THISMINORITY is a rapper from New Orleans, LA, and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The rap newcomer has just unveiled “SUNNY BEACHES” (feat. Indigo), which is only his second single following debut track “MEDI”, which was released earlier this year. After such an impressive debut, he has remained on form with “SUNNY BEACHES” and looks set to continue his rise.
The track is taken from his upcoming project, “THE MINORITY REPORT”, and stands out immediately with its ukulele-led tropical-sounding hip-hop production. It’s boosted further with an incredibly infectious hook that will no doubt be ingrained into everyone’s head after one listen. THISMINORITY’s captivating rap flow and impressive lyricism tie everything together perfectly, and the end result is a track with enormous replay value.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with THISMINORITY about the latest project, dream collabs, musical memories and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
What’s something you’d like readers to know about your latest project?
My upcoming project “THE MINORITY REPORT” is an introduction to my thoughts and how I reflect. See, I didn’t always want to massively connect like this or even at all. I thought I’d be satisfied with going to local open mics and doing spoken word poetry. I didn’t want to be an artist that chases money and fame, but as I became more familiar with myself, I realized that these things, which come to me from beyond my head, can really make an impact on someone’s life. Somehow words do that and people connect with it. With that new understanding, I felt it was a calling for me to serve massively by connecting. Right now I am aiming so serve sonically with music, but this is only the beginning and “THE MINORITY REPORT” is my reflection on that change. Also, I acknowledge that fame and money come with the calling of massively connecting and need not be chased. They must be appreciated and treated as blessings.
How does this project compare with your other release(s)? Was there anything specific you were trying to accomplish?
There are two releases before “THE MINORITY REPORT”. They are songs I label Guerilla Joints, and that’s because my uncle called it Guerilla Warfare due to me recording these songs in my car. They are thoughts I had while recording “THE MINORITY REPORT”. One is called “BREATH TAKE” and the other is called “THE CONNECT”. “BREATH TAKE” is about my relationship with mediation, which really helped me get to the starting point of making “THE MINORITY REPORT”. “THE CONNECT” is about my relationships with friends, family, partner, etc., which in a way, is the same but these relationships can be more complex. I just wanted something to release before releasing “THE MINORITY REPORT”, and I think that’s accomplished kind of. These tracks are available on Instagram, and I send people free copies upon request.
What motivates you to create music?
The people and the connection that comes with it. We all being in one room close by or with a huge distance able to feel each other’s reflection somehow. The thought of me performing in front of people is elevating, and it’s beautiful because I can elevate them as well. We are empowering each other and that is motivation enough I believe
What’s one of your first or most powerful music memories? Did that play any role in driving you to create?
Most powerful music memory would be on road trips or when we were evacuating from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. My mother always had a wide taste in music so we used to listen to some very deep stuff from Tracy Chapman, Dido, and DMX. The content of those songs left an imprint on me that will never leave. All of them were poetic, harmonic and sometimes raw. The raw part largely came from DMX but just listening to these genres for hours on the road leaves you no choice… You have to listen. I have to say that the thought of me making music didn’t cross my mind at all in those moments and wouldn’t until late 2019 but they have a major influence in how I create and fuel that drive.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
The artist would be Free Feral! They are this amazing cellist that really touched my soul when I first heard them. It was before I started music but I was just getting into blues dancing, and Free Feral not only wanted to make me dance, they made me feel like I should fly. They have an amazing voice and know their way around a loop machine! Beautiful frequency.
What was the last song you listened to? And who is one of your favorite all-time bands/artists?
This new track I finished called “SMS”, but outside of that it was this new Billie Eilish track called “The 30th“.
One of my all-time favorite artists is J. Cole and even though it is kind of tied to his ability to masterfully craft and deliver syllables, him being my favorite has a deeper meaning to it. It is because of one line he delivered as a feature on Bas’s track “Night Job”. He said, “My only adversary was my own mind, killed my ego, now I’m snapping like it’s ‘09, with a goldmine of inspiration for y’all.”
At the time I was in school still figuring stuff out but when I heard that it was like something hit me. I come from a very dark place physically, mentally, and spiritually, and I grew to acknowledge that there is light in me to obtain. Growing to this new mindset made me feel like almost anything was possible but when I heard that song it set me on the path to being right here looking to serve the people, help them grow and encourage them to find the light they never knew was there or even forgot. Hearing those lyrics made me feel like a sleeper agent and I appreciate J. Cole for those words.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
On Instagram @thisminority where I do morning mantras every day and also post content to promote “THE MINORITY REPORT”. If not on there then you can find me on a mic in New York City sharpening my methods of connecting with the people! Performing is my favorite part of this art form.
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
I appreciate you for having me and before we sign off I want to say why my face is covered. It isn’t because I intend to hide my identity permanently at all but it is to symbolize my change. Each mask symbolizes a cocoon that is influenced by the chakra point that each track touches. Before you all see me, I wanted you to see my change and my evolution. And yes, as people we have endless cocoons and metamorphoses, but I will come out of the mask one day not too far away, and we can watch what arrives after that! I’m looking forward to that whole situation.
