Monthly newspaper and online publication targeting 18 to 35 year olds. The ultimate guide to the hottest parties, going out and having fun. Music, fashion, film, travel, festivals, technology, comedy, and parties! London, Barcelona, Miami and Ibiza.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/803298
You toured in the UK recently, how did you find it? So they were like starting Doozy chants before I even did it, and the shows were insane, most of them, not all of them where sold out, so a lot of fun and it really opened my eyes to see how much support I have. So what life experiences have you had that make you write such deep lyrics? As a real young kid, the stuff that bought me to music and to writing, is things like depression. I got diagnosed with depres- sion, anxiety, when I was like in first grade and I think even before, so kindergarten or first grade. You could read it on my face you know, I was upset all the time, I had really bad an- ger issues and I was having all these temper tantrums, and really what helped me with it, was writing about it, and that's really what I continue to do. What is the message you would like to get across in your music? Speaking to me today, today's thinking is being yourself and being comfortable with yourself, and living a positive life and not wasting your life with negativity, or feeling bad for yourself, or being jealous of others. Your perspective on life seems way be- yond your age, how are you so wise? I went through my arrogant stage, and I feel like everybody who is thinking on another level goes through that place of like, "Man everyone is stupid, I am just smarter than everybody." You know what I went through that when I was younger, I was ignorant to the fact that people weren't like that but I was always over thinking, I really just felt like I could not relate to anybody because of the amount I was thinking and the level that I felt I was on. Now I am aware that everybody is differ- ent, people are different, it's not like one is top of the other, everybody is just different. Tell me about your latest single Doozy? I had the song Doozy, and I literally went to sleep and I dreamt the exact video that you see now, I had that dream and it was crazy, it was me shooting myself and it was me at the therapist, talking to me as the person who is getting therapy, and I was like how am I going to pull this off, well we pulled it off so I am so proud of that video. Would you describe yourself as a genius? No I wouldn't, maybe someday. Sometimes I feel like a genius but I don't think as a person I am, I think I have a lot more to do. But I think everybody should have that day, they should be like "Yo, I am a fuckin genius man!" So what made you give away Eraser Shav- ing for free? The main reason is that it is my first real mix tape, I hadn't released anything like that before, and I wanted to make sure that everybody who has seen me, from my vid- eos, whether it's just me rapping down the street or to a microphone, that everybody is listening. I would rather have fans who appreciate the person I am, above just the way I put together words, and I think after they listen to the mix tape they are going to be that more involved and intrigued with what I have going on, because they are going to be invested to the person, rather than just the sound. You have gotten love from Mark Walberg and Sway's Universe. How are you han- dling all attention? I just know what it is, I don't get on my high horse with having contacts like Sway or Mark, because once you are in it, at least for me it is kinda hard to comprehend and wrap my mind around the power that some of these people have, and the way I can just talk to them like peers! So you are going on your first Canadian tour with Hopsin this April , how did the collaboration come about? He heard the music and he was a fan and he hit me up and was like, " let's do this." And the first run that we did, we really connected. I think we got a lot in common and I really look up to what he built, and we are naturally people who would become friends even aside from the music stuff, so we made that connection and we went to Europe together and now we are going to Canada! What would you fill a swimming pool with if it could be anything? A bunch of fucking 100 dollar bills, like what! Pump that shit up and then I am good, that's my realistic answer and that would be anybody's realistic answer but it makes me sound like an asshole. You have achieved so much already what are the next goals for you? My next goals are to experiment with mu- sic, to work with new producers, work in the studio with new people and just to see how far I can take my creativity, and see what level I can get to and then everything else will come after. ISSUE 97 / 2017 35 HIP HOP & RNB "I WAS LITERALLY SHAKING IN MY BOOTS. SO IT WAS A SURREAL MOMENT. IT SORT OF CHANGED MY LIFE." With wizardry lyricism, a sharp mind and ferocious drive, Token is branching out with his own style of Hip hop. Unlike most 18 year olds this young emeece, has already 'broke down barriers for a kid living a man's life.' With over a million views on YouTube his conscious raps will leave you feeling raw, and his latest single Doozy will leave you with flow envy. But we haven't heard or seen the last of Token, with a tantalising project in the works, Token lets us know why he is one to watch. follow @tokenhiphop Patience Takyuka | Guestlist