Pronto Valid On the Making Of “'08 CIVIC”
Could you discuss the lyrical themes or messages conveyed in "'08 CIVIC?"
A: Yeah most people would think this song was about a car but I'm not too much of a car guy. The title and some of the lyrics use the different cars I speak about as a simile to my mind body and soul. The idea of the song was to speak on my growth as an artist from the time when I had this old 2008 Honda Civic coupe, to who I am now and the car that I'm riding in (red Hyundai), and where I want to be in the future (Mclaren) + my perspective constantly changing along the way.
What impact do you hope "'08 CIVIC" will have on your audience or the music industry?
A: I hope that it helps propel my career forward for sure, but in terms of grand-scheme impact, I just hope it helps someone out there find some sense of peace. It's a crazy world we live in today and people are just looking for ways to connect & understand each other - I hope this song can give them that feeling in some way.
What was your favorite moment in making the music video?
A: My favorite moment had to be when we were outside doing the drone shots for the opening scene. That night in particular was a vibe with the overall scenery of the skyline against the summer sunset, and the semi-liveliness around the area (Chinatown Chicago). Plus it was my first time having a drone shot for a music video so it was cool to see how it works. Though the part that I didn't like about it was smoking cigarettes during those scenes - I think you could tell by my face (if you know me well enough) that I was grossed out since I haven't smoked cigarettes in years.
Was there a pivotal moment in your life when you decided to follow your path as a musician?
A: It's really tough to say. I always had a love and passion for music, hip-hop in particular, and I would write lyrics at a young age. But I would have to say around the time when I was 15-16 and I decided to take music much more seriously. Originally I thought I would be a physicist or an athlete, but the urge to make and constantly listen to music made me want to completely immerse myself in it around that age. It definitely helped me through some dark times and continues to even to this day.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they impacted your own sound?
A: Some of my biggest musical influences would have to be Lupe Fiasco, Drake, J. Cole, and Mac Miller (R.I.P.). I could name a whole list of others like Tupac and all of the other goats but I think we would be here for a long time. I say Lupe Fiasco because of his Chicago roots and the flows that he switches through + his insane lyricism. Drake influenced me in the sense of having good vocal control & tone, cadence, and overall versatility. J. Cole's music influenced me by giving me a feel for the heart and soul behind the lines and Mac Miller influenced me because of his energy and overall vibe in his music. Also, his growth as an artist for some reason really resonates with me as do all of the others I mentioned. Some songs give me a serious sense of nostalgia.