UK singer/songwriter Neon Hitch has made a big splash in the world of music, and she’s willing to Beg, Borrow, & Steal to make it to the top.
Neon, whose real name is REALLY Neon, was born to a quite eclectic family of gypsies who’ve traveled all over the countryside of the UK.
Neon first caught our eye when she covered Wiz Khalifa’s “On My Level,” and ever since then, Ms. Hitch has kept the covers coming.
Don’t get it twisted, Neon’s only talent isn’t covering rappers, she’s readying her forthcoming album Beg, Borrow, & Steal for release sometime in 2012.
GlobalGrind likes to title Neon as the “Queen Of Hip-Hop” covers, because every hip-hop cover she sings is complete fire.
We caught up with the English singer to talk about her stint as a trapeze artist, running away to India as a teenager and of course, her dope music.
Check out the exclusive interview below!
GlobalGrind:You’ve been killing the hip-hop covers, from “On My Level” to your latest Waka Flocka’s “No Hands.”
Neon Hitch: Do you like the new video? That’s my boy Pots and Pans, they’re magical.
How did you think of the concept?
We were actually shooting “Gucci Gucci” at my house. We were shooting “Gucci Gucci” and we were also thinking, ‘What are we going to do for “No Hands” video?’ And I thought, ‘Yo, we’re going to do some crazy sh*t, but don’t give it away in the beginning. I felt like we should put it in reverse, so you don’t even know what the hell is going on until the end.’
And then you see this fat guy running in a pair of thongs, like what is going on? I wanted it to be kind of confusing.
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What inspired you to do covers?
I just wanted to take a song that starts off with my style and remake it my own, to show people, ‘This is my style.’ I take a song that is completely the opposite of what I do and just make it my own.
Have you gotten any feedback from any rappers or anyone who’s seen your video?
Oh, yeah. When I did Snoop Dogg he posted it and he loved it and I was talking to him for a bit. I have had their blessing, which has been kind of fantastic. I met Mac Miller, he came by the studio, he loved the cover. He was super cool. It’s been fantastic.
You have an interesting background. Your parents are kind of hippies?
Yeah, they’re like traveling hippies, psychedelic people. It’s definitely been an adventure. My real name is Neon, so that’s already weird.
As a kid you just want to fit in. I did not fit in. I was that awkward motherf*cker in school who was a freak show. But now, I embrace it. Yes, I am a freak show. Holla.
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You ran away to India when you were a teenager?
I did. I was 15. I lived out there for like three years, on and off. And it was a really, really, really special time in my life. It’s a total opener for your mind, it put sh*t into perspective. When you see that kind of poverty, and those kids are still happy. They don’t have anything and they’re happy. It just makes you grateful for the tiny things.
What was the most interesting thing that you learned while you were in India?
To just be grateful for everything you have because kids who have absolutely nothing are happy. And you’re driving your Rolls Royce or whatever and you’re a miserable person. How does that make sense? Do you know what I’m saying? You just got to be grateful. I am so grateful for even having running water, you don’t even know.
If you could have three wishes, what would they be?
I wish I could live in a caravan in New York. If you can make that possible that would be super dope, because I miss my caravan. I would live in Union Square, in my caravan. That would be nice.
You’re working on your upcoming album Beg, Borrow, & Steal, when can we expect that?
We’re going to put out two or three singles before the album, so the album should be early next year. Singles, we’re just about to go hard. You’re gonna hear like two or three singles, then album.
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If you could “beg” for anything, what would you beg for?
Ugh, I don’t like begging. Seriously. I got too much pride, but sometimes you got to swallow your pride and just beg for whatever. Beg for forgiveness.
If you could borrow anything, what would you borrow?
I’d borrow Buckingham Palace for a day. I’ve never been in there, so I’d like to see what it’s like. That would be cool.
If you could steal anything, what would you steal?
Definitely steal a sexy boy’s heart. I like stealing hearts. Girl and boys.
Neon, what’s your favorite color?
That’s so hard. I like rainbows—just everything. Red. My hair’s red, so red.
Are you a natural red head?
Not so much. I don’t remember my natural color. I’ve been dying my hair since I was 12.
What’s your favorite thing to do besides make music?
I love dancing. I love making clothes. I love acting. I just like performing. I love doing the trapeze.
You were a trapeze artist?!
I was. That was my dream. Did you see my BBC documentary when I was 11?
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How did you get started being a trapeze artist?
My mom was performing with the circus, so I got into it from a really young age.
How different was it growing up with your parents being performers and being in the circus?
For me it’s normal. You only know what you know, so I feel like I lead a normal life. So when I talk to people it seems like I haven’t. I’m just learning I’m not normal. What’s normal? I don’t know. Normal is what you know.
What are some of your musical inspirations?
Number one, The Beatles. I just love how psychedelic they are. I’m into a lot of old music—Aretha Franklin. The Beatles are my number one. They cover everything. They’re amazing songwriters, lyricists. I love their style. I love Madonna, Michael Jackson.
If you could collaborate with anybody, who would you collaborate with, dead and alive?
Dead, John Lennon. Alive, Edward Sharpe.
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What’s been your favorite moment while touring and traveling across the country doing shows?
Being in Vegas was pretty fun for gay pride. That was so cool, with my boys. We had a really good time. It’s just like life is just a party in my field right now. It’s kind of crazy. It’s a lot of fun.
What’s your favorite thing to wear?
Definitely a headdress. I could go with no clothes on just as long as I had a headdress, I’ll feel complete.
Do you have a prized possession, something that you keep near dear to you at all times?
In my wallet I have so many weird sentimental things. I have a piece of my dog Coco’s fur in my wallet. I have a crystal. I have some gum that my ex-boyfriend chewed. I have really, really strange things in my wallet, but that are useful—they keep me grounded.
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Do you have a celebrity crush?
Absolutely. Nicki Minaj. I just like her big ass and she turns me on major. She’s a sex machine. Also, Justin Bieber just went to the next level, I’m like ‘Whoa, I’m getting the fever.’ It kind of makes me blush a little.
You have a lot of things in common with rappers.
I’m kind of a rapper.
