They are the boys that describe themselves as the ‘RnB Avengers’.
Rough Copy first released their debut single “Street Love” on 29 June 2014 and now they are back with an RnB classic in the making ‘Same Formula’.
The boys finished fourth on the tenth series of The X Factor in 2013 and are continuing their journey for RnB domination. That’s not all. The multi-faceted artists described as the ‘UK Jodeci’ have also been asked to support US mega star Omarion and Damage on their spring tour.
I spoke to the three-piece boy band from Croydon that is made up of Kazeem “Kaz” Ajobe, Sterling Ramsey and Joseph “Joey” James Thomas.
Tell us about the new single ‘Same Formula’?
It’s a club song. It’s about having a good time and partying. It represents the same formula used in a night club- you have fun with your friends and then hopefully you find someone attractive and take it further. It’s a track that everyone can relate to. This kind of sound is the formula that is out at the moment. It’s something that makes you want to sing and dance to.
What’s the response been like by your fans/ ‘Roughians’?
Although the single is not set to release until May, the response has been amazing from our ‘Roughians’.
The campaign for the single hasn’t started yet and already it is getting played everywhere. It’s been played in the background on BBC 1 Extra and on Coronation Street and EastEnders. We have not even started the radio tour so it’s massive.
How would you describe your sound?
The Rough Copy sound is an eclectic sound of street music. We are all about bringing back that Old School and RnB sound. What we like to call that ‘last generation sound.’ We want people to feel good and want to party when they hear our music.
Why did you choose RnB music?
We love anything from Motown music to old school. When Rough Copy was born in 2008 this was the kind of music we wanted to make. We just want RnB to be popular and introduce it to the younger generation who might not know who Jodeci or Boys II Men are.
New school artists like Pharrell and Bruno Mars are trying to bring back that real music sound because that is where the energy is.
Who is your dream collaboration and why?
Iconic people like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and The Temptations have inspired us. That is where music started, so they would have be the greatest people to have worked with.
Nowadays for what we do and how we do it, a sick collaboration would be Omarion, Trey Songz and Chris Brown. That would create the ultimate RnB vibe.
Who are you currently digging in the music industry right now?
Anyone from Stylo G, Fuse ODG, Neon Jungle, Ivy Rock who are a new group that are coming up. Mainstream artists will always get the recognition but we are all about praising the talent that is up and coming.
How does it feel to be the headlining supporting act for Omarion’s tour?
Its like a dream come true. We are such huge fans of Omarion’s music and the fact that we are headlining his tour is amazing. Kaz actually influenced the call. He saw a flyer on Instagram and thought that its only right that Rough Copy support him because there is no one else in the UK that can do what Rough Copy are able to do. The management/PR team took it from there and here we are.
How has life been like after the X-Factor?
The journey has been fantastic. We have performed everywhere and anywhere. We have brought out singles and been on tour. We’ve been signed to a major label. We have done so many things as a boy band and as an RnB band in particular.
Aside from music what else have you been doing?
Before X Factor, performing wasn’t our 9-5 job. We have been doing music for 8/9 years but we all had jobs. Kaz was a carpenter and worked with youths, Joe was an electrician and Sterling was a 1 to 1 mentor. We did a lot of youth work back then because didn’t come from privileged backgrounds we know how the struggle is. We do everything we can to help encourage and motivate the youth of today. We also work closely with the Princes Trust in mentoring young people and are committed to giving back to our local community in South London.
We have also been involved in London Fashion Week, which was crazy. We worked alongside a clothing brand called Hemsley and they are one look out for. We all love fashion so we try get involved in that as much as possible. When we were on X Factor we were remembered for our crazy fashion, the skirts the leggings. Leather was our theme. Anything to do we with fashion we try and get involved in it. We like to try different avenues aside from music.
What are you currently working on at the moment and what have you got planned for the future?
We will soon be supporting Pretty Ricky, J Holiday and Day 26 in Manchester and London after we have finished the Omarion and Damage tour, so that’s exciting.
We have also worked on an independent film called AWOL (Absent Without Love). Not only do we have acting roles in the film but we also got to write the soundtrack. That will be out in the film festivals. The film has been pitched to film companies and already they are interested in doing a sequel to it.
We are looking to bring out some EPs (Extended Plays) by the summer. There are so many sounds we want to put out there like the RnB 90s slow jams that we all miss but we also want to include Motown and rock influences. In terms of an album, it will probably be late this year/early next year.
‘Same Formula’ is available on iTunes 3rd May.
