6 minute read
G.A.N // Interview
G.A.N - from his real name Trésor Georges Mundende Mbengani - the Belgian rapper from Kinshasa who has a past quite difficult to handle rise up from his ashes to achieve his dreams. This single dad with an impressive career who took his first steps alongside famous artists such as Sexion D’Assault, Kery James, Youssoupha ... came back with his new single ‘Toi Ou Personne’ released last January. The artist with a deep and authentic honesty and also an impressive kindness has agreed to give us his precious time between recording studio and the promo of his new songs. The golden heart rapper told us with emotions what he feels and also the best moments he ever had in his career.
How did you become the rapper that you are today: a recognized Belgium rapper who makes thousands of views and streams? What’s your background? As I always say, I didn’t realize when everything started... Basically, I started, and it was a long way to finally end up here. From small venues to the legendary one of L’Ancienne Belgique, from small mixtapes to a first album that ranked number one in the Top Belge. I was able to build a fanbase that grew up as projects progressed. I’ve done the music, and fans did the rest.
Advertisement
It’s unusual to be a 30-years-old single dad in the Rap game. Is that where your strength comes from? I think that what an artist lives next to his career can be felt in his work. It gives strength, inspiration, etc.
You often talk about your difficult childhood as for example in ‘6 Min To Understand’. Did writing and music allow you to get rid of this heavy past? I can’t really feel free from it, but it helped me to appreciate what I have now. Especially to fight more for what I want. I often sing about things which I can’t talk about. Writing is therapy for me. It’s also a way to leave something behind me.
I saw that you played live at L’Ancienne Belgique, a prestigious concert hall in Brussels. It was the first time that an urban music artist signed in an independent label played there. You must have felt such a pride to meet your fans in this venue. How did it go? With my first gig in Kinshasa – Democratic Republic of Congo – it was one of my best memory on stage. Actually, I felt a lot of pride because it’s my own label Pafff Music which led this project to this historical moment for the Belgian rap. But I’m not only making Hip- Hop music so it has brought together people from different music culture. It was my first solo show in my city, so I’ve met my own audience for the first time.
Speaking of Belgium, do you think there is a big difference - if there is one - between Belgium Rap and French one ? Before, I would have said that there is one but today things have changed and I don’t see any - at least on the artistic level.
How did you end up being the support act of Sexion D’Assault? It must have been such an inspiring experience for your career? Let’s say I was at the right place at the right time... Thanks to it, I’ve see that people from my native country enjoyed my music too. As I said earlier this is one of my biggest experience on stage.
There are lots of emotions that come from your music. How do you do to find the perfect balance with love songs such as ‘4 Seasons’ and more heart touching songs like ‘Call me G.A.N’? I have to admit that sometimes, the balance is hard to find. The thing is that I write and I sing what I feel and like any human being, sometimes I’m in a good mood, in love and everything’s pink and enjoyable but sometimes I’m quite in a dark mood and fatalistic. As I heard recently, people say that the thing whom gathering my songs to each others is just me : my voice, my way of writing, my artistic way of seeing things etc. So I guess it’s a good point.
Who do you like to collaborate with for your video clips? It depends on the song, my mood, etc. At the moment, I really like working with Ashby Vermeirre, he made my video clip ‘La Muerte’ and we’re already working on another one.
You filmed your video clip ‘Toi Ou Personne’ in Maputo in Mozambique in Africa. Why did you choose this destination? It’s really unusual. Here again, it’s just destiny. One of my best friends - who is also the one with whom we launch our own record label together : Pafff Music label - was getting married there last summer. We just combined pleasure and work. We met some wonderful local artists, including one called Glazdow. The clip was shooted by Behind Your Vizion.
You made featurings with artists such as Youssoupha, Kery James, Imani... it’s impressive! How did these collaborations happen? Lino (Arsenik), Despo Rutti, Sir Samuel (Saïan Supa Crew)... All these meetings were very special and all of these artists gave me time and respect. If I have to talk about only one, it will be for sure the one with Kery James. This king of French rap has agreed to be featured in my first album and for me I achieved a dream. We met him in Brussels while he was on tour and my manager at the time succeeded to convince him to come listen to my music in the studio. He came the next day, we had an appointment at 1pm, he arrived at 12.59am (laugh). I remember that at that time, I haven’t recorded lots of songs, but he was agreed to meet an artist he didn’t know. So, we talked for a few minutes and then he said ‘‘Okay, let’s put some music on’’. We played ‘Effet Boule De Neige’ and after he heard few punchlines from the song, he got up in the middle of the room and he was dancing holding his head. I was sitting in the corner and I hardly dared to raise my head as I was too impressed. At the end of the song, he asked ‘‘How did you do that?’’. Then he asked for another song and we played ‘Excusé De Peu’ and he done the same. And a year later, we recorded our own song together in Paris.
Is it hard to break into music nowadays? I would say that it depends. You could be lucky and your YouTube video could be published on a famous website and then it’s the jackpot for you! But on the other hand, I would say it’s difficult because there are so many artists and music is everywhere so it’s harder to make THE difference.
In ‘Le Point G’ you say ‘‘The more I suffer, the more I rap’’. What does Rap represent for you? Rap is the way I found to fight my demons, like a therapy.
You’re often described as ‘The rapper who knows how to writes punchlines’. This nickname is well deserved. Have you always kniwn how to play with words since your beginning? I wish I could say it’s easy but actually it’s not! (laughs). Let’s say I have my own little tips to do my job easier. I have a way of thinking that helps me when I’m in a creative process. Punchlines are very important for me, it accentuates on the important things I want to share in my songs.
We can see your impressive talent and your ability to create punchlines in the freestyle ‘Booska G’ that you made for the online magazine Booska. Where does all this inspiration come from? The pressure that I feel, the desire to do better or to be the number one... That’s what gives me adrenaline and therefore inspiration. I’m lucky enough to be able to go often to the studio to recording.
Can you tell me a bit more about your musical inspirations? Koffi Olomidé, Les Sages Poètes De La Rue, Mc Solaar, Kery James, Booba, Le Rat Luciano... All these artists influenced me, they’re so inspiring! I used to listening to them again!
You come back today with your new single ‘Toi Ou Personne’ which is a very touching song. Tell me more about it? In which state of mind did you compose it? The composition of Selecta Killa really inspired me, so the words just came naturally. I must have been in a romantic mood that day! (laughs)
Your single ‘I’m 13 Years Old’ have a real meaning and talks about dramatic things especially about child soldiers in Africa or pedophile tourism in Thailand. Is it important for you to get socially involved? At my level that’s all I can do for now... Talk about it, sing it, share it, raise awareness. I try to do it as much as possible.
What’s next? My new album in September 2018!
© Words : Fanny Hill Scott
© Photography (1) : Alexis Vassivière © Photography (2) : Behind Your Vizion ©