What was your vision for this album? How did you want it to stand out from your previous work?
For “Dark Was the Night,” I aimed to create something both sonically and thematically grandiose. My goal was to craft an album that would stand the test of time and be recognized as a classic hip-hop album. “Dark Was the Night” is a concept album that chronicles the life and death of a man. It begins with him witnessing a murder as a young boy, followed by his upbringing in a harsh environment that molds him into the kind of man one might expect from such experiences. Throughout the album, a love interest provides a glimmer of hope. However, in a tragic turn of events, she betrays him in a way that ultimately leads to his death.
Is there a particular track on the album that you feel represents you most at this stage in your career?
“Hell on Earth” is a track that I would say represents me at this stage of my career. Firstly, it’s such an honor to trade bars on a track with someone like Styles P. His penmanship is impeccable, and it’s rewarding to know I’ve reached a stage in my career where collaborating with him is possible! Additionally, I really appreciate this track because the themes we’re rhyming about are deep and significant. It truly highlights the issues I’m focusing on in this album.
In what ways do you think you’ve grown as an artist since your last album?
I believe I’ve grown immensely since my last album, “The New Black.” That album was all about experimentation. I tried out new sounds and really pushed the envelope on what it meant to be a hip-hop album.
On my latest project, “Dark Was the Night,” I’ve really honed in on what it takes to make a classic hip-hop album. There is still an element of genre-bending, but where “The New Black” experimented, “Dark Was the Night” perfected. This is a hardcore hip-hop album, but it also features some really lush R&B-inspired tracks.
What challenges did you face while working on this project, either creatively or personally?
Because I am a perfectionist and wanted this album to be flawless, it took me two years to perfect it. I revisited many songs over several months, changing and tweaking small parts until they felt just right. My goal was to create a classic hip-hop album, a task I took very seriously. The lyrics needed to be perfect, the stories needed to be perfect, and it needed the perfect features to match the album’s vibe (with Styles P and Freeway). The pacing had to be perfect, and I obsessed over almost everything, right down to the ad-libs.
How do you approach selecting beats and producers? Do you look for something specific to match your lyrics, or is it more instinctive?
One of the reasons I have always loved the internet is that it allows you to connect with people you normally wouldn’t have access to. Thanks to the internet, I’ve been able to collaborate with some of the best producers from around the world! When working on a new song, I usually start with the beat and let it inspire the lyrics. The feel of the beat guides what the lyrics should be.
Is there a line or verse on the album that you’re particularly proud of? What inspired it?
It’s hard to pick just one because this album is packed with lyrics and verses I’m proud of. However, I really love my verse on “Hell on Earth.” I think it strikes the perfect balance between deep technical lyricism and meaningfulness. I also have a song on the album called “Oh God, Good Lord” that gives me chills every time I listen to it.
Are there any tracks on this album where you’re addressing something that you’ve never touched on before?
Before this album, I had never worked on a concept album. I’ve touched on the album’s topics previously, but the structure of the album is something that I think is particularly new and refreshing.
Do you think about your audience when creating an album, or is it more about personal expression?
For me, it’s always a negotiation between what I want to express and what I know the audience will want to hear. I try to meet in the middle. In some cases, I can lean more in one direction or the other, but with art, I believe you’re always a co-creator with your audience.
Where do you feel rap and hip-hop as a genre is headed, and how do you want your music to be part of that evolution?
I’m very excited about where hip-hop is headed. There are so many more styles available now than have ever existed before. When I was very young, at least in Philadelphia, if you didn’t rap like Beanie Sigel, for example, you wouldn’t be taken seriously. Now, there are so many different styles that are permissible. I really like how rap has embraced melodic sounds, whereas before you’d be seen as soft if you focused on melodies.
How do you want this album to contribute to your legacy as an artist?
I would like this album to mark the point when the first great underground hip-hop classic of the 2020s was created.
What’s next after this album? Are there already plans for the next project, or are you taking time to reflect?
I think I will continue to work on new music after taking a small period to rest and reflect on the impact of this album.
If this album had to be represented by a single color, what color would it be and why?
Black. The album is called “Dark Was the Night”. Black is the color of darkness and the night sky. It’s also representative of the feeling of the album.
If you could perform this album anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Definitely an arena like The Wells Fargo Center in my hometown, Philadelphia. Madison Square Garden would also be dope!
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