Fashawn takes centre stage after joining new label created by Nas
Fresno, California, hip-hop artist Santiago Leyva records under the name Fashawn. Active since 2008, his list of collaborations ranges from Wiz Khalifa, Aloe Blacc, Murs, J. Cole and Nas. His relationship with the Illmatic legend led to inking a label deal with Nas’ new label, Mass Appeal Records.
Fashawn’s latest EP Manna is out on the label just in time for its first artist showcase tour.
Featuring Fashawn as well as Stro, Ezri, Cantrell and 070 Phi, the road show hits 20 cities, including Vancouver.
The rapper is pumped about the tour and finally following up his acclaimed 2015 album Ecology. He took some time to chat about the new album and the new label just as songs such as the tight Crack Amerikkka are impacting online.
Q The tour lineup is tight. Were you all familiar with each other before signing with Nas’ label?
A With the exception of Cantrell, whose music I really am starting to feel, I’m really tight with all the rest. We’re going to get out there and kick it off as the starting five. As the first crew going out on a brand new label, we are aiming to establish something of a legacy that can be followed up by next year’s starting five, and so on.
Q Were each of you handpicked by Nas, or did you do some referring ?
A No, I think it’s safe to say that each one of us got the call personally from him. A lot of us have been established — me since 2009 — but this is a big change up. Usually, I’m the opening spot for some legend or other and this time I’m the big homey on tour.
Q Manna makes it pretty clear that you have what it takes to be in the headlining position. Songs such as the title track Proud and others are smart, free-flowing and fierce musical commentary. What was different this time?
A I’m in a position to lead by example with this recording, to exhibit the best skills and professional manner ever. It’s another milestone for me, like getting Rise Up onto Street Fighter V. I was really pumped to work with Black Thought, Murs and Del the Funky Homosapien on that, and glad my verse came before Black Thought, because if they had put me after him I’m not sure anyone would have noticed me.
Q You’ve got Snoop Dogg featured on Pardon My G and it’s certainly got a different vibe to it than the other tracks on Manna. How did this track come to be?
A We’ve been cool together for awhile, since maybe 2012 when we did a college show together. Then he invited me to the set of the film High School, where I sat around while Snoop played a high school teacher which was the weirdest thing ever, and over the years we met up here and there and would chill, smoke blunts and be two Cali cats hanging out. I texted him when I had the one, and he texted back “OK nephew, send it on over” and the next day I had a completed verse from Snoop.
Q You’re digging pretty deep into the politics of the day on tracks such as Crack Amerikkka, Mother Amerikkka and lines such as “blacker than the panther on the jacket of Huey P" in Proud. Is that just the sign of the times coming into the songs?
A It’s every artist’s responsibility to reflect the times, I think, but it’s also just showing the different layers to me as an artist exploring my range and ability to edu-tain. I can go from talking about lean (a mix of soda, hard candies such as Jolly Ranchers and prescription cough syrup) to spirituality to establish a healthy balance. Some of it is thoughtprovoking and some is downright disrespectful. I’m a Libra, so maybe that balance just comes out naturally.