What is your name?
We’re Kay Fuego and Astro, otherwise known as the music group/collective 838.
What is your genre of music? [Kay Fuego] Honestly, we still don’t know what category we fit into yet… I mean our music is more hip hop based but our songs can really vary from upbeat sing-along songs all the way down to heavy, near-metal, energetic songs. I think that’s what makes us interesting and sets us apart from most of the scene.
Give us a little bio about you.
[Kay Fuego] We’re 2 school friends who have always been close – always had the same interests and hobbies. We’ve always had the exact same interest in music, but I got into producing for a short while and bought all the recording equipment and from there, we just starting downloading beats from YouTube and would just mess around rapping on them.
Tell us more about your music.
[Astro] One thing about our music is that we always aim to make different sounds. It all really depends on how we are feeling on the day we’re in the booth. One thing that’s for sure is you will always hear something new and different from us.
Tell us more about ‘ Awake ’.
[Astro] ‘Awake’ is an expression of the circumstances people go through paying bills and working to survive.
What was the writing and recording process like?
[Astro] We recorded a freestyle on the beat first as a mess-around. But then after listening to it over many times we decided that we wanted to make it into a song. When we were in LA in May, we produced the lyrics for the song and recorded it out there.
You also have a video out, what was the process like creating the video?
[Kay Fuego] The video was a lot of fun! I contacted a videographer via instagram (Theo Blackledge) and pitched him the idea I had to shoot and edit the video for this song – he lives in Manchester so we traveled down there a couple weeks later. Me and Astro decided to look online for abandoned places as we wanted to give it a scary, eerie vibe; which was exactly what we got out of it. We bought a scary old doll from some weird shop in Manchester and basically had to break into this abandoned mental asylum! It was a fun experience.
Will we see an EP or Album?
[Kay Fuego] Most definitely in the upcoming year, you can expect to see an EP and an 838 Tape in 2019. For now, we’re just trying to focus on making a lot more music.
If so what can we expect from it?
[Kay Fuego] You can expect a lot more songs like Awake, but also a wide variety of styles from us. We enjoy a lot of different styles of music ourselves so we just make whatever music naturally comes to us while creating in the studio.
What else can we expect from you this year?
[Astro] We’ve got a few slow, bouncy songs coming out in the early months of 2019. You should expect some more songs like ‘Awake’ coming, with a cool/upbeat vibe.
Are you signed?
[Kay Fuego] Yes, we’re signed to Akasha Records.
Do you have any shows coming up or tour in planning?
[Kay Fuego] Not right now, we’re trying to just make more music as we’re still very early in our careers – but we’re open to doing PA’s and short appearances for now.
Who are your influences?
[Astro] Notorious B.I.G, Big L, Erykah Badu, Lord Finesse, Fela Kuti, Young Thug, Travis Scott, Nirvana. I am quite a dynamic listener so I can list on and on. I am always open to new sound and am inspired easily.
[Kay Fuego] Notorious B.I.G, Big L, Erykah Badu, DMX, Public Enemy, Bob Marley, Young Thug, Future, Digable Planets, Slipknot, Rage Against The Machine, System Of A Down – Too many to mention. I listen to a wide variety of music so it really is hard to even name the ones I have!
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
[Astro] We will be fully immersed in our crafts, mastering every corner, making sure we deliver the best art we possibly can at that stage.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
[Astro] We’re always doing something music-related but me and Kay also play Basketball and are into Skateboarding, so we’re either at the park or at the studio – but of course you may catch us playing PS4 from time to time.
Where would your dream venue to play in your hometown?
[Astro] The 02 Arena, Greenwich.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more into the music scene?
[Astro] Too many songs have influenced us majorly that has led us to where we are today.
Where is your dream festival to perform?
[Kay Fuego] It has to be Glastonbury.
[Astro] Yes, definitely Glastonbury.
What made you go in to music?
[Kay Fuego] We’ve always a big interest in music – My father is a huge music lover, so at a very young age he introduced me to old school Hip Hop, Ragga, Reggae, Lovers Rock and many other genres in which he grew up listening to. I come from a mixed family of Trinidadian and Irish descent so naturally I had a diverse introduction to music when I was little.
[Astro] I come from a family that love music and all of us had different genres we favoured more. My father loved African Traditional music like Fuji and Afrobeat. My mother loved Soul and Gospel, my sister was a fan of Rock and Indie. My brother loved Grime and Old School Rap and I was just the sponge, taking it all in. I found over time that I loved Music as an art and I definitely had the creativity within me to create the sounds that were in my head.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
[Kay Fuego] Get involved in something you have a passion for rather than just what you think will give you temporary happiness (i.e. material items, money).
[Astro] Life is and will always be as purposeful as you make it. Whatever/Whoever you want be is in your hands, and only your hands.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not just about the industry also just as an artist/band?
[Kay Fuego] Just make sure you’re having fun, try to remember why you started making music and always remain humble.
[Astro] As artists you have to remember it’s always about the art. If there is anything limiting your creation re-evaluate it.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
[Kay Fuego] “Stormy weathers don’t last forever – it always gets greater later.”
You come off Tour
1/ Where is the first place you go?
[Kay Fuego] Home!
[Astro] Home.
2/Who is the first person you see?
[Kay Fuego] Whoever is waiting at home!
[Astro] My family.
3/What is the first thing you eat.
[Kay Fuego] Caribbean or a nice American Diner meal.
[Astro] A Nigerian dish known as Amala.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
[Kay Fuego] Follow @kayfuego838 on instagram and twitter!
[Astro] Instagram: @astro.838
