Caprice
Creative Mind’s Website Interview:
Caprice By Alandria Shante’
Rap artist and Nashville native, Caprice, first discovered his passion for making music at the age of 16, and is working hard to prove that he is the next best thing to come out of Middle Tennessee.
Exemplifying melodic proses and speaking to the conscious of a new generation, Caprice strives to reach new audiences. For the past few years, he has honed his craft as a musician, recording over rhythmic undertones and displaying classic lyricism as heard in his most recent singles.
A: We all know that nowadays the music industry can be very cut-throat which is why many artists are deciding to go the less traditional route in being independent artists versus signing with a major label. What do you believe is the most beneficial route to an artists’ success and why?
C: I feel like it’s kinda by-case, or situation. It can work for others… some people are more marketable, commercial and so a label just better fits them. And some people just know what they want and know how to go about getting what they want so it’s better to be independent in those situations.
A: And how does that pertain to you? Do you feel like you may go on being independent or are your goals more towards signing with a label?
C: If I can find a label that’s willing to work with me and not just tie me down I’ll be fine with that. If I can’t, I would just go the independent route. I like having somewhat control over everything.
A: What is your creative process like when you’re coming up with the concepts for new music? Do you write freely or go into it with a certain tempo, melody, or instrument in mind?
C: Um… normally It just comes from whatever I’m listening to. So if I’m listening to a track that I really wanna do, the words just kinda write from that track. I can’t just free-write… I mean I can write a few things by freewriting, but it never comes out as a complete thought. I always start with the instrument itself.
A: Most of your closest friends and family know you as Robert, so where does the name “Caprice” come from?
C: Well the name comes from my love of “Capri-suns” and just the definition of the name, meaning a quick change of your mindset.
A: That’s interesting. And how long have you been doing music and what or who inspired you to do it professionally?
C: I’ve been doing music since I was…. 16… well 16 recording-wise and I’ve been doing music my whole life just switching in between instruments {…} piano, bass guitar.. And my sister is the reason why I started actually doing music. We did music together and that was our form of bonding.
A: Well how would you say your personal style of Rap fits into the mold of music today?
C: I would say... it’s a sound that’s more so for the older lovers of hip hop. I want to incorporate somewhat of the new sound with the old sound.
A: For many reasons, fans love to categorize their favorite rappers. For Instance, J. Cole as a “Conscious rapper” and Future as a “Trap rapper”. If you could name your style of rap, what would you call it?
C: I would call it… Active…. Active Imagination. *chuckles*
A: So you’re on the brink of releasing your new EP, “Nashvillian”, and you have a single that’s gonna be releasing pretty soon, “Liquor Courage”. What’s the inspiration behind your new single?
C: The inspiration behind it..well…. my favorite drink of choice is some Jack Daniels and Coke. And just how drinking your favorite drinking can give you more courage in all aspects of everything that you do.
A: Sounds cool. And when we look at the title of your EP “Nashvillian” what exactly is the concept around that? I mean we all know that you’re from Nashville, but what made you name it that?
C: Just because I wanted it to fit the scene of Nashville and I wanted to do something for the city I came from. But also because at the same time I feel like I don’t fit in in Nashville, so the meaning is kinda like a double-sided coin.
A: So of course, I’m from the media side of things and although I relate to artists on certain levels, I still wouldn’t understand what it takes for you guys to get up every morning and do what you do. What would you say is the hardest part of being an artist?
C: The hardest part of being the artist would be… articulating exactly what I feel in an artistic way so that people can understand it.
A: So when the music is done and you’ve gained the fame, what is that one other thing that you aspire to? What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
C: I would hope to encourage deeper thinking and surface level and also, critical thinking about everything, not just academics, but about life in general and what it means to be alive.
A: So here’s my State of Hip Hop question. And this may or may not have anything to do with what we’ve just talked about but I just want to get your take on some of the things happening in Hip Hop today. Do you think that Hip Hop beefs are healthy or detrimental to Hip Hop culture?
C: I think they’re healthy… to a certain extinct. Just because that’s the foundation of hip hop… it started off with beefs and a lot of the best moments from hip hop were started from beefs. I think it can get out of control, between, you know, even just Biggie and Tupac and stuff like that. Ultimately we lose artists due to certain things that go down outside of the actual music. I think it can be beneficial, but there is a line to it that you shouldn’t cross. I mean, If you got a problem with somebody, I think you should just sit down and talk to em instead of going back and forward.
A: Alright I think we’ve reached the end. Great conversation. Is there anything you’d like to add?
C: Just a shameless plug of “Nashvillian”… go get it… wait I don’t have the date yet, so nevermind… *laughs*
With influences of early Hip Hop and a style comparable to the legendary rap group, A Tribe Called Quest, Caprice is making a name for himself as he is on the brink of releasing his debut EP, Nashvillian, set to drop in April 2018.
Nashvillian Promo Video
ThaRemix Radio Interview
