Bliss (real name James Grant, b.1991) is a British rapper from Edgware, United Kingdom. He is also known as DJ X-treme when performing as a disc-jockey in clubs around London.

Biography

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The first son of Jonathan and Laura Grant, Bliss was born and currently resides in Edgware, London. He attended Manor Lodge School until 2002, when he moved to Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Hertfordshire, which he still attends. He founded his own DJ-ing company - Knockout DJs - with partner Jacob Betito (a.k.a. Dice) in 2001, and still fronts the business, DJ-ing at many clubs and parties in and around London.

He created his own record label - Fluid Concept - with friend Niall Moore (a.k.a. Euphoric) in 2004, but Moore was subsequently dropped from the label due to musical differences, and the label was renamed Concept Records following Moore's departure. Bliss' first release came in Summer 2007, when he produced a mix-tape under the Concept label; a mixture of his own music and that which he had signed onto his label between its inception and first release. The mix-tape included such acts as indie band Redbourne, hip-hop youngster Mally-Malcz and rap outfit Chosen Crew. The release failed to chart in the UK Top 40 due to its format, as mix-tapes are ineligible for chart positions.

Bliss cites his inspiration to come from pleasing himself with his music, and creating something with which he is proud; "If I believe my tracks are good, then I have reached my goal". However, it is widely believed that Bliss' ultimate goal is to break into the mainstream with his music, and that his appetite to produce and create better music will be satisfied with a hit record that will find its way into the charts.

Music

Ignorance Is... Bliss

Bliss' first release, 'Ignorance Is... Bliss' was the first from Concept Records (track listing below). It was produced by Bliss himself with the help of music producer Alan Zipper.

1. Spun A Web - Bliss<br />
2. Why? - Mally-Malcz<br />
3. I Don't Know Why - Maverick Sabre ft. Mally-Malcz<br />
4. Life And Art - Chosen Crew<br />
5. Find *Stars* - Bliss<br />
6. Hustlin' - Chosen Crew<br />
7. Picture On The Wall - Redbourne<br />
8. Get Me Up - Rebourne<br />
9. Judge Me - Bliss<br />
10. One Way Mission - Chosen Crew<br />
11. Bliss Attack - Bliss<br />
12. High And Mighty - Not Quite the Shilling<br />
13. Fear Myself - Bliss<br />
14. Under The Influence - Mally-Malcz<br />
15. 3 Months - Redbourne<br />
16. To Myself - Redbourne<br />
17. Moment Of Clarity - Bliss<br />
18. Gladiator - Bliss<br />

Reaction

The release was met with mixed acclaim from critics and fellow artists. Some criticised the heavy nature of Bliss' beats, suggesting that he could not go mainstream with such underground influence, whilst others embraced his skill as a producer, effectively combining so many different genres of music in a single CD release.

Subsequently, Bliss has released samples on his MySpace site [1517] which contain more popular-orientated beats, along with collaboration with acclaimed producer KidEight. Bliss has also introduced little-known singers - such as Kay on sample track Another Day - to contribute to the more melodic nature of his recent releases. These samples have racked up over 1,000 plays, demonstrating Bliss' strength at adapting to the critics, and producing better music. His MySpace page also boasts over 7,000 plays in total, underlining Bliss as a name with a growing reputation in music.
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Future Releases

Bliss has publicly spoken of his intention to release another mixtape in 2009, but it is rumoured that Bliss will release a solo album eligible for charting in the UK and Worldwide Music Charts. Rumours have also circulated that Bliss plans to collaborate with school friends James Tan (guitarist) and Will Gallimore (singer) in order to hit the mainstream, but neither party have commented on these rumours. Bliss has also refused to confirm or deny such rumours, only stating that "they're great guys... but they do their thing, and I do mine. We'll see what happens".
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Comparisons

Some critics have compared Bliss to Plan B, but Bliss maintains that he has modelled himself on no-one, and intends to make his own way in the music business; "The music I make is completely on a personal level... I am Bliss, and so I'm incomparable to anyone else, no matter what people say".