Mom’s Sunday roast, taking his time to perfect his craft and the evolution of his influences.

Longford’s Ama is a mainstay of the rapidly developing hip hop scene in Ireland. Having built a reputation off his ear for musicality and deft vocalisations, the crooner has a track record of creating emotive, trap-influenced bangers.

Ahead of the release of his album ‘I Once Was’, Ama stopped by to answer some questions and give an insight into the mind of one of Irish rap’s most exciting prospects.

What initially inspired you to get into music?

From when I was a little kid I was always fascinated with music, Micheal Jackson was the first artist I artist I ever idolised. He was the reason and the inspiration towards me chasing my dreams. As I got older I got more into rap, people like Eminem, Drake and Jay Z became my rap moral compass. 

What are you listening to at the moment?

These days I listen to a lot of RnB and trap, people like Bryson Tiller, PartyNextDoor, Travis Scott, Migos, J Cole and Meek Mill.

Something people don’t know about you?

I’m an over thinker.

Musical guilty pleasure?

I never get tired of listening to ‘Bosses Don’t Speak’ by Migos.

Your album ‘I Once Was’, drops Friday, what are your hopes for it?

I just hope the fans enjoy it. I literally put a year of my life into 9 tracks and they are all vibes.

What advice would you give any up and coming musician?

I keep saying if you are an artist that believes in yourself to the point that nobody can tell you nothing, you’ll be fine. Just learn the business, release good music and the rest will come in time.

How has the process been creating the album? (I.e tough/ easy, how long has it taken etc)

I wanted to drop ‘I Once Was’ for a while now but I would always scrap songs because I thought they didn’t fit what I was going for. I wanted to create a vibe while also letting people into my personal life through music that slaps through your speakers. So I made a lot of songs and picked 9 out of the bunch. It took me about six months to record all the songs but the overall process of the album took about a year.

Do you have any routines or rituals in the studio or when you create music?

I usually don’t write when I go to the studio I freestyle to create melodies before I fully write the song.

Who are you fucking with in the Irish scene at the moment?

I’m fucking with everybody in the scene right now. Except Versatile, Fuck them.

You can only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what are you choosing?

Moms Sunday roast for the rest of my life.

Ama’s album ‘I Once Was’ drops 18 October via Souletiquette Records.

Photo Credit: Byhoney