We keep it a full stack here at Raw Side Hip Hop, and the real ones know that, so when I stumbled across some incredibly sick artwork, I just had to reach out and get it touch with the dude known as ‘Sketcher’. I mean, graf / art / tagging etc is one of the elements of hip hop and a key ingredient of the culture, so when I found this guy and he was a boom bap head, had worked with some incredible artists and all that – we both agreed that getting this story out on Raw Side Hip Hop was the right thing to do!
Now, graffiti & street art goes hand in hand with hip hop. Not just on the streets, the iconic pieces that represent fallen soliders’ on walls or the carefully crafted urban masterpieces that brighten everyone’s day – but right down to album covers, artist merchandise, film clips, custom kicks and so much more. And having seen some of Sketcher’s stuff on Facebook and Instagram, not to mention the hype joints he sent through for this piece – I was just as excited doing this interview as I have been for all the others (and let’s face it, I’m like a kid in a candy store when it comes to everything hip hop!) and now I’m glad to share this with you all too.
Firstly, give us a bit of background as to who you are and what you’re about.
My name is Seth ‘Sketcher’ Odhiambo, I’m from Kenya, in Africa. I’m a sketch artist that does graffiti, hip hop cartoons, stickers, logos, t-shirt and cover designs. We can say I am an illustrator.
You’ve done some incredible work over time (Snowgoons cover etc), can you tell us a couple of ‘highlights’ from your career thus far?
Well the final piece for that Snowgoons ‘GOONSTRUMENTAL’ design was by Det Gunner, I only did the cartoon characters. It was an honour working with the Snowgoons given that I’m a fan of their boom bap production style. This was a big step for me, not only have I done work for them but also big cats in the hip hop culture like Big Twins who also let me do the whole Infamous Mob squad, Benny the Butcher, Conway, Supreme Cerebral, Ill Conscious, DJ Tray, Recognize Ali the list is long…I laced covers for Ghost Of The Machine & DJ Proof ‘HEROES FOR HIRE 2’, several albums for Moe Hendrix, Dom Pachino ‘GUNS ON THE SPEAKER’, all of Gillateen’s albums except Fallen Culture, Ant Milli’s projects too and many more underground emcees. So far I love the progress as I’m making my name out there in the name of real hip hop.
Who have been some of your inspirations growing up?
I wouldn’t say growing up coz I’ve came across many artists but one name that stuck amongst the best I’ve ever seen that inspired me the most is KEVIN WILLIAMS. My other big inspiration is MR. CARTOON though he does tattoos mostly, an area I don’t do but I love his works. PEQUE is also one that I dig his style of character creation.
If you could design an album cover for anyone, who would it be?
If I could design an album cover for anyone I would do one for Che Noir. But for real, any dope emcee out there is welcomed to try me out.
You’re a self-confessed ‘boom bap’ head. What has been your favourite album or albums of 2020 so far?
My top favourite album of 2020 is Che Noir – Juno. Others include Styles P – Styles David:Ghost Your Enthusiasm, Roccwell – Still Lovin Boombap, Thorough – King Articulate, Ghost of The Machine x DJ Proof – Heroes For Hire 3, Planet Asia x 38 Spesh – Trust The Chain, Army Of Trust 2, Gillateen x Frank Grizzly – Cany, Sutter Kain x Donnie Darko – Before the World Got To Us, Gee Dubs – Farmers Joint, Westside Gunn – Pray for Paris …my list is long I’ll just name those few for now.
What type of art do you like best – pencil art, graffiti, illustration?
I love all the areas i do but currently am obsessed with digital illustrations …like it’s what’s supporting me the most right now.
How does it feel to see some of your designs on stickers, t-shirts?
Truth be told, I LOVE IT when I see my art creations out there on CDs, as stickers or T-Shirts n Hoodies….even caps. I appreciate a lot even just to see my drawing used as a profile pic by my clients. It means my gospel of dope hiphop art is being spread.
What are the next steps for you, what are the goals post COVID etc?
My next step is to do animation videos for hip hop. A lot of people have asked about it, it’s not easy as one may think especially if you are aiming to give the best. This culture still needs more of me. I gotta give back.
Apart from your sick Instagram, how can people stay in touch or contact you to get their own illustrations created?
I don’t have a website yet but you can get at me on the following links though I don’t get on twitter very much, Facebook and Instagram is a sure connect.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sethsketcher/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/sketcher.seth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SethSketcher
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