If you don’t already know who Iamsu is, then you must not be holding your fingers over the pulse of the Bay Area’s music scene. The Bay Area is solely responsible for artists including E-40, Too Short, Mac Dre, and countless others. There’s no arguing that the Bay has a sound and vibe all on it’s own, and Iamsu is further proof of that. Before getting Iamsu, born Sudan Ameer Williams, on the phone for this particular interview, I spoke directly to his mother who also happens to be his partner. Right off the bat, you can bet that anyone who keeps their mom close like that has a good head on their shoulders, since you’ll rarely find someone who supports and has your best interest at heart like your mom does. First impressions matter, and the first impression you’ll get of Iamsu’s camp, is that it’s a solid place to be and garners your respect right off the bat.
RAPstation (Devon Pyne): Where do you draw most of your lyrical and musical inspiration from?
Iamsu: From my surroundings, mostly. Growing up in the Bay Area has had a big influence on my music and sound. The Bay itself has a very different sound.
How would you describe the Bay Area sound in one word?
Mobby.
As for music, what is your earliest memory of it?
My earliest memory in general? Honestly, probably the Men In Black theme song.
You’ve worked with a long list of artists (Tinashe, Sage The Gemini, DJ Mustard, G-Eazy, etc.) both as a producer and as a featured artist, who has been your favorite to work with so far?
That’s a tough one. Probably Wiz Khalifa. He knows how to work super hard, but he still has fun in the studio. I have a lot of respect for him as an artist.
How and when did you decide that music was your goal or purpose in life?
I’ve always known, even from the beginning. I had thought of other careers growing up, but music has always been my first choice. Music was a part of all my other choices too.
You’re part of and one of the founders of the Heartbreak Gang (other members include Sage The Gemini, Kehlani, Kool John, P-Lo, and Jay Ant), how did HBK Gang come to be what it is today?
How did we get to where we are today? Honestly, a lot of hard work. It was all hard work. We went to a lot of music festivals and shows in the Bay Area, a lot of mixtapes, and we worked hard to get to where we are today. We still work hard to this day, it never stops.
As for the music industry, what would you change about it? How do you think you can change it?
I’d change people being so Hollywood. What I mean by that is people not being forthcoming. I’m changing that by just being myself, being sincere.
You’ve been touring for a long time and done your fair share of shows. What is your favorite thing about performing live?
The best part about performing live is interacting with fans. We really get to vibe out. It’s cool to be able to see how people react to and interact with my music.
As an artist, do you think it’s important for you to be aware of social issues and to speak about them?
I think it’s important to be aware and speak on issues, but to a certain extent. It shouldn’t be so Hollywood. If you’re going to speak, be realistic.
Do you want to get any particular image or message across to your fans? Or is your music 100% you?
I want people to be able to have fun and express themselves, to be creative. My music is definitely me. I wouldn’t say I reveal it all in my music, but I put a big percentage of myself in my music.
Where do you see yourself and your music in ten years?
In ten years I want to be more into producing. I don’t know if a lot of people know that about me, but I got my start as a producer. I’d eventually like to score movies as well. Someday I hope to have a cult following like Prince. To have the ability to pop up and do a show whenever, and sell out major venues.
What do you think makes you stand out from other artists today?
I think my style is refreshing. I don’t look the same or sound the same as other artists today. My music is very different. I’m just being me, I’m not exaggerating in my music. I think the Bay has a lot to do with that.
Are there any artists you would like to collaborate with in the future?
Pharrell, definitely. I’m such a huge fan of his vocally and just as a producer. He’s a force to be reckoned with.
What new music or artists have you been listening to that you’d recommend?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Young Thug lately.
Do you have a favorite song from him, if you had to choose?
Hm. If I absolutely had to choose, I’d probably go with “Ridin†or “Powerâ€.
Any big projects coming up or things you’ve been working on or excited about?
Yeah. I actually just came out with an Iamsu app, it’s available for Android and iPhone now. Got a music video for my latest single “Up All Nightâ€. Oh, and I’ve got Kilt III coming soon as well. I’ll be announcing a tour soon, can’t give away dates and the title of it yet. But be on the lookout for that announcement. I’ve got two shows coming up, New York on the 24th and Vancouver, Canada on the 27th.
Is there anything you want potential fans or brand new fans to know about you?
I want them to know I really am all about the craft. Above all else, the music comes first for me. It always will.
Lastly, and this is possibly the most important question and your answer will say a lot about you, who is your favorite superhero?
(Laughs) Iron Man. It was Batman for a while, but right now I’ll say Iron Man.
Iron Man isn’t really a superhero though, he’s a billionaire. Batman isn’t one either.
What? How can you say that? Iron Man saved the world in the last Avengers movie. That was all him. He can fly! (Laughs)
Just saying. Not exactly super. But we won’t get into that right now. Thank you for your time, I’m a big fan and look forward to your new album.
Nah, we won’t get into that right now. He’s still my favorite superhero. No problem, thank you. Glad to hear you’re a fan.
If you’re not already a fan of Iamsu, or if this is your first time reading about him, it would most certainly be a good idea to learn a bit more about him. He’s certainly an artist to watch and get on board with to see just how far he can take his music career, and at only 26 he’s already worked with some big names in music today. With his start as a producer, there’s no doubt he’s an incredibly notable name on the list of artists to rise out of the Bay Area’s music scene. You can bet that Iamsu will only rise higher on the list of top hip hop artists, and even producers, over time.
Iamsu: The RAPstation Interview
If you don’t already know who Iamsu is, then you must not be holding your fingers over the pulse of the Bay Area’s music scene. The Bay Area is solely responsible for artists including E-40, Too Short, Mac Dre, and countless others. There’s no arguing that the Bay has a sound and vibe all on it’s own, and Iamsu is further proof of that. Before getting Iamsu, born Sudan Ameer Williams, on the phone for this particular interview, I spoke directly to his mother who also happens to be his partner. Right off the bat, you can bet that anyone who keeps their mom close like that has a good head on their shoulders, since you’ll rarely find someone who supports and has your best interest at heart like your mom does. First impressions matter, and the first impression you’ll get of Iamsu’s camp, is that it’s a solid place to be and garners your respect right off the bat.
RAPstation (Devon Pyne): Where do you draw most of your lyrical and musical inspiration from?
Iamsu: From my surroundings, mostly. Growing up in the Bay Area has had a big influence on my music and sound. The Bay itself has a very different sound.
How would you describe the Bay Area sound in one word?
Mobby.
As for music, what is your earliest memory of it?
My earliest memory in general? Honestly, probably the Men In Black theme song.
You’ve worked with a long list of artists (Tinashe, Sage The Gemini, DJ Mustard, G-Eazy, etc.) both as a producer and as a featured artist, who has been your favorite to work with so far?
That’s a tough one. Probably Wiz Khalifa. He knows how to work super hard, but he still has fun in the studio. I have a lot of respect for him as an artist.
How and when did you decide that music was your goal or purpose in life?
I’ve always known, even from the beginning. I had thought of other careers growing up, but music has always been my first choice. Music was a part of all my other choices too.
You’re part of and one of the founders of the Heartbreak Gang (other members include Sage The Gemini, Kehlani, Kool John, P-Lo, and Jay Ant), how did HBK Gang come to be what it is today?
How did we get to where we are today? Honestly, a lot of hard work. It was all hard work. We went to a lot of music festivals and shows in the Bay Area, a lot of mixtapes, and we worked hard to get to where we are today. We still work hard to this day, it never stops.
As for the music industry, what would you change about it? How do you think you can change it?
I’d change people being so Hollywood. What I mean by that is people not being forthcoming. I’m changing that by just being myself, being sincere.
You’ve been touring for a long time and done your fair share of shows. What is your favorite thing about performing live?
The best part about performing live is interacting with fans. We really get to vibe out. It’s cool to be able to see how people react to and interact with my music.
As an artist, do you think it’s important for you to be aware of social issues and to speak about them?
I think it’s important to be aware and speak on issues, but to a certain extent. It shouldn’t be so Hollywood. If you’re going to speak, be realistic.
Do you want to get any particular image or message across to your fans? Or is your music 100% you?
I want people to be able to have fun and express themselves, to be creative. My music is definitely me. I wouldn’t say I reveal it all in my music, but I put a big percentage of myself in my music.
Where do you see yourself and your music in ten years?
In ten years I want to be more into producing. I don’t know if a lot of people know that about me, but I got my start as a producer. I’d eventually like to score movies as well. Someday I hope to have a cult following like Prince. To have the ability to pop up and do a show whenever, and sell out major venues.
What do you think makes you stand out from other artists today?
I think my style is refreshing. I don’t look the same or sound the same as other artists today. My music is very different. I’m just being me, I’m not exaggerating in my music. I think the Bay has a lot to do with that.
Are there any artists you would like to collaborate with in the future?
Pharrell, definitely. I’m such a huge fan of his vocally and just as a producer. He’s a force to be reckoned with.
What new music or artists have you been listening to that you’d recommend?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Young Thug lately.
Do you have a favorite song from him, if you had to choose?
Hm. If I absolutely had to choose, I’d probably go with “Ridin†or “Powerâ€.
Any big projects coming up or things you’ve been working on or excited about?
Yeah. I actually just came out with an Iamsu app, it’s available for Android and iPhone now. Got a music video for my latest single “Up All Nightâ€. Oh, and I’ve got Kilt III coming soon as well. I’ll be announcing a tour soon, can’t give away dates and the title of it yet. But be on the lookout for that announcement. I’ve got two shows coming up, New York on the 24th and Vancouver, Canada on the 27th.
Is there anything you want potential fans or brand new fans to know about you?
I want them to know I really am all about the craft. Above all else, the music comes first for me. It always will.
Lastly, and this is possibly the most important question and your answer will say a lot about you, who is your favorite superhero?
(Laughs) Iron Man. It was Batman for a while, but right now I’ll say Iron Man.
Iron Man isn’t really a superhero though, he’s a billionaire. Batman isn’t one either.
What? How can you say that? Iron Man saved the world in the last Avengers movie. That was all him. He can fly! (Laughs)
Just saying. Not exactly super. But we won’t get into that right now. Thank you for your time, I’m a big fan and look forward to your new album.
Nah, we won’t get into that right now. He’s still my favorite superhero. No problem, thank you. Glad to hear you’re a fan.
If you’re not already a fan of Iamsu, or if this is your first time reading about him, it would most certainly be a good idea to learn a bit more about him. He’s certainly an artist to watch and get on board with to see just how far he can take his music career, and at only 26 he’s already worked with some big names in music today. With his start as a producer, there’s no doubt he’s an incredibly notable name on the list of artists to rise out of the Bay Area’s music scene. You can bet that Iamsu will only rise higher on the list of top hip hop artists, and even producers, over time.
