You may have heard us playing out Alive by Giles on various shows over the last week or two – but who is this new rising star? We caught up with him to find out …

Tell us a little bit about your yourself?

I am an accomplished producer, audio engineer, arranger, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter, previously recording under the name Vthov.

After a ten-year hiatus I have a new moniker and I have made my return as a musical artist.

When did you first start to develop a passion for music?

First time I heard my uncle play the piano. I must’ve been 4 or 5 or something. Then I started studying piano myself at age 6!

Which artists did you listen to while growing up?

Eminem, Chi-Lites, Stevie Wonder, Jay Z, Nas, Otis Redding, Luther Vandross, Boyz 2 men, Outkast, dungeon family; you can hear a lot of different influences in my music.

How would you describe your music?

My hip hop seeks musicality via instrumentation, chord progressions, and basslines. I write songs with rich melodies and harmonies as the framework.

There’s so much clout and swag rapping, but for me, there is so much more that hip hop can bring instead of just talking shit. My music is introspective and self-reflecting. I dive deeper than just material possession and machismo.

What music have you recorded and released to date?

My first release was a mixtape called Books Over Bullets where I remixed a lot of the hits from that year and made them conscious. A lot of those older tracks can still be found on my YouTube. Then I released my debut album Amongst the Stars in 2012.

After ten years away are you confident you can come back as a major force?

The world is coming out of a long pandemic; we’ve all suffered. This pandemic is the first time in modernity that the human race can unite under the shared title of survivor.

Which artists do you enjoy listening to at the moment – and do they influence your work?

I’ve been digging Childish Gambino, Soul sonic, J Cole, Logic, and Vado lately. I think they push me to create something dope but they don’t directly influence my sound as in trying to replicate their vibes. I feel I’m in my own lane.

Who would your dream collaboration be with?

I have a short list in no particular order. Jay Z, Em, 3 stacks, Stevie Wonder, Snoop, Dre

What are your plans for the future?

I’m sitting on some HEAT. I can’t wait to share it with the world. For now, I’m going to keep releasing singles so the world can learn my artistry and know that I not only have something to say, but I have something valuable to say. I have contributions that can be impactful!

Where can we find out more about you?

You can stay connected with me at the following places:

Website: https://gilesmusic.com
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B000QJI4E4/giles
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/giles/1612668569
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/officialgilesmusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/68TzkIrPgDqHPko5ZHvxqV
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OfficialGilesMusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialGilesMusic
Instagram: http://instagram.com/officialgilesmusic/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialgilesmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Official_Giles