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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 19 January 2019
James Blake, music's most requested collaborator, opens up

By MESFIN FEKADU
NEW YORK (AP) — Some
people get lots of invita-
tions. James Blake gets the
right ones. He's had a role
on two of the greatest al-
bums of the last decade
— Beyonce's delicious
"Lemonade" and Kendrick
Lamar's Pulitzer Prize-winner
"Damn." He worked on an-
other impactful and cultur-
ally relevant album, Jay-Z's
"4:44"; he's part of Travis
Scott's pop star break-
through "Astroworld"; and
he was called on to con-
tribute to the soundtrack
to the uber-successful and
powerful "Black Panther,"
earning him two Grammy
nominations.
Those key projects helped
Blake, a British singer-song-
writer-producer with a dis-
tinct downbeat electronic
sound, develop and ex-
pand as an artist — growth
heard throughout his latest
project, "Assume Form." This Jan. 16, 2019 photo shows James Blake posing for a portrait at the SLS Hotel in Los Angeles to promote his latest album "Assume
"I have more people in- Form."
volved possibly in this pro- Associated Press
cess than before. ...I had
the help of some really in- one of her favorites of 2011. der mainstream ... (and) be about things and swallow- of emotions in my music.
spiring people," Blake said They later collaborated on kind of like a musician's mu- ing your ego, or listening I think partially this is what
of his fourth album, out Fri- her ground-breaking "Lem- sician," he said. "She really and opening up, trying to this album does," he add-
day. "It feels like there's a onade" album, released in put me in a new context, evolve that way, or trying to ed. "I have had more of a
team rather than a solo ef- 2016. and I think in that way she collaborate more. Getting range, from happiness to
fort." Blake then collaborated did me an absolutely mas- out of some of the aspects doubt to self-doubt to sus-
Blake produced, wrote with Frank Ocean. Then sive favor." of the skin that you're in, picion that the world might
and co-mixed the album, Scott. Then Lamar. Then Listening to "Assume Form" that you are frustrated with. not be as good as it feels
but helpers include co-pro- Jay-Z. And then Lamar proves Blake is more than a It is a process and it's OK to now, forever."
ducer Dominic Maker of again. And then Scott musician's musician — and still be assuming form. The Blake will get to take the
the duo Mount Kimbie and again. that he could be on his way song itself, 'Assume Form,' new songs to another level
Nathan Boddy, who co- "What I liked about what we to pop star status. really just says, 'Here are my when he performs them
mixed and mastered the did together was that they Underneath the heavy and uncomfortable traits.'" live on his North American
album. Andre 3000, Metro chose things that really felt jagged beats, there's a His past albums have some tour, kicking off Feb. 18 in
Boomin and Scott also lend like me. I felt that they were sense of hopefulness and feeling he's always down Atlanta.
their vocals to songs. so sensitive to the contribu- love in the honest and raw and out. But he said that's A week before that he'll be
The decision to invite others tion with the way they han- lyrics delivered by Blake. not the case. competing at the Gram-
into his space was natural, dled it and the way they "Can't Believe the Way We "If someone says that I mys for best rap perfor-
Blake said. incorporated it into their Flow" and "Into the Red" make sad music, I don't mance and best rap song
"I think I was probably sick records," he said. "It's really feel like love songs, but not take it as an insult. I think with "King's Dead" from the
of being the mad scien- nice to just be expected typical ones. "Barefoot In there's room for every emo- "Black Panther" soundtrack.
tist at home," he said. "It's to come in and be myself. the Park," featuring Latin tion in music. I guess I write Blake shares the nomina-
so much more socially I think that was very sweet singer Rosalia, is a sensual autobiographically and if I tion with Lamar, Jay Rock
rewarding to be around in all those cases. It wasn't number that is addictive; feel reflective at the time, and Future.
other people. It creates a a case of crowbarring me and "Mile High," with Scott then I'll write something "I'm honored to be asked to
whole different universe in into something. It was very and Metro Boomin, could reflective. Also, music be- work on that 'Black Panther'
your mind." tailored." fit on multiple Spotify playl- ing an outlet means that soundtrack. I was aware of
Blake, 30, isn't popping up From working with Beyonce, ists. you don't always feel the the gravity of what they
on every radio hit like Lil Blake said he learned to "There are some moments way you felt when you're were doing, and I think it
Wayne once did or how limit his artistry. of doubt on the record, but writing all the time. If any- was just really sweet to be
Quavo has assumed that "When I first worked with I would definitely say it's a thing, writing is a creative asked," said Blake, who also
role in the last two years, Beyonce, there was kind love-song album," he said. outlet for emotion, or it is for appears on "Bloody Waters"
but the invites he's gotten of a moment where my "'Assume Form' — it's not me. So, in those moments from the soundtrack.
have been epic, and by perspective changed a a statement to say, 'Here maybe I felt that way, but "I didn't take it lightly, es-
music's most elite. little bit on where I could I am. I'm great now. I've it doesn't mean that's how I pecially to be working with
The same year he released be in music. I think I've al- made it.' It's more to say, always feel." Kendrick himself. I think that
his self-titled debut, Be- ways felt, or at least for a 'I'm still in the process. It is a "If anything, my goal is to was great. I just wanted
yonce listed "The Wilhelm long time, that my position process,'" he said. "Rather maybe more accurately to approach it as well as I
Scream" from his album as in music was to bubble un- it's realizing you're wrong portray a broader range could, really."q