Not just another U.K. rapper Riley Samuda,the talented hip-hop mc from Birmingham, he was born April 15th 1982 in St Catherine Jamaica. His musical influences came from his Pentecostal background, as a young boy he attended Church every Sunday with his mother and siblings.Riley was always inspired by the joyous praise and worship even more so when he sang on the choir
After passing his GCSE's Jus One moved on to study 'A' levels Media, Sociology and Religious
Studies, also taking on a part time Job as a waiter. He spent most of his income on Gospel Albums
from artist such as Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Mary Mary, and Gospel Gangsters amongst others.
He started to rap at the age of 18 when friends Solomon Gordon (Koffee Blacks) and Laurence
Kwasi (L1) asked him to take part in a freestyle session. With their persistence he started to freestyle, instantly they noticed his distinctive voice and a good flow for an amateur. With Koffee Blacks
encouragement and guidance Riley started to write hip-hop rhymes - a style, which he enjoyed. He adapted to the hip-hop form quickly for he found it similar to the poetry he wrote from a young age.
In Rileys second year at University (2001) he formed a Rap group with friends that shared the
same passion for hip-hop. They named the collective Lincs Crew representing the fact that members
Riley, Ewan, Martin, Mary, Geoff and Chif all met in Lincoln. The group recorded several mixtapes
and developed a following on the student circuit headlining their own radio show, and performing
weekly at the biggest nights in Lincoln.
After two years the group decided to go their separate ways to fulfill other projects. Since then Riley has started a solo career with current producer DJ Rob Hardman with whom he released his first 12” vinyl in 2005 on their independent label Smash Recordings. This received a positive response
with Dj's throughout the UK playing his songs on rotation; 'Hold it Down' was a club banger and
'Soulfull' an up tempo summer tune became an underground classic.
In 2006 Riley released a 14 track demo with all original beats from Rob Hardman to huge acclaim further lengthening a his fan base.Riley has proved himself a talented lyricist and
as the ability to switch to different flows.Riley portrays a versatility that is rarely scene in hip-
hop today. He can have you thinking about the issues of society on one song with his conscious
flow, then having you wanting to head to the dance floor on the next. It is through this versatility
that Riley has been compared to artist such as Common, Kanye West and Sway. Riley has a
great passion to succeed and states he raps because he as 'something relevant to say, most rappers
don't care how they can challenge and inspire people but I do. It's not about being selfish but
showing through music you can have fun and also be the best at what you choose to do in life.
My aim is not to be second or third but number one at making music.'
Riley has plans of releasing new tracks with producer Rob Hardman in the near future..