Start Listening To: Sweets

Blending punk energy with hip-hop intensity, Sweets is turning raw experience into fearless, genre-defying music.

Sweets is an artist who refuses to be boxed in. Blending the raw energy of punk with the rhythmic intensity of hip-hop, he crafts music that’s as unfiltered as it is electrifying. Hailing from Newcastle, his journey has been shaped by a deep love of words, a defiant spirit, and a determination to carve his own path, despite the challenges life has thrown at him.

With his latest single, Hockey Puck, Sweets channels his influences, from Idles to The Neptunes, into a sound that’s evolving, pushing beyond the harder edges of his early work into something more layered and melodic. In this Q&A, he opens up about his creative process, overcoming adversity, and the cities that have shaped him.

For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?

I’m Sweets, from Geordie land and Im trying to mash up punk and hip hop.

We love your new single “Hockey Puck”. Can you tell us more about how it was produced?

I was sent the instrumental. It’s an unusual way of writing for me but I was in straight away.

I was bang into idles at the time and had been sent something I could create an idles song over! Luckily I’ve got the same passion and intensity as Joe Talbot.

Your writing came before your music. How did your love of words evolve into the artist you are today?

Good question! I was always a small, incapable person according to education. I suffer from ADHD and could never keep up. I had one English teacher who told me for the first time to my face ‘I think you’re going to be a famous writer and write about how the school system failed you.’ and in hindsight it did. She gave me the first inclination that I could put my energy into something fruitful and positive instead of drugs and small town politics.

I always loved words and their boundless possibilities and power and I think that rap is almost the perfect medium! Poetry is more accessible than ever and I’m going to make the most of it.

You’ve been open about your past struggles, from ADHD to being expelled from school. How have those experiences shaped the way you approach music now?

I have a grit and determination. I’ve always had this chip on my shoulder that screamed I am clever, I am capable - but until music my caregivers rarely reflected that.

It’s me against every square hole I was forced into and every negative message I received about myself as a child.

You’ve spoken about overcoming obstacles, including a recent brush with hearing loss. How did that affect your mindset and creative process?

I was recently diagnosed epileptic! I seized and fractured my skull while making breakfast out of the blue and woke up with no hearing. While the loss of hearing was scary, I’d say that the week spent under the care of the NHS was the most valuable thing. I’ve been at the wrong end of its underfunding before and this time I had to spend 48 hours on a stretcher in the corridor for lack of beds. I came out of it with a lot of perspective! I saw a lot of blood and stress and heartache and I forgot how close those things were to me.

Your music balances raw honesty with optimism. How do you find that balance when writing about heavy topics?

Another great question! I find that true optimism comes from staring the sh*t in the eyes.

I’m doing a disservice to those truly suffering if I can’t factor in their experience so I like to meditate on the worst before jumping to any positive conclusions.

Your sound has evolved from the harder edges of ‘Tension Free’ to something more melodic and layered. What pushed that shift?

One of my lifelong inspirations is Tyler the Creator. He’s an ADHD brain and I love his freedom of expression.

I heard an interview of his where he talked about making ‘house music’, not the genre, but music that could buy him a house. I think setting this as your compass can only take you up and gives me (as a broke b*tch) real purpose with music.

You cite influences like Bakar, Easy Life, and The Neptunes. What is it about their work that resonates with you?

I love songcraft - I’m into music that a baby can feel.

There’s a strong sense of place in your music, from Newcastle to Manchester. How have those cities shaped your perspective and sound?

I love both cities. Newcastle is pretty closed and insular to grow up in, and I still feel like I’m shaking that off.

You’ve gained support from NME, The Line of Best Fit, and BBC Radio 1. Has that recognition changed how you see yourself as an artist?

It’s just a log on the fire to keep grafting! I want to fulfil my whole potential.

You’re now signed to Soul Kitchen / EMI North. How has working with a label influenced your creative process?

The stakes feel higher! I want to make the most of the resources and belief these people have invested.

I also want more of their money.

Your lyrics paint vivid pictures of real-life struggles. Do you feel a responsibility to represent those experiences authentically?

Of course. When writing my most painful song ‘All my Heroes’ I wrote it from the perspectives of 2 people whose addiction and mental health struggles I was very close to. I made sure to check in with them at several points in the writing process. They both cried when they heard the song and that meant more to me that any magazine.

If someone listens to ‘Give It To Me Straight’ for the first time, what do you hope they take away from it?

Hooks and infectious tunes that make them feel seen!

What do you love right now?

A girl I just met is very high on the list. I love honesty and compassion and testing artistic boundaries.

What do you hate right now?

Elon Musk. I keep having nightmares about him. I’m happy my subconscious cares about current affairs but also gtfo mate. Right wing power is built entirely on men who need therapy and are really comfortable lying.

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you?

Acid Rap by Chance the Rapper! So infectious. His use of his voice and phonetics inspires me so much.

What’s next for you after this release?

Money and fame and tours and money and fame and money.