A HIP-hop artist from Redditch says he has been left ‘in utter shock’ after he was named ‘Best Producer’ at the inaugural Birmingham Music Awards.
Pritt Kalsi, from Winyates has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry yet still works in a factory on Moons Moat.
And he says he was absolutely stunned when his name was called out at the glittering event held at The Glee Club in Southside last Wednesday, May 2.
“I’m really off the radar, just not part of the in-crowd at all,” said Pritt, who works for car firm UK-NSI.
“I was sitting at the back of the hall and everyone was cheering when the nominees’ names were read out but when my name was said it was like tumbleweed blowing through the place, just silence.”
Despite that Pritt has worked with some of the biggest names in the hip hop business.
“I’ve been interested in music ever since I was a child, in fact I became obsessive about it with hip hop and drum machines.
“20 years ago I went to New York and they welcomed me and ever since then I’ve been called back to work on various projects.”
Pritt broke through when his interest in film making led him to make a movie called The King of the Beats which saw him working with a galaxy of stars.
The film became an underground hit and cemented his reputation as a top music and film producer.
“It was great, everyone was very professional and it went from there,” he said.
And he can name hip hop stars like Diamond D – who won a Grammy for producing the Fugees – as among the people who’ve used his material.
“I did the artwork for his album ‘The Diem Piece’ – the photo on the front cover was taken right here in Winyates,” said Pritt.
However the mystery of who put his name forward for the award still eludes him.
“I still don’t know who nominated me,” he said.
“I even went back and asked who had done it and they just said seven top executives had viewed my body of work and chose me.”
