8 minute read
CABALLERO & JEANJASS // Interview
In this dual voice interview, we meet one of the most mystical duos of the Belgian Rap Game and without question the most famous, I'm talking here of course about Caballero & JeanJass. Although their audience knows them as a duo, the two famous rappers started their career as solo artists.
We meet them today for this brand new concept from the imagination of these two Rap Game outsiders who decided to release their solo project at the same time. Between brotherhood, unity and their own identity, these two Belgian phenomena talk to A Rap & A Cup Of Tea about their creative process to come up with their respective new projects.
Advertisement
With a good sense of humor, Caballero and JeanJass, known for their hits such as "Dégeulasse", "Sur Mon Nom" and "Californie", will not fail to seduce you.
Can you tell me more about your career and your highlights?
JeanJass:
It's hard to list all the highlights... In short, we met in 2011 and we started working on our first project Double Hélice 1 in 2016. It's a trilogy with volume 2 and 3. Alongside that, we made a web series called "High et fine herbes" (High and Fine herbs) where we combined our two passions for plants and food. (laughs) And we just released a double solo album with one part each, kind of like OutKast did a long time ago.
Caballero:
When "Repeat" was released - one of the singles from Double Hélice (Double Helix) - it was my first ever experience, and I must say that it was very memorable and enjoyable. "High et fine herbes" I also think we created something original that was not done at all in Europe or in the French Rap scene... The Olympia sold-out show is also one of the three things that marked me.
What made you want to release a solo album at the same time?
C:
I think it's in the pursuit of originality. Exclusive content... We really like that aspect of things in music. It's a bit like a new formula, a new breath of freshness.
Was it obvious for you to keep this "duo" style in releasing your respective projects at the same time?
J:
We could have released a solo project separately, but that would have had many drawbacks... Like Caba said, we wanted to come up with something original. No one else in the French Rap scene has done what we did. And besides that, for the people who follow us, we also had solo careers before forming a duo but most of them only know us as a duo. It was a more subtle way to remind them of that and to offer a new formula as Caba said.
Did you work together on the themes of your albums or did you actually go through the creative process alone?
C:
Not really, we kind of went our own way. But obviously, we work in the same studio so we have established a common rhythm and techniques. We work together all the time and if one of us had something to play to the other, he would do it. We are great at advising each other I think. When we are well supported it is often easier.
Why did you choose OSO and Hat Trick as your album name?
J:
I had my cover in mind for a long time and I was looking for a cool title related to football, but not something that would be cheesy. And "Hat Trick" in all about scoring three goals in the same game. It's a quite exceptional performance, kind of an egotrip. It's like saying, "Here I come and I'm going to score three goals." Sometimes people think you spend a few months thinking about that when I only put 5 minutes into it. (laughs)
C:
"Oso" in Spanish means "bear". It turned out to be one of my aliases over time, kind of like a nickname or a totem animal. I felt that it fit me well with this project.
How did you feel about doing a whole solo project? Were you more free or were you a bit lost when faced with all the possibilities?
J:
I personally looked at it as a new playground. Of course there are moments when you need to step back and ask the opinion of others. But it also allows you to dig really deep into your own story and feelings. It was very inspiring for me.
C:
Totally agree with you. (laughs)
Can you tell me more about your respective featurings? Is there one with a particular story behind it?
C:
For me, I must admit that there is no particular story... Back in the days of "High et fines herbes" we tried to make a lot of featurings with the help of our managers to establish new connections. With this project, I really wanted to collaborate with people I like to make music with. It's true that with PLK we didn't have a previous experience but he's someone I've known for a long time and I get along very well with him. It was the right time to do this feat with him. So, I chose instead to go with people who are close to me.
J:
As for me, I had a real blast. I'm a big fan of Akhenaton from IAM. He's the French rapper I've listened to the most and that I greatly admire. I've been dreaming of doing a song with him for a very long time. I had already written my part and it turned out to be our song "Mains Qui Prient". At first I thought of taking it as a solo and when I listened to it one morning I said to myself: "Damn, this reminds me of some AKH songs!" So I contacted him on WhatsApp through some mutual friends and within an hour I had him on the phone. Not even a week later I got his verse in my mailbox. It's the easiest featuring that I've ever did in my life, it can't be easier than that. (laughs)
Does the fact that each of you is releasing a solo album, create a sort of competition between you two?
J:
Yeah, totally. (laughs)
C:
I don't think it did at that point particularly. I think we have always been competitive with each other but it's really wholesome.
J:
Like Caba said, we have always had this competition where we always want to do better. We always motivate and boost each other, you know?
Is there an ultimate message that you want to convey through your respective projects?
J:
There's this "strength in unity" concept. We came from two different teams before we got to know each other. I've known my DJ for 10 years and it's been great, and I've known my manager since I was 15, so personally that's how it's always worked: by sticking together. These are strong values that I believe in.
It is often said that Belgian artists are ahead of their time, like Stromae or Damso with their music, compared to the French and by creating this "joint solo" project which is a first and you also confirm this theory. What do you think about it?
J:
For us, it's hard to have an objective opinion but what is sure is that we are living a "golden age" in music. Not only Belgian and French rappers but even worldwide. Everybody can rap today. It's really a great time to make music, that's for sure.
In the OSO album, we can see several tracks in Spanish like "Ya No Sé", "Para Siempre", "Arriba". Is it important for you to put forward your Spanish origins?
C:
It's natural. If I really had to express myself and show my true colors, it's natural that I bring up my Spanish origins. Of course you will find my mother tongue and my origins. And I find it quite cool too.
In "Qu'est ce qui m'arrive" (What's happening to me) JeanJass, you talk about the dehumanizing aspects of being famous. In this song we have the impression that sometimes you don't really feel like you belong?
J:
Luckily that's not what I'm experiencing. (laughs) I was inspired by many things in the lives of famous friends. That's how I got to see the perverted aspect of the celebrity life. I kind of analyzed and criticized it through this song.
Do you think that your fans were receptive to this project or do you think that they are a bit confused like "you're not going to do any more projects together"?
C:
Well, there are always people who are more apprehensive than others and who don't like to be pushed around.
J:
It's clearly a minority because personally I've never received that kind of message... I think for Caba it's no different? Even in terms of numbers, although it's not something I'm interested in per se, my manager told me it's doing very well so it feels good. I think we have a great fanbase and I realized that even more on this project.
Who would you like to do a featuring with?
J:
With Caba! (laughs)
C:
I would say Drake or Kendrick!
J :
Your right, it's doesn't hurt to dream! (laughs) I can't wait to do a feat with them as well as Rosalia!
