, you make sure to choose a track that’s not rubbish to send.
So that’s how collabs work — you email over a track?
Well, if you’re lucky enough to get into the studio, great. But scheduling doesn’t usually allow you to do that Jay-Z-Kanye Watch The Throne action.
If you could get into the studio like that with someone, who would it be?
I would like like to be there for those Kanye and Jay-Z sessions, to be a fly on the wall.
Have you been to any awards shows or any invitations in the post?
Everytime there’s been an awards show I have been on tour, so not yet. But I’m hoping to land up at the Grammys one day. Winning one of those has been a dream of mine.
By Natalie Long
