Team Salut are half-production unit, half-boyband. For this week's Internet Crush we find out the secret to their multitalented takeover.

Social media has changed the way we interact with our favourite artists. More than just musicians, they’re now personalities, people we can interact with on the daily. Now more than ever we’re aware that musicians are pretty normal people, they just have a weird job. Every week we get to know one of our favourite SoundCloud heroes, internet dating style, in our new column, Internet Crush.

 

Today’s generation of musicians can do it all. Free from major label contracts and collaboratively minded, they’re reshaping the industry in their image. There’s no clearer example of this than Team Salut, a trio of Afro-pop musicians sat halfway between a production unit and a boyband. Book them to make your beat and they’ll probably end up singing you a hook as well. They’re making a serious impression on the UK mainstream and underground alike having worked with the likes of Naira Marley, Yxng Bane and Stefflon Don. Their takeover is set to continue throughout 2018 so we caught up with them for this week’s Internet Crush.

You’ve developed a pretty distinctive sound as a group – what does each of you bring to the table?
We have similar music tastes but also have different production styles when we come together. MrWood plays bass and comes from a hip hop/R&B background, so brings elements of that into the music. GKP is into his palm wine music, bashment and deep house. So for example, can bring in African elements via guitar licks, or he can bring in house elements if needed. Sidechain is into his EDM and trap so brings in some detail and mood to the mix.

 

When did you decide to start singing on the tracks you produce?
Thing is, initially we started off vocalising our own music before we decided to stick to production.  Now that we are releasing our own music, it makes sense for us to be involved in it vocally as well as collaborating artists.

 

How often do you fight for control of the mixing desk?
Lol hardly. In fact never. We played in church together before we started making music so we already had chemistry and understanding for each other’s inputs. It’s pretty easy going with us.

 

Which is the better production trio, Organized Noise or 808Mafia?
Can’t really say as we aren’t familiar with them.

 

Who do you roll with?
Close friends mainly. Or when we are out, it really could be random who we are spotted with. But mainly roll with non-music friends

 

Describe your sound in just a sentence:
A wave of Afro-pop with a fusion of dancehall, hip-hop, R&B and pop.

 

Favourite colour:
Lol that’s based on whatever mood we’re in at the time.

 

Favourite movie:
Coming to America. Don’t really know. We’re more into shows like Game of Thrones, Vikings etc

Last book you read:
The Life-changing Magic of not Giving a F**k by Sarah Knight.

 

First single/album you ever bought?
MrWood: Nas – Illmatic.
GKP: So Solid – They Don’t Know.
SideChain: Martin Garrix – Animals.

 

First band/act you ever went to see live?
MrWood: Jah Rule
GKP: Davido
SideChain: Davido

 

Earliest memory?
MrWood: Getting in trouble for peeing on the primary school wall because going to the toilet would cut into my football time.
GKP: Probably riding my first bike which got stolen. Sad times
Sidechain: Coming to the UK and realising how cold it is.

 

What do you do in your spare time?
Meeting up with friends and spending time with family.

 

Are you morning or evening people?
Lol, Midday

 

First song you ever wrote?
MrWood: Wow thats a throw back. Maybe some rap stuff with my cousin when we was about 12ish.
GKP: I used to love garage so I used to write bars on some Fruity Loops riddems lol. Really cant remember what I wrote
SideChain: First time I wrote something was a song called ‘Buka’ when we wanted to be Afrobeat stars originally.

 

Favourite song of your own?
Probably ‘Wagon’. Still lots of songs to come.

 

Favourite lyric?
Hard one. Not sure we have one you know. We just enjoy music in general.

 

Check out Team Salut’s new platform “Raise The Bar” with Red Bull Studios, as they search for the UK’s hottest rap and vocal talent.