| PIT STOP |
The barber with a passion for producing music
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| 25.5.2006 |
Anthony Stuart, 29, has gained a reputable career cutting, trimming and defining the hair of hundreds of people who have passed through his hands.
His clients have included actors Jimmy Akingbola and Nolan Weekes, rappers Taz and Blak Twang, comedian Lenny Henry and director Tony Tagoe from the record shop Deal Real.
Aside from being a barber, in the past Stuart in his spare time worked as a DJ but now looks forward to his imminent work as a music producer.
We met to discuss his work as a barber and his aspirations in music.
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Jamelia and Anthony |
TBS: How did you begin your career as a barber?
AS: I started out watching my cousins cut hair and I would go to the barbershop and watch barbers too. I later bought a small kit, I always fancied myself as good with my hands, and so I gave it a try on one of my cousins, it wasn’t a top hair cut but I just picked it up after that.
TBS: When was your first professional hair cut?
AS: It was a shambles [laughs], I think it was at Hair Waves in Manor Park which was in 1992 that was the first place.
TBS: What would you say has been your highlights as a barber so far?
AS: I’ve had a blessed 15 years. Running the barbershop at Dark N Cold [a clothing shop] in 2004 was one of my highlights. Mainly because of the clients, I was able to talk with people and meet all sorts of characters who were all interesting. I would do that anytime.
When Dark N Cold closed its shop in Oxford Street I had around 150 to 200 loyal customers who were sad to see me go. I have a client from Switzerland, a businessman, who comes to the UK once a month to do business and calls me to cut his hair, he’s turned into a good friend.
TBS: What challenges have you faced in your profession?
AS: Well after Dark N Cold I joined a hair salon in the same area, a nice business, but the manager and I had different ideas on how the business should be run so I had to leave there. It can be really hard. I was doing freelance barbering from recommendations just to keep my head above water.
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Anthony and Otis |
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Anthony and Nolan Weekes |
TBS: So how did your interest in producing come about?
AS: I was always doing my mix CDs and I always saw myself as someone who could make music as well. I just started writing lyrics and then getting more involved on the production and creative side.
I liked a lot of old records and figured wow I started hearing 50, Jay-Z, Kanye, Alchemist and others I realised I knew all these sampled tunes - I can do this so then I started getting old records, cutting them and looping them. I knew that I was not going to get paid off music straight away so I reckoned when I’m not working I’d prepare myself.
TBS: What makes you different from any other producer out there at the moment?
AS: I’m a firm believer in making something out of nothing, you’ve always got to utilise what you have. My whole idea and I’ve looked at people like Dre and what I’ve heard about him is that he’s very critical. It’s not as simple as he’s a producer, basically he wants to know that your lyrics are arranged properly, if you don’t say three words properly in a verse he will want you to say that verse again until you get it right and I would like to think that I’m that sort of producer.
TBS: Who are you planning to work with?
AS: I’ve previously spoken to Tony Mitchell from the Mitchell Brothers about a tune I’ve done and I’ve actually linked with Kelly Le Roc, she came down and I played her a couple beats. Once I’ve copyrighted my work I will be sending her some of my material.
TBS: What future projects do you have in the pipeline?
AS: I have an EP I want to bring out. My DJ name is Anonymous so it will be called Anonymous Caller – Receive and Reception. And I will put seven tracks on there to give people an idea of what I’m doing.
Also when I get my barbershop off the ground I want to setup a barbering school for women and men where I can train them to cut hair.
I just want to send out the message to enable people to do things for themselves, I want to raise awareness through my music even barbering through the service I’m offering.
If you would like to get a professional cut you can book a home appointment by contacting Anthony on 07940 313 237.
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