From rags to rap royalty I’M FLYIN HIGH WIT SNOOP
Kiwi mu so Tom’ s on his way to becoming top Dogg
From chopping firewood in the Hawke’s Bay to partying with P. Diddy and smoking up a storm with Snoop Dogg, rapper Tom Francis is a fascinating Kiwi success story.
“Snoop Dogg smokes pot like a chimney,” laughs Tom, speaking to Woman’s Day as he prepares for a night out in Christchurch. “I don’t even think it affects him any more.”
Tom would know as he’s spent time at the home of the US rapper and producer he calls “the Elvis Presley of hip-hop”.
“He offered me some and even though I don’t smoke, I said yes because, come on, it’s Snoop Dogg!” exclaims Tom, before quickly adding, “There’s a whole different mentality about marijuana in California because it’s legal. It was just a one-off.”
Although he was on home ground last month, the fastemerging young hip-hop star has been living the
Hollywood lifestyle since moving to the US last year.
It was a big step for the 22-year-old, who saved money from a job chopping wood to purchase flights and studio time at Paramount Recording Studios, where legendary artists like Jimmy Hendrix and Dr Dre once laid down tracks. But it was all worth it when the opportunity to work with Tom Khare, a sound engineer for Kayne West and Wiz Khalifa, emerged.
The foot in the door quickly led to connections with industry moguls including Snoop Dogg, who will appear on Tom’s latest album TheFollowUp, due for release this month.
Tom also name-drops King Los and Joyner Lucas, who are contributors on the new album, which is one of four projects to be released by the New Zealander this year.
“Joyner Lucas is really popping off at the moment and getting a lot of attention,”
tells Tom. “In fact, he’s just signed DJ Khaled and has does some amazing music with Rihanna too.”
With a bunch of new connections and a work-hardplay-hard mentality, Tom recently attended a New York birthday bash for P. Diddy, aka Sean Combs.
“When I turned up to the club, I could tell it was really high class and they were charging like $500 just for general admission,” recalls Tom. “People were walking around with full bottles of $400 alcohol because you can buy whole bottles in clubs there. Girls walked around with trays holding bottles lit up with sparklers.”
Tom remained cool in the moment, he insists, as celebrities including Diddy himself and legendary basketball player Shaquille O’Neal walked by.
In fact, it’s his laid-back manner that’s seen him fit in with some of the world’s best hip-hop artists.
“My producer said Snoop Dogg liked me because I was chill,” he admits. “A lot of Americans are hyperactive, but Kiwis talk when they need to talk – they don’t say more than they need to and Snoop Dogg loved that.
“When we met, he came up, shook my hand and looked at me for ages, I think to see how I’d react because he must get people who flip out and cry. He asked me if I wanted a photo with him because he’s used to everyone asking him for one.”
Laughing, Tom adds, “I had one mate who freaked out when he saw rapper Tyler, the Creator. He screamed!”’
During their studio time together, Snoop Dogg shared a series of unreleased music and videos with Tom, who says he was “tripping out”.
A John Lennon Songwriting Award recipient, Tom also worked with the likes of artists Twista, Dizzy Wright and Ty on his first album Underestimated.
The inspirational hip-hop artist was announced as a semi-finalist in the 2018 Young New Zealander of the Year category, alongside Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling and singer/ songwriter Lizzie Marvelly.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Tom said, “I’m lost for words. Being selected as a semi-finalist up against some real legends of our country is a blessing – it’s by far one of the most amazing feelings I’ve ever had!”
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Of course, with rising status comes the fans, which he laughs off as being weird at times. “I had one fan who followed us all around the country and went to the extent of finding someone who was with me on the tour through social media, then turned up outside the house we were staying in.”
Unfortunately for lovedup fans, the hot young muso is off the market, but he’s determined to keep the name of his Kiwi girlfriend hushhush, explaining, “Once people know about your relationship in this industry, they want to mess it up.”
It’s not the only news he’s momentarily keeping under wraps as he brushes off rumours of a suspected collaboration with Wiz Khalifa by talking about his gratitude for how far he’s come.
“I’ve only been rapping for just over two years and I’m super-lucky,” concludes Tom. “I feel like you bring this stuff on yourself. If you really want something, you’ll make it happen.”