Ralph Hardy
What is your earliest memory of music?
About 7 different memories came to mind. I remember thinking Spice Girls were dirty skets when they came out with all that 2 becomes 1 shit, I remember trying to learn Bohemian Rhapsody in my room, voice change for voice change, getting home from school to jump on Limewire & Bearshare and sending stuff across MSN Messenger, Mum playing Shalamar in the car, me and my Dad going back to back on Donelle Jones adlibs, singing Stevie Wonder's version of happy birthday.
How did you decide to pursue a career in music?
I didn't choose the melodic life, the melodic life chose me. That, and the unrequited urge to make the world a better place for my future kids overwhelmed my egotistical and depressive states.
Who are your main influences in music?
Benji B, Giles Peterson, Ebro Darden, Julie Adenuga, James Blake, Kanye West, and Scatcha DVA.
What have been the highlights of your career so far?
Still being able to call it a career, touring with Chance The Rapper, doing my first Boiler Room with Anderson. Paak, starting NANG and making it to 5 years, and doing 2 album compilations with me, myself & I.
How did NANG begin and what is the philosophy behind it?
It started from me going to raves underaged and hearing music I otherwise didn't know, then got to uni and everything became a playlist I could stay at home and listen to, so it began from frustration initially. It prospered from when felt like I had the responsibility to try and make the world a better place. It's not only raves though - it expanded into radio and compilations. Quite amazing if I say so myself. The philosophy is to champion sounds and ideologies that otherwise wouldn't get no light because of what is deemed to be 'in' at any given time. "Made with care" is the strap line. It engulfs everything NANG is about because every output has love and affection in it. It's so much clearer in the flesh.
What music are you listening to at the moment?
Rocks FOE - Fight The Good? Fight, Daniel Caesar - Freudian, Oscar #worldpeace - Recluse, Knox Fortune, anything One Acen is on, 808INK, Tyler, The Creator, and an 80's playlist I made on Spotify called 'Someone's 50th'
What is your favourite thing about London?
It whittles out the weak and makes them look strong to the casual onlooker- and highlights how relative time is.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself when you were starting out?
As much as your family and friends may be looking out for your best interest, fuck 'em. They're delaying the sauce.
Images courtesy of RALPH HARDY
interview by HANNAH GLENN
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