Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: Hazl has as much love for the eras that preceded him as the ones he grew up through. The turn of the millennium held a rich and vast wave of culture. The NBA, R&B / Hip-Hop, music videos and Y2K fashion had all developed in iconic ways, unique to the time, all of which had taken hold of the young singer
Combine this with the 70s and 80s infused household – filled with Motown, Disco, Funk and Soul – Hazl is forever chasing this nostalgia for these eras he never knew
Born and raised in West London, Hazl draws much inspiration from the much closer to home peak 2010s era of UK Melodic Rap, Afro-swing and R&B
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Hazl”?
A: Constant pursuit of good art. Sonic and visual cohesive to show people how fun his music is. The message would be “dance!”
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: The answer will always and forever be Michael Jackson. He set the standard for everything, sonically and visually. From the modern era, the artist who most inspires Hazl is Victoria Monet. Her talent, craft, performance ability and incredible music videos are a source of drive as he aspires to create cohesive art in multiple mediums like her
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “LIKE THAT.”?
A: The song is as much a love letter as it is a promise: “I know what you like, what you deserve and what you expect and I will provide it without you even needing to ask. Your favourite food, your favourite wine, clothes, bags, jewellery and how you like to be touched. Whenever, wherever. I am at your beck and call.”
His clever wordplay interwoven with topics of romance and sex are paired with a cinematic music video – depicting themes of empowerment, wealth, love, class & opulence – the track blends the smooth sophistication of R&B with the emotional intensity of modern worship
Hazl is dedicated to centring and uplifting Black people in his music. This particular project highlights the divinity of Black women, focusing on the effortless elegance, grace and poise displayed by the love interest. Expect visual storytelling that celebrates feminine energy at its highest frequency
Hazl delivers not just a song, but a statement: women “like that” deserve to be celebrated
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Wavey
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “LIKE THAT”?
A: This is the first of many releases to come that Hazl has recorded at the iconic Red Room Studios. The higher level of quality was unfamiliar to Hazl; working with the talented Recording Mix & Master Engineer, Kyle ‘TEKNE’ Hollow, made this transition into this new class very smooth
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: Fun. Hazl wants people to feel good and dance when they hear his music in the club or at a house party
His dream is to contribute to the culture of London and give back to the genres that he fell in love with, hoping to one day be a household name among these legends
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: If not Michael Jackson, Pharrel Williams
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Follow the joy your passion brings you instead of the numbers. Your art will resonate more. Keep your circle close and always protect your art
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Find your mentors and work with them sooner
