Skip to main content
GRAMMYs Breaking News
Breaking News
  • MusiCares Launches Help for the Holidays Campaign Apply HERE
  • Recording Academy
  • GRAMMYs
  • Membership
  • Advocacy
  • MusiCares
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Latin GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
  • Advocacy
  • Membership
  • GRAMMYs
  • Governance
  • Jobs
  • Press Room
  • Events
  • Login
  • MusiCares
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Latin GRAMMYs
  • More
    • MusiCares
    • GRAMMY Museum
    • Latin GRAMMYs

The GRAMMYs

  • Awards
  • News
  • Videos
  • Recording Academy
  • More
    • Awards
    • News
    • Videos
    • Recording Academy

Latin GRAMMYs

MusiCares

  • About
  • Get Help
  • Give
  • News
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Person of the Year
  • More
    • About
    • Get Help
    • Give
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
    • Person of the Year

Advocacy

  • About
  • News
  • Issues & Policy
  • Act
  • Recording Academy
  • More
    • About
    • News
    • Issues & Policy
    • Act
    • Recording Academy

Membership

  • Join
  • Events
  • PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
  • GRAMMY U
  • GOVERNANCE
  • More
    • Join
    • Events
    • PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
    • GRAMMY U
    • GOVERNANCE
Log In Join
  • SUBSCRIBE

  • Search
Modal Open
Subscribe Now

Subscribe to Newsletters

Be the first to find out about GRAMMY nominees, winners, important news, and events. Privacy Policy
GRAMMY Museum
Membership

Join us on Social

  • Recording Academy
    • The Recording Academy: Facebook
    • The Recording Academy: Twitter
    • The Recording Academy: Instagram
    • The Recording Academy: YouTube
  • GRAMMYs
    • GRAMMYs: Facebook
    • GRAMMYs: Twitter
    • GRAMMYs: Instagram
    • GRAMMYs: YouTube
  • Latin GRAMMYs
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Facebook
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Twitter
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Instagram
    • Latin GRAMMYs: YouTube
  • GRAMMY Museum
    • GRAMMY Museum: Facebook
    • GRAMMY Museum: Twitter
    • GRAMMY Museum: Instagram
    • GRAMMY Museum: YouTube
  • MusiCares
    • MusiCares: Facebook
    • MusiCares: Twitter
    • MusiCares: Instagram
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy: Facebook
    • Advocacy: Twitter
  • Membership
    • Membership: Facebook
    • Membership: Twitter
    • Membership: Instagram
    • Membership: Youtube
GoldLink

GoldLink

Photo: Joyce Ng

News
GoldLink On 'Diaspora,' Tour W/ Tyler, The Creator goldlink-talks-vision-behind-diaspora-tour-tyler-creator-musical-roots-more

GoldLink Talks Vision Behind 'Diaspora,' Tour With Tyler, The Creator, Musical Roots & More

Facebook Twitter Email
"I wanted to just make a really great American rap album, because I feel that like is very scarce in the marketplace," the GRAMMY-nominated rapper told us
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 28, 2019 - 11:15 am

GRAMMY-nominated rapper GoldLink, born D'Anthony Carlos in Washington D.C., is a force to be reckoned with. He released his first two mixtapes, God Complex and After That, We Didn't Talk, in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Both were critically acclaimed, and earned him a spot in XXL's 2015 Freshman Class, firmly cementing his steadily rising role in hip-hop. His strong sense of self and artistic vision shine through in his smooth flow and next-level lyricism.

In 2017 he released his first studio album, At What Cost. At the 60th GRAMMY Awards he earned his first nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance for "Crew," one of the big tracks from the album. At the 61st GRAMMY Awards earlier this year, he received his second nomination, in the same category, for his feature on Christina Aguilera's "Like I Do."

This year, on June 12, GoldLink followed up with the powerful Diaspora. The Recording Academy recently spoke with the rapper over the phone about the vision behind the new album, collaborating with Tyler, the Creator (who he's also touring with him soon, and will be joining his Camp Flog Gnaw fest), Khalid and others on it, quitting social media and more.

So you recently released Diaspora. How are you feeling about sharing that project so far? What are you most proud about with it?

It feels good. It feels great that it's finally out into the world. It's just been a crazy thing for me. It's been received really well from just what I've seen. I'm no longer on social media, I haven't been for almost a year or two. So I've met people, and they've just been telling how amazing it is. And the right people.

Was there a reason that you decided to go off social media and just talk to real people instead?

Yeah. I mean, why don't I just talk to real people? It's weird. It's actually weird. I think we've used it, we've abused it the wrong way at this point.

For the people that you have talked to about the project so far, were there any comments or any reactions that really stood out to you?

They've all been really great. They've all been standout. It's all been very amazing things. And close friends I would just sit and talk to about it, they could talk about it for hours, about what they think or how they feel about it and what they took from it, things like that. But yeah, everything is kind of crazy.

I'm sure there's been a lot of momentum, from being in the studio and finishing it and then waiting to share it with the world. Did it feel like a bit a relief once the album was out, or what was the moment like for you?

It was weird because I felt like I'd been just trying to fine-tune it and I lived with it for such a long time, that by the time it got out it just felt like a leap almost.

I would love to hear a bit more about the vision behind the project.

Well it's crazy, it started out as I wanted to just make a really great American rap album, because I feel that like is very scarce in the marketplace. Then I started having conversations with people and a friend of mine was explaining Afro-Nowisim. I started to travel a lot more and to adopt Afro-Nowisim, but I never forgot about the great American rap album. And as it started progressing into more of an international—well I always wanted to be an international thing—I never forgot about the first part of what I wanted to accomplish for myself. So, it started with a base and it kinda fine-tuned into something, more relatable, I guess.

There are a ton of great collabs on it, some DMV [Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia] rappers, and other artists from all over, pointing back to those two themes you mentioned. How did you chose who to work with and what was your favorite part about bringing all these different artists together?

I just chose based off of what I thought was best for the project at hand. I never really go for anything unless I believe that someone can bring a [fresh] element to a project. I always feel like the best movies never have an all-star cast of straight A-list people, those are the best movies. You know, it might have a Matthew McConaughey and a Timothée Chalamet who is 17 and make one of the best movies of all time. I think that's kind of how I choose. Also, I like bringing people out of their element and into my world to challenge them in a way I know they would succeed in, that is just not the typical route for them.

Your song "Days Like This" with Khalid stands out to me as a great example of this. He isn't the first person that I would expect on the album, but it feels so natural. Were there other songs that was a bit unexpected but it felt really natural when you got together?

Khalid is definitely the epitome of that example, I feel like Tyler [the Creator] as well. It seems obvious that Tyler would get on a bossa nova record but he's never done that ever in his career. So it's things like that where you are like, "oh wow, why?" And then you do it and it's so natural, no one even thought that's completely out of his realm [when they heard it]. It just keeps it interesting. I don't like songs that you can hear before you actually listen to it and be like, no.

Is that something that you try to do for yourself too? Were there different sounds that you tried for this album, like "I don't know if this will work but I want to try it"?

Yes. I definitely tried a few things that wouldn't be, a lot of things that I tried that were just off and never made it. But it was the things that expanded on the realm of what I was already doing [that worked]. I felt like this is natural next step, so it didn't feel too off.

Where did you start on these songs, with a sound, style or idea?

It almost built in sections. It started as one idea, that idea just turned into another idea and that built into the base of a [larger] idea. I almost had it done in my head with no music. And then it really started from an image that I saw and then I had one beat that I held onto for a long time. That's how it started. I never used the beat or the image. I just had those two in mind and tried to figure out, "How do I try to make these two things make sense?"

Are there any artists that you haven't worked with yet that you have your eye on?

Nah. Everything works out the way it's supposed to or [already] has.

Is your philosophy along the lines of not overthinking or over-planning things too much, to leave more room for the right thing, to come forward?

Yes, that's exactly what it is.

And then you're bringing Tyler on, I think, a bunch of your U.S. shows for the album?

He's actually bringing me.

What are you most looking forward to with the tour?

Getting in front of a completely new fan base is going to be really fun for me. I want to see how far this thing can stretch. I know the community of rap is a big one. I wanna see if I can keep grabbing. So I look at it as an experience and I am really appreciative.

That's awesome. And, speaking of shows, you're also doing a couple different festivals, including Meow Wolf's Taos Vortex and a couple of the Afropunks. What's your favorite part of performing at music festivals? Do you approach those shows differently?

Yeah I do, they are just different, a different thing. I'm always going in there fighting to win and I'm really going in there for everyone. And no one show is the same. So I always go into every show differently.

We’re staying hydrated out here with @GoldLink #AFROPUNK2019 pic.twitter.com/uGeqVIEHp4

— AFROPUNK (@afropunk) August 25, 2019

Different in the sense of your mindset, sort of from your perspective or more so from who you are trying to reach in the audience?

Both. But really the audience thing because every day is really not the same. You know what I'm saying? You can have a crazy Wednesday crowd but a dead Saturday crowd. Because every place, every festival, every group of people is just different. You can't even go into things the same and do things the same because there's too many anomalies and x factors that exist. I can't go into a Tyler show like my [own] show. I can't go into Afropunk like I would go into a predominantly white festival in Berlin. It's just two different stratospheres. You gotta be conscious of that and switch things around and accommodate.

What about your musical influences? Who did you grow up listening to and who inspires you still in your music?

You know I always used to force this question early in my career, thinking that there was a correct answer for it. I would rattle off their names because I thought I was so cool. Honestly, I listen to so much stuff and the thing is I never cared about music like that. I wasn't that type of guy.

From the city I come from, music is prominent but not how you would think it is. What I mean by that, my mom would listen to gospel, that was her thing. My dad listened to jazz and soul and R&B, and my brother listened to predominantly rap music from the South. It was just eclectic and I listened to whatever was on TV. I didn't care, I didn't know.

So, I was influenced by so many things. And I things that I liked I couldn't tell you why, I just did. I don't think it played into the influence of how I decided to go about things. It wasn't like "Oh man, Stevie [Wonder] at my house was crazy," it was just regular. We listened to Go-go music [a sub-genre of funk with roots in D.C.] because that's what we listened to in D.C. predominantly at the time. It was everywhere, on the radio, in schools. So, that's just what we were doing and I was really just going with whatever we were doing. So I never really had that.

At what point did you decide that you wanted to rap and pursue making music?

I'm going to say, seriously, at 23. I was doing it at 20, but I didn't really seriously consider it as a thing until the stakes started to get a little higher. When that happened, I started going back to things I like but I can't put my finger on and realizing why I liked it. The musicality of these things. "Why does this work or why does this sound better than the other songs I used to like all the time that I don't like anymore?" That's when I started appreciating music on a different level. That's why I would say musical influences came a little later on.

I would be like wow, the way that Marvin Gaye, when he made "Got To Give It Up," to me is sick because the inclusivity of how it makes you feel. It makes you feel like you're at a party, no matter what you're doing. Those are the things I started to appreciate about music later in my career, like oh wow, there's a scientific, spiritual aspect, even like a strategic aspect to what this accomplished. It's so eclectic because I love that I can pick what I love about a few people and then completely create a new identity.

Gary Clark Jr. On His First Car, The Evolution Of The Blues & His Latest LP 'This Land'

6LACK at Lolla 2019

6LACK at Lolla 2019

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

News
6LACK On Reuniting With Khalid For "Seasons" Video 6lack-his-new-seasons-video-featuring-khalid-getting-back-studio-more

6LACK On His New "Seasons" Video Featuring Khalid, Getting Back In The Studio & More

Facebook Twitter Email
The Atlanta alt-R&B singer told us that pairing with his fellow GRAMMY nominee is like "two brothers working, it's super easy, super natural"
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 9, 2019 - 6:12 pm

While On The Road at Lollapalooza 2019, the Recording Academy caught up with Atlanta alt-R&B artist 6LACK to talk about playing Lolla, recent collabs and when we can expect new music. We also learned more about his latest video for "Seasons" and how it felt to reunite with his fellow GRAMMY nominee Khalid.

6LACK On Reuniting With Khalid For "Seasons"

Having originally linked up on 2018's "OTW," 6LACK revealed that reuniting with Khalid was like "two brothers working, it's super easy, super natural." He also said that the new, heartfelt video is a visual representation of seasons changing and focuses on capturing joyful moments.

"It's a video that isn't really focused too much on me and what I'm doing or what I'm wearing, or anything like that," he said. "It's more so about capturing moments that make me happy, that make me feel like seasons are changing, with other people involved."

He also talked about what he learned from working with J. Cole, another collaborator on his second studio album, East Atlanta Love Letter, as well as being ready to record new music again:

"I just got back in the mood to start recording, so I don't even know what to expect at all. I just know it's been a full year since I've made a full song of my own, and that's the longest I've ever gone without making music. But I had to spend time with my daughter and actually live for a second, and now I'm ready."

J.I.D. Talks Lollapalooza Debut, Working With J. Cole & Dreamville, New Music & More

Travis Scott

Travis Scott at documentary premiere 

Photo: Rich Fury/Getty Images

News
Travis Scott Drops New Documentary On Netflix travis-scott-drops-new-documentary-look-mom-i-can-fly-netflix-today

Travis Scott Drops New Documentary, 'Look Mom I Can Fly,' On Netflix Today

Facebook Twitter Email
"I just wanna leave the whole world inspired. I just wanna leave a trail of inspiration," the GRAMMY-nominated hip-hop powerhouse says in the epic trailer for the new doc
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 28, 2019 - 4:07 pm

Today, Houston rapper Travis Scott dropped a brand new documentary on Netflix. Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly details the journey of making his epic GRAMMY-nominated third LP, 2018's ASTROWORLD, follows his massive world tour in support of the album and shares footage and stories from his childhood.

LOOK MOM I CAN FLY !!! OUT NOW ON @netflix pic.twitter.com/c6AzpOq5Qp

— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) August 28, 2019

"I just wanna leave the whole world inspired. I just wanna leave a trail of inspiration," the hip-hop powerhouse says in the trailer, which you can watch above. The full-length feature is now streaming on Netflix.

Scott and his partner, Kylie Jenner, along with their adorable daughter Stormi, attended the Santa Monica, Calif. premiere last night, making for the one-year-old's red carpet debut. The film also had special "fan premieres" across the country yesterday, as well as a throwback Blockbuster-inspired pop-up in Houston last week, where the rapper surprised his hometown fans by signing VHS copies of the film.

FAN PREMIERES ALL OVER THE USA TOMORROW !! REAL RAGERS SEE IT FIRST https://t.co/dLktTic1lS pic.twitter.com/9KwRhm3XmV

— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) August 27, 2019

If seeing the trailer has you ready to catch the "Sicko Mode" artist in-person A.S.A.P., you're in luck. He has a handful more of shows slated for 2019, including two at the Marquee in Las Vegas and a few fest stops; JAY-Z's Made in America this weekend and Lil Wayne's Lil WeezyAna Fest on Sept. 7.

GoldLink Talks Vision Behind 'Diaspora,' Tour With Tyler, The Creator, Musical Roots & More

J.I.D at Lolla 2019

J.I.D at Lolla 2019

Photo: Josh Brasted/FilmMagic/Getty Images

News
J.I.D On Lolla Debut, J. Cole & Dreamville jid-talks-lollapalooza-debut-working-j-cole-dreamville-new-music-more

J.I.D Talks Lollapalooza Debut, Working With J. Cole & Dreamville, New Music & More

Facebook Twitter Email
"I've been doing a lot of shows this year, but this has been one of the best festivals," the Atlanta rapper told the Recording Academy while On The Road at Lollapalooza 2019
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 7, 2019 - 5:09 pm

Rising hip-hop artist J.I.D, part of J. Cole's Dreamville Records powerhouse squad, has been on fire lately. Late last year, just in time for his Halloween birthday, the Atlanta rapper released his sophomore album, DiCaprio 2, which is filled with big collabs and even bigger energy throughout its 14 tracks.

Just minutes after making his Lollapalooza debut, he explained the mood behind the album, saying: "I wanted it to be a festival-like project… So I made these songs specifically for energy, for working out, for cardio."

J.I.D On Lolla Debut, J. Cole & Dreamville

He also talked about loving the crowd at his epic Lolla show, as well as working with his Dreamville labelmates and Cole on their recent masterpiece album, Revenge Of The Dreamers III. The Atlanta native also discussed the rich music scene in his hometown, his biggest influences and his eclectic list of dream collaborators—Beyoncé, James Blake and Little Dragon all make the list.

Finally, he teased some new music, telling the Recording Academy, "The first one was the introduction to me, second one was all about performances, energy and all that stuff. The next one, you guys will see." Check out J.I.D's interview in full above.



View this post on Instagram


Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza lolla Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza (that was a someone in the crowds hat) Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza Lollapalooza lollapalooza

A post shared by J.I.D (@jidsv) on Aug 7, 2019 at 11:40am PDT

Looping Guru FKJ Talks Improvising "Tadow" With Masego & Being "A Melting Pot"

21 Savage

21 Savage

Photo: Kevin Mazur/MG19/Getty Images

News
21 Savage Announces I Am > I Was Tour 21-savage-announces-i-am-i-was-tour

21 Savage Announces I Am > I Was Tour

Facebook Twitter Email
The GRAMMY-nominated rapper and community activist will be touring across the U.S. for 15 shows in July and August
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
May 8, 2019 - 1:41 pm

Today, GRAMMY-nominated hip-hop champ and community activist 21 Savage announced the I Am > I Was Tour, in support of his 2018 sophomore album of the same name. He will kick off the 15-date U.S. trek in Oklahoma City on July 10 and wrap things up on Aug. 16 in his hometown of Atlanta.

Savage will perform in a handful of major U.S. cities, at several large and historic venues, including in Los Angeles on July 19 at The Shrine and in San Francisco the following day at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. North Carolina rapper DaBaby, who released his debut studio album Baby on Baby in March, will offer support for most dates.

The tour will also stop in Detroit on Aug. 4, Washington D.C on Aug. 6 and New York on Aug. 8. Before they wrap up in Savage's hometown of Atlanta at the Coca Cola Roxy, the pair will perform in DaBaby's hometown of Charlotte, N.C. on Aug. 15.

The 15 dates include two musical festival stops; as the Atlanta rapper will perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 2 and Moonrise Festival in Baltimore on Aug. 11.

GRAMMY.com Exclusive: 21 Savage On 'Issa Album,' Jay-Z, & Business

He'll also be performing at several other festivals during the year, at Roots Picnic in Philadelphia on June 1 and Austin City Limits for both weekends of the music city's big October fest.

Savage followed his impressive 2017 debut studio album, Issa Album, with the powerful I Am > I Was on Dec. 21, 2018. In 2017 he also surprise-dropped a collab project, Without Warning, with two other ATL heavyweights, Migos' Offset and prolific hip-hop producer Metro Boomin.

Following his release several weeks after being detained by ICE in early February, the community-minded rapper has stayed busy with advocacy projects like his Bank Account campaign, which is focused on teaching Atlanta youth financial literacy.

Tickets for all non-festival shows go on sale this Friday, May 10, with pre-sales beginning Thursday; more info here.

21 Savage Pledges Money To Financially Responsible Kids, Continues Literacy Campaign

Top
Logo
  • Recording Academy
    • About
    • Governance
    • Press Room
    • Jobs
    • Events
  • GRAMMYs
    • Awards
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
    • Store
    • FAQ
  • Latin GRAMMYs
    • Awards
    • News
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Cultural Foundation
    • Members
    • Press
  • GRAMMY Museum
    • COLLECTION:live
    • Explore
    • Exhibits
    • Education
    • Support
    • Programs
    • Donate
  • MusiCares
    • About
    • Get Help
    • Give
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
  • Advocacy
    • About
    • News
    • Learn
    • Act
  • Membership
    • Chapters
    • Producers & Engineers Wing
    • GRAMMY U
    • Join
Logo

© 2021 - Recording Academy. All rights reserved.

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Notice
  • Contact Us

Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.