By Ruth Dowds
BANGOR rap artist Dylan Hunter is hoping the guidance he received from Ed Sheeran and Gary Lightbody has influenced the craftsmanship of his new EP.
Sunsets & Long Drives will drop on all music streaming platforms on September 19 and showcases Dylan’s unique brand of melodic rap and singing.
The EP was made after Dylan met the two rock icons at Hotbox Studios in Belfast where they offered rising stars on the scene some advice on artistry and finding a voice.
Although he is only 18, Dylan says he is already known for being different from other performers on the Belfast rap scene.
His EP is based on the painful break up of a year-long relationship. “It’s like a book where every song is about a different story but they all lead into each other,” explains Dylan.
He grew up listening to rap music as his parents and grandparents were big fans of artists like NWA and Chris Brown.
“Something clicked in my head and I knew I wanted to do that. I went to Hotbox Studios in Belfast and they showed me what to do in terms of rapping and singing and how to promote myself and find my own sound.
“They have done a lot to help me,” says Dylan.
He has a significant presence on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok where he aims to create relatable POVs (points of view).
He explained: “Making music is 80% business now and 20% about the music so you have to know how to market yourself as a person rather than as an artist so that people connect with you.
“It’s about pushing yourself as a human rather than as some kind of machine because that’s what most artists try and be almost.
“They try and push out as much content as they can but it’s about how to connect to people and that’s what I want to do with my music. I want to connect to the most people I can.”
His music explores a range of themes from mental health to personal growth and his last single, Lost, has received strong support across social media and streaming platforms since dropping in July.
