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16-year-old Bristol-born writer, MC and Rapper, $eymour, has just enjoyed the best year of his life… his words, not ours.

His achievements including a nomination on Radio One’s desirable ‘Sound of 2013’ list, supporting Example’s national tour, performing on stage with Nas, being name-checked by Kanye West, selling 60,000 copies of his debut album ‘Bud, Sweat & Beers’ in one month, and scoring a Top20 hit with the wonderfully optimistic ‘Runaway’ single, it appears that one of the most highly-respected lyricists on the UK underground grime scene is officially above ground - enjoying mainstream success and glorious fresh air.

We caught up with an apologetic $eymour – who was a few minutes late thanks to car trouble.

$eymour, how are you?

I’m good! How are you, bruv?

Excellent, I’m just watching Two And A Half Men - you a fan?

Two And a Half Man? The American sitcom? Na.

I could watch it all day, but enough about me. So, many people, myself included, became aware of you through your track ‘Bristol City’. It’s become something of a signature song for you.

Yeh, that was a couple of years ago, my first music video. Things started changing for me from that point. It really sparked things off.

It did indeed. Fast-Forward two years and you score your first Top40 single in June 2013 with ‘Chonged’. That must have been a proud moment for you.

Yeh, it was! That went to Number 31. I didn’t expect it to do that well, but it was a blessing. I was excited when that happened.

 The video for Chonged was the first indication of how you were stepping things up in terms of visual production.

Definitely! I think that’s a fair comment. Chonged was my first single after I signed to Island Records. I think you can see the step-up in the quality of the video and the actual music itself.

 Do you wanna clear up those YouTube rumors suggesting you’re wearing lipstick in that video?

I’m not wearing lipstick. I’m not a fu**ing gay.

You scored another Top40 hit with ‘Runaway’, in July 2013 - which peaked at Number#16. Interestingly, at one point, you thought you’d never achieve musical success and turned your back on music.

I did! I went back to work for a year because music wasn’t paying the bills, so I went into a factory and did a bit of work on the forklifts. But then I thought I had to go back to music, give it a good go, and I’m very glad I did!

Indeed, because in 2013, you signed to Island Records. What was important to you when choosing which label to sign to? I understand you had a few offers?

It was a compliment to have four or five labels interested, but at Island, I felt relaxed. They didn’t want to change anything, they just seemed like genuinely cool people - who were happy to keep on with what I was already doing.

They just wanted to push me forward, and I couldn’t argue with that! They made me feel at home, and I’m glad I chose them.

 Is that in contrast to other labels that perhaps wanted to mould you into the artist they wanted?

I couldn’t find much common ground with the other labels because it was middle-aged men, not knowing where I’ve come from, not understanding my background or what my music is about.

When I went to Island and met Darcus [label exec, Darcus Beese] he seemed so out-of-the-box, such a good character, not a boring person at all... just straight-forward, and I love straight-talking people. He understood my music and it just felt right.

That straight-forward approach shows in your album’s opening track – ‘1997’. You didn’t give the listener a warm-up track did you? You went in hard form the outset!

For me, it had to be the opening song. It says a lot about me, where I’ve come from, the journey. Yeh, you’ve got to open up with a bang, haven’t you?

Your fans are incredibly dedicated and often quote lyrics from the album back to you on your facebook page. That must mean a lot.

I’m very lucky, I’ve got a lot of people that have got behind me – people that have known about me for years, and people that have just found out about me in the last twelve months.  

I take a lot of time out for my lyrics, I try to be very thoughtful with them, so for everyone to keep-up, listen to every word and take it in just shows they’re listening to what I’m doing and are putting the time in.

If I can make people happy and they enjoy my music, I will always keep making it. I just appreciate that people take the time out to listen and support me.

 Not mentioning any names, but when you hear your musical peers churning out lyrics like: “I’ve got so many clothes, I keep some in my aunt’s house?” [Tinie Tempah, ‘Pass Out’] does it concern you?

You know what, everyone has chosen their own lane and done their own thing - earning a lot of money and getting a lot of credibility from what they’re doing. I just chose to go my way.

I’ve always tried to put extra time in, be a bit more thoughtful with my lyrics, and maybe that’s what stands me apart, maybe that’s what’s working in my favour.

Fair comment… and very diplomatically answered.

[Laughs] Did you like that one? I swerved that one, didn’t I?

You dedicate so much time to the integrity of your lyrics, are we ever going to hear you talking about cars, cash and girls?

I dunno, I tell you when I’ve got them?

I read somewhere that the track you’re the most proud of from BSB is ‘Our Father’.

Yeh, I was happy with the concept. I always try to come out with concepts that are outside the box, and with ‘Our Father’, I just thought that we [human beings] run around in our lives twenty-four hours a day like nutters, so I wanted to sit back and think about what it would be like looking down from a bigger point of view. That was the angle I was trying to come from.

You’ve been a force on underground scene for the last few months. As underground artists see you getting bigger and more established, how aware are you of the inevitable resentment?

If I had pound for every time someone asks if I’m going to sell-out, I’d be a rich man, but I’m just doing what I’m doing. All I care about is my music, making a living, my family and my friends – who keep me grounded and make sure I don’t turn into a diva.

‘Strapped’ ft Devilman, out January 31, is a track about growing up on the streets of Thornbury. Tell us more.

Yeah, growing up in Thornbury was tough man. Drugs, guns and crime are all part of daily life. So that gave me inspiration to write strapped and put Devilman on the track as he grew up in Birmingham so knew all about that life aswell.

Your UK tour sees you visiting Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Norwich, London and more throughout February and March with support from Griminal, Devilman, Ghetts and Ed Sheeran. Excited?

Yeh, I can’t wait. It will be nice for those people who haven’t had a chance to get the album to get familiar with the songs. To have Ghetts, Devilman Ed, Griminal and all my boys with me is going to make it a big family do!

It’ll be nice to get out and see the fans. I’m looking forward to it.

Hopes for 2014?

Just build on what we did last year. 2013 was a brilliant year for me, the best year of my life! I’m in a better position, so I just want to keep working hard and bringing music to the fans, as long as I’ve got the support of everyone.