It is no surprise that the Philadelphia rapper Spifflorde, is working on more music. This artist shows focus and determination in his work, and has confirmed that he is now working on his LP ‘Velvet Dreamz’. Spifflorde, who gained the name due to his refined dress style, is known for his 2019 single ‘What I Tell Y’all’.
- Tell us something about how you got started making music?
Spifflorde: “This is a great question! I come from a very musical background and so the love of instruments, along with beautiful sounds stuck with me naturally, I would say. I love the feeling of great musical arrangements, and so attempting to create my own is how I got started.”
- Who were your first and strongest musical influences that you can remember?
Spifflorde: “My first let’s see, Michael Jackson was one of my first musical influences. He was magical! He transcended music itself on a spiritual level, he reached people emotionally like no one before or after himself. I’m still a huge fan.”
- If I was to turn on your media player right now, which artists/songs would I see on your recently played list?
Spifflorde: “Attack me with your love – Cameo, Steve Lacey – N side, Pharell – Provider, SMUCKERS – Tyler the Creator, Brijean – Walkie Talkie, Toro Y Moi – Freelance. The interview could be just my playlist, it’s vast! I have a thing for great music.”
- What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners?
Spifflorde: “Hmm, I would say first the vibe I’m creating. Music is all vibrations and frequencies, and so I like to leave listeners with the emotion that I felt when creating. It means a lot that I convey what I felt on tracks so people can connect with me on a personal level. Another key element in my music I like to resonate with my listeners is definitely the lyrical content. I find that I put a lot of energy and time into the music making process, and lyrical content Is something that can’t be done absent minded on my part. I put a lot into making my lyrics so that especially has to resonate within the listener.”
- What do you think mainly separates you from the massive crowd of artists emerging right now on platforms all over the web?
Spifflorde: “What separates me from the masses emerging currently is my originality. I even labeled myself as an alternative rapper because of it. Most mainstream rap Artist right now are following a trend to get acceptance. They fear failure in trying to create their own sound, simply lacking originality or confidence. What I will do is keep creating quality original content, I am purposely creating my own lane because the way I see the situation who can be better than me at being me?”
- Do you ever write a song with current trends or pure listener satisfaction in mind, or do you only compose what comes from within your natural emotions and mindset?
Spifflorde: That’s interesting Hmm, I compose what I am feeling because that will come from my emotions and be inspired. Yet I also make tracks to sound current sonically. Through different instrument selections, and song arrangements. A lot of thought goes into this process of trying to sound current without sounding unoriginal.”
- What is your process when writing, recording and producing your music? Do you collaborate with others or outsource any of these tasks?
Spifflorde: “I have a simple setup, I may or may not light incense. Next I’ll turn off the lights so I can vibe with just my thoughts and no distractions. Phone off or out of the room, and then I begin my session. I’ll turn on Maschine and delve into sounds. It’s really that simple for me as far as beat creation goes. When producing chorus lyrics I like to talk with my singers in depth, this is to catch the same frequency vibration. Whoever has the best chorus idea usually creates the hooks listeners hear. I base all my rap vocals off the chorus created, because then I have subject matter. It really puts the song in perspective for me. As far as my individual verse content goes, I sit and write what comes to me without any assistance. This is where people look for my unique lyricism, and I get to have fun stimulating their minds.”
- If someone has never heard your music, which keywords would you personally use to describe your overall sound and style?
Spifflorde: “I would say from an objective point of view to someone who has never heard my content that you could use the following keywords to describe It. Original, eclectic, avant-garde, interesting, inspired, and timeless.”
- What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your career or life so far, and how did you overcome the event?
Spifflorde: “The most difficult thing I’ve endured in my life would be the continual absence of my father. It leaves you with a level of uncertainty that you have to cope with whether you wish to or not. You question yourself and get an anguish that builds an emptiness inside. I feel it has helped me with music because others deal with the same situation, but not too many artists speak on it. I was able to move on from the trauma by just forgiving my father for not being around, and not holding any negative energy within myself towards him.”
- What would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your career so far?
Spifflorde: “A point in my career that made me proud of myself was when I got my first thousand streams on Spotify. That’s a great feeling, knowing people like my content and vibe with me. It gives me more focus to keep doing what I’m doing.”
- Is there anything you would change about how the music business works right now, or are you completely happy with the current situation and digital platforms?
Spifflorde: “If I had it my ideal way an artist would be able to distribute to digital stores directly and become their own distributor, true independence.”
- How do you handle criticism and/or haters in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
Spifflorde: “I hold hate or haters dear to myself, contrary to what people believe these are the people that need the most empathy. How miserable and wretched inside does one have to be to put negative energy out? People who hate, hold inside ill will and their insecurities, they wish nothing more than to bestow upon others misery. You just have to choose whether or not to keep that misery company.”
- Which aspects of being an independent artist excites you most and which aspects discourages you most?
Spifflorde: ”Hmm, what excites me the most is the creative freedom. Without a label telling you what to do you have creative control, that’s something I will not sacrifice. The other side to being and Independent artist is managing yourself. It can be discouraging if you don’t have your affairs in order, because you can get taken advantage of. The same can happen with a label, but when you’re the machine backing yourself there is more of a responsibility to know every aspect of the music business.”
- What is your relationship with visual media? Do you think videos are important for your music, and do have a video clip you would like to recommend that fans watch?
Spifflorde: “Visuals can tell a story that our words sometimes cannot. You can go anywhere in the world and imagery translates even if you don’t speak that language. Visuals are necessary for any artist. Currently I have a YouTube video titled (What I Tell Y’all) a homage to lyricism with a modern feel. I shot the video on my cell phone with a gimbal, and kept the footage raw.”
- In general, do you consider Internet and all the social media platforms as fundamental in building a career in music today, and what is your personal relationship with the new technology at hand?
Spifflorde: “Social media is essential and very fundamental. It is how you establish a core fan base and remain in direct contact with the public. You can gain fans, and it can shape the very dynamic of an individual’s career positive or negative. I’ve always been interested in technology and being a part of what happens next. So creating many avenues of social media is something I’m always geared towards.”
- What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of artistry and entertainment?
Spifflorde: “Music is a very powerful tool. It can control people’s thought process. Different movements incorporated different soundtracks. You can’t even think about the seventies without Blue Oyster Cult’s (Seasons don’t fear the reaper). That’s the hippie movement In Its essence. Or Marvin Gaye’s (Mercy Mercy Me) for the seventies movements of social injustice. As far as my artistry I make whatever comes to mind, I make music based on my life experience essentially a journal with sound.”
- Do you only create and work in a studio environment, or do you also find time to perform live? And which of these two do you ultimately prefer and why?
Spifflorde: “The studio is where I perfect my craft, but I love performing live. This is where I get to interact with others who genuinely love good music, and enjoy my content. It’s great energy! Yet If I have to choose between both options, I prefer the studio environment. I’m very strategic in my approach and a perfectionist. The studio allows me to be alone and hone in on my energies. It’s like a gym for Artist if you will. Where I perfect every subtle nuance, so by the time I hit the stage it’s undeniable that the track was mastered on many levels.”
- Do you have a recent favorite track in your catalog that has a specific backstory and/or message and meaning very dear to you?
Spifflorde: “I certainly do, yet it’s not in my catalog at the moment. It’s an unreleased song called (Introverted). It’s deep when I think about It, It describes my loner mentality to the point where I was surprised. The song became like self-therapy, I wrote things I did not know I deep down felt inside. In addition to this the instrumental sucks you in, it’s some of my best production work in my opinion, lyrically and sonically.”
- Could you tell us something about your latest project?
Spifflorde: “Hmm, okay. My latest project will have many instruments and bring the feeling of real inspired music in rap back. It has a lot of progressions and music theory influence in it, I played in many genres to create this project. No song is uninspired and there are no filler tracks just to muster up ten songs. Every single song means something, and could stand alone without an album.”
- What do you find most rewarding about what you do? And do you have a specific vision or goal that you would like to achieve in the near future?
Spifflorde: “What I find most rewarding is having the power to create, then being able to inspire someone mentally. Positivity can change an individual’s life trajectory, and I just want to help by promoting good vibes through great music. In the near future I would say definitely be on the lookout for a series of high quality videos. One is even going to be fully animated. Me and my production team are working hard to captivate the audience with this new content. I am making an anime series also, which I know people who love traditional animation will love to watch so stay tuned.”
OFFICIAL LINKS: INSTAGRAM – MUSIC STREAMS
More Stories
INTERVIEW: Antonio Marro – Luckiest Man On Earth’, a labor of love that captures the essence of his journey
“FULL FORCE” Interview with Kyiv-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, and sound engineer, Danskiy
INTERVIEW – Horacio Powder: Crafting Minimalist Magic in Chicago’s Techno Scene