On Our Radar Q&A: Bless - "I’m at this place musically where I want to do shit that’s going to grab everyone’s attention" 

What influenced you to start making music?

I listened to all the legends – Jay, Wayne, Kanye, Dave, J Cole, Kendrick. As I got older, I got into full projects and albums. I’d hear Drake talk that crazy talk and rap with the best, but he also has R&B cuts where he can sing. That was something I personally worked on, cos I love that myself.  

Growing up, me and my brothers were super performative – I’d always try to be the centre of attention. I played instruments in church, and on the bus to basketball games, we’d freestyle and throw bars at each other. But it started when I got to college in Dublin.

I was making songs with KB and started getting some attention. I came back to Cavan, and everyone was like, ‘Oh, you do music?’ Cavan is not for hip-hop at all, but now I can say that I’m the county’s greatest rapper.

What’s this about having seven girlfriends on your new single ‘Obsessed’? One is already too much for me!

I was sitting, pondering, as I do with life sometimes. I was like, yo, seven girlfriends are a lot to manage. I was in the studio with KB, my producer. I was telling him all my problems. He said, ‘Just just put that on music’. That’s how it came. I’m at this place musically where I want to do shit that’s going to grab everyone’s attention. 

Where would you put yourself amongst other Irish rappers?

I stay tapped into what everyone else has got going on. They’re dope. But I can’t lie to you, I don’t think anyone touches me. I might not have the numbers and followers yet, but who cares?  That doesn’t matter. I feel I can rap with the best; I can make a pop smash, I can make an R&B smash. I can do whatever.

I feel there are certain guys in the scene who rely a little bit more on gimmicks and that’s why they’re big, but is anyone really checking for your music? I don’t know. I don’t even think I’m that talented. My confidence in myself is second to none. I have so much belief in myself that I have to make it.

'Obsessed', Bless' new is out now - check it out below: