Don’t let the laid back nature fool you. Fashawn is vicious on the mic. The Cali rhyme spitter has been a fixture on Dubcnn.com so you know we had to link with him to talk about the project that he completed with Murs called This Generation and his own solo projects. Fash talks about the recording process with Murs, what he learned from him during the recording of the project and how he feels about the ‘what have you done for me lately’ culture of Hip Hop these days.
He’s nice on the mic and he’s hungry to leave an indelible mark in Hip Hop. Take a few minutes to get to know Fashawn and I’m sure you will become a fan.
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Interview was done in November 2012.
Questions Asked By: Javon Adams
Listen To The Interview Audio Below or
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Interview Audio
[raw]
Dubcnn: Dubcnn, Javon here with a gentleman that you should be very, very familiar with, Fashawn. I appreciate you joining me…I know you have the new project that just dropped with Murs so I appreciate you taking a few minutes man. How are you doing?
Fashawn: Man, I’m blessed man. Just happy to be breathing. You know me.
Dubcnn: I feel you. I want to kind of dive right into it. I want to…one of the things as I was listening to the project…it sounds really cohesive. And I mean that as the highest compliment. Talk to me about the recording process and how you guys went about getting that. Because what I really like about it is the back and forth that you could hear on the songs. So talk a little bit about that.
Fashawn: Well as far as the recording process…me and Murs…I stay in California and he currently stays in Arizona. So we recorded a majority of the album in our separate locations, truthfully. All the times that we actually spend in the studio, like in person, we spent that getting to know each other. Actually becoming friends. I think as a testament to the music…the music came out even better. I think that is what it’s so cohesive the way it is.
We figured out that we couldn’t get work done in the presence of each other so we just took certain beats and went home and did our homework and this is what came about. As far as the back and forth thing…sometimes Murs would send me vocals on a track and it just sounded like ad-libs. I was like, what do you want me to do with this? So I just filled it in. That’s how songs like Yellow Tape were born. And it’s crazy how the chemistry sounds so fluid and we weren’t even in the same state. But songs like Flash Gordon we actually went in the studio and we sat there and wrote that back and forth and….I think at the end of the process we became friends which is more important than anything. I think that resonated through the music at the end of the day.
Dubcnn: Let’s talk about that a little bit more in terms of becoming friends and how that will stand the test of time. A friend of mine always uses the quote, “Iron sharpens iron”. You learn from somebody that will push you and take you to the next level. What have you learned from Murs and what do you think he learned from you as you guys have become friends in addition to creating good music.
Fashawn: I feel like Murs is…what I take from Murs is how he is an entrepreneur and how he is a mogul in the quote, unquote underground. He’s not out there too much but like he said on the album, ‘worth millions on a 10-speed and tennis shoes’. That’s just how he rocks and I love that about him. I definitely draw that from him. I’m kinda the same but to see somebody that is even more established in the rap game and a legend in the sh*t is really inspiring. And his work ethic and how fast he gets work done. There are a lot of songs that we recorded that didn’t make the album. Murs is a perfectionist and I look up to him in that aspect.
What he takes from me? I couldn’t tell you. Probably just my youthful energy and how I love to rap any given chance. I guess that was something that I guess he missed. I guess I brought that back. I guess that and (after that) I really couldn’t say.
Dubcnn: Now talk about this…obviously a collaborative effort but as you obviously are a solo artist so what do you have…as you are promoting this project are you also thinking of what you have upcoming? How do you balance that and what do you have on the horizon?
Fashawn: Well, it’s hard to balance that. Especially when you have a project that you love and you like to listen to and perform. This is the first time I have ever done something like this and I never knew how I was even going to feel about it. But I have had projects done prior to this album and…I don’t know man, it’s a different feeling. Definitely a new feeling but I feel good about it. I still have The Ecology that I am working on with Exile. I put that on pause for this project. And Champagne and Styrofoam Cups which is done. Looking to put that out really soon.
And the same with Murs…he has the project with 9th Wonder coming out and we’re on the grind. This was meant to be like a side project for both of us but it evolved into something bigger once the music was put out to the public.
Dubcnn: Got you. Now along those lines, with the way that the industry is these days…even when you put something out the caliber of this project, it seems people are always asking ‘what’s next?’ instead of giving a project an opportunity to grow and have legs. How do you feel about that?
Fashawn: I feel it is very demanding of the public but they have that right. Our fans have the right to (do that) especially in this climate of music in the social media era. They have the right to feel that way but as artists we need time to drop projects and tour them and get it out to the world and go out to live and experience all the stuff that we talk about in our music. We need all of these new experiences so we can have something substantial to talk about when we come to that notepad and step in front of that microphone. I feel like artists have the right to do that as well. There are pros and cons to it but its a wonderful thing at the end of the day. It’s just the fact that fans are that hungry and anticipating. Like, ‘That’s so dope! What’s next?’ It’s great. It lets me know that we still have jobs and we can come back and bring something new to the table or new dish to the menu. It’s a good feeling.
Dubcnn: Gotcha. Now, once again, the project is called This Generation. Any last words for Dubcnn? Let the folks know how they can stay on top of what you have coming out and stay in tuned to what you are doing. Any last words?
Fashawn: Shout out to Dubcnn for supporting the kids since day uno. Look out for The Ecology and for Champagne and Styrofoam Cups. But most importantly, for those that don’t have it, get that This Generation with me and my big bro, Murs. Shout out to the whole staff at Dubcnn. And its Bear Gang forever in case you didn’t know.
