GBNGA draws inspiration from London culture to create through music and film. In the interview below, he highlights how university impacted his growth and shares what motivations and experiences have contributed to shaping the man he is today. His single, 'Champions League,' recently hit one million streams on Spotify.
Baba: When I met you a few years ago, you were just shooting videos...
GBNGA: Yes, I was just having fun with my camera. I've always been like that, even before university. It's just that at university I had a lot of spare time to do whatever I want. Some people choose to link girls or smoke weed. I just had my camera with me and I'd make mini-movies with the people around me. It also worked with my course.
What were you studying?
Film studies, but it was very theoretical and wasn't practical at all. I went out with the camera to compensate for the heavy theory side and the lack of practice that was involved with the course.
Before university, I was going to parties in Shoreditch to visually document and post stuff on my Tumblr. So, I've always been like that and because I love it so much, I’ve balanced it out with university work.
Where did the inspiration to record come from?
My dad has a lot of home videos of me growing up and I've been watching them since primary school. I've always liked films. Secondary school is when I realised how creating content is like an escape and finding refuge in what you create outside the reality that's in front of you. That's what inspired me. I was also around people who were making music or just doing creative things.
"One thing I would love to do is to start a creative youth school/group/club - an independent one that runs privately for the youths in my area."
Did you have any experiences that led you on the path that you're on?
Yeah, experiences that reinforced I need to live a positive life instead of being influenced by the negativity around me. I've had friends go to prison, I've had friends pass away, and I've seen people get stabbed. But not just street stuff; family stuff as well. In terms of music, I was around gangster rap, we had cliques and groups that made music. However, I didn't think I was good enough. There were a lot of guys around me, who I'm still friends with now, that were amazing. I didn't feel like what I was saying was me.
What changed?
I got older. Around year 9 or 10, I stopped making music. I made a clothing line for a little bit because I came across Tyler the Creator's 'Yonkers' on Youtube and that just opened my eyes to the whole alternative world. I was heavy on Tumblr. I found myself listening to different people like Lana Del Rey and Paramore. Also, people like Childish Gambino and Chance the Rapper - the American golden era of alternative music. I sucked that shit up 100 percent. It was different and I felt like I was different. I always felt like the odd one out because I was tall.
What would you say is your biggest achievement?
I think when it comes to music, my proudest achievement is the early beginnings of dropping tunes on SoundCloud. I put out my first track ‘Lord Knows’ and it caught flame. People were liking it. I made the EP called 'Songs for Friends' because at the time I was just making songs for the mandem, the girldem, friends and people in university. Then I put out 'Loubs & Uggs' around the same time as my birthday and performed it at an event in Leicester called 'No More Parties'. Everyone was singing the song. I'm not trying to say it was like a radio hit or anything but, in that small community, this song was a banger. Whenever I performed it, it felt like a cultural landmark. I was just like 'damn', realising that I can still do this. That's the biggest achievement for me - realising where I can take this.
Have you ever been scared to put a production out?
I don't think I've been scared. I've been used to putting it out and not caring about what people think because I'm in my own little corner, doing my thing. Regarding music, I have been a little scared because I had to overcome insecurities about how I've felt in the past about my music and let people know what's going on inside my head, which is very different compared to film.
What's your message to someone embarking on their university journey?
It's not the be-all and end-all. You don't have to go to university but if you want to and you have a feeling of going, then just do it. I loved the social life, it was everything! It helped me with personal development. I feel like if I didn't go to uni, I will still be the insecure shy boy from North London. We all still have insecurities, but I feel like I've grown, and I've been put in situations that can come in handy in the future.
I'll never forget my first week in Leicester, I got lost on campus. A guy in a suit, who I think worked for the university or was a recent graduate, gave me some solid advice. He told me "You're going to enjoy this time. Make the most of it and live your best life."
And that stuck with you?
Yeah, he had said something along the lines of: "You're going to get closer to the man you want to be."
Did you make lifelong friends at university?
Yeah, I think so – I don't know. The thing is 'lifelong friends' is a bit of a weird title. Don't you think?
Hm, maybe …
It puts an expectation on it. The truth is, you can call someone your lifelong friend and the next day, they're not your lifelong friend. People come and go. I've lost friends, but I feel like now I’m in a space where I ain’t got friends, I got family.
When does a friend become family? Is it dependent on time?
It doesn't depend on time. I think it depends on the impact that they have in your life and the impact that you have in theirs. The consistency of the impact also matters. If you're always going to be there for me and I'm always going to be there for you, then I think that's a step. I don't know the answers because this is something I'm still figuring out, but I feel like that's a sign.
Do you have an ultimate goal?
Domestic Bliss. When you wake up every day, in a place where you've made a home with people that also make the home - it's going to take a very hard mission to throw you off. You're basically in nirvana. Every day is a euphoric state. There are always going to be life challenges, but you wake up and you're content. It's being content in the space that you're in, being happy. I want to travel. I want my art and my creations to take me to places. So, domestic bliss, creative freedom, travelling and making sure my people are good. I also want to be able to inspire the next generation. One thing I would love to do is to start a creative youth school/group/club - an independent one that runs privately for the youths in my area. You can just go there and there are macs, a studio, and things like that.
How about financial freedom?
Yeah, that falls under domestic bliss. Money is not everything and we can't put everything into it. That's one thing I've learned to understand. The material stuff is not going to be with us when we pass away. Someone can pass away, and they can leave us all the material stuff, but that material stuff can expire, or someone can rob it and take it from you. However, one thing nobody can take away when they leave the earth is the impact, the experience, the lessons, and the good times they brought. No one can rob that from you. So, I've learned that I got to prioritise my desires, my wants, and my relationships. I must make sure that there's some sort of substance to it instead of something that can just disappear.
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