With a new track ‘Bloodsport’ on the horizon, as well as a predicted autumn album, the mega busy Raleigh Ritchie recovered just in time from Glastonbury to chat to us here at the SPG. From his role in Game of Thrones, to eating M&M’s in the shower, here is what he had to say…
Hi Raleigh! How is everything going for you at the moment?
Pretty good thank you man! I had an amazing weekend and the suns out, so yeah, I’m happy!
Wicked! So before I go any further, where did the name Raleigh Ritchie originate? Are you any relation to Lionel?
I Wish! I wish Lionel Ritchie was my real uncle, he’s proper sassy! He’s so cheeky, we saw him the other day and he was throwing some shapes, and he’s got the most amazing mouth of all time. He’s just wicked but Raleigh Ritchie came from two of the names from the film called ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’, it’s just two of the first names.
He performed at Glasto and you did too on the Gully Stage! That must have been amazing?
It was so good! It was probably my favourite show just in terms of it being fun. A load of my friends came on stage and jumped around during ‘The Greatest’, it was a MOVIE!
Sounds amazing! Do you reckon you’ll be heading to the main stage next year then?
Probably not, I was having fun on the stage I was on and I don’t want to do the biggest stage, I just wanna do the best show in front of a crowd that want to get involved. Let’s say Pyramid stage in five years haha!
That’s the goal then haha! Who was your favourite act from the weekend? I loved Kanye!
Probably Lionel but Kanye was amazing! One thing I would say is, it felt to me like I’ve seen that show already this year because it was a bit similar to other ones. For me personally, it was amazing to see my favourite artist headlining Glastonbury. I think he did really well and I think it was brave that he didn’t bring anybody on really; he just really wanted to show everybody that he was an artist. But Lionel Ritchie was just a lot of fun.
So, would Lionel Ritchie be your ideal collaboration? Or is there someone else you’d like to work with?
Yeah, why not? I don’t see why we couldn’t. We could even start a band; we could be like Ritchie and Ritchie or Ritchie Rich.
That sounds quality! You’ve got loads more gigs lined up this summer too including Wireless! But not only that, you’re coming to our hometown of Norwich for Sundown! Have you ever been before?
I Have! I’ve been to Norwich once very briefly for a radio interview but I didn’t get to hang out very long. There’s been quite a lot going on there this year hasn’t there? The Big Weekend and the football?
Yeah that’s right, I had a lovely day out at Wembley for the footy; it’s a decent city! Where would be your ideal location to perform a set in the World?
I really wanna do a show at Roundhouse! That’s my favourite venue!
Cool! Moving aside from music, you tweeted about eating M&M’s in the shower! This is definitely a great idea! But we want to know is, what food would you eat everyday in the shower everyday if you had too?
Yeah! I’d have to say Macaroni cheese, the only problem is the water would get into the cheese and it would start to separate. That’s the good thing about eating M&M’s is the dye makes a little rainbow around the plug, so it’s pretty and it tastes nice!
We reckon Pizza is a good shout, might go a bit soggy though! We love your track ‘Stronger than ever’ but what do think is most valuable to making you feel strong?
No, can’t be having anything that’ll get soggy! Thanks, its good friends and family.
So, are you stronger than Grey Worm (his Game of Thrones Character) in his prime? Or are you the true leader of the unsullied?
Nah, I’m not stronger than Grey Worm. He’s got weapons and I don’t have any weapons.
Now, I must ask, we will see the Grey Worm return in Series six of Game of Thrones?
We’ll have to see, I don’t know.
We can’t wait to find out! So, you’ve unveiled some amazing tracks this year including ‘The Greatest’ and ‘Never Say Die’. Is there an album coming soon?
Yes, yes there is! I’m not sure when it’s coming out yet but it’s going to be pretty soon! It will definitely be this year! Hopefully autumn time.
Cool! We can’t wait! Finally, what advice would you give to any aspiring musician today?
Be yourself! Completely be yourself! If you’re making music, you’ve got to make music that you’d want to listen too. Don’t conform to what’s popular or what you think people will like, you’ve just got to say the words you wanna say, and sing the notes you wanna sing.
Brilliant! Thanks Raleigh, it’s been a real pleasure talking to you and I hope you have a great summer!
No worries! Cheers!
CHECK OUT HIS NEW SINGLE ‘BLOODSPORT’ HERE!
The track ‘Bloodsport’ originally appeared on Raleigh Ritchie’s 2013 EP ‘Black & Blue’ and has since amassed over 4 million streams on Spotify. This new version features additional string arrangements provided by the esteemed Rosie Danvers and Wired Strings, who feature on records by Kanye West, Adele, and many more.
2015 has been an incredible year for Raleigh Ritchie – real name Jacob Anderson. Kicking off the year by performing on stage with Run DMC, he then toured the UK with George Ezra. Also a successful actor alongside his music career, Jacob’s character Grey Worm was part of a major storyline in the phenomenal TV series Game Of Thrones this year. Since then he has released his single ‘The Greatest’, the video for which currently has over half a million views on YouTube, and ‘Never Say Die’, an acclaimed collaboration with Kendrick Lemar’s go-to producer, Sounwave. With record sales of over 135K, an upcoming UK headline tour and prestigious festival appearances confirmed this summer before he releases his debut album – there’s plenty more to come from Raleigh Ritchie this year.
Raleigh Ritchie’s debut album will be released later this year. He will be performing at festivals this summer and on his UK headline tour on the dates below:
August 2nd – Y Not Festival, Matlock
August 7th – Boardmasters Festival, Newquay
October 4th – Manchester Academy
October 5th – King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
October 7th – The Institute, Digbeth
October 8th – Electric Brixton, London
October 9th – Waterfront, Norwich
