PERFORMING on the stage for just over a decade, Dan Amps, better known as Signal, has seen how the hip-hop scene has progressed and how Basingstoke has embraced the genre.

The 24-year-old has been lucky enough to be at the centre of a lot of the town’s musical events, including making several appearances at Basingstoke Live as well as appearing on BBC Introducing.

Now, he is looking to take things to the next level and has taken inspiration from seeing the success of others.

“For me it has always been about getting up on that stage and performing to a crowd and seeing their reaction,” Signal told the Gazette.

“Hip-hop has a stigma that the music is all about guns, drugs and violence. But I can say for certain my music is not about that – I mean I grew up in Chineham.

“I just want people to relate to what I am saying and the ultimate dream would be to stand up on stage and see people singing my lyrics back to me.”

The former Vyne Community School student found his love for hip-hop when his older brother used to produce Garage music and rap over it.

“I heard him doing it and thought to myself, I reckon I can do that,” he added.

It wasn’t until he began studying at the Academy of Contemporary Music that Signal really started experimenting with his sound and found his groove, which has brought him to the point that he now finds himself.

Now the rapper is set to release his next single Down with a special launch party at Fever and Boutique, in Winchester Road on October 2.

Signal said: “I just approached their manager about playing the tune one night and since then they have been really supportive and I’ve been blown away that they wanted to do a launch night.

“I’m going to have 50 CDs to give away free on the night as well.”

So what does Signal see as the key to his success? “Just having a constant flow of material,” said the 24-year-old.

“The next step is to get a few more singles together and eventually a full album.”