Artist Spotlight: Baba Crunch
Re-emerging with his first solo release, Baba Crunch explores a new side of his artistry with his forward-thinking debut, ‘Volts’. Speaking on teaming up with fellow BOMB Squad member Hak Baker for ‘Lucky Life’, his transition into singing and directing his first visual for ‘Testimony’, the Isle of Dogs raised musician moves into new artistic territory.
Emily: How was the process of creating this project and how does it feel to have your solo debut out?
Baba Crunch: The process took a while because, if I'm honest, I wasn’t aiming to put a project out. I just started recording and before you know it, I had twenty tracks done. Once I felt ready, I selected the tracks I thought worked most cohesively. It feels good having a solo debut out because it feels like I'm getting a second chance at a first impression and for the people that did know me from my past groups, they get to see what I’m really capable of.
How was the transition to working alone and do you feel it pushed your creativity further?
I would say the transition has been quite drastic, you have to work a lot harder on your own and trust yourself a lot more, it has definitely made me a lot more confident and taken me out of my comfort zone.
What were the main narratives that you wanted to explore within ‘Volts’?
I wanted to champion making music based on how you feel in the present, forgetting about factors that sometimes box us in like 'who your target audience is' or 'what's hot' etc. In real life none of us hold the same emotion 24/7 and every person we meet or have a relationship with has a different perspective of who we are. Music is a form of expression so I believe it's important to showcase that, that’s why I called it ‘Volts’ (Vibes Of Life Through Sound).
Sonically, what were your influences for the project?
I wanted to make a project where everything doesn’t sound the same, something where the listeners can each have favourite tracks from different genres. I like artists who do this like Travis Scott, Kayne West, Young Thug etc.
Is there a track on the EP which you feel best encapsulates the overall tone of the project?
The intro ‘Too Wong Foo’ because it's me asking a rhetorical question “what’s my fucking name?” - you should know it by now, I’ve been making music for a while and have had different highlights within my career whether your aware of them or not and I’m here to show you. I also touch on the fake stuff that happens in this industry and my journey exposing it all “Niggas throw their helping hand as a stepping stone” basically, I don’t believe all help is genuine.
How was working alongside Charlie Mase and Hak Baker & how did those collaborations come to fruition?
Charlie Mase & Hak Baker are both friends of mine so it was natural to link up and make something dope, they are two different types of artists so it was good because they contributed to the overall theme. They also represent two different timelines in my life - Hak and I were in Bombsquad together and Mase was associated with PBGR which I’m sure people familiar with this would’ve enjoyed.
How was the transition to singing on your music and has that opened up doors for you creatively?
I would say I was kind of forced into the transition. I used to write for a lot of singers, I wanted them to sing hooks on my tracks. The process was getting really long, so I just started trying to sing myself and as time went on I guess I just got better at it. It’s definitely opened doors because now artists want me to sing hooks for them and don’t look at me as solely a rapper anymore.
When did you first get into producing and do you feel that it aids your skills as a writer?
I couldn’t give an exact timeframe as to when, as I’ve always co-produced when I’ve had the chance, it just depends who I’m working with. As a writer, it helps a lot. Making a song is easier when you know exactly what you want to hear.
What were the inspirations for your solo debut ‘Criminal’ and sonically, what were your influences for that first release?
I just wanted to try something new. When Sokari made the beat I was like 'I really like this but it’s not something I’ve done before'. I didn’t think it would come out as good as it did. I thought it would be a good release because I wanted people to be familiar with the fact my style can vary, rather than switching things up later in my career when people are used to a certain sound.
How was directing the video for ‘Testimony’ and how important are visuals to your music?
Co-directing alongside noclrs was good. I’ve worked with them a lot in the past so we have a strong relationship. When I wrote the treatment, I knew the execution would be key, it’s easy to say what you want but how you want it is harder to describe.
I've always felt it's important to have visuals that complement your music. Music videos give another insight into the artist. It's just like reading a book, your interpretation of things may be completely different from watching a film based on a book. I see it as an extra form of expression.
What was the inspiration behind the ‘Volts’ artwork and who did you work within creating it?
The artwork represents me being free as a child. I’m jumping on the mattress in the clouds which is logically impossible but the idea is similar to child-like imagination. It correlates with the title because I believe that’s the only way I can continue to make the music I’m making. I have to allow myself to be free from being an artist that ticks a box. Lennon Gregory shot the image and later I worked with Lily Daumen to do the digital collage. Eddie Cheaba of Noclrs made the final touches to the artwork with the fonts and logo.
Which artists first inspired you to get into music and who is inspiring you today?
I was infatuated with 'Jump' by Kris Kross when I was five and as I got older I memorised the lyrics. It also helped me to master their skippy flows. I then went on to study other rappers with the same capabilities like Big L and Ludacris. I would say the artists that inspire me now are the artists that continue to push the boundaries of innovation like Travis Scott and Young Thug. I’m always going to be heavily into lyrics so Jay-Z, Drake and The Griselda Family have to be mentioned too.
What’s coming up for the rest of 2020?
Well, I'd love to do a headline show but I think the COVID restrictions might affect things. I've got more videos to release from the E.P too. I’ve also been working on a few collaborations and hopefully, they will be ready to drop before the year ends.