With Chief Keef’s music, it linked with me fairly early rising up as a result of I moved round loads. On the time, it felt prefer it was the top of the world each time I needed to transfer. I used to be like, No, my greatest pal of my complete life, I’m leaving. I’m by no means going to have the ability to come again to this. [Chief Keef’s music] was simply free, carefree. Simply the angle and spirit of it was one thing that I may at all times escape to. I’d say these two are the largest influences at this level.
I really like Frank Ocean, too. Simply having the ability to really feel one thing, listening to each one in all his songs. It’s poetic however not overly dangerous in-yourface. You possibly can nonetheless join with it.”
[The 2016 XXL Freshman Class] was huge for me as a result of I listened to all of them. Actually simply SoundCloud stuff. I really feel that’s a legendary one.
I had data of all people [in the 2016 class]. I’m considering of the one cypher as a result of I used to be conversant in all people who rapped on that, however I had by no means imagined any of them in the identical place, on the similar time, doing the identical factor. And it looks like that was a 12 months the place all people was on the very same web page about it.
It was like ad-libs coming from individuals within the again. They have been laughing and stuff. It simply appeared like one of the simplest ways to deliver everybody collectively. I really feel like generally rap might be fairly cliquey. It’s identical to everybody dropped all the pieces.
All of them had tremendous completely different swag happening, too. The suits have been all very completely different. I keep in mind that jacket [Lil Uzi Vert] was carrying. It was the jean vest with the large Pokémon character. That was the best factor ever, holy sh*t. It was simply good power there. I’m excited to see how this cypher goes. Principally, simply kind of excited by assembly all people for the primary time. I do know a few of us right here, however I’ve solely seen everybody else on my telephone and stuff.
I do know I’ll have the ability to rap, and I do know all people else right here can rap, however what the vibe goes to be. Are we going to be like, ‘OK, it’s my flip now,’ or is it going to be like, ‘Hey, we’re having enjoyable with this’? I’m ready for no matter, however it’s simply an fascinating factor to sit up for.
I’m specializing in the freestyle, however it’s additionally the cypher and the freestyle. That’s how I take a look at it. I really feel like they go hand in hand. I’m excited for it. Thanks for having me.”—Bianca Torres
