Q&A With Sacramento’s Rising Hip Hop Artist Andru Defeye
Whats Up Andru Defeye! We really enjoyed your shocking new Acapella video “Dear White Rappers.” We hope you didn’t offend too many white rappers out there!!..LOL So let me ask you, what motivated you to drop this now? Can you point out what rappers you are attacking?
Anyone offended should ask themselves why they’re offended and think critically about that. I wrote this piece because I love black people and I love black culture and I think we need to protect the gift that it is and has been for us, especially as white Hip Hop artists. It’s simple. Hip Hop saved my life. Hip Hop is black culture. Therefore black culture saved my life. I think it’s more important than it has ever been for white artists to use their privilege to break down the system that created it. A lot of white artists are coming up off of this art form but not giving anything back to black culture or taking a stand with/for the black community when they are under attack. That shit is wack. I’m trying to learn better allyship every day and just be an example of it where I can.
There isn’t one rapper i’m “attacking” although I could see how the shoe could fit Post Maloney or Tom MacDougald or whatever their names are. This is a reminder to all white rappers that this gift called Hip Hop was given to us by the black community. I see a lot of white rappers posting their mixtape links but never saying black lives matter. I just wanted to bring some attention to intention.
Was there any hesitation about dropping this video? Any pressure before this? Also, how many takes did it take to complete!
Anytime I address race or gender issues publicly as a straight, white male in America I am hesitant. I was born in a system that breeds racism, misogyny, and homo/trans phobia. I have extreme privilege. I’m still unlearning indoctrinated philosophies daily. Truth is truth though. I help run a guerrilla poetry event called #TheIntersection in Sacramento every week and the fam out there loved that piece so I sent an iPhone video of the piece to Peta Parka (@SacBoyee) and he said “Let’s work.” He came up with the idea to shoot at multiple locations around the city. The whole thing only took a day to shoot because Peta Parka is a soldier behind the lens.
Lets face it, social media since 2015 has grown tremendously, especially IG!!! Tell us how is your IG grind is looking, and how have you been able to keep up with the high demand on social media?
I like IG because the ratio of cute ass pug pictures to anything related to Donald Trump is like 10 to 1.
I don’t know what an IG grind is. I make art. I put up beats or new song snippets sometimes. I create. I have close to 7,000 followers on social media but there are a few hundred of those people who REALLY have love for me and I focus on those relationships. Social media are dope because I get to connect personally with folks who have been coming out to shows and picking up projects for years. It’s really beautiful that way. It also creates these weird one way relationships where people know you but you don’t know them which is always bugged out. I’m a big fan of human connection.
How often do you perform live?? Any indie DIY tours in the works?
If you’re ever in Sacramento, you can find me and the ZFG squad on the corner of 35th and Broadway in Oak Park every Monday night at 8:08. (sacred geometry of Hip Hop). I’ll also be out at SXSW this year with the Sol Collective family and RPM for the Global Local showcase. We just got done doing a bunch of guerrilla performances out at the Democratic National Convention. I’m doing First Fest in Sacramento this year. I’m working on finishing the new project right now so i’m kinda popping up sporadically when and where I feel like it for performances to work some of the new material out.
Tell us about your latest album/mixtape, where can finds find it?
Right now i’m working on a new project with The Philharmonik called Ultraviolet that should come out sometime this year if he doesn’t get too famous to wrap it. Y’all should really hear that new self-titled joint he just dropped. Available on Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp, and Soundcloud. My new shit is top-secret, in fact i’ve already said too much, but I will tell you it kinda sounds like if Keith Richards and Kanye West co-produced a trash rock opera with 808 drums for Lady Gaga.
How do you feel about the whole MUMBLE RAP XAN & LEAN trend these kids nowadays are on!!!..LOL??? Be honest, do you use some of that stuff??..LOL
Mumble rap is a thing. It’s not my thing. But people enjoy it. I don’t have an opinion on it. The druggie rap is dangerous for our babies. I have an extensive drug history, but I don’t partake in any of that anymore. Seen it do too much damage to people I loved. And myself. And communities. I think the draw to these types of drugs is a symptom and the fact that we’re seeing more and more hard drug use in the up and coming generation’s music is just a reflection of reality. We’re losing more and more kids to the addiction because they’re growing up feeling more and more empty and trying to fill themselves up with these substances. From my experience…I got into drugs heaviest when I felt the emptiest and loved myself the least. We gotta really look at the challenges facing our youth and the resources we’re providing for mental (including emotional and spiritual) health including accessible arts and tools of expression.
What you got cooking next? Any special for the new year 2018!!??
Working on this new Ultraviolet album. Going to be working on some more videos with Peta Parka and @SacBoyee coming up real soon. April is National (Guerrilla) Poetry Month so expect some crazy pop-up public performances and video projects from the ZFG/Sol Life crew. I’m doing SXSW and then First Festival this Spring, and who knows where else in the mean time. I’m working on my second book, Illicit 2: More Sex, Drugs, and Literature. And starting a podcast called The Ally Ship with Shasta Simone.
Our most popular question, what is your definition on “Underground Hip Hop”?
Underground Hip Hop to me has always meant the part of Hip Hop that wasn’t commoditized. The music before it becomes the business. The state of fearless creation. Rappers rapping because they have to get the rap out of them. DJs playing music because it makes them feel good. It is the place weird new styles meet weird new styles and birth even weirder new styles. It is the place where weird new styles are practiced and honed to be the new dope shit. It’s where young people find a voice that wasn’t given to them by someone else. It is a place where you can come as you are and as long as you are 100% you then are accepted but we don’t play that fake shit. You are to be real. You are to be original. That’s what underground Hip Hop has always meant to me.
Where do see yourself in 5yrs? (2023)?
Designing programs in my city for the coming generations. Feeding people. Traveling the world creating with my fam. Basically right where I am with a much longer and fresher beard. Or in Bali somewhere on a beach.
Drop all links!!
Twitter: @Defeye
IG: @TheRealDefeye
ZFGpromotions@Gmail.com
@SacBoyee on all platforms.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQHTWhhaAzkS5qhGNfs7Nfg/videos?view_as=public
Any new shout outs?
I wanna give a shoutout to Black Lives Matter and especially Tanya and Black Lives Matter Sacramento’s leadership for all the hard work they’re doing on the ground and their inspiration. Shoutout to Peta Parka and @SacBoyee for the vision and visuals. I wanna give a shoutout to everybody working to have uncomfortable conversations so we can all grow as brothers and sisters. Shoutout everyone that works daily to fight for love and not out of fear. We’re getting better at human-ing. Keep digging. To the 4d. It’s love.
