Tag: Hype

Laz – Want from Me [Interview]

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Describe your sound in three words

healing, spongey, detailed

Where is the place where you get more inspired to write the lyrics for your songs? Tell us a few things about your creative process.

Places where I know that I will be left alone. Outside in the streets where I don’t know anyone is a good one, but it ends up being my room and in the bathroom most of the time. Most accessible isolation areas.

You rap in both English and French. Is language a barrier in music?

For me, I grew up bilingually so to speak: always talk to my dad in French, was in French schools until high school, and my mom in English. So how I live with the languages transpires in the music. I also feel this Kanye West quote: “words can get in the way of what you want to say”. I see and feel this being the case for family, friends and myself. Some words exist in some languages and not in others, and so it really becomes a different way of thinking.

Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?

This is always unfair… but I’m a huge TDE fan so my favorite rapper is Isaiah Rashad, my favorite lyricist is Kendrick Lamar, and it’s a tie between J Dilla and Travis Scott (very different) for my favorite producer(s).

What does the future hold for Hip-Hop?

More and more creative fields and doors opening up! Between French Afro-influenced hip hop, Drill in the UK and trap in the US, lofi instrumental beats, and fusions of all of these and more, Hip Hop is just taken to so many places, and I think it’s amazing.
My first EP was about a four leaf clover island, a metaphor for a land of the rich, the privileged. I am one of them, I grew up on that island. Hip Hop educated me, partly to convey my own life experience in my art form. Hip Hop is not something that was made for people like me. Yet, as a mode of expression, it can be used to convey different types of stories. However, the core of hip hop remains the beauty of giving a voice to the voiceless, to non-white “minorities” and it needs to (and will) stay that way.

Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

Mamadou. I opened for him last year. He is an amazing lyricist, poet, and his personality and true beliefs come out through beautiful sounds.

One last thing we should know about you?

I just got back to Paris after four years of college in the United States, and I am going all in with music. Any music people who feel inclined to listen to my music and like it, hit me up for collabs, a talk, anything.

Thank you!

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LN-VR – Bastos sous les Voûtes (Prod. Vorace)

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  • Describe your sound in three words

Unconventional, dreamlike and rational

  • What is the main topic of your lyrics? Tell us a few things about your creative process

Bastos sous les Voûtes was written as a freestyle : in one hand chill and phlegmatic but quickly twist into a violent and lethal universe. In the shadows of the vaults: smuggled shots or punchlines stray bullets.

In general, I’m aiming to turn common life subjects into absurd dreamy situations or positive hallucinations.

I like to tell in this world, spoons are knives, frequencies mess your heartbeat up and everything you’ll do there will end up in pure sweat.

In my artistic universe we could find the atypical Yelle’s poetry, the disturbing Philippe Katerine’s gentleness, the dreamlike Shygirl’s atmospheres or the improvised Marc Rebillet’s characters.

  • Is language a barrier in music?

In one hand, I don’t think language could be a barrier in music because anyone can feel the vibe without understanding the lyrics. For example, I love Azar Strato’s songs. He is a russian beatmaker and producer. As an example the track : Нарушители пустоты that I enjoy a lot even if I’m unable to pronounce its name.

He is really good because his video-clips tell enough of his universe.

In the other hand, in my recent creation, I’ve put some effort into my lyrics, but it’s in french and I know that not everyone can understand it. During a show, everyone can feel the energy of the moment, but at home it can be a rather different experiment.

For example some of my subjects are : is air really free ? You’re an artist, but what do you do for a living ? That is one of the reasons that I like interviews because I can explain some of those topics.

  • Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

Vorace of course. He cooked the beat of Bastos sous les Voûtes !
He’s a real genius in bass productions. He released 2 E.P. on 20/20 LDN, Ivy Lab’s label.

He fuses raw hip hop vibes with synthesizers and club music. He takes inspirations from any-era dance music genres as the mood strikes him, and from his musical roots grown from video game soundtracks and US hip hop.

We did a 2-week tour together by train in 2019 in France called “TGV Max Tour” (a name of a transport card in France under 28, I was close to 28 so it was a huge way to finish it).

  • What would you change in the music industry?

Definitely the facts that Twitch won’t pay a percent for music that creators used. Instead of that they prefer to delete those videos. That such a pity.

Some deals have begun to arrive with some big labels, but I hope that we will not recreate a quasi-monopoly situation only for major music labels. We want that underground music to be used by creators without any trouble, and generate money the same way it does with other media.

  • Tell is a recent French Film we should definitely need to watch.

Jacky au Royaume des Filles

It’s a dystopic story in Bubunne (or Bubunia). It’s a matriarchal totalitarian country led by the ruthless La Générale (Generaless). In Bubun, the roles of men and women are reversed, up to the point where the male population is deprived of any civil rights, including work, education, military service, freedom of marriage etc.

It’s really funny and make us wonder of our society. It’s exactly the kind of smart humour that I love.

  • One last thing we should know about you?

This year, I’ve decided to focus on my solo project LN-VR, after many years working with others bands. It was pretty cool working with them, but here is my advice : don’t forget to work for yourself!

I’m now determined to released a videoclip every 2 months with many talented directors and producers, so keep in touch on my socials @lnvrrrr (there is 4 x R)

Hope you’ll enjoy the rise.

  • Thank you!

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KIA – MADAM$ (OST “The Madam$”) [Interview]

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Describe your sound in three words

Soulful, deep but an edgy touch

“MADAM$” started as a title track for “The Madam$” series on the Cideshow platform. In what ways platforms like this change the music industry?

Platforms like these give creative people a voice. It connects people to work together in different disciplines. You can submit a show/series and/ or movie ideas for streaming. As a musician that is involved in one of those shows it’s a golden opportunity because your music gets to a different audience that you might never reach yourself.

What is the main topic of your lyrics? Tell us a few things about your creative process.

MADAM$ is all about feeling like you are wearing that crown on your head.
In this particular case the topic of the song was already there, so it was up to my co-writer Lars Hempel and I how we were going to translate that. Pretty fast Lars came up with a grungy bass synth line and a badass beat, and then I came up with the hook. I have a thing for spoken word so this turned quickly into a rap. Put it all together and you have MADAM$.

Why sexism, and even outright misogyny, is so pervasive in Hip Hop culture?

I wish it were different and I hope it’ll change more. The concept of image, authenticity, lifestyle-oriented aliases of artists, has been distorted so much to a point that people start to believe it is a standard to hold onto. It’s marketed that way in mass production. I think it’s wrong and I believe that dignity and respect is worth everything. I hope that people will do some soul searching.

What is your favorite album of the past decade?

NAO – Saturn

What is your dream collaboration?

Anderson Paak would be the dream.

Any future plans?

I’m releasing a whole live album in the beginning of next year, so stay tuned!

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Trannieboi x Shurk – Lipitor [Interview]

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Describe your sound in three words

Psychosis, but catchy

Tell us a few things about your creative process

The notes app on my phone is full of song ideas and snippets of possible lyrics, leaving voice memos for myself of melodies that i might think of, but mostly when I get in the studio with Shurk, we just bounce off each other so naturally that we start writing something straight off the bat

Why is sexism so pervasive in Hip Hop culture?

There’s always been a lot of fragile masculinity in hip hop, but tbh most of the stuff I’m really excited about in the scene rn is from queer female rappers

Best Hip Hop album ever?

Umm, its tie I think.
British: Constant Dikestar
American: Miseducation of Lauren Hill

What would be your dream performance venue?

I’d kill to play Love Supreme

What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?

Probably the documentary ‘Fursonas”

Any future plans?

I just cant wait for this rona situation to wrap up so i can get back to the club!

Thank you!

Follow Trannieboi
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Colérik Man & JonhySimonZ – LifeStyle [Interview]

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  • Describe your sound in three words

Intense, deep and real.

  • Tell us a few things about your new album “Trapologie”. What was the main idea behind it? 

The idea behind our album is that we were used to do old school hiphop. But now things have changed a little and people are listening more to trap music. So we decided to adapt to what’s popular nowadays but at the same time, we have keep our values, our lyrics, and our taste for good rap with barz and punchlines. This is why it is called ‘’Trapologie’’ because we are new to trap music and now we are studying it, putting our stories, our lifes and passion into it !

  • Which song of the album represents you the most?

That is hard to answer but we thought about it and Lueur d’epsoir would be a good answer ! Why ? Because we all go through struggles and hard times, most of us have inner demons and challenges to face in life. This song is about giving hope and even if we face really big things and hard times in our lifes, we should stay strong and go through those phases to learn, to become stronger and a better version of ourselves, cause in the end, this is what it’s all about. It represents us because in this song we are really intense with our flows, deep with our lyrics and real with our content, it comes straight form the heart. So this would be a good one ! Literally, this song gives us goosebumps !

  • Is language a barrier in music?

Yes and no. It is a barrier in a sense that French isn’t the most speaking language in the world, compare to English. So it could be easier for an English artist to blow than a French artist. But we do our best to get known in Québec, France and other French speaking countries ! French is also our native language so its easier for us to rap in French than English !

  • Tell us a French artist we should definitely need to check out.

Dual-it is an artist that we are looking forward to do a song with him ! We discovered him recently and he got some skillz !

  • What would you change in the music industry?

If we could remove all the fake artists, to put on top the real ones, the real underground music artists that does music from the heart, than we would be happy to change that !

  • One last thing we should know about you?

We are simple people that are passionated about rap, lyricism and dope music ! We do music not for fame, money or anything like that, simply because we love it and we enjoy it !  

  • Thank you!

Follow Colérik Man & JonhySimonZ
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Uknomewel – Magik [Interview]

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Describe your sound in three words

Authentic, Real, Raw

What is the story behind your name?

I’m Lilkev where I’m from, im the Keyholder that’s why im Loksmif, with this rapper shit! got keys and I unlock doors, knomewel (you know my well) speaks to my inner Man been the same as your inner man, you understand? You know me well because we are in essence one and the same just at different places and circumstances you understand?

What is the main topic of your lyrics? Tell us a few things about your creative process

Life and everything in between, my creative process normally starts with finding or hearing a beat and the beat speaks its truth to me and I reply and we produce the song together as two instruments in cohesion

For which lyric you are most proud of?

Them all they are Truly mine and they speak to peoples conditions.

Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?

Tupac, ion that’s hard bc I like older artist so it kinda hard to choose, right now its Cormill, Datklien Beat, Jo3 beats and the Beat Grabberz but overall Kayne West

What does the future hold for Hip-Hop?

Hopefully it holds some ability to redirect the miseducated and misdirected listners that it has influenced over the last couple of years.

One last thing we should know about you?

I am a voice for the unheard the unspoken.. it’s more than rap I speak to the condition of a group of people that seek advancement, that seek liberation and financial security. Please lock in and check for my up coming album titled *How Can I Rest* streaming every some

Thank you!

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Rissa Boo – Aliens In New York (feat. @Bazil) [Interview]

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Please introduce yourself :

Well, I’m Rissa Boo, a multipotential artist. I started my Hip-Hop activism with Graffiti and Breakdance when I was a teenager, then following my passion to Rap music. I’m also an experimented backpacker and a photographer so I’m crossing all my experiences and my background into my art in several forms.

Describe your sound in three words :

Rad, Energetic & Deep !

Now describe NYC in three words :

Madness, Busy & Jungle, 

What comes first? The beat or the lyrics? Tell us a few things about your creative process.

First of all comes the subject, what I want to talk about. Then come some abstract ideas, both for the beat and the lyrics that I share with Alex Bruggeman who has made all the instrumentals of this Scientifik EP. Once I have a musical base, I write all the lyrics and then we adjust by sending back exports and ideas. But usually, I already know what I want like the structure or the FXs so it can be super fast !

Best Hip Hop album ever?

This is a very difficult question but if I had to choose one, I would say “Ill Communication” from the Beastie Boys because it brings a lot of different styles from the Jazz samples of “Sure Shot” to the guitar riffs of “Sabotage”, passing by tracks like “Shambala” or “Bodhisattva Vow” with tibetan sounds.
Sometimes you only have instrumental tracks like “Sabrosa” or “Transitions” and a great collab’ with Q-Tip. Well it’s a perfect mix for me and I never get bored listening to it !

Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?

I think my favorite emcee is K-OS, a canadian rapper from Toronto. For the same reasons as the previous question. His albums are really rich in musical influence and he can rap and sing on all these different vibes.
I don’t have a favorite lyricist and I won’t be original here, but I love guys like Nas or 2Pac for their conscious lyrics and actually that’s why I felt in love with rap music : for its political messages. Even if we can talk about everything, obviously !
And as a producer I would say Madlib. I’m a huge fan of samples (even if there’s no sample in my last EP) and he always makes us discover dope stuff with jazz music or dope brazilian bossa. He has a huge musical culture. This is the second reason I like Rap music, it takes influences from everything.

Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

These days I’m listening to Sven Wunder with his album “Eastern Flower”, it’s like psychedelic folk and I particularly like the track called “Daisy”.
Short but great !

Any future plans?

Yaassss of course. I have many projects in my mind like mixtapes and albums so I keep working on it, but for now I’m still creating music videos to defend my Scientifik EP. Everyone can see my work on my Facebook Page, Instagram or Youtube Channel so let’s keep in touch !

Thank you!

Sonikem – Baile De Paris [Interview]

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Please introduce yourself

Born in France and of Beninese and Cameroonian origin,, I’m a Producer, DJ, Rapper living in Paris. Playing all around the world in clubs and festivals, i regularly publish instrumental projects but also many titles with artists met during my travels or online notably Japanese, Brazilian or French

Describe your sound in three words

Passionate, Open minded, universal

In your music, there is a clear focus on the groove. Would it be safe to assume that your creative process usually starts with the beat?

In fact, i didn’t have any real process for making a music, i can start from the beat, a sample, a melodie or from a text. I let myself be carried away by the inspiration of the moment.

What is the main topic of your lyrics?

The main topics on this album are the party, the atmosphere in the favela and the stories that happen to the artists.

Is language a barrier in music?

Not at all, I don’t speak Portuguese, but many artists spoke English and otherwise we used translation software. when you’re looking to work with someone and especially in music, language is never a barrier.

Your album is dance oriented. Considering that during the covid area parties almost do not exist, in which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?

It is true that the project came out in the midst of a pandemic. But you should know that in many countries and especially in Brazil it has not stopped people from continuing to party. So I bet on the fact that when the evenings resume my album will be part of the projects to play to the public! 😉

Do you have a favorite song from your album?

Not really because every song is a story to tell. 

Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

All of them!! Go listen their songs, follow them on social medias and push them we are all independants so this help a lot! 

Do you cook? If yes, which is your favorite dish?

My favorite meal is Plantain with rice and chicken and yes i cook 😉

Any future plans? 

I’m working on new projects with Brazilian artists  more Hiphop / Trap oriented. So stay tuned 😉

Thank you!

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Iv_collin – Seat at the Table [Interview]

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  • Please introduce yourself

Hello my name is Albert Collins Williams IV so that’s where my stage name came from. shocking my list of bad rap names is only two I started 0ff as POETIClly inspired then I switched to collin_the inspiration so third time the charm I think I will stick with iv_collin. I started rapping my freshman year of high school but really started taking it serious my sophomore year after doing a poetry unit for my English class.

  • Describe your sound in three words

I would describe my sound as introspective, relatable & gritty I do my best to not sugarcoat anything with my music I want you to feel like you know me as if we been friends for years.

  • For which lyric you are most proud of?

If I can talk to younger me I’ll tell myself to never change be yourself everything will be okay. I chose this lyric because think of how much time we waste trying to seek validation from people who will never give it to you. Not to mention that most of them are trying to seek their validation from someone else.

  • Best Hip Hop album ever?

Alright not you tryna got me in trouble haha I know the typical answer is the blueprint by Jay Z or illmatoic by Nas. But this a hard question but ill give you a couple options I think are the best.

Good kid mad city by Kendrick Lamar
My Beautiful dark twisted fantasy Kanye west
2014 forrest hill drive J Cole
To Pimp a butterfly Kendrick Lamar

  • Why are misogyny and sexism so pervasive in Hip Hop culture?

You know at times it feels like we are stuck in the past but honestly I feel like the women in hip hop are breaking dow n barriers for years now look at Cardi b, Meg the stallion , Rapsody and the city girls.

  • Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

I think Jon Keith is an hidden gem I been listening to his album anti hero a lot this year .

  • Favorite music related film?

I would say 50 Cent get rich or die trying I grew up in the 50 cent era so that movie means a lot to me.

  • Any future plans?

My futures plans are investing more mercy for my label H.W.N.S (Hustlers With No Sympathy) I just made some new stickers that everyone should checkout at hustlerswithnosympathy.com. also I’m working on the sophomore album Last Call to Paradise the first single Seat at the table is available now.

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Trevor Wayne – Stack in The Funds [Interview]

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  • Please Introduce yourself 

My name is Darcy (Trevor Wayne) Driscoll, I got addicted to music by listening to bands like Metallica,Slayer,Sex Pistols, Guns & Roses.I eventually started a band in Year 8 at school (2012) on lead Guitar Playing assembly Gigs to peforming at the local theater in my town. I got into producing hip hop as soon as i found out you could get a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) in 2017, I was blown away by how the music technology has advanced so you could make music at home and get the same sound as world class producers.

  • Describe your sound in 3 words

Hype,Punchy,Raw

  • Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer

My favorite rapper would have to be Kendrick Lamar,with he’s unique sound, crazy flow changes and deep lyrics.
Favorite lyricist is Royce da 5″9. He’s insane writing Dr.Dre’s the Message when he was only 19.
Favorite producer Alchemist. Loved his work on Schoolboy Q’s Blank Face Lp.

  • Best hip hop album ever Wu-Tangs “36th Chambers”

Top Hidden Gem ArtistMy top Hidden Gem Artist is an Aussie rapper “2eaz” he’s an underdog in the game having only a few songs in his catalog but his flow and wordplay is on another level.

  • Plans for the future

I have a Single coming out on the 22nd of October 2020, After that I want to release a debut album which I plan to drop halfway through 2021, Also plan to realese 2 more singles this year

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