Music / In the Know
In the Know: Prince Alfy, Red Tangent Records
Red Tangent Records work with artists from disadvantaged backgrounds and with lived experience of the criminal justice system, providing not only a lifeline through music but a chance to pursue an otherwise unobtainable career and a platform for voices underrepresented in the industry.
Gearing up for a label showcase at the Bristol Beacon on May 17 one of the artists performing, Prince Alfy, shares his story and what music means to him (spoiler alert: it’s everything), and recommends some gigs coming up in Bristol in May.
Prince Alfy makes hip hop inspired by many other genres, while also enjoying collaborating and learning from musicians he’s met through Red Tangent – photo: Tasman Snaps
Prince Alfy started working with Red Tangent Records a year ago. “I’ve been making music for a long time now and the biggest struggle has been actually being able to afford the cost that comes with making music,” he explains.
is needed now More than ever
“Coming from where I come from, being able to obtain that amount of money is not possible unless you’re going down bad routes. Working with Red Tangent has given me an opportunity to do things the right way for my future with music.”
It’s been a long road to get here, but for Prince Alfy music has been a source of support and inspiration from the beginning.
“Music has been the only consistent in my life,” he says. “For me, music gives you a place to be. It’s a beautiful thing to fall back on, it’s almost like a friend that will never leave your side, you know you’ve always got music.
“Red Tangent Records brings people together that have all struggled in our own ways in our lives, but this music is the glue between all of us, our different paths and ways of living. No matter where you come from or what you’ve been through, you can go to that glue that is music and make things happen.”
The team behind the Changing Tunes rehabilitation charity founded Red Tangent Records in 2001; the showcase at the Beacon will present ten artists of different genres each with “a story shaped by struggle, transformation and creativity” – photo: Red Tangent Records
He’s been working on his own brand of hip hop, which also incorporates influences from Prince to Bob Dylan via Amy Winehouse with, more recently, a hint of more vulnerable songwriting, for a long time with the ultimate goal being to use his music to help and inspire others.
“I like to use music as a way to express my own life experiences and people that I share life experiences with,” he says. “and I’ve got an idea with songwriting that everything that you say is going to be heard by somebody and that’s going to have an impact.
“A lot of the music I was brought up with wasn’t necessarily a positive message to give out to people, but what I like to do is translate trauma through music and turn that into a positive, by actually committing the act of recording the song.
“Everything I write and release I intend to help somebody do something with it, hopefully. Help to inspire them, or give them something to relate to.”
Prince Alfy says he owes so much, both personally and professionally, to Ryan Kershaw who started his career with support from Red Tangent Records and is now the Label Manager – photo: Red Tangent Records
He’s looking to future collaborations with other Red Tangent artists, such as El01se and NellyNellz – both also performing at the Beacon showcase, along with seven others – but whatever the future holds Prince Alfy knows music will always be at the centre of it.
“I know I’ve been given a talent and I need to utilise that as best I can, so that’s my goal – I thrive off music, I love listening to it, I love creating it, I love performing it,” he says.
“If you come from hardships and a life of pain, and that’s in the past, then there is hope for the future – don’t stop what you’re doing or what you’re trying to achieve, stick to what you love and you’ll get there eventually.”
Prince Alfy’s gig picks, May 2025:
Rave on Avon boat party – May 4
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“Celebrating one year of the Boxing Gym and 15 years of Rave on Avon. It’s a big party on a boat, it’s jungle, breaks, garage, there’s a big lineup. The person I know that’s on there – Elsie, is an incredible DJ, one of the best I’ve ever seen in Bristol. It’s going to be enormous.”
Kairo Keyz, Lizard Lounge – May 16
“My guys are supporting Kairo Keyz on the Bristol stop of the tour, it’s gonna be fun!”
Red Tangent Records showcase, Bristol Beacon – May 17
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“This is the coming together of some of the most incredible artist I’ve had the privilege of working with. Be prepared for an evening full of deep stories, funny twists and turns, music of all genres, different experiences, all being showcased through music.
“You’d better come, buy a ticket!”
Find all details of the showcase at Bristol Beacon on May 17 here: bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/red-tangent-records-showcase
Main image: Gaz Hammer
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