There was a lot of talk last year about winner of Channel 4's ‘Hollyoaks Unsigned' music talent show, Shide Boss. Mr Boss, who is a singer, songwriter and rapper hit the Asian music scene last year with a fresh new sound and was an artist I personally tipped as one to watch out for. As well as stealing the hearts of all of his female fans, since being signed Shide has released his impressive debut single ‘Ni Sohniye', a fusion RnB and Asian track with a catchy Punjabi hook. Last year Shide also released ‘Rainbow', a UK urban tune that demonstrated just how versatile he is as an artist bringing out his strong rapping capabilities, and allowing the realism within his lyrics to shine. Both tracks were taken off his EP ‘Rainbow'. Now as Shide gears up to drop his Mixtape, which features some of the U.K urban music scene's most current and known artists, I catch up with him to find out more!




When did you realise you had real musical talent?  

Well, I have always enjoyed rapping/singing from an early age. I was always in and out of studios from the age of 15 but never really took it serious until 2010 when I met Marcus James (producer).  We made a few songs and then I entered the nationwide Hollyoaks  'unsigned music' competition on channel 4 which I won by a public vote. This was the point I knew I wanted   to make a career out of my talent.  




What was it like winning Hollyoaks Unsigned last year? Has this opened up a lot of doors for you?  

This competition gave me the confidence that I have what it takes to become a successful artist. It has definitely opened doors for me, as this is where I got approached by Karman Entertainment and Sony ATV publishing whom I am now signed to. 




You're a rapper and singer, which do you enjoy doing most?  

I enjoy both just as much, but I think I am going to concentrate more on my singing for now.   



Which music artists have inspired your sound?  

Micheal Jackson is my biggest inspiration from an early age even until now. Although my style of music is RnB I am very influenced by rap music.



Your debut single Ni Sohniye, is still getting a lot of play. Will you be releasing more bilingual fusion tracks?  

Yes, I am currently working on a full punjabi track which will be released in the next month or so, I think people are going   to be very surprised by it.



As a rapper, where do you get your lyrical inspiration from?  

As a rapper the inspiration is more from personal thoughts & feelings. When I'm writing songs I'm singing they are more about   other people's experiences rather than mine, i.e I have not been in love yet but have seen many people go through those stages   so I can easily write about it.  



What has been the highlight of your music career so far?  

My highlight so far is seeing people sing my songs back to me when I perform. It's such a crazy feeling seeing people that I have   never met in my life, singing my songs back to me.



Who would you love to collaborate with?  

I am so lucky to have actually done all the collaboration's with people from the UK that I have dreamt of and you will hear them on my Mixtape that I am realising in the next month or so, so I will let you wait for that to hear my UK collaboration's.    From the U.S I would love to collaborate with Lil Wayne or Frank Ocean.  



If there is one thing you could change about the music industry what would it be?

That music would not be so easy to illegally download, I FEEL THAT THIS HAS DEVALUED MUSIC.



What are you currently working on?

I am working on a full punjabi track at the moment which is nearly done and also my Mixtape that will be up for free download.



Where can the B4U fans find out more about you?  

Facebook: Shide Boss   
Twitter: @shideboss  
Youtube: Karmanentertainment  
Youtube: shideboss1