ARTIST INTERVIEW: MARINA MASSANOVA
Wild, sexy, bizarre, and addictive; Marina Massanova, the Ukrainian punk rap queen is bringing us another groundbreaking, breathtaking brand new single “Normality.” Living out her dream and challenging social norms, Marina Massanova’s story is truly inspiring. While we eagerly wait for the upcoming full-length album, let’s put “Normality” on repeat and have a peek inside this brilliant mind of our generation.
How did you get into punk rap in the first place?
At first, I was a fan of Marilyn Manson! I started with rock, punk, synth-pop but then drastically switched to hip hop. After all, I think I've combined everything. I wanted to add more screams to hip hop.
That's a great idea, and I would love to hear screaming in hip hop. It sounds like a fascinating combination. What do you think triggered the switch to hip hop?
Thank you! I just like to dance and feel sad, so I scream =) Yeah, as I said, once I was tired of rock music, and I extremely wanted to dance on stage. To twerk etc. Fun fact: rap was the only music genre that I didn't listen to at all, so it was phenomenally new and thrilling to me.
Wow that's very shocking to know. You nailed it in your songs. It's also exciting to hear how your style is evolving. Tell me more about Marilyn Manson. What do you love about him? Are there any other influences?
It was pure love. I wanted to marry him. I liked his looks, his songs, and his freedom to do nasty things. I also adore Ian Curtis, Marilyn Monroe, Nina Simone, Rammstein. They are more than just musicians/actors. I found them really interesting personalities that I'd love to hang out with.
Tell me about "Normality." What's the idea behind it?
I am not a perfect society fit since my first grade, and that wasn't my fault, of course. I was only 7 years old. "Am I normal?" a lot of us asking this question to ourselves. Am I normal to feel sad when my friends are extremely happy? Is it normal to not want to have sex or want it every minute with everybody? Is it ok to vomit on the dance floor? Or step back because you are afraid? Usually, being normal is just something that society expects from us, and very often, the norm is just too narrow. It felt so tight for me that I've created my own normality standards.
How do you incorporate these feelings and ideas into the song musically?
I've combined hard bass, punk, hip hop, etc. The song has abrupt transitions, high vocals, rude rapping, gentle touches. It feels like our life goes with a variety of different feelings. Also, there are some Russian words to add pepper.
That's a wide range of things in one song, and it all works so tightly and nicely with each other. It's very addictive, just like all the other of your pieces. Has the journey of pursuing music been smooth for you?
What can I say? I wish I were a lawyer. I'm joking:) Carrying a music project is like bringing a ring to Mordor. Like Frodo did in The Lord of The Rings. And yes, the ring is my precious :) Remembering Frodo in hard times helps me to take steps further, no matter big or tiny.
What are some challenges that you faced?
I'm a daughter of a professor, and becoming a musician is not really what my family expected from me. I started my music project when I've already finished university and worked as a psychologist in an orphanage. My profession helped me realize that I shouldn't be afraid of doing what I love, even if it's too late, even if you know nobody in this industry, even if you don't even know if I can make music or it's just a strange dream. I left everything, and it was a beautiful crash!
That's truly inspiring. What's going to be your next step?
I'm finishing my first full-length album. I really love to dance, so I made the album danceable enough to jump and go mad on stage together with the audience. I can't wait to create a live show for it. I hope that pandemic will slow down, and we all have a small party at last!
