Q: "You Are Happy, Right?" has a unique energy and depth. Can you walk us through your creative process for this album? What inspired its sound and direction?
A: This project took about two years to complete. It was the most enjoyable experience I have ever had while working on a project. I finally felt that I had all the resources I needed to bring my vision to life. The initial phase involved an extensive writing process. In total, over 40 songs were written, which were condensed into the album's tracklist. I recorded the beginning of the album at iMix Studios in Houston, TX, my hometown. Eventually, I transitioned to creating a studio in my home in Atascocita. Living with my retired parents made it wonderful to record the majority of the album there. The environment was incredibly soothing for me. Many days involved rapping in a booth and emerging to find my parents napping. From February 2023 until October 2024, I recorded almost daily and obsessively edited the material throughout the day.
Sonically, I aimed for a specific sound. I wanted to take charge of the production because I had a clear vision in mind. Growing up in Houston, I was surrounded by slowed beats at a particular tempo, which is prevalent in the area. I remember freestyling over these beats and thinking to myself that this style of rap has great potential; it just needs a fierce MC who can craft music around it. For my sampling, I turned to my idol, Kanye West. I discovered a lot of his early material, released before his debut, and recognized the potential it held for my own work. I chopped and slowed down the samples using WavePad, which resulted in a song like “This Is…”. My friend Deej D. provided a great contrast to my style with his production on “Cosmos.” The same goes for Kooliedscope, a producer I found on YouTube. I wanted my album to distinctly sound different from any other rap album out there.
Q: The title, "You Are Happy, Right?", feels both introspective and thought-provoking. What themes or questions did you aim to explore with this project, and what does the title mean to you personally?
A: Yeah, I'm in a strange place right now. I'm 33 and have accomplished the goals I set for myself in my twenties. I have a college degree, a decent job, a family that loves and accepts me, friends who are in a good place, and I own a car, among other things. Yet, throughout 2023 and into 2024, I found myself constantly questioning my happiness and whether I truly deserved the joy I was experiencing. Coupled with the passing of my cat Madi (who’s featured on the album cover), things began to feel darker. I suffer from anxiety and have struggled with mental health issues since my early twenties. During that time, I experienced significant suicidal thoughts, which eventually subsided. However, those feelings began to creep back, and I didn’t feel the same sense of desperation I had years earlier. So, over the last two years, I’ve been asking myself, are happy, right?
It's tough because I want things in my 30s that my peers seem to easily have. I desire a family, a girlfriend, a relationship, a house, and more. It’s challenging because I feel like an anomaly among my peers. At times, I feel the weight of societal pressure, which has influenced the direction and themes I want to discuss.
Q: Did you collaborate with any artists or producers on "You Are Happy, Right?", and how did their contributions shape the album?
A: Yes, as I mentioned, I worked with two producers, Deej D and Kooliedscope. When I'm not producing a beat, my approach to songwriting changes. It reminds me of when I was a kid and would write over instrumentals. The beats are crafted so that my sole concentration is on the lyrics. I love having that pressure taken off. It feels similar to when I'm asked to feature on a song. In contrast, when I craft a complete song myself, I spend the majority of my time perfecting the beat, and it seems that the lyrics become secondary.
I also collaborated with my friend D-Cogito, an artist I was introduced to by a mutual friend. Our styles contrast beautifully, which inspires me. My goal is to produce a four-song EP and form a group with him, so stay tuned for that in the future.
Q: How does "You Are Happy, Right?" differ from your earlier work, and how do you think you've grown as an artist in the process of creating it?
A: I believe this is my most focused project to date. I wanted to create a project where I could record the material, sit on it for a while, and then edit it thoroughly. Some of my favorite artists, like Beach House and MGMT, often have significant gaps between their last recording and the release date of their albums. I find it fascinating how they can hold onto new material without releasing it immediately. With this project, I experienced that same process and truly appreciate the template it provided. The bulk of the recording was completed in July 2024, and it felt rewarding to have a release date set and to finish the recording months in advance. This level of creative control is something I aspire to maintain for the remainder of my career.
A: This project took about two years to complete. It was the most enjoyable experience I have ever had while working on a project. I finally felt that I had all the resources I needed to bring my vision to life. The initial phase involved an extensive writing process. In total, over 40 songs were written, which were condensed into the album's tracklist. I recorded the beginning of the album at iMix Studios in Houston, TX, my hometown. Eventually, I transitioned to creating a studio in my home in Atascocita. Living with my retired parents made it wonderful to record the majority of the album there. The environment was incredibly soothing for me. Many days involved rapping in a booth and emerging to find my parents napping. From February 2023 until October 2024, I recorded almost daily and obsessively edited the material throughout the day.
Sonically, I aimed for a specific sound. I wanted to take charge of the production because I had a clear vision in mind. Growing up in Houston, I was surrounded by slowed beats at a particular tempo, which is prevalent in the area. I remember freestyling over these beats and thinking to myself that this style of rap has great potential; it just needs a fierce MC who can craft music around it. For my sampling, I turned to my idol, Kanye West. I discovered a lot of his early material, released before his debut, and recognized the potential it held for my own work. I chopped and slowed down the samples using WavePad, which resulted in a song like “This Is…”. My friend Deej D. provided a great contrast to my style with his production on “Cosmos.” The same goes for Kooliedscope, a producer I found on YouTube. I wanted my album to distinctly sound different from any other rap album out there.
Q: The title, "You Are Happy, Right?", feels both introspective and thought-provoking. What themes or questions did you aim to explore with this project, and what does the title mean to you personally?
A: Yeah, I'm in a strange place right now. I'm 33 and have accomplished the goals I set for myself in my twenties. I have a college degree, a decent job, a family that loves and accepts me, friends who are in a good place, and I own a car, among other things. Yet, throughout 2023 and into 2024, I found myself constantly questioning my happiness and whether I truly deserved the joy I was experiencing. Coupled with the passing of my cat Madi (who’s featured on the album cover), things began to feel darker. I suffer from anxiety and have struggled with mental health issues since my early twenties. During that time, I experienced significant suicidal thoughts, which eventually subsided. However, those feelings began to creep back, and I didn’t feel the same sense of desperation I had years earlier. So, over the last two years, I’ve been asking myself, are happy, right?
It's tough because I want things in my 30s that my peers seem to easily have. I desire a family, a girlfriend, a relationship, a house, and more. It’s challenging because I feel like an anomaly among my peers. At times, I feel the weight of societal pressure, which has influenced the direction and themes I want to discuss.
Q: Did you collaborate with any artists or producers on "You Are Happy, Right?", and how did their contributions shape the album?
A: Yes, as I mentioned, I worked with two producers, Deej D and Kooliedscope. When I'm not producing a beat, my approach to songwriting changes. It reminds me of when I was a kid and would write over instrumentals. The beats are crafted so that my sole concentration is on the lyrics. I love having that pressure taken off. It feels similar to when I'm asked to feature on a song. In contrast, when I craft a complete song myself, I spend the majority of my time perfecting the beat, and it seems that the lyrics become secondary.
I also collaborated with my friend D-Cogito, an artist I was introduced to by a mutual friend. Our styles contrast beautifully, which inspires me. My goal is to produce a four-song EP and form a group with him, so stay tuned for that in the future.
Q: How does "You Are Happy, Right?" differ from your earlier work, and how do you think you've grown as an artist in the process of creating it?
A: I believe this is my most focused project to date. I wanted to create a project where I could record the material, sit on it for a while, and then edit it thoroughly. Some of my favorite artists, like Beach House and MGMT, often have significant gaps between their last recording and the release date of their albums. I find it fascinating how they can hold onto new material without releasing it immediately. With this project, I experienced that same process and truly appreciate the template it provided. The bulk of the recording was completed in July 2024, and it felt rewarding to have a release date set and to finish the recording months in advance. This level of creative control is something I aspire to maintain for the remainder of my career.
Q: Was there a moment during the making of "You Are Happy, Right?" that felt like a turning point or breakthrough for you? What was the biggest challenge you faced in bringing it to life?
A:The biggest challenge was suppressing my excitement and being patient during the release. The breakthrough occurred when I reviewed the album and realized that the material is good, and my anxiety immediately dissipated.
Q: What do you hope listeners take away from "You Are Happy, Right?", and is there a track on the album that you think will strike a chord with your audience the most?
A: I encourage listeners to reflect on their happiness and to ensure they engage in this self-examination across all aspects of their lives, both good and bad. It is important to recognize that it is perfectly acceptable to be successful. I have often felt as though I was digging myself out of a hole, whether due to my own actions or ignorance. However, now that I am in my thirties, I find that my life is on an upward trajectory. My life is flourishing, growing, and leading me to new experiences, and it is perfectly fine that there is no drama or negativity present. It is misguided to question this state of peace and to worry about the possibility of something bad occurring. You have earned your peace and happiness; embrace it with confidence.
A:The biggest challenge was suppressing my excitement and being patient during the release. The breakthrough occurred when I reviewed the album and realized that the material is good, and my anxiety immediately dissipated.
Q: What do you hope listeners take away from "You Are Happy, Right?", and is there a track on the album that you think will strike a chord with your audience the most?
A: I encourage listeners to reflect on their happiness and to ensure they engage in this self-examination across all aspects of their lives, both good and bad. It is important to recognize that it is perfectly acceptable to be successful. I have often felt as though I was digging myself out of a hole, whether due to my own actions or ignorance. However, now that I am in my thirties, I find that my life is on an upward trajectory. My life is flourishing, growing, and leading me to new experiences, and it is perfectly fine that there is no drama or negativity present. It is misguided to question this state of peace and to worry about the possibility of something bad occurring. You have earned your peace and happiness; embrace it with confidence.