Iceee Fire: My Journey
Only
two years ago Jesse Smith was a 18 year old student on the verge of completing
his A-Level exams, qualifications which would lead him into the world of work
and further education. His avid interest in music and raw talent developed in
the last few months of his final secondary school year, going by the name of
‘Iceee Fire’ he recorded and uploaded various
EP’s initially going along with the idea because of persuasive friends
however just days before receiving his results he received a phone call from
EMI and two other prestigious record labels alerting him of the offers he had
on the table, unaware of his musical ingenious Jesse thought of these phone
calls as pranks by friends however days later he received letters in the post
and several emails from these record labels and that’s when it finally hit
home.
Nicholas Lutterodt
Iceee Fire is quite the opposite of his name when you meet him.
Sitting outside the entrance of his old college, having just left a record
deal meeting with some of the biggest names in the industry, a cheeky smile
plastered on his face which screamed confidence and assurance, he appears an
unlikely looking mogul in the making. Dressed smartly in a crisp looking suit
and tie he doesn't seem quite how you'd expect an upcoming, practically unknown
contemporary R&B star to look.
As I approach Iceee he eagerly waves and begins to stroll towards
me, bowling confidently like a seasoned pop star he greets me and offers me his
hand graciously. As I meet his outstretched hand he beings to pull me closer
and hugs me. I begin to retreat and he notices the confused look on my face and
says ‘’that’s how we do it round here’’.
We walk towards the local kebab shop however before we enter he stops
me and says ‘’this is where it all began,
about two years ago, just me and a couple mates messing around with an old
camcorder, who’d have known I’d actually become serious and make it big, its
crazy’’. As we enter I notice the posters and flyer's advertising his next
concert, he looks and me, smiling and says, ‘’the support I receive from round here is immense, my mum always told
me to say true to my roots and I think its paid off’’.
It wasn't long until
we were off again this time towards a small park, it was heavily graffitied and
did not resemble anything you would want a child to play in. ‘’I've loved music since I could walk, talk,
sing and dance – as a young man growing up in Newham was quite tough, I mean we
all know the stories people tell about growing up in deprived areas and I’m not
saying my story is different but don’t you think that it’s all too cliché? Anyway
this park means a lot to me because it’s where I was free to do whatever I
wanted to, sing, rap, write, literally anything. Usually after school you would
see a group of guy’s free styling, some guys over there singing, beat boxing, drumming,
you name it, everything musical you could imagine. It kind of inspired me to
take my music to another level and with some persuasion from my friends I
finally decided that I was going to start taking music seriously and what’s the
harm in trying, you know’’
So what made you realise that you were good at singing? ‘’Well, I didn't really need much persuasion
to believe that I was truly good at something but when I was around six or
seven I won loads of talent shows and that’s when I realised that I could sing
but I didn't actually realise my potential’’ Oh you've got potential
alright, I have listened to a few of your EP’s and for a man who loves R&B music
I can definitely say that your voice is remarkable. ‘’Wow, thanks man, so what do you think of ‘Livorno’s Lost Lamb’? Well,
it’s quite different isn't it; I've listened to it quite a few times and in
this context different is good. ‘’Yeah, it’s
very different; I thought I’d go with something more close to heart and this EP
really tells a story’’ Whilst discussing the topic of his name Iceee lets
out that he initially wanted to be a rapper, he offers to recite some raps he
wrote as a child and begins skilfully rhyming words together which seem to have
the natural flow and buoyancy of an experienced rappers verses. ‘’My name is basically a representation of my
music in general, R&B means a lot to me however before I was ever
interested in it my musical knowledge and influences came from hip-hop and
grime which is why I chose the name Iceee Fire. I still try and incorporate some
elements of hip-hop into my music but I’d still say R&B is the best genre
for me’’
According to Iceee’s managing team several record labels have been
on the tail of this youngster however even though many opportunities have come
along Iceee has never taken the dive and signed to a label, when I asked him
why his response surprised me and also provided me with an insight towards his
character. ‘’I haven’t signed any
contracts yet, I’m not saying that I’m never going to it’s just down to what
they offer me and how it affects my lifestyle but I’ll let you in on a secret;
the meeting today was very, very promising and who knows what could happen next’’
he says as he winks at me.
Before we finish he invites me to one last place...
