With his new album These Days… due out in sometime in June, Ab-Soul is beginning his promo run and JAY Z’s Life+Times is one of his first stops. During the sit down, the Black Lip Pastor speaks on his latest single “Stigmata” with Action Bronson and Asaad, not having a super conceptual title for the album, recording the majority of it at Mac Miller’s house in LA, linking up with Common for “Made In Black America” and more.
Check out a few quotes below and proceed to L+T for the full interview.
What has been your favorite part of creating These Days…?
It would probably this part – being able to present it and talk about it. This is what I’ve really been waiting on. The recording process was very fun, of course. I recorded the majority of it at Mac Miller‘s house, so you know that was just crazy. It was great recording, but I just couldn’t wait for this part.Are you ever worried that the subject matter you touch on throughout your music may go over the heads of fans, especially in an era where most listeners are mostly concerned with turning up?
Who’s to say how someone is really being accepted? This music is big. There’s a lane for just about everything. I came up on Canibus. He was like one of my first favorite rappers. Then you add JAY Z and Nas. I learned a lot from hip hop, so it’s only right that I try to give that back. What I’m doing is nothing new. I ain’t saying nothing that ain’t already been said. I ain’t saying nothing that Jay Electronica ain’t already said twice. These guys were and are still giving off this information to me in their own ways, with their own fingerprints. I can only do that. I can only reinstill that. They all took pride in who they were. They all had dignity and character. I just want to give that back.How did the record with Common, “Made In Black America” happen? That must have been a big deal for you.
Common literally texted me out of the blue. He sent this long text message showing his interest in the music. It was just so crazy. I didn’t even want to ask him where he got my number from [laughs]. He sent the track right then and I sent that motherfucker right back with my verse. If you were a fan of Resurrection and One Day It’ll All Make Sense then you’d understandDo you feel the pressure of having to deliver with These Days… following the successes of Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q?
I’m from LA, where you got to be a cool nigga and you can’t walk around with too much fear in your heart. That’s just how I was brought up. I’ve walked this earth a long time without the media, so I don’t really see the media being an issue for me.What should listeners take away from These Days…?
Balance. Variation. A spice of life. I want to try and touch as many bases as possible. I want something on there for everybody. There will be a lot of references to the vibe of today, the sound of today and the subject matter of today.
