#31 - Fatboi Sharif & Roper Williams INTERVIEW
Listen/Watch on: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / YouTube
(Go to 0:55 to skip the intro)
In Episode 31, we are joined by special guests hailing from New Jersey, Fatboi Sharif and Roper Williams, who both experienced a very successful 2020.
In 2020, Roper dropped a dope beat tape titled save my line, nailed some big placements on some of my favourite albums of the year in Navy Blue's Song of Sage, and Your Old Droog's Dump YOD. Sharif's 2020 saw him deliver some nice features, as well as some crazy visuals for the "Church Tower" and "Smithsonian" singles... culminating into the provocative and wildly entertaining Gandhi Loves Children album that he released with Roper Williams.
We start off by discussing the roots of how Sharif and Roper began their careers, and when they realized that they had a special talent that could turn their passion into a career (2:39).
Next, Sharif details how he developed and employs his evocative rapping style, and the inspirations he has drawn from over the years (5:43).
Roper and Sharif then give us some insight into how their relationship developed into the fun and fruitful connection it is today (14:18).
We then dive into how the genius album title and theme for Gandhi Loves Children was conceived, along with why Sharif prefers being subtle in his lyrics, letting the listener come up with the art's meaning on their own (18:23).
Roper illustrates how he was able to craft such dark and experimental soundscapes to match the album's twisted lyrical content (22:55).
Sharif dives into the writing process for his signature wild bars, and discusses if these lyrics are authentically him, or if it's just a character (25:20).
Roper then explains how it was like working with previous collaborators of his, such as Your Old Droog, Navy Blue, Pink Siifu, and how it contrasts with working with Fatboi Sharif. We then threw that question back to Sharif to see what differentiates a Roper beat from the rest of the pack (32:24).
Next, the duo deliberates what the most important component of a great album is in their minds (35:35), dream collaborators (43:40), and their favourite records from the east coast and 2020, along with some surprising albums you may not expect them to like (49:36)... CAUTION: Sharif reveals an unpopular opinion about a certain Lil Wayne album that will shock you!
Finally, we end the interview with Sharif and Roper detailing what they have in store for rap fans in 2021 (1:00:02).
Check out Episode 24 of the show for a full review of Gandhi Loves Children.
Stream/Buy Gandhi Loves Children here.
Watch the "Smithsonian" music video here.
