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T X E T N O C A I R A M A S E 4. H T R E L Y T . 10 N E X G I A R C . 4 1 e w S k n i P . 2 3 n a e S G i B . 4 4 T s y r B . 50 y k m S 5 6. E I T A K . 68
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Samaria by Jonny B Great
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As the Bay Area continues to grow as an R&B hotspot, singer-songwriter Samaria seems to have aligned her silent trajectory right alongside it. The 23-year-old has been quietly dropping tracks with the region's most prolific artists occupying the R&B scene —
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C RA IG X EN p h o to s b y D ie g o Pa lo m in o story by greg gagliardi
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Gregory: I first wanted to talk about your project that I just listened to too Broken Kids Club. The first thing I took from it is that this is very vulnerable music. I'm wondering when you are making music in the emo genre, which is dark and deep the feelings people don't want broadcasted to the world what do you feel? What do you feel like when you release it? Do you get nervous or selfconscience that people are going to misinterpret your art?
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Craig: oh yeah, I was terrified man because it’s so vulnerable. I think my aggressive heavier music is my shell, it’s my protection, it’s my safe place, but going into making more vulnerable music and exploring a softer side I knew what it would be. I sense that a lot of people don’t want to feel those feelings. I don’t necessarily blame them. For some people those things don’t resonate, but a lot of responses from certain people have told me you released this because it brought up the emotions that I’ve been dissociating with from a long time, and I really needed to hear this. As much as it was for me it was a release for them. Gregory: That’s real and I say that because I was really fucking with it. It’s different when you feel music, I like to dance, that’s a different style of music. I had to sit down and think when I listened to “Broken Kids Club.” Craig: Yeah man that’s what I wanted to do man. Gregory: Well you did a hell of a job man. Is it an album, ep, mixtape, or project? I don’t know what things are called in hip-hop nowadays. Craig: Yeah so, an album is typically I don’t know how many tracks, but an ep is an extended play. Back in the day originally an ep would revolve around a single, a remix of the song, and one other song. Then we have kind of grown to where, to me, less than 10 songs are an ep. Whenever I see more than 10 songs, I guess that could be considered an album.
Gregory: Today, with some of these albums, I get turned off when I see 17, 18, 19 songs. I want digestible music. Craig: Absolutely and it is hard when we have been programmed through the media, and how music has changes over time it is so hard to sit through a 22 songs top to bottom and be taken on that journey. I feel like for my full length I’m shooting for 15-16 song with an intro, outro, and interlude that’s an album to me. Gregory: Let me ask you something, who would be your dream producer that no one would think you'd work with? cause when you dropped, I knew the sounds I’d get. I’d get that guitar, and those banging beats that make me want to burn my room down. Would you ever rap on a Kanye soulsample beat? Craig: Absolutely. I’ve just recently really been studying Kanye as a person and creative. I love his older work, “College Dropout”. I would totally be up for that. I really like to work with him and watch the creative process, it would do a lot. Gregory: Flying lotus? Craig: Dude Flylo, Death Grips, I would love to watch a session of Death Grips, and definitely Kanye. Gregory: That would be sick, I feel you. I would love to be a fly on the wall in a Flying Lotus, Death Grips session. I wouldn’t want to say anything, just study. I feel like that’s important for artists nowadays. Craig: Exactly I wouldn’t want to interfere with the creative process. I just want to observe.
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Gregory: Absolutely my man. It is weird because I’ve heard your music and it is good. You’ve made music with some of the most talented people of our generation, but I still feel like there is a level of mystic to you, which isn’t bad like for instance where are you from? Craig: I’m from Houston Texas. To the mystic and mysterious, it was intentional it wasn’t a marketing strategy. Over the past year, specifically every year before this past year I was making music with my friends and it was cool. I was making show money, traveling, I didn’t care to be known or want to be known to the masses I just wanted to have friends that felt the same way, and we did experience life and grown together. We would make music and it put it out. If People fucked with it cool, and if they didn’t cool. What changed a year ago was I took into consideration; I looked at the scale to see how many people I 24 was helping. Whether it was from a DM, or people coming to my shows and saying my music inspired and saved them and got them through tough times. Selfishly, I could be content with being comfortable, but so many people need me. They need the service I provide. I am going to intentionally make an attempt to grow and to expand my mind, and the place I've created for people to escape to as an artist. Gregory: I feel that Craig: For sure yeah it was a conscience thing. This is my first actual EP that I sat down and put together, dropping visuals there are no visuals out yet.
Gregory: In my opinion music video are just as popular as they were in the 90s, when artists were blowing up off videos. You need those videos to accompany an album are you coming with visuals? Craig: Yeah, I have a visual for "Run It Back" that's going to be released before summer is over and “Cry Baby Cell 17." Both of those visuals are in the works, they are going to be out before summer is over. I believe that visuals are important for multiple reasons, people can put a face with a name, and it helps them consume the package as a whole. I feel like they can gravitate and feel closer to you when they realize you are a real person, not just an idea. I also feel that as an artist if you are trying to reach more people it's important to have a presence on YouTube because everybody and their mom knows about YouTube. Not everybody knows about Soundcloud. Gregory: That's actually crazy because I've been on SoundCloud for such a long time, then I realized I'm one of the only people in my area on it. Craig: A lot of people don't know about the SoundCloud culture where it started. Members Only, Suicide Boys, Pouya that whole culture that I've always been a part of. Gregory: Speaking of that culture have you ever had the chance to meet Bones? Craig: It's so crazy you mention that! We've spoken on the phone a few times So, he does exist?! Craig: He does exist! Gregory: I didn't believe that he was a real human. I've seen interviews, but I'm still like nope not him. Craig: I think he prefers his privacy. He just loves to create and perform his music, and be there for his fans sonically and visually. I feel like that's as much as he wants to with the industry. That what I've learned from his music, he didn't want to be a part of the industry or the machine; he perceived it one way and its works for him. I feel like we don't see a lot of Bones because he doesn't want to be seen you what I mean?
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Gregory: I'm so jealous of that I wish I would live that. He just makes incredible music. He won, he figured it out. So, speaking of all of that we were on Reddit. What is it like giving an AMA? For me, it was good because I was able to have all the questions concentrated into one spot. In my DM it's tough when people ask questions they will get mixed up. To have everything concentrated in one spot and be able to speak on things that people have been asking me for a while I felt really connected to my fans, and I want new people that are curious to be able to dive in. I gave full-length responses because I care. I care what they had to say. I genuinely wanted to engage with them. I've always been that way with my supporters. Gregory: How hard is it to respond to every DM?
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Craig: Okay so here it is realized this 7 months ago: I was telling my fans to reach to me if they need someone to talk to. I sat down; I was at Mell's Diner in LA I was responded to every single person that DMed me. I spent 7 hours straight responding, and the only meal I had was at Mell’s. It is physically impossible for me to have a life and respond to everyone fairly, genuinely, and thoroughly and help them deal with what they are going through. I had a realization; I saw a common theme in my DMs and decided I'm going to make a song about it.So, if people tell me they feel alone, depressed, or anxious it is like well 10 out of the past 50 people that hit me have been talking about this, so then I’m going make a song about this. I can help all 10 of those people. Gregory: I have a question about the SoundCloud scene. How much music is over made on the internet vs. how much is it in person? Craig: For me there was one song that was made over the internet called “Unmasked” with Denzel Curry. Ski Mask wanted to me get on the song with him and Curry, this was like 3 years ago. I said I’ve never met him, I had never heard anything bad about him, I just didn’t know him. He was a much bigger artist then me at the time. I personally didn’t care. I’m very sensitive with who I work with. I feel the best music is created from an organic place. You know what I mean? Gregory: Absolutely. Craig: I have a song with Skies and Gnar and that song was made by being in the same place at the same time, catching a vibe sharing ideas. “Run It Back” same thing with all those songs. Maybe 1% of my songs were made over the internet, I prefer to work in person.
Gregory: What is like being around Ski Mask and Lil Peep (Rest in Peace)? Craig: I’d say Ski has always been fast paced, outgoing, and super goofy. Peep: I had to drag him out the house. Dude, he did not like sunlight. He was like I’m nope; I’m not going outside today. He would only go out if he was really feeling it. I remember one day I dragged him to the beach, he just loved to stay inside, create, and think. He didn’t see a reason to leave. He just wanted to make more music. He would think of new ways to manipulate his self-image, like dying or cutting his hair. He just loved to think inside and express how he felt. He didn’t leave the house much at all. Gregory: I found out about you though him (Lil Peep) “California World” and that is my shit, who made that beat, it is insane? Craig: Nedarb!!!
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Gregory: I don’t know if I say it in the past tense because in my mind (Lil Peep) he is still alive. Craig: Absolutely it’s the same thing with X. I think the last time it hit was when I had a fleeting thought to facetime him and was just that, a fleeting thought. Or on day like June 18th when its all kind in your face and everybody is mourning together that’s when I feel it. Besides that, though I feel like he is still here.
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Gregory: Something I’m learning is; I’m not getting sad over death. Because it is so sad, it is so fucking sad, so why am I going to feel sad? You make music, carry that legacy. Take what those guys started and run with it. Make sure that stuff eternal. Craig: Absolutely because I remember when everything happened. I remember seeing how he (X) would react to me in the bed crying. He would tell me to get the fuck up, there is a lot work to be done. I remember him pushing me not wanting me to be sad. Someway with Peep and Ski. All these guys are great people. They motivate their friends to become the best version of themselves. With me knowing Peep and X, and how they were, I know that both would want me to celebrate their lives. Push through and grind and think about the good times. Neither one of them would want me to be sad. Gregory: That’s a whole lot of facts right there. I saw this on the internet and wasn’t sure if it was correct, were you involved with Schemaposse did you found Schemaposse is that true or not?
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Craig: Yeah! I was in Schemaposse. J Grxxn and Ghostmane were the heads of Schemaposse when they recruited me and then I recruited Peep Gregory: Holy shit I didn’t know that! Craig: Yeah! Overtime everyone kind of grew apart because some of us were straying away. Because we were all contrived to me one aesthetic and sound, because that’s were in were in life. Schemaposse days were dark. We didn’t have much. Our realities were very dark. As we began to get to better places in our lives different opportunities (tours) would arise. As friends we would never tell somebody don’t go on tour, Schemaposse until you die. So, everyone kind of gradually grew apart. They grew out of their cocoons and became butterflies. Everyone is very happy for everyone. Gregory: It is very nice that you have that appreciation for each other. you named some musicians who have serious talent.
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PINK SWEAT$ 35
Photographer Mariah Winter Story by Anthony Supreme Thompson
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Q & A
Where are you from ? And describe your up bringing ? I'm born and raised in Philly. Music-wise I've been drumming in Church since I was a kid. I was pretty much in the hood until the 10th grade when my dad moved us to South Jersey. That was probably the turning point for me where I started being a little more productive with my life. What was the first album or music you brought? That inspired you the most? My household was super religious so I wasn't allowed to listen to secular music as a kid. I remember my Mom bought the "Mario" album and we listened to that a lot. She loved that album. That was the most memorable non-gospel project for me growing up.
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"I try to bring an honest vulnerability to my music that I think really resonates with my fans. " pink sweat$
What inspires you to start making music and how did you discover your direction ? When you're a writer you are constantly being asked to copy this or make it sound like that, but thats never something I want to do for my own music. One of the most important things to me is balance. I think you need balance in everything, whether that be life or your music preference. In an age where heavy production is so prevalent and everyone wants there songs to hit a certain way, I just wanted to give people the opportunity to also have the other side. Similarly, you hear so many songs focusing on sex and over-sexualizing women. I try to bring an honest vulnerability to my music that I think really resonates with my fans. Describe your creative direction is it a team ? Or all you ? If so what’s that process like ? I have a creative team that I work with on all of my visuals. We are all so close that no one is ever afraid to throw out ideas that may be risky or out of left field. They do an amazing job of taking pieces of my imagination and really bringing it to life.
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"I always want my videos to give you a different perspective as to how to view the song" PINK Sweat$
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If there’s a new ep/album coming how much can you tell me about it. Along with how much can you describe the growth of it music wise from your last? I pretty much play every instrument, and on my album I'm going to let people hear that. I've been working really hard and collaborating with a lot of tremendously talented people to put my first full-length album together. I want it to be a masterpiece and I know its getting there. Some of the album records are songs I think the world needs.
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Your visuals are really amazing! What inspires them all. I always want my videos to give you a different perspective as to how to view the song. I never want it to be a down the middle representation. My team knows how my brain works and we all collaborate to make the videos special. How has your direction grown sense the start and do you feel you’ve figured it out yet ? Or still room to grow ? For me I think this answer is probably a little different than most since I'm not a kid. I'm 27 and I couldn't be happier with my life and the person I've become. There's always room to grow and improve, but I honestly feel like tough times are behind me and its only up from here.
Is there something or someone who inspired your first ep/album? 45 I ask because of the titles to me seem to be about the lost of love ? I wrote Volume 1 from an airbnb couch in LA. It was the first time I had gone out there to really make my rounds in the songwriting circuit and I was doing sessions everyday. When you're in a new place meeting new people its easy to be inspired. I wouldn't say there was one person that inspired Volume 1, just a lot of new people in my life that gave me a different perspective. What is something you would want your fans to know about you. Maybe no one knows ?
I tell people this during my shows, but I never write anything down. I'm a freestyle writer, so when I get in the booth its more of a stream of conciseness than anything. It usually only takes me a few takes to nail down a full verse or chorus. I remember when I was writing 'Body Aint Me' with by guy Doc Daniel, he started playing that guitar riff and we recorded the entire first verse and chorus all in the first take.
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BIG SEAN BY ANTHONY SUPREME
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BRYSON TILLER BY ANTHONY SUPREME
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Smooky Margielaa
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by JAHMARIO styled by Mario story by NIKO LEENO
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• Who is SmookyMargielaa ? Describe yourself in 5 words. Best Youngest Artist Out Now • Where are you originally from ? Bronx New York • How was the vibe at school, since having so much success? I can’t lie , it was lit!! I had the whole school on my back! I went to Eximius High School shout out to them. • How old were you when knew you wanted to be a rapper ? I’d say around 9 or 10. when I was 9 I felt like I could rap just didn’t know how. When I was 10 I started practicing in GarageBand and releasing music on SoundCloud
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• who’s your biggest inspiration? Michael Jackson , I’ve been watching him since I was young. • What’s been your favorite city or show so far ? Toronto! Shout out to the 6! 65 They went crazy when I came out!! What’s your relationship like with ASAP MOB? Those are my guys , those are my brothers!
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• How many pair of Margielas have purchased over the years ? Sheeesh man OD lol , idk I can’t even count them. I’d literally have to count them all. Probably not 100 but a lot lol though.
• What are your must have items in the studio? Good energy! Good Engineer, snacks some studios have the cookies with the milk! My favorite snack would be Starburst. Oh I have to have water and Tea! Tea keeps my voice clean.
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• What do you have planned for the rest of 2019 and 2020 ? I’m about to drop “ The Youngest in Charge “ tape really soon. A lot of great features on it, then the Album right behind that also my own Tour. It’s a lot • What is something that you would like your new fans reading this to know about Smooky ? Just know we taking over! We going crazy!! And I got the best music coming out! Take over time!
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KATIE PHOTOGRAPHER BRYANA NEWTON STYLIST RAEANA ANAIS MUA LANII DOA STORY BY ANTHONY SUPREME
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Where are y up bringing
I was born in New Jers to move to years old.
What was th brought? Tha
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I don’t r bought, but cassette ta named g.o.d. the most i inspired by and how it styles and one.
What inspire and how did ?
I think my reading nov in my alon times wher something i aloneness. own kind of
you from ? And describe your ?
in South Korea, and grew up sey after my family decided the US when I was about 10
he first album or music you at inspired you the most?
remember the first one I t I do remember having a ape of this Korean group . The album that inspired me is NxWorries; I was really y the newness of the music, blended different kinds of brought them together as
es you to start making music d you discover your direction
solitude inspires me. I love vels and listening to music ne time, and those are the re I feel connected to in this world - through my It inspires me to find my way to express myself.
born in South Korea, and grew up in New Jersey
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Describe your creative direction is it a team ? Or all you ? If so what’s that process like ? I have an awesome team supporting me, mainly of four people, including myself. They are some of the greatest people to work with from different domains: art, fashion, design, music - they have so many ideas. We do have a creative producer as well, but we gather ideas and creative directions and pave the path towards making them happen. I am really lucky and grateful for the team because they are the most intelligent and creative people I’ve met. But more than that, they have great hearts, filled with passion, empathy, patience, and kindness. I don’t know much outside of music, so it’s really critical that I am supported by these people with different expertise to lead and challenge me in new ways to express myself. What’s the greatest memory of working with Ty dolla ? Did you learn any thing creatively by working with him ? I was very surprised by his humility. Our conversations on set were so pleasant and easygoing. Seeing him dance to "Remember" showed me how much he really enjoyed my music, and he genuinely wished me good luck on my future. Seeing this huge artist, with so much success, that has such a great heart and energy -- he earned another fan in myself. Your visuals are really amazing! What inspires them all. For example Thinking bout you ? Thank you. When I spoke with the music video director about the concept of the song, he suggested kind of a dark mood to express deeper emotions. I loved it. I wasn't quite able to see myself doing something light-hearted at the time, so I instantly connected with the vibe he envisioned.
my solitu de inspir es me. I love readin g novels and listen ing to music in my alone time
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"I will always be striv sense of my ethics for feelings, connect and be happy living in thi
How has your direction grown since the start and do you feel you’ve figured it out yet ? Or still room the grow ? What I want to do with music has not changed since the start of this whole journey. I don’t have everything figured out, although that’d be great haha.. I will always be striving for better, but the vague sense of my ethics for my music is to be true to my feelings, connect and touch like-minded souls, and be happy living in this life. I am always open to new ideas to expand my view of the world and of music, as long as I have my foundations and stay rooted in those ethics. Is there something or someone who inspired your first ep/album? I ask because of the titles to me seem to be about the lost of love ? To be honest, when making the songs, we didn’t have a “theme” we were going for throughout the process. We just made what we were feeling during those times - on any given day, at any given hour. I guess it turned out that way because love is such a universal language and we go through these emotions continuously in our lives.
ving for better, but the vague r my music is to be true to my d touch like-minded souls, and is life."
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What is something you would want your fans to know about you. Maybe no one knows ? Hmm.. I would like to let them know how much of a struggle it is for me to try to stand out haha.. I am such an ordinary everyday person; but my dreams of creating great music and letting my voice be heard for stumbling souls is what keeps me trying, I guess. If there’s a new ep/album coming how much can you tell me about it. Along with how much can you describe the growth of it music wise from your last? Nothing is set in stone yet, but I think I’ll have a single out in the near future. I am thinking it will be more of a light-hearted song, a fun jam to vibe along, showing a bit of a different side of me.
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