Sheffield producer Toddla T has spoken to ClashMusic about discovering dancehall.
Toddla T is one of the most respected dancehall producers in the country, mixing solid soundsystem beats with a raft of new styles. Yet the producer grew up in Sheffield, a city not known for its dancehall scene.
More famous for indie and electronica, Toddla T discovered dancehall in illicit underground parties. DJs would spin the latest plates from Jamaica, inspiring a love of dancehall which still runs through his music.
"When I was like going out and coming out there wasn’t any clubs playing dancehall" the producer explained. "There were these underground parties where people played dancehall and that’s what made me see it and like it. If it wasn’t for that kind of thing I wouldn’t be producing. Because of the whole dubstep scene people can get their head round it a bit more now. People think it sounds similar, even though they’re different."
Now signed to Ninja Tune, Toddla T was lucky enough to spend part of last year in Jamaica. Invited out to the Caribbean by Major Lazer, the Sheffield producer helped Diplo and Switch to complete their debut album.
Staying on to complete some solo material, the Sheffield maverick found himself in his element. "It’s incredible" he enthused. "The first time I was like “why have I not been here before?” The second time I was out there with Major Lazer, just helping them out. I did some stuff with them and then did my old stuff."
"Some of the music I made has ended up on the first single, called ‘Skysurfing’. It’s gonna come out through Ninja. That came about through people I met in the studio with Major Lazer, we just started making music together. It was a great thing to come back with!"
Read the entire interview soon on ClashMusic!
Toddla T is set to release his new single 'Sky Surfing' on August 30th.