Arguably one of the best songs to pop off this summer, Goldlink’s “Crew” featuring Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy was fated to be certified gold.
UPDATE 2: The Goldlink show has been postponed again. This time it's a family emergency.
UPDATE: Goldlink has postponed all Florida shows in light of Hurricane Irma. The Orpheum show has been rescheduled for October 23. See more here.
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Irma-gosh: Here's the Hurricane status of upcoming Tampa Bay area concerts
“When I would play certain records [from the album] the most consistent reaction we would get from every single person was from ‘Crew,’ so when it was finalized and done we just knew it was the one. It’s funny because we even told the label, ‘this is the one,’” the rapper born D'Anthony Carlos told CL.
The Godfather of “future bounce” as he coins himself, rose to fame after gaining critical acclaim for projects like, The God Complex and And After That, We Didn’t Talk. Goldlink bred a niche for himself in this new terrain of hip-hop. In an interview with Complex he explained, "future bounce is still yet undefined, but I like to look at it as an uptempo bouncy sound with a very nostalgic feeling backed behind it. Imagine Montell Jordan's 'This is how we do it' on crack". XXL’s 2015 Freshman class inductee continues to be exalted in the genre’s circles for his slinky melodic flows juxtaposed to bass heavy funk-house driven hip-hop beats.
The D.C. rapper kicks off his headlining tour this weekend, bringing a major label debut — At What Cost (out now via RCA) — to life.
The album released earlier this year is an ode to the DMV (/dee-em-vee/ slang term for the D.C. Metro Area used by locals from “DC/South Maryland/North Virginia”) and the go-go culture that bleeds into the community he grew up in. Go-go music is a sub-genre of funk that emerged in the 70s as a musical movement in the D.C. region.
Recently acknowledged by BET for shaping the future of rap, Link will be hitting Tampa,Tallahassee, Orlando, and Miami in the coming week before trekking the rest of North America. He’ll be sharing the stage with the likes of musician-producer and DMV native, Masego. Recently signed to J. Cole’s label, Dreamville, Atlanta rap duo Earthgang will be coming to play as well. Link plans to replicate the high energy go-go atmosphere during the thirty-one city tour. Similar to scenes depicted in his latest music video “Meditation”, the underground D.C. party scene will have you going from zero to a hundred real quick!
The 24-year-old MC’s message to Florida fans making their way to his shows next week?
“Get ready to have fun! We’re gonna have a lot of fun. I’m just trying to bring a lot of party vibes to everyone. Bring your dance shoes.”
Read the rest of the interview and get more info on the show below.
What’s one thing you would want people to know you’re about?
Being great at music
What’s your favorite sound?
The vent in the bathroom, like the fan in a bathroom is my favorite sound… it makes me fall asleep, that and an A/C [unit] cutting in and out every 30 minutes.
How did the “Crew” remix with Gucci Mane come about?
We just had a couple choices on the table and we just thought what would make the most sense for the narrative we’re trying to build, especially for DC… Gucci made the most sense.
Now that you’ve established your sound and who you are as an artist, what’s next in terms of the ‘evolution of Goldlink’?
A lot I guess. Focusing on other things and trying to expand upon things that we have. To bring the story full circle, all the way around so people can understand it and learn something from it.
Will there be a continuation to the story told in At What Cost?
Yea, Probably. More than likely yes.
Since releasing on a major label [RCA], has it shifted your creative approach at all?
I wouldn’t say it shifted it. I would say it makes you create in constraints in a way. You can be creative. But they also have a job that they have to do as well. So it’s kinda trying to find a coexistence between both parties while still trying to be as creative as possible and not compromise.
You’ve collaborated with some great producers, Kaytranada and Rick Rubin. What producer would you like to work with on future projects?
There’s too many… Pharrell.
You guys have collaborated on various tracks and now you’re on tour together. What’s your relationship with Masego like?
He’s dope. That’s like my brother. He’s a good dude, consistent dude, talented dude, [with a] vibrant personality.
Your latest music video “Meditation” featuring Jazmine Sullivan had a Ray J cameo, which you’ve mentioned in previous interviews as one of your favorite R&B artists. Do you have any upcoming projects with Ray J?
Nah, we just cool. You never know…
So we won’t see you on Love & Hip Hop Hollywood?
I mean you might see me on Love & Hip Hop, I might be there on the couch talking to Ray about his problems.
In a lot of your songs you talk about relationships and love. If you could give one piece of love advice what would it be?
Don’t date when you’re a teenager. It’s not real.
