Soakin' It Up with bLAck pARty
The future is looking promising for bLAck pARty who let’s us into his world a bit as office talks music, inspirations, and the hindsight of being an artist that made it into the industry and is taking it by storm with his smooth sounds and gravitating voice.
Check out the exclusive interview below!
KERANE— So what are you up to today?
bLAck pARty— Just a lot of album related business and music-related business.
K— So you're signed to Childish Gambino's label, which is super dope. That's probably really nice being in a nurturing environment to create the way that you have to, and I'm sure he's probably said a bunch of cool things to you, but is there anything that's really stood out to you?
BP— I don't think I can recall anything like a specific quote, but I think more so just from watching and being able to just see someone's work ethic and see how they were. Just to see someone actually go to the end and even come out of their own pockets to make sure that the art is dope. Any experience to make sure that listeners fully get the experience. So I think I learned a lot just from being able to watch somebody who's another hyper-creative.
K— I feel like I can tell from your music that you're very meticulous about how it's made.
BP— I can definitely be a stickler for details. I just think of all the little details sonically, and how they make an orchestra. So I always think of music like an orchestra. You have all these different instruments playing a part to make a full sound and make something that you enjoy.
K— Are you from Arkansas? Are you from LA?
BP— I'm from Arkansas. I've been in LA for about seven years, I was here as a child as well. So it's like Arkansas and LA are my two worlds.
K— I feel like as an artist, you're very aware of your environment. And it even says in your name, like LA and Arkansas. Is there anywhere in the world that kind of gets you in a really creative mode that inspires you or changes perspectives?
BP— Japan, for sure, going to Japan definitely inspired me in a different way. Because I feel like in Japan, they feel music in a different way and they appreciate it in a different way. Like, even down to how they listen to music. They'll have Hi-Fi Music Systems in their house. I feel like being in places like that will really inspire you because it's kind of completely different from my experience in the States, you know?
K— So you started making music around 13, right? I feel that the rap scene in Arkansas isn't as vibrant.
BP— I mean, the scene isn't as grand as a few of our neighbors like Houston or Dallas, but as of recently we've had a lot of artists that have come out like we had Bankroll Freddy, Kari Faux. It's been a resurgence the last couple of years, with artists coming out of that region.
K— When you mentioned Kari Faux, you grew up with her, right? Yeah, so it's pretty tight-knit where people who make music know each other. And being 13 years old wanting to make music. What or who made you want to pursue something like that?
BP— I think really being around my mom because my mom was a singer. I've been in the studio since I was a kid. So it's just like, once you're in an environment for so long you become interested in it. Especially at the time, because when I was 13, it was the time of the super producer. So that changed my entire trajectory. Like it was The Neptunes, Timbaland, Kanye, The Alchemist, Cool & Dre, you name it. They were big at the time, they were living the coolest lifestyle. Producers back then were cooler than the rappers. I think that drew me in and then just me just being a person that just absolutely loves music and was everything about it.
K— What's something not music-related that you'd want to pursue or get more into?
BP— Architecture. I want to design things, buy furniture, houses, buildings.
K— Wait, so are you into art at all? Were you a kid that sketched a lot?
BP— Yeah, so I was big into art in school and almost went to Savannah College of Art and Design, but I chose music instead of art school.
K— Could you imagine an alternate universe where you're some famous architect?
BP— Definitely.
K— Okay, side note, super random question. Your skin is actually perfect. What are you using to do that? Is it just genetics? What's going on here? Because I'm trying to get like you.
BP— It's mostly genetics. Sometimes it's literally just being stress-free but it seems like such a cliche answer but it's real.
K— You said drink water and mind your business that's it.
CASSIE— Let's get into your music video that's coming out. So "Soakin'" is set to release pretty soon and it just really has this effortless groove and funk to the whole entire thing. How was it like making the video?
BP— I don't usually dance as often in most of my videos. Like my friends probably haven't even seen it as often unless I'm performing. So I think that was fun just being able to dance and then also it's just a great experience sitting back and watching a movie take place.
C— Was there something that you kind of did to get yourself in a headspace to where you're like, "Okay, I'm on set, and have to get my thing going right now?"
BP— Definitely. I think it's just as common when you play sports, and you have to give yourself that pep talk or your coach has to give the team the pep talk. I think it's really just like, alright, drink water, do some stretches. I mean, mostly have fun. That's really the biggest key.
C— So Kerane kind of talked about when you had a moment where you were like, "okay, I want to pursue music. This is what my path is." Was there another moment for you? When you're already in the music sphere, you're doing your thing, and then you're like, "oh, wait, I'm actually making it like, I'm a notable artist." Did you have a specific moment when you were coming up?
BP— I think once I couldn't just walk on the street, without running into somebody who knew my music. I think that was when it started. Especially in LA, I would just run into people that knew the music. So that's when I knew it was a serious thing. I played a lot of behind the scenes roles before, so it's like, being in front of the scene is like a newer idea for me.
C— And how are you sort of dealing with that?
BP— I take it day by day. I'm not against change, per se. I feel like it takes a while, but I just try to adjust to change as best as possible, honestly.
C— Just kind of rolling with it as it comes.
BP— Just try to take it easy.
C— I also saw that you were gonna be performing live at the Roxy coming up. What are you most excited about?
BP— Making music is one part of the act of expression, the energy exchange, but it's like people experiencing the music. Being able to be in front of a lot of people that know the music, are here to have a good time, and we have that exchange of energy because we haven't had that. I think the last show I did was almost two years ago. It's good to get to be able to be around other people and for us to enjoy the moment and experiences of live music.
C— So this is your first one back since the pandemic.
BP— Yes.
C— Well, that's exciting. How did you deal with the pandemic, though? Did you find it to be more inspiring for you to kind of get your creativeness out?
BP— I think it was a roller coaster honestly. Sometimes there were moments where it was really great and moments that were really bad. But there was a lot of time to think, which was definitely important for creativity because with the world being shut down it was kind of at times hard to be creative, or hard to be motivated. Having the space and time to sit there with your own thoughts and be by yourself not having to play the day to day game, you know, and being able to just sit there and just analyze everything and be like, "Alright, so this is what I want out of life. This is what I want to do. This is how I want to creatively express myself."
C— What's one piece of advice that you received that you kind of wished that you knew when you first started?
BP— I had a really good friend of mine tell me don't trust anybody evenly. Which sounds crazy, but it's relieving in a way because it allows you to detach yourself from being personally affected if that makes sense. The second side of that I got the book, The Four Agreements and it was a good balancing book to read, especially just working all the time. As someone in music, you deal with people. That's really your job, is you're dealing with people. And you're giving them an experience, a vibe, and energy. That's really the best advice is don't take anything personally.
C— I think that's something that a lot of people really struggle with, when they're first starting anything, everything is personally against them. But the deeper that you get into the game, it literally has nothing to do with you whatsoever. So what's next for you? Is there anything that you're excited about?
BP— Yes, I'm working on a project and I have a few songs coming out that I'm really excited about.
