How do you and JBJR work together during the recording process? Is it an intuitive thing? Or does one or the other naturally take the lead?
I record by myself 95% of the time. I have my own studio so I just go in and work. I reached out to JBJR with the idea for this project, to create a cohesive piece by one producer, and he being one of the best in the city and me being one of the best in the city, it only made sense. I went through his beats, and he sent me some, and he got me the ones I needed and I started writing. He didn’t hear a single track until I was done.
What’s the vibe in St. Louis after Freddy Gray and obviously also after Ferguson, which was much closer to home?
It’s somber, mixed with anger, mixed with “here we go again”, you know? We’re hoping for justice, but a lot of us don’t expect it. It’s a tough situation when you’ve lived through the turmoil, been out there protesting, registering people to vote, marching, and then receive no justice. Just hoping for the best.
How long did it take you to perfect your hyper-fast style of rap? What are the challenges involved?
Honestly, to me it’s never been a thing, just something to set me apart, when everyone is sounding the same. And even in the speed-rapping, I’m positive I use more multi-syllabic rhymes schemes than most, which sets me even further apart, but simply “fast rapping” isn’t my style. I like being able to say, “yeah, I can do that”. I see it as showing and proving. People want to put a finger on who you are, label you as one thing, but I’d rather people stay uncomfortable. On my next project I may switch it up again. Probably the biggest challenge is performing those fast verses.
The crowd loves it, but as animated as I am on stage, you have to pick your spots so you can breathe. But the crowd response is so crazy, because they know what they’re hearing isn’t the norm, it’s special. I just try to deliver the goods, give the people something worthwhile.
Who do you think has been your single biggest musical influence and why?
Growing up in Flint, Michigan, my biggest influence has easily been Motown. when I first started writing rhymes, it was just verses on top of verses. I didn’t grow as a writer until I really analyzed those old songs, their structure. When it comes to hip hop, I don’t have an influence, but a few favorites. Redman, Common, Jay-Z, Black Thought and right now, J. Cole and Wale are really moving me right now.