Celebrating 2000s electro pop, Adam RenZ delivers infectious gaming-inspired beats woven with stories from his South African roots and LGBTQ+ identity. Now based in the UK, he has performed on global Pride stages and continues to champion equality through music. With a Top 20 placement in the Music Week Club Charts and airplay across UK radio, Adam is on a mission to turn electronic nostalgia into a virtual reality that inspires.
You’ve just dropped Ready Player One. What’s the first thing you did after releasing it into the world?
Dropping on a Friday means you can always celebrate into the weekend! Of course, shout from the rooftops that it’s finally out, but also the overwhelming response from everyone on social media was great! So I try to take a moment to appreciate all the good things happening to me right now!
If you had to describe the vibe of this single using only emojis, what would you choose?
🥇🏎️🎮🔥
What’s the one lyric in RP1 that still hits you the hardest when you hear it back?
Oh, it has to be “text reply still on pending, big ego’s feeling offended”. This really sums up how fragile main characters can feel when they’re not the centre of attention. The entire song revolves around dealing with people who all feel they are the main character in the circle.
Which character in pop culture do you think is the ultimate ‘main character’?
The ultimate main character energy has to be Regina George from Mean Girls. From a gaming perspective, my ultimate main character would be Lara Croft.
The EP is called GAMEBOY—so, classic Game Boy or Nintendo Switch? Be honest.
Hmmm, this is hard, both great consoles, but it has to go to the classic Game Boy, I think.
Who would be on your dream remix of Ready Player One? Name two artists—any genre, any era.
Charli XCX would be a dream! Her energy really leans into the song as she is unapologetically herself! But other than that, I’d love a DJ remix from someone like Oliver Heldens.
If your music were a video game, what genre would it be? Platformer, RPG, open-world?
Open world for sure, emphasis on sandbox gaming with ultimate freedom to create.
What’s one non-musical thing that inspires your creativity when you’re stuck?
Food! I love cooking and having friends over! That always helps me feel more creative after spending time with good mates over a meal.
You’ve built such a unique aesthetic. What’s one fashion or design element you’d love to explore next for your visuals?
The GAMEBOY theme will run through the EP, with each track focusing on character growth, and the aesthetic should showcase this as the character becomes more comfortable with their environment. But I do love biker jackets and a cyberpunk look.
Finally, what message do you hope fans take away when they plug into your world with RP1?
Don’t spend your time living in someone else’s shadow. Be the person you want to be! You create your own story.
