Introducing: Black Saint

Superdry took a Sunday stroll around Black Saint's West London routes. Slick photos and a Q&A commenced.

If you haven't heard of Black Saint yet, chances are they'll be taking over 2018 -time to wise up on the freshest DJ collective going. We took a stroll with Justin, Jermaine and DJ in West London, styled up in Superdry's AW17 jackets and talking musical routes and ridiculous riders.

Introduce Black Saint and everything that encompasses it - strange facts encouraged!

Black Saint is family, and we like to think of ourselves as a collective - as there are many other artists and musicians close to us that help make who we are. We want to use this position we've been given to make different with our music - we're conscious of what we're saying in our songs when writing.

Your latest music video 'Never Did This Before' enjoys a Notting Hill Carnival throwback - how do you guys get your 'Winter Carnival' vibes?

By eating Jermiane's nan's Jamaican food and drinking rum and ginger beer. Also, Jermaine loves reggae, so to be honest it's always a carnival vibe when he's around, haha.

Experiences of 2017 that you hadn't done before?

This year has been crazy for us, as everything has kicked off. We walked the red carpet for the first time which was a cool experience. Us being able to shoot a video at the Notting Hill Carnival was equally wild and something we've always wanted to do.

The three of you are producers and DJs in your own right - how does this impact and influence Black Saint's music?

We have different musical back grounds. Justin has been a producer and songwriter before Black Saint, working with some big artists, so his professionalism of being able to craft a song really helps us in the studio. Jermaine was in a punk/reggae band before, so his love for being on the stage and his musical influences come out in our sound and stage performances.

Give us some totally unexpected references and inspirations when it comes to music?

Thompson Twins, Vanilla Ice, Kate Bush, Bob Marley, Oasis, just to name a few. We come from Irish/Nigerian and Irish/Jamaican backgrounds so you can really hear that in the music we make and everything that we listen to. This is what we want to bring to the world, putting all our inspirations growing up into our music

We filmed you around Portobello Road - nice stroll it was. What makes this area of West London so distinctive?

This part of London is where carnival runs through so no matter what time of the year it has a vibe in the air which you don't really feel in many places. All cultures and demographics hang out here. We've been to party's here with fashion designers, road men, Trustafarian's and foreigners all in one room - it's so multicultural. Bob Marley recorded one of his big albums here - it's such a special part of town.

We're not going be cliché and ask you to talk about your outfits from the day - instead, how important is 'style' to you - what even 'is' style!?

Style is another expression of one's self. It's another way for you to be creative. Style is a reflection of who you are.

You recently DJ'd at an MTV EMAs after party - give us some PG stories from the night.

Justin got his phone cover drawn on by the artist Danny Minnick, which would have been worth a few bob - So he was naturally very happy. But when he got home half of the drawing had been rubbed off, he was gutted!

We get a refreshing down to earth vibe with Black Saint (well done you!) - what would be on the dream rider though if it had no limits or grasp on reality?

A spaceship, to see if space really exists and fly over the Antarctic to see what's there. Very casual.

It's almost December, so we might as well jump ahead to New Year Artist Resolutions - what's the goals for Black Saint?

The ultimate goal is to make a difference with our music. Next year we'd really like to bring this fusion music to the scene and now is a better time than any. The world is taking notice of the UK scene and we are right in the mix. We want to push the scene forward by continuing to cross genres and bring the UK sounds to the world. Garage, jungle, grime and all of our cultural influences.

Black Saint's new single 'Never Did This Before' is out now.

Photos: Ollie Ali / Instagram
Black Saint: Youtube / Instagram