Hello and welcome one and all to another Beneath The Surface session, todays guest is the incredibly talented rap artist Toast, excitingly enough on the day of his full album release ‘Toast TV’. We get down to the bare bones of all things buttery, crunchy and crumbly, so without further adieu, grab a pew and let’s get ‘toasty’.
What would you say first sparked your interest in music/who inspired you to make music?
I’ve always loved music since I can remember, I would always ask my parents to play music in car and as I grew older, I became obsessed with the sounds and lyrics being created. My interest in making music was always there but my best friends in high school (shoutout to Double Dollars) were really the ones who pushed me to start making it. I told my best friend Bora I had always wanted to make music when we were hanging out in Washington DC one day. Later that week, he pushed me to split the cost our first microphone and audio converted and started recording in my basement.
How would you describe the music you are currently creating?
I would describe my music as raw, organic hip-hop music rooted in the origins of rap. I feel like the beats I use and create with my producer Kirti embody the origins of rap music while still including the nuances of rap like 808’s and other trap sounds. My lyrics are the truth of my life and sometimes stories of an event I just need to get off my chest.
What does your creative process look like?
Once I get the beat from my producer, I listen to it non-stop for a few days until I have the rhythm engrained in my head, that’s when I start writing. Writing for me is all about expression, honesty, and the occasional humor. I write wherever I can, and I only write when I get the urge to do so. Once I have the song written, I record it in my closet and send it to my engineer.
Who would you most like to collaborate with? (let’s send it out to the universe and make it happen!)
I would love to collaborate with Mavi, Pink Siifu, Fly Anakin, Earl Sweatshirt, Ankhlejohn, Ovrkast, Demahjiae or any artists from the Bay Area, hit me up yo!
What is the one message you would like to send out to your fans?
I want my fans to know that the dude on Toast TV is the real Toast and that if they need advice or just a homie, I got their back. Authenticity is key!
What’s your top tip to rejuvenate your creativity/get over a writer’s block?
Spending time with the people you love and do the things you love. If you start feeling like this is your job, take a vacation, you feel me?
What’s next for you, what do we have to look forward to/ what are you currently working on?
I’m always working on music, so I have more coming this year. I’m also working on some music videos for Toast TV so hopefully I can get those out to the people as well.
Leave a Reply