2 Beers With The Band

How does an introverted kid with severe social anxiety transition into an energetic live performer making waves across the UK underground hip-hop scene? 
In this episode of Two Beers with the Band, host Chris Schrum sits down with Leicester-based MC, storyteller, and lyricist Young Springer. Together, they explore Young Springer's journey—from growing up watching his musician father perform in pubs to writing poetry in schoolbooks, discovering Eminem and Immortal Technique, overcoming a five-year music hiatus, and treating songwriting as emotional catharsis. 
Young Springer breaks down his track "Nobody Else," previews his emotional unreleased song "My Life For Yours," discusses the realities of running a DIY merch line with 3D designer H. Stockley, and shares why staying 100% independent is non-negotiable.
 
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this interview, host Chris Schrum catches up with UK hip-hop artist Young Springer. Together, they explore:
Overcoming Social Anxiety Through Music: How an introverted artist pushed through a 5-year music break, built stage confidence, and transformed social anxiety into energetic live performances.
Storytelling & Emotional Catharsis: Using hip-hop as "rhythm and poetry" to process childhood struggles, navigate relationship hurdles, and write deeply personal tracks like "My Life For Yours."
The Leicester Underground Scene: Developing as a lyricist in Leicester, performing at Reading Festival, and finding a balance between authentic expression and wider crowd engagement.
DIY Merch Ecosystem & Independence: The strategic and financial realities of launching an independent merch line, building equity without a major label, and collaborating with 3D designer H. Stockley.
Lyricism vs. Overrated Trends: Critiquing repetitive flows in modern grime and drill while prioritizing intricate wordplay, multi-syllabic rhyme schemes, and American rap influences.

What does it take to build a sustainable, full-time career as an independent UK hip-hop artist? 
In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, host Chris Schrum sits down with UK rappers Sam The Rapper and 7ury for an unfiltered breakdown of music, mindset, and multi-brand hustle. 
The duo shares how they went from living a street apart to managing three distinct musical identities—Sam The Rapper, 7ury, and their collaborative group DMT (Dead Men Talking)—while co-owning their event platform, Rumo 116. 7ury opens up about his 3-year sobriety milestone, while both artists explain why every musician should spend two years in sales, how to treat the studio like a 30-hour work week, and how combining "aggressive optimism" with level-headed realism creates their signature dynamic. 
Stick around until the end for an exclusive in-studio live performance of their track "HARPS" (Have A Real Perspective).
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this interview, host Chris Schrum sits down with Sam The Rapper and 7ury. Together, they explore:
• Professional Studio Discipline & Sales Skills: Why putting 30+ hours a week into the studio creates a compound effect, and how sales experience gives independent artists the thick skin required to self-market.
• Dynamic Duo Chemistry: How 7ury’s "aggressive optimism" balances Sam’s analytical, structured realism to refine their collaborative output both in the studio and on stage.
• Managing Three Brands & Rumor 116: The logistics of building individual solo careers while developing their joint outfit DMT (Dead Men Talking) and co-running a multi-city event platform.
• Track Breakdown & Live Performance ('HARPS'): The core philosophy behind "Have A Real Perspective" and an exclusive live in-studio performance.
• Long-Term Ambitions: Their strategic roadmaps leading up to 2027, including goals for Coke Studios, Charlie Sloth's Fire in the Booth, and international touring plans.

How does an independent UK hip-hop artist transform childhood nostalgia and literary influences into authentic, enduring rap? 
In this episode of Two Beers with the Band, host Chris Schrum sits down with independent UK MC and poet Douki. Together, they dive into Douki's creative origins, the profound impact of Tupac Shakur's book The Rose That Grew from Concrete, and why true success as an indie artist means achieving financial sustainability and creative freedom rather than chasing fleeting mainstream fame. 
Douki also breaks down his favorite track, "The Tower"—including its unique sample from the animated classic The Flight of Dragons—and makes a passionate case for why poets and rappers need to cross-pollinate their crafts to elevate modern lyricism.   
🎵 ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this interview, host Chris Schrum catches up with UK hip-hop artist and poet Douki. Together, they explore:   • Tupac's Literary Influence & Nostalgia: How reading The Rose That Grew from Concrete shifted Douki's approach to songwriting, blending childhood nostalgia with poetic storytelling.   • Financial Freedom vs. Fame: Debunking common misconceptions about independent musicians, focusing on long-term sustainability, total creative control, and living on your own terms.   
• Track Breakdown ('The Tower'): The creative story behind Douki's favorite track, built around a unique sample from The Flight of Dragons.   • Cross-Pollination of Poetry & Rap: Why rappers should study poetry for structure and depth, and how poets can learn from the raw content and cadence of hip-hop.   
• The Independent MC's Journey: Navigating the UK hip-hop landscape, staying grounded in authentic self-expression, and building a loyal listener base without compromising.  
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How can an independent artist overcome a childhood in the UK foster care system, walk away from a corporate marketing career, and build an authentic music career centered around a "sovereign mind"? 
In this episode of Two Beers with the Band, host Chris Schrum sits down with UK-based hip-hop artist and poet 7ury. Together, they discuss leaving marketing behind to pursue music full-time, the life-changing mindset shift inspired by grief and Jim Rohn's motto "Don't die with your music inside," playing over 100 live shows in a year through relentless DIY outreach, blending American hip-hop influences with UK spoken word, and using art to empower listeners to break past limiting beliefs.
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this interview, host Chris Schrum catches up with UK hip-hop artist and poet 7ury. Together, they explore:
• From Foster Care to Sovereign Mind: Overcoming childhood adversity in the UK care system, refusing to become a statistic, and living life entirely on his own terms.
• Leaving Corporate Life for Music: Walking away from a career in marketing to pursue music full-time with relentless hunger and discipline.
• The Mindset Shift & Grief: How losing three close friends in two months and Jim Rohn's philosophy "Don't die with your music inside" sparked an all-in commitment to art.
• 100+ Live Shows via DIY Booking: Building a fanbase through aggressive DM outreach, playing over 30 venues across 5 cities, and performing live without backing track crutches.
• Craft of Rap & Spoken Word: Blending poetry with boom bap rhythms, learning percussion in Sikh temples, writing first single "Read," and using music to dismantle limiting beliefs.
CONNECT WITH 7URY
• Artist: 7ury (7URY / Fury)• Single: "Read" (Out now on all major streaming platforms)• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/7ury_official/

Can raw honesty, emotional vulnerability, and genuine community build a lasting legacy in an era dominated by superficial clout?
In this episode of 2 Beers With The Band, host Chris Schrum sits down with Porterville, California hip-hop artist, songwriter, and aspiring author Jlooon.
Tracing his journey from skateboarding in a small Central Valley town to writing lyrics alone in his bedroom, Jlooon breaks down why making music has always been a form of personal therapy rather than a quest for fame. We dive into the Central Valley underground movement, building the Roughhouse community, navigating the realities of being an independent artist, pushing physical media, and his forthcoming Western sci-fi novel Metal.
 
🔥 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & INDIE ARTIST BREAKDOWN:
Central Valley Roots: Coming up out of Porterville, CA and building unity across Visalia, Fresno, and Bakersfield.
Realism vs. Industry Clout: Why vulnerability and honest lyricism cut through fake lifestyle flexes.
The "Baking a Cake" Analogy: How Jlooon knows when a track is finished and managing a vault of over 200 unreleased songs.
The Roughhouse Community: Creating platforms, throwing amphitheater shows, and fostering local artist camaraderie.
Authorship & World-Building: Diving into Jlooon’s upcoming Western novel Metal and transitioning lyricism into prose
🔗 CONNECT WITH JLOOON:
Instagram: @jlooon (J-L-O-O-O-N)
TikTok: @jlooon
YouTube: @jlooon
Email / Inquiries: jlooon559@gmail.com
 

Can raw lyricism, mental health advocacy, and unfiltered truth still thrive in an industry obsessed with quick clout?In this episode of 2 Beers With The Band, host Chris Schrum sits down with UK-based rap artist, poet, and published author Sam The Rapper.
Tracing his 15-year journey from fast-paced 140 BPM East London grime to conscious storytelling, Sam opens up about the reality of the UK underground scene, using music and poetry as therapy, leading writing workshops in prisons, and publishing dark fiction novels under the pen name Sam Christopher. We break down his signature track "Truthfully", discuss why he lives by the mantra "Ugly Truth, Not Pretty Lies," and explore what it takes to build a sustainable, authentic brand as an independent artist.
🔥 EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & INDIE ARTIST BREAKDOWN:
Grime Evolution & London Roots: Shifting from 140 BPM East London grime to conscious real rap.
Track Breakdown: The story behind "Truthfully" and living by the mantra "Ugly Truth, Not Pretty Lies."
Mental Health & Creative Outlets: Music as therapy, the poetry circuit with Get Mouthy, and conducting writing workshops in prisons.
Author Journey: Publishing thriller and dark romance novels (Doing Time & Because of You) under the pen name Sam Christopher.
The Independent Grind: Overcoming marketing hurdles on the My Therapy EP, overcoming accent barriers for US audiences, and building a sustainable independent brand.
🔗 CONNECT WITH SAM THE RAPPER / SAM CHRISTOPHER:
Music & Socials: @samtherappermusic
Books on Amazon (Author: Sam Christopher): Doing Time & Because of You
Author Instagram: @samchristopherauthor
Poetry Platform: Get Mouthy

How can independent artists balance spoken word, boom bap hip-hop, and self-production over a decade-long creative journey? In this episode of Two Beers with the Band, host Chris Schrum sits down with UK-based MC, spoken word artist, and beatmaker Rychusdon for an in-depth, track-by-track breakdown of his album Snakes and Ladders. Together, they discuss handling 100% of his own production, tackling heavy social commentary, faith, street realities, and staying true to authentic Hip-Hop craft.
 
🎵 ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this interview, host Chris Schrum catches up with UK hip-hop artist and producer Rychusdon. Together, they explore:
• 100% DIY Production: How producing your own beats allows complete creative freedom and authentic storytelling across a 12-track project.
• Deep Storytelling & Social Commentary: Tackling real-world themes such as UK county lines, street dynamics, caring for elders, and personal growth.
• Spoken Word Meets Boom Bap: Blending poetic spoken word performance with traditional boom bap lyricism and 32-bar verse structures.
• Musical Influences & Faith: Drawing inspiration from legends like Gil Scott-Heron and Miles Davis, while exploring faith and religion in modern hip-hop.
• Track-by-Track Album Breakdown: Exclusive backstories and production secrets behind every track on Snakes and Ladders.

How can independent producers transition into performing artists while building a career outside major industry hubs? In this episode of Two Beers with the Band, host Chris sits down with Ipswich-based Dancehall and Jungle artist Genwe to discuss self-producing, performing live, curating events, and upcoming releases for 2026 and 2027.  ABOUT THIS EPISODEIn this interview, host Chris catches up with UK dancehall and jungle artist Genwe over a 7.0% ABV IPA from Black Abbey Brewing. Together, they explore:  • The DIY Studio Setup: Why buying your own equipment saves money and speeds up the workflow from writing to 24-hour mixing and mastering.• Building Local Roots: How artists from smaller regions like Ipswich can build an audience through frequent weekend club bookings before expanding outward.• Event Coordination & Brand Control: Behind-the-scenes lessons from working with Jam Experience and managing event logistics.• The Support System: How having a dedicated team—including his wife managing schedules, content filming, and TikTok—keeps the artist workflow sustainable.• What's Coming Up: Details on celebrating Jamaican Independence Day live, opening for UK artist ArrDee, and dropping an 8-to-10 track English Grime/UK project.