Flume may have just dropped his best song yet. Big call, sure, but I’m going there.
Following on from his recent new single Never Be Like You (ft. Kai,) the Manly-born producer has just stepped up his game about ten notches, with new track Smoke and Retribution, featuring Perth singer Kucka and rapper Vince Staples.
Opening on a massive beat, the pendulum swings across the rhythm as Staples spits pure fire up above. But before long, the entire track changes – rhythm, atmosphere and melody, with a brief glimpse into a spacey soundscape and Kucka’s almost childlike bridge. I’ll be honest, this is by far my least favourite part of the track; the breakdown feels like a necessity more than a strong addition to the track. But Vince soon returns to the spotlight, and boy oh boy, does he deserve it.
https://soundcloud.com/flume/smoke-and-retribution-feat-vince-staples-kucka/
Myself, and much of the music world, have long considered where Flume would take his immediately identifiable sound on his second album. Considering the quality of the two tracks we’ve heard so far, this is shaping up to be one hell of a follow-up.
Flume and Staples are both set to perform at Laneway Festival this year, so one can only assume that lucky attendees will be among the first in the world to hear the pair collaborate on this incredible production live.
Flume will be releasing his new album Skin later this year via Future Classic.
Dates and venues:
Friday 5 February – Harts Mill, Port Adelaide (16+)
Saturday 6 February – Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane (16+)
Sunday 7 February – Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney
Saturday 13 February – Footscray Community Arts Centre And The River’s Edge, Melbourne
Sunday 14 February – Esplanade Reserve and West End, Fremantle
In an industry where authenticity is everything, Vince Staples has lived a lot in just 22 years. Growing up in Long Beach California, Staples shifted from a life of gangbanging to becoming one of the most respected lyricists in hip-hop, known more for his acerbic wit than his trigger finger. A vocal critic of the glorification of gang life and drug use in hip-hop, he has quickly become one of the most important rappers in the game. A collaborator of some of hip-hop’s Gen-Y finest, an XXL Freshman and a close friend of ex-Odd Future reps like Earl Sweatshirt and Syd Tha Kid, this year he also accomplished the small feat of releasing one of the year’s most important albums. Summertime ’06 is a real accomplishment; a challenging, potent and totally unique debut, far beyond the young rapper’s years. We talked to Vince about hating Twitter, going toe to toe with Kendrick, and the purity of unadulterated Sprite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OAYMMod9Wo
Vince Staples, thank you so much for speaking with me today.
Not a problem man. I appreciate you.
I’m very excited to talk to you. Summertime ’06 was my favourite album of the year. But I’m also excited because you are famous for your interviews. How do you feel about this title – Vince Staples: the funniest rapper in the game?
Ahh, well my question would be – what is the game? And then second, I be like, yeah I’m pretty funny. I’m just one of the funniest people. You have to understand that, that I’m one of the best.
What do you think about the role of humour in hip-hop?
I don’t think about hip-hop at all. I think hip-hop gets too much attention. We should focus more on all the things in everyday life. I feel like a lot of the things I say don’t really have much to do with hip-hop. We’re all regular people at the end of the day, that’s one thing we tend to forget with this music – all these artists, all these people, we’re just all individuals, we’re all regular people. You know we all like other things except for music. We should let that be known as well, within what we do in hip-hop.
How important is something like Twitter for you, to connect with your fans, and to allow them to see a side of your personality that they may not see in your music?
It’s a funny thing because I fucking hate the Internet, I hate Twitter. I didn’t have an Instagram until my manager made me get one. I had like a private one that I used to delete every time people found out it was mine. I mean, I understand the importance of it. We live in a day and age where it’s not about the music. The music is the least important thing on the list of things we have to do in this industry, the music comes absolutely last. Which is not necessarily a good thing to me, but it’s the truth to, they want the overall lifestyle effect of it. It is very important when it comes to what it can do for our careers, and what it can do for our listeners in general and how we can help them learn about new things, and about the things we also like. So I do understand the importance of it. And I wouldn’t use it at all, but if I had the choice – I’d be so cool on it.
You say that – but your tweets are amazing.
Yeah well it’s crazy, but I am one of the funniest people alive, so people have to understand that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb6Jc4juSF8
2015 was a massive year for hip-hop. We had To Pimp A Butterfly and At Long Last A$AP. Hip-hop almost feels more respected than ever. How does it feel to know that Summertime ’06 played such a huge role in that?
It’s a relief because I felt that we worked very hard for it. We did our best; we did our absolute best for everything that we did this year. So I’m glad to see that it turned out, you know, being worth all the hard work. Because as you said before, we are amongst the very best when it comes to those names you named. So I’m glad we’re in good company.
I appreciate it because we worked hard for it. Just being in the same conversation as Kendrick’s album is amazing. I’ve heard people saying when it comes to hip-hop albums this year it’s mine vs. his – just hearing that, I’m just completely grateful for everything. It’s great, man.
Talking about putting the album together, the effort you put into constructing it. The production on Summertime ’06 is as profound as the lyrics – did you know that No ID was crafting something really really original when you began working with him?
I began working with him years ago. And I had nothing but respect and appreciation for what he’s done with everyone involved. And like, if you know No ID he said in several interviews that he’s following my lead. That just shows that they were listening and appreciating what I can bring to the table, and that’s something I appreciated as well. So just having all these people that have done completely great things and way more things than I’ve done, to have actually listened to what I’ve had to say, and to want to know what I’m about, for them to take the back seat, when they were more than capable of leading the situation. And kind of left me to develop my own identity with my own project. I can’t do anything but be grateful to them for that.
On that, the style of Summertime ’06 is very different, very unique. For a debut album, it’s a classic – how do you follow up something like that?
Well that’s easy because we made a lot of mistakes with this album. So it’ll be very easy to follow up. I can only see everything getting better. We’ll just take our time with it, and make our music and no one can ever rob us of that. We are going to make what we want to make, because at the end of the day the product is what matters and nothing else. Money doesn’t matter, success doesn’t matter, the product is what matters. We’ll always be focused on making the best product. Because that’s something we’ve always cared about, I don’t think we can ever go too far away from that.
You’ve said in the past that Def Jam have given you the freedom to craft your own projects, has that been a good relationship, and something you can see having equal freedom in the future?
You define your own freedom. They know who you are coming into the situation, and we know who we are as well. So we will do whatever we have to do to get our music out there, whether it’s with or without them. And when I say without them, if there are certain things they may not understand at a certain point in time, we will just have to do what we have to do to make them understand. But fortunately they do believe in us and we won’t have any problems that I can foresee in the future. You never know, but I firmly believe that we will be able to execute anything possible there will be no reason for us to say ‘no’ – do you understand what I mean?
Absolutely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRQHBz1Pf84
In 2015 everything is so interconnected – is there still validity to concepts like ‘West Coast’ or ‘Southern’ hip-hop?
Hip-hop is on the Internet, you know what I mean? We’re all in the same community if you think about it. You’re not discovering music walking down the street, you’re not discovering music going around outside to these different areas – you’re discovering almost everything on the Internet. So with that being said, there’s no limitations on what can and can’t influence you.
I read an article where they said you were the walking incarnation of the Mobb Deep lyric – “I’m only 19, but my mind is old” – you’re 22 now, how does it feel to have this image as being wise your years?
I don’t care. Everyone has an opinion. You can’t focus on the good ones or the bad ones. I just want it to be known that I cared about music, and the product I put out, and that I tried my best to put out the best product that I could. That’s what I care about. As long as that’s the opinion, I can be wise, I can be immature, I can be whatever you want me to be. Just let it be known that I worked very hard on my music.
Obviously Summertime ’06 tells a story about a very specific time and place, does it feel to have your music being appreciated somewhere as far away as Australia?
It means everything. Like I said before, the one thing in life we lack is just people understanding from where each other are coming from, and to understand each other’s background. The fact that people as far away as you guys – are trying to understand where I’m coming from and what my situation was and what the identity was of the place that I come from, it just shows that we’re moving forward as people in general.
Vince, what would you say to the Sprite drinkers of Australia?
I would like to let the Sprite drinkers of Australia know that I have your best interests at hand. And Sprite has your best interests at hand. It’s the only drink with lemon and lime. It’s a beautiful product of lime. And be positive. Sprite is the only lemon and lime beverage on the earth – that other company – there’s seven of them – if you have to try and go Up, seven times – what happens to the first six? That’s all I’m really saying. You know what you’re getting with Sprite.
Who has done more for the Sprite brand, you or Future?
Me. We’re marketing a positivity with our Sprite. We’re not marketing anything else. There are no mixtures being done with the Sprite. It’s already a mixture of lemon and lime. We don’t need to add anything else.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztv5FfmuSmM
Vince Staples will be performing at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival on the Red Bull Music Academy/Future Classic Stage alongside two headline shows.
Laneway
Friday 5 February: Harts Mill, Port Adelaide (16+)
Saturday 6 February: Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane (16+)
Sunday 7 February: Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney
Saturday 13 February: Footscray Community Arts Centre And The River’s Edge, Melbourne
Sunday 14 February: Esplanade Reserve and West End, Fremantle
Tickets, info and sideshows here
Vince Staples
Tuesday Feb 9: Max Watt’s, Sydney
Wednesday Feb 10: Max Watt’s Melbourne
Wrapping up an absolute banner year, 22 year old Long Beach rapper Vince Staples has now sat down with CNN for their “Get Political” series to discuss the shifting nature in hip-hop in regards to an increase in “glorifying” drug use.
“Drugs have always been a part of music, and it went from the drug dealer to the drug user now. There’s more music being made about the drug use than it was, you know, the distribution of the drugs,” he says before going on to talk about a friend who he recently lost to drug use, saying “He didn’t know what Xanax was a couple of years ago.”
“This is the first time I can say in my life where I am seeing people become drug addicts,” Staples revealed, before going on to say that he believes there are so many better things that he and fellow artists can do “than show these kids which drugs to take.”
He also opened up on the correlation between suspension rates in schools which “start as early as kindergarten,” and drop-out rates later in schooling life, therefore increasing the chances for run-ins with the police.
“The first time I had ever been in handcuffs in my entire life was on school campus,” he said. “When suspension rates are lower, the overall academic performance rates of the school rises for everybody.”
Vince Staples has made a name for himself this year not just for his incredible album Summertime ’06 but for his social awareness and his refusal to shy away from controversial topics. He made headlines recently for his comments on 90’s rap, and has been known for his humour like when he weighed in on the GQ Men Of The Year. He will be in Australia in just over a month for a run of shows including performances at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival 2016. See info for that here!
@earlxsweat @HowlandEchoes this the funniest shit I ever read in my life
— Vince Staples (@vincestaples) August 12, 2015
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJLfCBBcZAo]
Californian rapper Vince Staples is one of hip hop’s fastest rising stars. While his media presence has cooled down some after Staples’ commentary on 90s hip hop kicked up a stir last month, the 22-year-old rapper remains unperturbed when it comes to speaking his mind.
At the invitation of GQ, the rapper has now shared his thoughts on the past recipients of the influential men’s magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’ award.
Granted that time has not always treated the magazine’s previous winners with good graces, Staples provided some seriously tongue-in-cheek critiques of the publications past selections.
The rapper seemed genuinely perplexed by the presence of Will and Grace lead Dylan McDermott, alongside Will Smith and ‘Forrest Gump‘ (Tom Hanks) for the 1999’s Man of the Year issue. Failing to identify the prolific actor, Staples simply referred to Dylan simply as ‘some dude I cannot recognise.’
Indulging his usual penchant for controversy, Staples did not hold back when it came to basketball superstar Michael Jordan. Despite professing his love for the celebrity he declared the sports star turned businessman a ‘scumbag’ and likened him to Donald Trump stating that both were ‘the epitome of bad people in America becoming successful.’
Also on the receiving end of the rapper’s quick wit and sharp tongue were Ja Rule, Michael Phelps, Chris Rock and True Detective’s Colin Farrell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBEMuHdpp_E
Catch Vince Staples on tour in 2016, where he will be performing at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, and two sideshows:
Tuesday, Feb 9: Max Watt’s, Sydney.
Wednesday, Feb 10: Max Watt’s Melbourne.
Read more: Review: Vince Staples makes an ancient tale ultra-modern on ‘Summertime ’06’
Long Island hip hop artist Vince Staples has been causing a fair bit of controversy over the web since expressing the polarising opinion that 90s hip hop was overrated.
The 22-year-old rapper’s statement saw many of his musical contemporaries voicing support or hitting out against the rapper. The fur also started to fly during a heated back and forth between Staples and Noreaga over Twitter where the latter referred to Staples remarks as nothing more than “idiot statements.”
Staples has now clarified his remarks on popular hip hop radio show SwaysUniverse.
“I definitely do [feel I was misrepresented in a headline, But even if I was not], so what?”
He also took a somewhat apologetic tone stating: “Who are we to try to diminish anybody else’s art-form? To me, it’s like, if you don’t feel like the ’90s was the greatest era of hip hop—which isn’t what I said—but if it’s not, then it’s just ‘fuck you’? What if I like the ’80s? What if I like the early 2000s? You sayin’ that nobody else’s art-form matters unless it’s in the ’90s? That’s corny.”
“When the ’90s ended, I was six years old. I would hope any parents wouldn’t want their six year-old child or younger listening to music that was carrying the kind of content that was carried in the [artists people are talking about]. My father went to prison for the majority of my life. My mommy a full-fledged gang-banger, bro. So, they was makin’ sure I went to church. They didn’t want me to listen to people talkin’ about shooting people and sellin’ crack, bro.”
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Noreaga was also in contact with the radio program, informing listeners that he and Staples had made amends after a phone conversation. Apologetically noting that his comments may have taken Staples’ comments out of context, Noreaga placed some of the blame on ‘click bait’ journalists for blowing the statements out of proportion. He also noted that many of his comments had been made without actually having seen original interview.
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Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The interesting take away might not be as much about the objective merits of the 90s or any other era of music, but the fact that Staples is articulating the views of a new an up and coming generation of artists looking to challenge the clichés and conventions of the hip hop establishment.
For those looking to see Vince Staples live he will be in the country next year for St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, as well as two headline dates:
Tue, Feb 9th – Max Watt’s, Sydney
Buy tickets here
Wed, Feb 10th – Max Watt’s, Melbourne
Buy tickets here
Vince Staples has once again set the Twitter world on fire, by denouncing the 90’s as a sub-standard era for rap. Pairing his opinions with some genuinely good points about the human condition, and how listeners typically gravitate towards music that best relates to their lifestyle, Staples vented his frustration at the credit the era receives.
In a new interview with TIME, Staples aired his frustration. “The ’90s get a lot of credit,” he said. “I don’t really know why… early 2000s is where its at.”
“Whatever you were watching or listening to when you were young is always going to be your favorite thing because it made you what you are today,” he said. “That’s always going to be something that you appreciate the most, so that’s everyone’s favorite era.” Staples was born in ’93, and says that Lil Bow Wow was the first hip-hop artist he ever listened to.
“Tupac and Biggie were the staples of the ’90s, I think that’s why the get the Golden Era credit. There’s not a 50 Cent in the ’90s. They didn’t even have a Kanye.” As is the norm for vocal artists such as he, the interview opened up a dialogue on social media, with even Tyler, The Creator retweeting a post from Staples in support. Not everyone agreed with these statements, however. Noreaga, for instance, took to Twitter to vent his frustrations, referring to Staples’ opinions as an “idiot statements” and retweeting many comments running in a similar vein to his own.
favorite rapper was bow wow I get it still a idiot statement from some one who we hardly know ya dues ain’t paid https://t.co/wyTcc5CemI
— N.O.R.E (@noreaga) October 28, 2015
However, as fans and peers alike jumped in, Noreaga was quick to diffuse the situation before it even really started.
I Am in no way judging him as a artist or person simply by that statement that is it
— N.O.R.E (@noreaga) October 28, 2015
I am not attacking the brother at all just the statements !! B
— N.O.R.E (@noreaga) October 28, 2015
Leave me outta this other bullshit y’all trying to create I spoke he spoke ended!!! Different opinions makes nobody enemies just different!
— N.O.R.E (@noreaga) October 28, 2015
Whether you agree with Noreaga or Staples, both of them have brought up some pretty valid points. Yes, Noreaga is right in reaffirming 90’s hip hop most definitely has its place, but Staples was speaking about his own experience and what is more important to him. Regardless, both the 90’s and the 00’s have produced amazing artists, why can’t we have both?
Vince Staples will be in Australia next year for St Jerome’s Laneway Festival and a couple of sideshows. Tickets are scarce, so jump on the remaining few NOW.
Vince Staples is one of the most prolific and exciting hip hop artists around today, and has quickly, firmly planted himself at the very forefront of the industry today. An ever-present name and frequent collaborator, he’ll be visiting Australia for Laneway Festival 2016, and has just announced two headline tour dates in Sydney and Melbourne (soz everybody else).
The intimate club shows will be unforgettable, not to mention soon-to-be-unattainable, considering how quickly this young star has, and will continue to rise.
A master of diverse collaborations, sprawling mixtapes and a unique sense of lyrical density, he shines in his original track as much as his work with the biggest names around, like Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and Earl Sweatshirt. He released his debut album Summertime ’06 earlier this year, to immense acclaim from critics and fans alike.
His live shows have a reputation for being electrifying and powerful – so we can’t wait for him to come down under!
Vince Staples Tour Dates:
Tuesday Feb 9: Max Watt’s, Sydney
Wednesday Feb 10: Max Watt’s Melbourne
Telstra Thanks is offering a 48-hour presale for customers from 10 am on October 28 – click here for more details. Following that, public release tickets go on sale on Monday, November 2 – click here to purchase.
Click here to see the full list of Laneway sideshows.
In what is being called the most FOMO tour of all time, A$AP Rocky and Tyler, The Creator have just released a promotional video for their upcoming ‘Rocky and Tyler’ US tour which also features Danny Brown and Vince Staples.
‘When they first told me about this, I was like, nah that’s weird, I don’t really fuck with n****s. Rocky cool but, iunno. But then time went on, and then n****s was like “why not?” And now look at us.’
‘Yo this guy is weird man, but guess what? We’re goin’ on tour, we’re about to kill shit.’
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT62uGlpXM0]
Tyler and Rocky legit seem like good friends or brothers or something, and it’s hard to imagine the crazy chemistry that they’d have on stage. They freestyle and fool around all in some really hyper coloured visuals that would suit either of the artists’ video clips, and give all the details on where to get tickets, as well as mention of some special guests.
Tyler just got banned from Australia as well as the UK, which is mega upsetting – particularly considering the fact that the ban was reportedly instigating by a series of song lyrics, penned years ago. So, realistically even if everyone were to ask really nicely and show a lot of interest, the ‘Rocky and Tyler’ tour probably wouldn’t make it down under, but goddamn this looks good. It kicks off September 19th, hopefully there’s tonnes of footage. Head to rockyandtyler.com to torture yourself with all the details.
Switch (co-founder of Major Lazer and producer for goddesses like M.I.A and Beyonce) has a new project called With You. It is a collective brimming with electrifying talent from the likes of Rick Trainor, Jeff Penalva, Noah Schy, and Daouda Leonard. They have shared a new single called Ghost, which features Vince Staples.
Vince Staples’ slick raps weave around pseudo-industrial soundscapes, like a street goth Berliner dodging piercings and needles in Berghain. He really does demonstrate that his tongued-fire can lick any beat, and boy, does that molten hot lava flow fast. The best part of the song are the alien trumpeeters, who jeer us with their contorted brass-tech. On paper, this song should be a cronenbergian beast. But, everything works out beautifully. Thank you to whoever thought of this marvellous collaboration.