Chicago has long been one of our favorite hotbeds of rising hip-hop talent, and one of the most promising young voices rising to the top is femdot. The rising emcee has consistently put out carefully-crafted, thoughtful music that time and time again have shown pure skill and talent, and has him firmly positioned as one of Chicago’s new to blow.
We recently caught up with him for a brief Q&A about his music and personal life, which you can catch below.
Are you originally from Chicago? What impact has the city had on you and your music?
Yeah born on the North side and then moved to the south burbs. I mean in regards to the impact the city has on my music, it shows up everywhere my experiences, my dialect, everything. I mean I wouldn’t even making music anymore had I not been in Chicago honestly.
Who’s on your Mt. Rushmore of Chicago artists?
Hmm, umm Kanye, Common, Twista, Bump J, and Keef, and Chance are tied if I could fit a 5th.
At what age did you first get involved with music and who were some artists you were exposed to early on in your life?
6 years old, thanks to my brother. But early on, Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye, Tribe, Big L, SWV, Jodeci, Tank, Case, Joe, Little Brother, State Property, Lupe, Crucial Conflict, DMX, Mobb Deep, Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane.
Creatively, where do you find most of your inspiration?
Life. Art imitates life for me. Everything I do and all the art I create reflects my life or the lives of those around me. I get inspired by everything. I know any moment can turn into a story worth telling, if approached the right way.
How would you describe your music to a deaf person?
I would either A. I have someone paint a piece that is familiar looking but one with many layers and dimensions on some picasso shit. And be like that’s how I’m coming. or B. show them the color olive green because that’s forever my mood.
Is there a central theme or message you have with your music? What do you want people to take away from your music?
Two things Humanity and intersectionality. I want people to see how someone narrative is far different from the one you way bestow upon them. That hopefully you can see how complex of a person or how multi dimensional I am as a person and realize that about yourself as well.
Your aesthetic online and offline seems very simplistic and curated, and I think it’s that lack of frills that makes people focus on the music and the content of the music more. What do you think of this trend where people doing all this extra bullshit and trolling for attention? Do you think it’ll die off soon or is it here to stay?
Haha. Thank you. I don’t know I think it just comes with the idea of social media. I think a lot of the shit is hilarious, honestly or that’s just some people attack things differently. Do I feel like its gonna die off? I don’t know, but if it does it definitely won’t be anytime soon.
Who are some artists in this generation of hip-hop, young or old, that you’d want to work with?
Outside of the homies, Kendrick, Cole, Missy Elliott, Sango, The Internet, uhh and Ty Dolla $ign. Cause he the hook gawdd.
What are your goals for the rest of 2018 and beyond?
Blow up and act like I know everybody. But nah seriously tour, and make new connections. Grow as an artist and as a businessman. Learn how to play instruments, retire my momma. Typical stuff.
When’s the next project we can expect from you?
Hey man who knows, I’m gonna let this one sit for a minute but I’m always working so no telling what’s coming next.
