Haastattelussa New York -räppäri Jamal Gasol

Tekijä(t)

12/09/2024

Haastattelussa New Yorkin Niagara Fallsista kotoisin oleva räppäri Jamal Gasol. Hänen kotikaupunkinsa on yksi koko osavaltion väkivaltaisimmista alueista. Hän aloitti lyriikoiden kirjoittamisen jo 12-vuotiaana. Jamal Gasol on tehnyt urallaan yhteistyötä muun muassa Fred The Godsonin (RIP), Klass Murdan ja Benny The Butcherin kanssa.

Welcome to the interview, Jamal! We’re excited to have you here. Let’s start by going back to the beginning. What was it like growing up in Niagara Falls, New York? How did your environment shape your music and your path into hip-hop?

Growing up in Niagara Falls was filled with love for me. I had a good childhood and didn’t get everything I wanted right away, but I didn’t have it as rough as others. People often don’t know much about Niagara Falls beyond the waterfall. My city is a hood, all jokes aside. We had sports, clubs, and summer events, but in my part of Niagara Falls, the downtown area was rough. We became immune to it, if you get what I’m saying.

When did you first discover hip-hop? Was there a specific moment or artist that made you fall in love with the genre?

I tell this story all the time. My uncle Chill used to play music every day at his house when I was a kid. I’d go there when my mom and Dougie were working, so I heard hip-hop, rap, R&B, and reggae all day. He was a local DJ in the city, making mixtapes and hosting events. I was about 6 or 7 but still remember hearing a lot of songs first at his house.

What were some of the earliest hip-hop albums you owned, and how did they influence your style and sound?

Some early albums I remember getting as a kid were “Back for the First Time” by Ludacris, “Let’s Get Ready” by Mystikal, “Checkmate” by BG, “Pain Is Love” by Ja Rule, and “When the Smoke Clears” by Three 6 Mafia. Not what you’d expect, right? Lol. We had a crazy cassette and CD catalog at the crib; we were regulars at Media Play. These different albums and styles brought variety to my music interests. Ludacris had bars; he was one of my favorite rappers growing up. I even wanted braids because of him and Allen Iverson, lol. Mystikal had the hits, and Three 6 Mafia’s beats were crazy.

How do you feel the hip-hop scene has changed from when you first got into it to where it is today? Do you think the culture has evolved for better or for worse?

It has definitely changed. Talent doesn’t seem to matter as much as it once did. Labels aren’t focused on who’s hot; it’s about numbers now. There’s no more artist development; you just need to be able to pay to play. Some of these labels are lazy and desperate, picking up whoever is relevant without any morals. But there’s still money to be made, so I can’t knock the hustle. I’d rather make my own way work for me.

Your music often feels like a reflection of your experiences. How has your journey from Niagara Falls to the larger hip-hop world been for you? What have been some of the biggest challenges and rewards along the way?

Niagara Falls was settling. Literally, I know people who never left and settled there. I used to travel down south with my family as a kid, so I experienced more and always wanted more. I speak about my childhood and experiences in my music. Some of my music can be cited from news articles; I’m giving real stories. The hometown hate is a big challenge. You’d think that with my intentions to represent Niagara Falls in the rap game, I’d be welcomed with open arms, but it only created more envy and jealousy. We say we shouldn’t care, but how can’t you? It’s people with the same time and opportunities you had who get mad when you succeed. It can bother me, but I’m still working on it. I am rewarded with respect from some and acknowledged for my hard work and dedication.

Let’s talk about your new project, “Fresh 31” with Cedar Law$. What was the inspiration behind this project, and how did the collaboration with Cedar Law$ come about?

Shout out to my boy Cedar Law$; he’s a solid, humble individual with a great ear for music. We linked up a few years ago when I was looking for beats, and he sent me “Forever 31,” which is the last song on the album. We were originally going to make “Kansas City SmackMan 4”, but the direction the beats took me wasn’t the player vibes; it was more about the hustle and grind. I’m a movie head, and many of my projects are based on movies. “Fresh” is a classic; I watched a lot of hood movies as a kid and never forgot about “Fresh”, so I wanted to recreate that movie in audio format. That’s how Fresh 31 came about.

What was the creative process like for you on “Fresh 31”? Were there any particular moments in the studio or with Cedar Law$ that stood out during its making?

I work fast; people will tell you that if you ever ask anyone who’s had a session with me. I also let beats sit with me if I’m really feeling them. I’d get a beat, roll a blunt, and ride around to see what I could come up with. We did it all through email, but for the bonus tracks, we were able to go to the studio together and shoot a video. I knew that beat for “Chuck E” though; I couldn’t play with it, lol.

You also have a new project, “Smoke Wave”, coming up with Sayzee. Can you give us a little sneak peek of what to expect from that collaboration?

Yes, “Smoke Wave” is coming September 13th with my boy SayZee. He’s been a name in the Canadian game for years. We have mutual friends outside of rap; this isn’t just some internet homie shit, lol. I drove to St. Catherine’s to do a song with him back in 2015, and we’ve stayed in touch since. This tape right here, though, is like French and Max B all over again—an undefeated tag team type of vibe.

As a rapper and artist, what are some of your long-term goals? Are there any new sounds or directions you’re interested in exploring in the future?

My long-term goal is to build a legacy in music. I want PIFF music to become a distinct sound. Like, you hear a certain beat and say, “This is that ‘Griselda’ sound,” I’m trying to create that same reaction where people recognize it as “PIFF.”

How do you see your role in influencing the next generation of hip-hop artists? What message do you hope to leave with your music?

I believe real rap still matters. It’s just that people don’t catch on until the time is right, and we can’t predict when that will be. My plan is to keep delivering reality rhymes about things that matter and are important for the future. I drop a lot of jewels in my bars. My message is that nobody’s perfect, but give credit to those who try.

When you’re not in the studio or on stage, what are some of your hobbies or interests? How do you unwind and stay creative?

I spend time with family, listen to new artists to see what’s good out there, and I like to work out a lot to stay in shape. Creativity comes from the ideas I have on a daily basis. I really look at life itself for inspiration.

Are there any new artists you’re currently listening to or feel are bringing something fresh to the game?

I’ve been listening to younger artists lately. Ot7 Quanny, Babydrill, Ytb Fatt, and BossMan Dlow are the ones I’m into right now. These young guys aren’t all about drill. I grew up in a time when getting money was important. Now it seems like people are making drug addiction and substance abuse popular. I need that money talk, not junkie talk, lol.