Ahren-B from Sligo Ireland, has been making waves recently in the music industry with his songs “Storm”, “Above The Clouds” and “Alright” ft Emma O’Connell which peaked at number 6 and 5 respectively, on iTunes charts. His latest single entitled “Limitless” ft Bizarre is out today on iTunes. So, S6 from Nveam decided to have a little chat with him to ask how the song came about with Bizarre, and what his journey has been like so far to get here including what might lay in store for the future.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Sligo Ireland, but I was born in London Middlesex on the 4/11/87 where I was living in Tottenham till i was 7 years old until my parents split up and i went to live with my Auntie (who is now my manger) back in Ireland.

When did your interest in music shift from being a hobby to something you wanted to pursue as a career?

Well, at the age of 18, I came across a course in Sound Engineering which was in a college called pulse recording college in Dublin where i study for 2 years which was good because it gave me direction in how to use the equipment and recording techniques and just lil things i needed to help me on the road, After a while i started to get my own things eg mic, pro tools and a n-box and that was the start. Then I had my first kid in my 1st year at college and that inspired me to go more harder and think about what am doing, then i took a break for a while and worked as a bar man in town (Dublin) as i needed to earn money and I had my second kid on the way.

Around that time, I was with some friends at are local pub and we saw a competition called ‘Stars Of Are Bars’. My friends signed me up.The first heat had 10 people I got stuff my prepared and gave it a go and i came 3rd which i was really suprise because no one had ever heard me rap before even in front of everyone which was a big step for me and helped my confidence. We then went to the regional final which had 12 contestants from 5 different counties.

This time I came in 1st place which I was happy, as this time I was even more prepared in my hood and rap stance ready to preform. Plus, I got on with the house band which included George Michael’s drummer, and he gave me good advice like… ‘Stay doing what your doing and don’t stop!’. Following that, I recorded “Storm” which rose to number 6 on the Ireland i-Tunes charts.  I was shocked at the time!  I couldn’t believe it because, I was independent at the time, and the song had very little promotion. I was just testing the waters, then after I dropped “Above The Cloud” which rose to number 5. I  had done more promotion for it and received a little more radio play.

What inspired you to make music?

I just always loved music from a early age, I started rapping when i was 12 i found it intriguing, then with the net coming about and beats becoming more accessible I started putting things together plus on the net I saw stuff I wouldn’t see on tv so basically it open me up to the game in a way I never thought possible.

Who were some of your influences in music?

I like all types of music but rap the most especially rappers like The Game, Chamillionaire, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Yelawolf and Machine Gun Kelly to name a few.

What has been your biggest challenge so?

The competition i did it was like a 8-mile for me cause i was new to the industry and i had never performed before. Plus with the band and etc, my biggest challenge now is trying to finish my E.P. Just trying to get my music on the radio.

You have a single entitled “Limitless” featuring Bizarre. How did that collaboration come about?

Well, basically my manger found his email address and encourage me to emailed them. So I did, and told  them what I wanna do, and sent them some tracks. They got back to me within 30 minutes and said they liked “Limitless“. We then went back & forth on the e-mails and they sent me the verse back within two week. After that, I  mixed the track myself, sent it back to them, and they were happy with it. That was it!

What do you feel is the most important thing about making music?

Emotions! People need to feel you. I didn’t understand that before. People need to feel your passion in what you’re saying, or they won’t listen to you.

Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

In America somewhere but basically I wanna be nice with a couple of albums under my belt. I’d like to have a record label with a couple of people, and maybe sign someone and help them. Just build the brand and get out.