Masego on His Self-Titled Album: Interview

The cover art for Masego’s self-titled sophomore album, released by EQT Recordings/Capitol Records, shows him sitting in a wooden chair, wearing maroon pants and a gray tank top, playing an acoustic guitar. Candid photos of are posted.

“That particular photo wasn’t meant to be an album cover, which I love,” Masego reveals to Rated R&B. “It was a behind-the-scenes type of photo. When I was choosing the album cover, I felt like the album made me feel.

With a different atmosphere from the cover at the time of debut in 2018, ready lady, we see the graceful Masego, dressed in silk, sitting comfortably on sumptuous furnishings. A gorgeous cover depicting the dream world he envisions.

He has previously said: I kept seeing gorgeous homes, big mansions, lots of silk, lots of world traveled items. ”

With songs like “Queen Tings” featuring Tiffany Gouché and “Old Age” backed by SiR, ready lady In one way or another, whether platonic or romantic, it was an ode to the women who inspired Masego.

Specifically, the album explored the nuances of modern love and relationships, highlighted by conversations he had with women and his own experiences.

upon blessing, the Virginia native has gone from his early beginnings as a street busker pursuing musical ambitions to achieving notoriety and having a new perspective on what his current fame means to him. Take the listener on a journey. The 14-track project not only talks about his professional life, but also his personal life navigating the ups and downs of love and heartbreak. I have, but I think what’s different about this album is the depth of vulnerability that I get,” says Masego.

He opens the album with “Black Anime”. This is a slow-burning bop that draws you in like quicksand and makes skipping to the next track impossible. Sampled and interpolated from DJ Casper’s “Cha Cha Slide,” the syrupy tune plays like a dream of Masego enjoying the lavish lifestyle of a successful artist somewhere overseas.

Masego says that a conversation with an old friend from Virginia reminded him of his preconceived notions of being in the industry, which inspired “Black Anime.”

“We were reading old tweets and old Facebook posts and analyzing how we thought this was going to go and what kind of life we ​​wanted,” he explains. “It was my version of wanting the money, the car, the clothes, everything, waking up to the reality of ‘Oh, you’re not there yet.’ You are a Virginia street musician. ”

Being in a position to attract people, reach and connect with them is what draws me to fame.

—Maségo (@UncleSego) May 31, 2014

He vividly describes his experience busking on “Sax Fifth Avenue,” where he sings: To God/I have $14 in my wallet/Open the case, ’cause I’m not Balin yet.”

Masego is a master storyteller. That’s part of what makes his self-titled album so appealing. He’s not afraid to be vulnerable. When he’s there, he knows how to present it in a way that doesn’t feel so burdensome, and “Down In The Dumps” is one of his more personal songs on the album. In the bluesy song, Masego can be heard gushing about his unrequited love from his partner.

“The whole structure of that song was about the unequal yolk feeling I had in many relationships. That imbalance makes the other person much more depressed than the first person,” Masego explains. It can be a beautiful thing to do, but it can also expose you to a deeper level of pain that you must have the bandwidth and personality to deal with.”

Masego once dreamed of turning his hobby into a career. Now, with over 2 billion views, a Grammy nomination, multiple of his RIAA awards, and a sold-out tour, he knows a thing or two about being a celebrity. I’m here. He’s also been in enough space to know what he likes and dislikes about fame.

“Who Cares Anyway” unleashes his frustration with the structure of the music industry and its smoke and mirrors. “When I first wanted to be a part of it, I imagined how it would be different than how it works, how it wins things, how it levels up a business. “Oh, I don’t really like this one,” he comments.

In “Who Cares Anyway,” Masego mentions comedian Dave Chappelle. chapelle show In 2005, he fled to South Africa to escape the stress of the entertainment world. “Don’t wanna be more famous / Dave Chappelle vibes, move to Africa,” Masego snorts over the reflex number.

“I am beginning to understand how Dave Chappelle felt. There will be a shift in where we receive information from.I thought there was a great deal more credibility in certain areas,” he adds.

“I thought that if I went to the richest part of town, that would be the end of video games, but that was not the case. I had a place where I could create the experiences and worlds I believed I deserved.”

Masego admits that he was much more confident of receiving a positive reaction from listeners on his self-titled album than he was when he released his debut album. So he wasn’t sure how well it would be received.

“Go from pink polo EP and ready lady It sounded completely different and scary. From Hawaiian Shirts, Laughing Masego to Sexy Time, Ladies Love Masego. It’s a different performance. It’s a different energy. ”

he continues. [Masego] This time I didn’t know how long it would take to realize they liked it because of all the noise in the world.I leveled up my pen, my musicianship [and] my story. I objectively know I did a great job. i am proud of myself. But in terms of other people being aware of it, it’s out of my control. ”

Over the years, Masego has found solace in journaling. When releasing his second album, his entry focused on perseverance. “When I was journaling, I was like, ‘It’s okay if people don’t realize how good it is by the second year,'” he says. “And understand whether people will receive this, whether they will win an award or not, and know that you definitely made a great album.”

And it’s a great album. Seeing life as one big loop of his ever-fluctuating life, Masego hopes his new album will resonate with anyone at any stage of their lives. “If people understand that there is a loop that everyone is doing, and that everyone’s loop can change based on the right experiences and relationships, they will be encouraged, be present, and all that is to come.” I feel that I can feel vulnerable in my feelings… and.”

He concludes: [the sax] try to make money Then my loop woke up, logged into the phone, and tried to reach out to get a little ahead of me. The new loop is to wake up and try to talk to people like you and let the world know. To say “there are so many loops going on in the world” is a thank you and a thank you. I think anyone can apply their own stories and loops to my album.

Masego is now promoting a sold-out album You Never Visit Me Tour, ending April 27 in Los Angeles, CA. “I love the tour loop because I can cosplay Kobe. I have to do a different kind of meditation. [and] Self-care to keep thousands of people energized and mentally cool every night. It’s a process and very serious to me. That’s what makes it fun. Because that’s what an athlete’s life is like. That loop is one of my favorites of his. ”

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