Each artist has an origin story. And Strick’s—let’s simply say it’s kind of completely different from the remaining. After attending faculty, he entered america Air Pressure, which allowed him to pursue his MBA. After nabbing his second diploma, he dove right into a profession in well being administration. However, he all the time dreamed of being an artist. And as destiny would have it, he took the danger and is at present reaping the rewards. We sat down with Strick to learn the way his profession got here to be, how he signed with YSL Information and what went into creating his debut album, “Strick Land.”
How did you get began making music?
I began making music professionally in 2016 after I moved out to LA. I ended up getting a pair writing placements with Kanye, Travis Scott and a bunch of different folks. I used that to my benefit and taking the business by storm.
Songwriting was one thing that I form of fell into as a result of I am a recording artist at coronary heart and I all the time wished to be an artist. The chance arose for me to have the ability to collaborate with different artists who had been engaged on larger initiatives and it simply naturally form of occurred.
Previous to 2016, what had been you doing?
I used to be really doing healthcare administration. I had my very own main care middle with a few physicians and medical assistants working for me. I went to school and acquired my bachelor’s in English literature. Then I joined the Air Pressure after commencement and so they paid for me to get my MBA.
Was there a turning level the place you determined to modify to music?
I began believing in myself much more. A variety of my buddies had been already making names for themselves within the business, so I wished to offer it an opportunity. I had a reasonably good backup plan and I noticed there was no time like the current to offer it a shot.
Do you suppose your background has benefited your profession in music?
For certain. I feel I used to be ready for with the ability to work with completely different people, expertise completely different personalities and to see completely different components of the world. It’s undoubtedly helped me to develop into an eclectic and properly rounded artist.
Was music one thing you’d all the time aspired to do?
I all the time wished to be a recording artist and I all the time liked music. Rising up at my grandmother’s home, she all the time performed a variety of music at cookouts and events. I’d all the time be one of many type of leisure, popping out to sing and dance.
Pictures by Kevin Wilson
How did you come to signal with YSL Information?
I’ve recognized Thug for over 10 years now and we met in Atlanta.
I had quantity of success as a songwriter and with Thug being the real individual that he’s, he was like “Hey, why don’t you begin placing out your individual music?” He and my brother Southside of 808 Mafia had been each encouraging me like “Nobody is aware of you’re a very proficient artist since you don’t launch something. Why don’t you begin placing out some music?” So with their blessing and assist, I simply began releasing music.
Do you’ve gotten any matching tattoos with the artists at YSL Information?
Now that I give it some thought, all of the artists have “SLATT” tattooed on our index determine. It stands for “Slime Love All of the Time” and it’s about everyone displaying love for one another.
Do you’ve gotten another music associated tattoos?
I’ve a music workers on my arm. I’ve tattoos for my songs “WokStar” and “Moon Man” that had been off the primary primary album I used to be part of. I’ve these symbolically tattooed on me. I even have my firm Basis 86 tattooed on me as properly.
What was your course of for transitioning from a author to a performer?
I feel it was nearly getting extra comfy with myself and my voice. It took a variety of practising and liking what I used to be saying, et cetera et cetera.
Take us via your debut single “100 Levels.”
That was the primary document I did with Younger Thug. He’s like my brother, he and I’ve a really shut relationship. This document happened from us hanging out within the studio right here in LA and he got here within the room when the vitality was very excessive. He was like “Hey man, the place do I are available at?” and I used to be like “Proper right here, you’ve acquired the following verse.” “100 Levels” got here out very organically and it was the primary single I ever did.
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What recommendation have you ever obtained from the opposite artists you’ve labored with?
I’ve gotten a lot good recommendation from Child Cudi to Future to Thug to Kanye—everybody provides me numerous nice recommendation. Rocky and I are all the time having conversations about staying constant and staying centered. After I launched my album, James Blake reached out and gave me some actually nice recommendation about taking it one album at a time and never letting or not it’s a defining second. So long as I’m comfy with what I put out and I be ok with it, that’s the important thing half, as a result of clearly followers and everybody else are going to have their opinions on it.
Inform us concerning the new music you’re engaged on proper now.
I simply got here off of releasing my debut album, it’s referred to as “Strick Land.” It options A$AP Rocky, Younger Thug, Ty Dolla $ign, Gunna, Child Cudi—a variety of names. We’re nonetheless pushing that proper now, however I’m additionally engaged on some new music for my upcoming mixtape referred to as “Machine Vol. 3.”
The vitality with this one is a bit more uptempo and has a really mixtape vibe with again to again bangers. I’ve been out right here in LA engaged on it, I’ve acquired a few cool options and surprises for my followers. I’ve been within the studio with the same old suspects—Younger Thug, Future, Gunna, and so forth. I’m unsure who’s going to be featured but however I’ve been within the studio lots with my folks recently.
What was your course of for making “Strick Land?”
I used to be residing out in Malibu and the vibes had been all the time proper. I used to be proper by the seashore with the great water and was all the time making new sounds. Swae Lee came visiting to my home and did his verse there, Kaash Paige did her music there.
Is there a specific narrative this album tells?
It’s the story of being versatile. It’s an artist’s undertaking as a result of I’ve an Afro seashore document, an R&B document and a heartfelt music. I feel it tells the story of an artist and the vary of feelings we will undergo.
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We all know it adjustments on a regular basis, however what’s your favourite music on the album proper now?
It’s robust as a result of one minute I’d need to hear “No Rush,” however then I’d need to hear “Elegant N Shit.” Then you recognize the intro music, “Home of Blues,” is unbelievable. So it undoubtedly varies.
What was your favourite half about making this album?
I feel finishing it was my favourite half. I used to be like “Man, heck yeah. That is my child, that is my physique of labor.” I used to be actually simply stoked to have it accomplished and get it out.
What separates this album from the mixtapes and the EP you’ve launched up to now?
I feel the totality of every little thing. It felt like my debut album. Such as you stated, I’d made EPs and mixtapes earlier than, however this proper right here had that debut album really feel. It was what I’d labored for and what I acquired signed for.
How have you ever grown because you began making music in 2016?
From music construction to my melodies to the content material within the information, a variety of it has grown through the years.
Pictures by Kevin Wilson
