With the launch of his new EP, Alone, on November 4, Kaleem Taylor has a lot to be excited about. The RnB singer sat down with SB.TV to chat about his inspiration and aims, as well as his love of Stevie Wonder…

Can you tell us a bit about your background, and how it’s come to influence what you do now?

Throughout my childhood music was always something we had circling around the house, whether it be my grandmother listening to music whilst cooking or my dad bumping his Dennis Brown. The variety of music has had its influence on me and makes me open to all sorts of other music.

Which artists have inspired you, mainly?

The artists I’d say have mainly inspired me are Stevie Wonder, Omar and D’Angelo.

What do you think sets you apart from other artists?

I’ve left that to be decided by the people, I think everyone is different in their own right but I’d say it’ll have to be the uniqueness in my voice.

Your new EP is called Alone – why did you chose that title?

The reason why the EP was called Alone was to make a point of doing your own thing and not trying to be in anybody else’s lane.

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What can you tell us about the current album you’re working on?

The current album I’m working on definitely has variety, due to working with other producers and testing the waters with some things out of my comfort zone. Expect to hear a different side of me.

How did you feel when you were first featured on radio last year, on 1Xtra’s Homegrown show?

To hear myself on the radio was a mad feeling, knowing that whoever was listening to the radio at that point was hearing me talk or hearing my song was amazing.

Who would you like to work with in the future?

Usually my answer is anyone doing something positive, but if I had to choose specifically it would be Stevie Wonder, just to see him work…, I could only imagine but I’m sure as an artist you’d learn so much from a man who’s worked with the best of them and is one of the best himself.

Order Alone on iTunes here.

Words by Fiona GUest