XRICK SAENZX
Q: XRICK, your song “Let Up” is such a confident, almost celebratory song. What was the inspiration about?
The inspiration came from within. I thought about my life experiences from being relentlessly bullied when I was younger and overcoming the trauma. My mental illness diagnosis I received at 24, the dark period that followed, and I thought I’m still here with an amazing talent, an amazing family and God that supports me. Life wont stop for anybody. I bounced back from terrible events so why not the aforementioned ones.
Q: You talk pretty fluently about overcoming hardships in the first verse like “Been done dirty, almost died who askin.” Do tell more about what you had to go through and how it shaped your music.
Some hardships I faced were suicidal thoughts during my psychosis and after my diagnosis. People who I thought were my friends abandoning me in my time of need. I learned that they were only in my life for a chapter and not the whole book so it didn’t hurt after a cool minute. The bullying trauma wore off around like 2-3 years ago. It doesn’t bother anymore. Eminem whom I can relate to on a tremendous level , inadvertently gave me the idea to channel all this hardship and negative emotions to something positive.
Q: You invoke Lamar Jackson saying, “A weapon Lamar Jackson,” such a great metaphor. How does one relate his or her personal hustle to the grind of the professional athlete?
I feel that we both are shooting for the stars, although he’s already there, we both have to face adversity to get there. We both have to deal with people not supporting our dreams in the beginning. We both have to deal with sycophants, people looking to get ahead, and just fake people. We both have to continuously work on our craft every day so I feel they’re are a multitude of similarities.
Q: Another heavy line goes, “Collecting bones on my way to the throne.” Is this in any way a reflection of your ambition, how you portray your path to success?
Yes this is extremely emblematic of my ambition. When I say Bones there’s a double entendre meaning money and “lives” like peoples bones but metaphorically of course.I’ll be collecting money and peoples lives because I’ll have to. No matter the industry people will attempt to bring you down, so I’ll just mow you down on my way to the top. No one will stop me, perhaps myself, but that’s another story.
Q: Much of your lyrics, especially in “Let Up,” speak to being true to one’s self. How does authenticity play a part in your music?
Authenticity plays a role in my music because I am not a pretender. I will never not be who I am. I will never lie about my background, past etc. I’m no gangster but I’m down. I ain’t a killer but don’t push me. I’m a lover not a fighter but I’ll fight for what I love. Shit ain’t sweet.
Q: You’re also speaking to classical music with “classics like Mozart.” Do you think that you can create music that will stand the test of time, and how does that influence your creative process?
I think I can create music that will stand the test of time with a lot of people. I feel like I’m ahead of my time anyway; however, only time will tell. I don’t know how rap will shift its dynamic and style 10 years from now. I think I can but like I said only time will tell.
Q: How much of your personal experiences shape the kind of stories you try to tell with your music – stuff like “Let Up”?
I will try to implement a lot of my experiences in my music but it will be very coded and expressed in a captivating way. Like when I say “Know pregnant bitches that can beat yo ass” I’ve seen a pregnant girl fight not giving a damn. Very irresponsible but I’ve seen it. So the stories are in there but one has to listen to the music and not skim through it.
Q: “Let Up” is such a high-energy, confident song. How much of your overall sound and image relies on that attitude?
I believe rap you have to be extremely confident or else the culture will destroy you mentally . No one wants a guy or girl unsure of themselves expressing themselves on the microphone. They will leave terrible comments on your pages or simply ignore your content. My sound and image heavily relies on confidence .
Q: Are you gonna take us through your process? Should it start with a beat, a concept, or maybe one lyric?
I start with a beat, usually then lyrics. The concept comes after because I can always rearrange what I’m talking about but I need the beat first to know how I am going to talk about it.
Q: You have this raw, very straightforward kind of vibe in your lyrics. How do you really manage to keep those so personal yet make them accessible so much to other people at the same time?
Nothing is new under the sun. So I believe there’s always going to be someone who relates on some level with my music as long as it’s coherent .
Q: You once told me how you went through some hard times, now. How does that influence your creativity into the music, and does it ever get difficult revisiting those moments when writing?
It heavily influences my writing but it doesn’t become difficult revisiting those moments because I already know those moments are over. I’ve been reborn like 1000 times already. I’ve shed that skin and I am a new person. The old me or me’s have been dead a while. That’s how I think of it always. It influences the intensity of my writing. I know how to feel deeply due to the pain ,so It helps me cut deep with my words.
Q: Do you feel like your music’s evolving? How do you feel like your sound, or your lyrics, have grown over time?
My music has evolved tenfold since I started. If people were to hear my first song 1. They might like it but 2. They’ll see a colossal evolution in my music. From my song Alien to Let Up , yes everything has changed. My style, my cadence , rap topics, literally everything.
Q: The hip-hop scene is constantly changing. Where do you see yourself fitting within the current hip-hop landscape, and where are you moving boundaries?
Honestly I don’t know where I fit within the current hip-hop landscape . I’m making my own space so people will want to be in it. I’m moving boundaries with my lyricism and voice because I sound so different on the microphone people will either love me or hate me.
Q: On something like “Let Up,” do you feel like you’re speaking for yourself, or are you trying to represent an experience broader, for others going through the same struggles?
I’m speaking for everyone and myself . When I say , “you fumbled the bag my nigga better get up” I’m speaking it seems like I’m speaking to one person but really it’s for anyone who feels like they’ve failed to get up and try again. We’ve all been there so.
Q: How do you cope with the pressures of being relevant each time in such a competitive industry?
I feel I will be relevant no matter what. I’m entertaining and business oriented and this is an entertainment and buisness industry. I feel like I will survive.
Q: You have such a distinctive voice and sound. Was there anyone when you first started making music that influenced you?
Eminem, Kendrick, 50 cent and Lil Wayne in no order. Loved their styles, lyricism, and vulgarity.
Q: Outside of music, what else do you do to stay creative or motivated?
I play video games, watch my favorite tv shows , and take care of my nieces to stay creative and be motivated .
Q: What can be expected next from you? Do you have any new work that you are excited to share?
I’m still going to create music and do what I love. I just released a new song called I’m a don on all platforms. Check it out if you messed with my song Let Up !
