HTTP//:RIRI
Q: “Blacc guy” feels very confident from the start. What kind of mindset were you in when you wrote it?
A: “Blacc guy” is one of the songs I did in one take. After listening to the beat, I got the perfect image and idea for the song, and it was at a time when I was looking to broaden my sound, and I also was faced with a lot of challenges of being in the spotlight, and it still feels like I’m being ignored. The song is a reminder of who I am and what I stand for, indirectly.
Q: The song puts a lot of focus on identity. What does the title “Blacc guy” mean to you personally?
A: I’m always looking for answers, and the song answered a few questions, especially from the song title, “Blacc guy.” I love the color of my skin; I’m Black, and I love it. What a way to put it in people’s faces, racists especially.
Q: There is a strong sense of pride throughout the lyrics. Was that something you wanted to make central to the track?
A: I want to empasise on the fact that it’s okay to be alone, it’s okay to be yourself, even when people choose to ignore you, don’t look down on yourself, don’t follow the crowd, and it’s okay to be yourself.
Q: You sound very comfortable with who you are on this song. Has that confidence grown over time?
A: My confidence grew over the years of being ignored and let down by people I used to look up to; it made me believe in myself more. I take pride in proving people wrong and letting people talk while I work hard every day to be better than yesterday.
Q: There are moments in the lyrics where you seem to look back at people who did not believe in you. Did real experiences inspire that side of the song?
A: Yes, the song is very true and all facts. I figured out that I can’t do this alone, and I sometimes need people, but I also learned to not need anyone. I had real experiences that changed me and the way I look at people; maybe it’s my surroundings.
Q: Distance seems to be an important idea in the song. Has success changed the way you choose the people around you?
A: Yes. Success changed the way I look at things and people, especially. Watching people leave and doing everything by yourself for a long time really makes you feel unstoppable.
Q: The lyrics suggest that you have learned a lot without following a fixed path. How important has learning things your own way been in your career?
A: Learning things my own way and doing things my way is very important because I don’t let people’s opinions make or change me. It’s like I don’t have to care; I am my own best teacher, and my heroes are fallen. Nobody’s going to save me but myself. This mindset was enough for me.
Q: Some of the lyrics feel serious, while others have a playful and exaggerated confidence. Do you enjoy mixing those two sides of your personality?
A: Yes, I believe that I have multiple personalities, and I don’t know how to fake it. It’s also good to remind people that you can always choose to find comfort in chaos; a little bit of this, a little bit of that.
Q: There is a strong competitive energy in “Blacc guy.” Do you see competition as something that motivates you?
A: Yes, competition is good, but I choose to ignore it. I choose not to see them. As much as sometimes I may want what my competition has, if I don’t have it yet, I feel like maybe it’s not for me yet, and my time will come. It’s just the way I see it. The competition shows me what not to become.
Q: Money appears in the lyrics, but it feels more connected to achievement than simple flexing. What does success mean to you beyond money?
A: Success beyond money for me is different because having money isn’t having it all. Money might be the motive for me, but it’s not the important factor of life. Life is a lot of things; every other thing is just an addition.
Q: One of the interesting things about the song is how quickly you move from personal situations to bigger ideas about ambition. Is that how your thoughts usually work when you write?
A: Yeah, I just usually go with the flow; my mind is so big, the world is so big, and there’s a lot to talk about but money and asses.
Q: How much of “Blacc guy” is about proving something to other people, and how much is about proving something to yourself?
A: “Blacc guy” is more of a proving-to-myself and reminding people who I am and also reminding people of my existence.
Q: BLUE. is built around confidence, identity and freedom. Where do you think “Blacc guy” fits emotionally within the album?
A: “Blacc guy” is one of the few rap songs on the album. Emotionally, this is the one that makes you question a lot of things if you have listening ears.
Q: Every song on BLUE. begins with the letter B. Did the title “Blacc guy” come before the album concept, or did the concept help shape the song?
A: The song is actually one of the first songs created; I think the idea for the concept followed, somewhere in between.
Q: If listeners could understand one thing about HTTP// after hearing “Blacc guy,” what would you want that to be?
A: One thing about me: I’m real, I’m raw, I’m authentic, and I’m original. I’m a lot of things. I’d love for people to listen to me and find out.
