From recording lo-fi tracks off a Blue Yeti USB mic in his bedroom to rapping over live instrumentals at the UD studios, Orakana has been on the up since early 2019, recently delivering his meteoric 2024 single, ‘Space’ to an avid following. UD catches up with Level 4 graduate Orakana on his North West ends, his fascination with Japanese adjectives, and his day-one love for Chip Diddy Chip…
Framed by a warm purple light that fills his university halls, Orakana joins the interview call two minutes ahead of schedule. “I’m always early”, he says, a characteristic that, for me, is the mark of an artist destined for untold success (yes, seriously). The great Darcus Beese shared something similar in his UD Industry Takeover address just a few short weeks ago – “90% of success is just turning up early… it gives people trust in you that you’re going to arrive and put the heat on, so when everyone turns up, the room is warm”. This self-same warmth is felt in Orakana, an artist who articulates his emotional connection with his hometown with such a unique and profound measure that I feel compelled to revisit his aptly titled EP North West Baby once more, and I suggest you do, too.
Orakana is an artist steeped in experience despite his young age, delivering a sound that has matured and developed exponentially during his time on the
Level 4 course (CertHE Music Technology and Production) with UD. As a talented storyteller bearing an open heart and mind, Orakana has a clear trajectory skywards. Stay locked.
For someone who isn’t familiar with your music, how would you describe your sound?
As an artist, when you’re describing your music, it’s tough not to come off as pretentious or holier than thou (laughs), but I like to say there’s an evolution of styles in my music. Recently, I’ve been incorporating a lot of neo-soul elements which has been really helpful for me to build a new world and identity for the music. I started off very lo-fi, like me in my bedroom playing guitar singing into a USB Blue Yeti mic, and now I’m going to UD studios, recording on real instrumentals.
What does “Orakana” mean? Why did you choose this as your artist name?
“Orakana” is loosely Japanese. I did Japanese GCSE and it was pretty cool, although I did fail it (laughs). I wasn’t really into it when I was studying it, but when I left and COVID happened, I was suddenly like; “maybe I should rap in Japanese?!” (laughs). I was looking into Japanese adjectives a lot and ended up choosing the name “Orakana” because it loosely translates to “silly”. I spell it wrong so it’s a bit more phonetic, but yeah, that’s why.
Do you have any core musical influences or artists who inspire you?
Mac Miller had a massive impact on my sound and branding and the way I carry myself. A lot of what I do in my career I kind of model off of him because he was largely independent and then signed with Warner… A lot of the moves he made musically and business wise, really resonate with me. There’s something about the authenticity and positivity that really helps me. Other than Mac Miller, there’s also Nines, slowthai, maybe JAY-Z and J. Cole for American artists.
Are there any albums that you listened to growing up that stuck with you?
The first album that I ever bought was I Am Chipmunk, I’ve always just had this thing where I will always support Chipmunk, from Chip Diddy Chip to this Old Spice ad like a month ago – I got to support it! I don’t call him Chip, you know, I call him Chipmunk (laughs).
Do you feel like coming from North West London has influenced you as an artist?
100%, it’s a key location for my experiences and what I had to go through growing up. I get emotional about it – even though I’m from North West, I haven’t been back there in a long time. I’ve been living in East since I can’t even remember. So it’s like I haven’t been back there in a while, and I don’t know if it applies, but I get like imposter syndrome about it. Sometimes I’ll rap about being from North West, but I haven’t been there in time. Am I even from there anymore?
How did you end up studying with UD?
I started music early, I remember going to my school’s music club and they had a violin with no bow (laughs). There was this girl in primary school that I was really trying to impress, so I wrote this melody to sing with her (laughs). After that, I joined the choir which is when the performance element came out more, it gave me the confidence to sing in front of people. My college was Big Creative Education in Walthamstow, and they let me know about UD, so I moved from the Level 3 course there to do UD’s Level 4. It’s always been music.
@orakanaa Which do you prefer ???? #fyp #viral #livemusic #independentartist ♬ original sound – Orakana ????♾
Why did you pick the course?
Originally, I didn’t want to go to university. To be real with you, I was broke, and university gives you bread (laughs). But apart from that, it was the studios and the learning, as well as wanting that bag (laughs).
What’s a typical day at university or UD studios?
I like to go in stages. Sometimes I’ll go a while without actually recording any new music, but I’ll still be using the studio to make content. For example, on TikTok, I review comics, so I’ll spend a lot of time doing that. If I am recording music, I’ll come in, set up the TikTok live, and I’ll record everything. I’ll show off some music, talk to people, see what else needs to get done, transfer files. That kind of thing.
How has your experience been staying in UEL’s halls?
It’s been good! There’s room inspections soon so there’s a weird aura in halls (laughs). But it’s all good.
What are your best memories from studying the L4?
I liked a lot of the guests that came in. We had a stylist that came in, and photographers who took press shots. They came out really nice, and I love the Open Mics.
Speaking of the Open Mics… did you ever get involved yourself?
Yeah I performed at quite a few. They were really good, it was a great space for us to network with new people, perform material, gauge how people feel about different songs. It was a really healthy environment for cultivating young artists and getting them around each other.
What are the next steps for you after UD?
Music! I’d love to get into sync, it’s a really cool lane to be in. But, you know, God willing I will just release music, make a bit more money, do more shows, continue the grind. I don’t ever intend to stop, you know. It’s either like, it works out, or it doesn’t, but I’m prepared to keep going until it’s over. So after my Level 5, it’s always going to be music, music, music. I’m always going to find a way to record, release, perform…
I was going to ask you about shows… Have you got a dream stage or festival that you’d want to perform at?
Yeah, the Electric Ballroom in Camden. That’s a big one for me because Camden is North West, and if I were to pick any venue, it would be that one. It’s a beautiful place.
With your artist name having Japanese origins, do you have any interest in exploring that language and culture further?
Yeah, I’d love to continue learning Japanese, and if I had the time I think I could. It’s a real memory game – they have three alphabets, but once you can kind of visualise them, it gets a lot easier. I’d love to collaborate with Japanese artists – one of my favourite labels is 88rising, they’re an Asian label which is pretty cool because I’m Asian too.
@orakanaa Lol i forgot it was venom week ???????? #trending #viral #venom #carnage #fyp #comictok ♬ Royal Blue (feat. Dino) – orakana
Who’s your dream collaborator?
I’ve said this around my friends quite a bit that before I die, I need to hear the “zino records hahaha” tag on my track. I just have to! But other than that I guess slowthai, I’d also love to work with Nemzzz, I think he’s really cool. I’d love to collaborate with some female rappers, like Megan Thee Stallion, we share a birthday actually (laughs). I also love Doechii. And in the UK, she’s a rapper from Birmingham, Lady Leshurr, I love her! My nan actually put me on Lady Leshurr (laughs).
That’s a pretty locked in grandma.
Yeah she listens to a lot of reggae and older music but yeah, she’s the one that put me onto Lady Leshurr.
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Words: Elsa Monteith. A Brighton based writer and broadcaster working in and around the arts and on the radio waves. Subscribe to Elsa’s Discontented newsletter here.
Photos: Dres Lenses & Joey Hoang
