Picture Credit score: Jeff Hahne/Getty Pictures
Like several younger rapper, persons are skeptical about your potential to speak past cash and fame. At 22 years-old, what might it’s important to rap about that might translate to the core of true rap followers? For Reuben Vincent, the reason is straightforward — rap music is his old flame.
Vincent has all the time been immersed in music, whether or not that be using in his father’s automotive at a younger age and listening to tales about JAY-Z, or waking as much as his mom taking part in Liberian music as she cleaned. However the mother and father of the east side-Charlotte native additionally instilled in him a love for his cultural heritage, too.
Each hailing from Liberia, Vincent’s mother and father are survivors of the Liberian Warfare, one of the vital disastrous markers in historical past for Africa’s first and oldest republic. Each personally and musically, Vincent’s embodies the power and legacy of his ancestry (together with his grandfather who died through the conflict), and displays his mother and father’ pursuit of the American dream.
“Being a first-generation Liberian, it’s essential for me to remain true to my heritage and carry that legacy ahead,” Vincent stated. “It doesn’t matter what profession I select, I really feel like realizing the place my individuals come from, all of the hardships they’ve been by, that’s what retains me centered.”
That is what grounds Vincent’s music. The artist has been signed to ninth Marvel’s Jamla Information since he was 16. In 2017, he launched his debut album Myers Park (named after the highschool he attended), and adopted that up with the 2020 EP Boy Meets World. Now 22, Vincent has made some notable strides in his profession. Final 12 months, he opened for Pusha T as part of the rapper’s It’s Virtually Dry Tour tour. Earlier this month, he made his Roc Nation debut with Love Is Warfare, a susceptible and intimate listening expertise grounded by Vincent’s incisive wit.
All through its 11 tracks, he unpacks love from completely different vantage factors — romantic entanglements, the excessive feelings of releasing love, and the unpredictability of affection — over manufacturing crafted by himself, Guru, ninth Marvel, and The Soul Council. The album, which was recorded in LA, additionally features a handful of options, together with labelmate Rapsody, TDE’s Cause, Ant Clemmons, and Domani.
“For a number of months I locked myself in, abstaining from all distractions to totally immerse myself within the inventive course of,” he stated. “However as I explored LA, town’s magnificence, its ladies, meals and climate impressed me. I made the suitable connections and located myself in the suitable areas.”
The top result’s a reflective challenge that highlights simply how a lot Vincent has grown as an artist, his work even inspiring mentors like ninth Marvel.
“His focus is uncommon. His manners, his dedication to his artwork — and I don’t need to police him. He’s arguably essentially the most mature on our label, nevertheless it’s due to the individuals he studied: Kendrick [Lamar], Nas, Jay, and Kanye [West],” ninth stated. “He studied their rhyme kinds and subject material, and that is what you get, Reuben Vincent. I’ve been considering retirement, however then I get a generational expertise like this that makes you keep within the sport longer.”
Okayplayer not too long ago caught up with Reuben Vincent throughout his press run in Raleigh, NC. The artist spoke about locking himself in his room to work, his most susceptible observe, and why his confidence ought to by no means be perceived as cocky.
Why did you select the album title, Love Is Warfare?
Reuben Vincent: We’ve been engaged on it for about two years, and it was initially titled Eastside Sundown. We frequently undergo wars internally and thru exterior influences. Generally to like, it’s important to undergo wars, and I made that connection as a result of my mother and father are merchandise of the Liberian Civil Warfare. My mother got here to America. Her dad was within the conflict and handed away in consequence. She got here to America earlier than the conflict began. And my dad was a refugee who skilled the conflict, after which they got here to Charlotte and had a love youngster — me. That’s why I selected that title, as a result of I used to be occupied with their entire scenario surrounding love and loss, and correlating it to the issues that I’ve skilled.
What’s the message behind this challenge for Black males?
As a younger man, particularly a Black man, we don’t know the best way to love ourselves correctly, and that displays in {our relationships} with ladies, materialistic issues, and non-romantic relationships. This album expresses me going by these motions, after which going to the final word realization of self-love. You need to love your self earlier than you’ll be able to try to like anybody else.
How did you hyperlink up with somebody as iconic as Younger Guru to contribute to this album?
It was destiny. I used to be already tied in with ninth [Wonder], who already has a detailed relationship with him. I went to LA to faucet in with a Guru and he stated, “Yo, simply come out right here and work with me and expertise LA. Get away from house. You ain’t doing anything.” I went on the market and dedicated. I think about Guru my brother; someone who’s like a father determine like ninth.
With rap revealing new artists day by day, how do you keep dedicated?
Resilience, having the suitable staff, and self-awareness. I do know that God will all the time have a plan for me, so I keep on with my lane. The trade comes with rather a lot, corresponding to distractions and lots of ups and downs. However I do know the place I wish to be and absolutely concentrate on that. A singular factor about me is that I do know my historical past from my mother and father, so realizing their hardships and what my ancestors went by, resilience is essential for me.
What are a few of your favourite tracks on this album?
“Level of View.” I produced that one and it simply appears like I’ve bought my chest poked out on it. Additionally, “2ime Flies” due to [the Janet Jackson sample], and the true story behind that one — late evening, parked automotive conversations with a shorty, and issues would possibly go to a different place, you’re feeling me? “Bottle Service” is one other favourite, and in addition “February thirteenth.”
Your vitality modified whenever you talked about “February thirteenth.” Is {that a} tremendous private report?
That relationship was deep. It got here after I bought out of a relationship with a selected particular person and it was like a conflict. It was dangerous, feelings had been excessive. I’m a cool, calm, and picked up man, so typically ladies say I’m good once I wish to be, and I suppose I perceive them. My music is the place I get most of that out. So, “February thirteenth” is the place I get most of my emotions about this particular particular person.
For individuals who have by no means heard your music, why ought to they pay attention?
As a result of I really feel like we’re in a time the place everyone’s attempting to do microwavable music. That is soul meals, a home-cooked meal. Now, that home-cooked meal could take you just a little longer, however the appreciation and coronary heart are there. This can be a actual meal.
What can we sit up for from Reuben Vincent?
Extra music, extra development, and increasing myself. I sit up for displaying extra sides of myself, whether or not it’s garments, appearing, producing or songwriting. I’m attempting to be one of many best. Nah, I’m going to be. I’m simply right here to stamp myself, my crew, and the entire Third World Crew, and put Jamla/Roc Nation on an even bigger platform than they’re.
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Quierra Luck is a author primarily based in North Carolina. You’ll be able to comply with her @Quierra_Luck
