As a music artist, I’m often asked the question: ‘Which artist first inspired you to start making music?’ My answer is Franklyn. ‘Let me tell you who Franklyn is, Franklyn is a misanthropist’. This excerpt from the East London rapper’s latest EP ‘Archives’ may hold little significance for some. However, upon hearing these lyrics for the first time, my mind was overcome with a strong sense of nostalgia as I reflected upon the lyricism that first inspired me to pursue music over 7 years ago.
Looking back through the Archives
Although the sources of creative pursuits are often random in nature, most music artists can refer to specific moments, locations or pieces of art that helped to birth their musical journeys. One of the most vivid memories I have of my early years of inspiration is that of listening to Franklyn’s remake of One Mic by Nas. It was not only Franklyn’s lyricism and clever wordplay that proved to be the allure, but also his combination of introspection and critical observation that enabled him to provide social commentary on issues such as inequality and youth violence. Whether Franklyn realised that his lyrics would inspire the writing of a teenager sat in a bedroom over 100 miles north in Birmingham is unknown to me. However, his ability to influence my writing journey highlights both the power of music and the capabilities of the internet to spread art that incites inspiration in the most unlikely of places.
A globalized world
Despite us being in the age of the internet, many find themselves posting content online with the expectation that it will only reach those within their circle of friendship, family members or follower list. Even those who recognize the potential for their content to reach people who have no relational connection often overlook the likelihood of their art inspiring the creative journeys of consumers across the world. I recount releasing a track on Soundcloud in 2016 entitled ‘Evening Reflections’. This track had little promotion aside from family and friends sharing and I was therefore surprised to find out that although the track had under 2k plays at the time, this number included listeners in places as far as Malaysia, Cape Verde and Barbados. I’m reminded that globalization has made the world a small place, the UK being even smaller. To hear that my music may have potentially inspired the musical journey of an individual thousands of miles across the world should not be surprising but is nonetheless impressive.
Some final thoughts
The subjective nature of music allows it to be appreciated by those who may not be able to necessarily understand the message you intend to convey, nor the story behind it. However, this does not eliminate its power to inspire. My advice to fellow creatives is to continue making content with the recognition that your art is not just for you, nor for your current fanbase or for the people that you think will receive it. Your content has the potential to reach and inspire those who have no connection to you whatsoever. Keep on pushing, keep on releasing.
Let me know your thoughts.
Stream Franklyn’s latest EP “Archives” here
