Ab-Soulis giving us a bit of a break from Ab-Soul.
Over Zoom, He says that in recent years, hes learned to stop overthinking and being overly intentional.
I want to challenge myself to evolve out of my comfort zone.
Justin James Agoncillo*
The major distinction between Ab-Soul and the Soul Burger persona is the latters desire to turn up.
Doe [would be] like, Youre the best rapper and all that.
But we go to these Schoolboy Q shows, and he is having that shit jumping.
We got to figure something out, he recalls.
Ab-Soul talked toRolling StoneaboutSoul Burger,his creative process, and his thoughts on Kendrick Lamars Pop Out.
I want to challenge myself to evolve out of my comfort zone.
I been channeling him even down to the way Im trying to present myself.
Im wearing braids now.
I got jewelry on.
I hope its the album that he wouldve wanted me to make.
I feel like its been working for me.
Thats what Ive been doing since day one.
Thats what I feel like music has done for me.
Its like bearing your soul, putting everything on the table.
It lets me feel like Im not the only one going through these things.
There are songs that we like that we dont even necessarily know the words or what theyre talking about.
I dont know how to explain that.
And I dont try too much anymore.
I know for this project, you wanted to explore a more upbeat vibe on some of the songs.
What was it like recording those?
What was the environment that got you into that mode?It was definitely fun.
Thats what Im trying to chase: fun.
Im trying not to think about it so much and just throw paint.
I found that is more natural.
I wanted the album to come on sounding likeBelly, which is one of me and Does favorite movies.
Super gangster, super hip-hop.
And then, I got an opportunity to get my thoughts off.
After completing it, everything fell into place.
[I realized], Oh, thats Soul to Soul.
What year was it created?
Versus just, Yo, I want this shit to feel like Belly.
I want to sample it and let it come to me.
On 9 Mile, you said: Biggest lie that ever told is that it aint about the money.
Be worth it; make it worth it.
Those are the numbers.
Thats how we gauge how good of a job youre doing or how much value your product holds.
Which I hold dear.
I think Im in a great space.
Everything that has happened is strictly because of me or Top Dawg.
This is not a product of radio programming.
Im not an industry plant or all of these different terms you hear in regard to the industry.
I know that its us doing it, and thats dope.
On All That Jason Martin says The best lessons come from villains and thots.
How do you identify with that line?That was great, right?
Villains and thots, theyve been through the most shit.
Those are the wisest ones.
Theyve been through the most.
Thats who you want to listen to, its as simple as that.
Thats going to be a continuous fight.
But we got to look at the good things too.
We got Kamala running for president right now.
Thats some of the lingo we use to describe certain people.
Women have a lot of fighting to do and we going to continue to support it.
You know I mean?
The second verse of I, Myself, and Me especially resonated with me.
You were rapping about being in therapy and trying to just be okay for the moment.
Im not big on the word mental health anymore.
Its very vague, but I like the term emotional intelligence.
I still have a lot of work to do on controlling my emotions.
But, like you said, we have good days, we have bad days, and thats okay.
Its a matter of how you control them and allow them to dictate how you make decisions.
Thats very important in our constant pursuit of happiness and peace.
I definitely encourage everybody to get into therapy or at least have some sort of outlet to vent.
Can you take me into the decision to make Crazier a more minimalist beat?
Was it about letting your lyrics take center stage on that one?Theres a story behind that record.
I want to say something while I was makingHerbert.
It was a feature for him.
What do you mean?
He was like, Nah, man, trust me.
He was like, For sure.
I knew Kal could recreate [the beat] from the jump.
This time, he didnt even have to do that.
I need that for this.
JID couldnt find his vocal.
So I was like, All right.
Just go crazier, and Ill go crazier, too.
So he walked back on it.
It came out, but it ended up coming out crazier, and Im loving the response.
Both of us are.
Peaceis one of the songs where its most overt that youre writing from DoeBurgers point of view.
What was it like writing that?I cry every time I hear it.
I opened myself up to being the spirit medium, and it was going to be my voice.
Me and Lupe are really close.
He and Doe were actually close, and back in the day, he asked Doe for a verse.
He kind of doesnt know if he should rap.
Hes like, Youre really the guy, actually.
You know what I mean?
I want a verse from you.
That was a funny story.
So he heard it, and he did his rap theory at MIT.
His TA, I guess, was working on the AI modules at the time.
And he gave me the idea and said, We could put it together if you want.
I was like, Man, lets try it.
So there you go.
Doe [would be] like, Youre the best rapper and all that.
We go out to these shows.
They stare at you in awe, harping on your every word.
But we go to these Schoolboy shows, and he is having that shit jumping.
We got to figure something out.
I had to see to it that the crowd would jump for at least one song for every project.
Ive seen you reference TDE as the real Black Panthers.
Its always a new generation who, due to lack of knowledge, dont know the roots of it.
I think were a perfect example.
Im shaking hands with a lot of quote-unquote enemies who, technically, I wouldnt be able to.
I think thats profound.
So its happening slowly but surely.
And it wasnt a surprise to me.
I was basking in it.
I was so needed.
It was so historical, and it was on Juneteenth.
That was fucking beautiful, man, to do it in the fashion that he did.
He was able to bring people together.
What else can you say about that?
I dont expect nothing less from Dot.
Thats what we came to do, man.
