What inspired you to write “Le Connoisseur”?
Cab Cabernet is a lifestyle connoisseur. His areas of expertise are: music, wine, fashion design, cigars, consulting, and more. The song is testament to the legend of Cab Cabernet and the Krushed Grapes Lifestyle brand.
As we move through the 21st century, do you think the role of fashion in hiphop is increasing or decreasing? Why?
Fashion has always and will always play a huge part in the culture of Hip-Hop since day one. Today's fashion, like most things today, is disposable as opposed to classic. In other words, the styles of today will die along with the disposable music and artist of the day. Never to be seen again. I hope.
How did you hook up with De’Clat in South Korea for “Le Connoisseur”’s production?
He contacted me via email. He’s a fan of my label Bukarance Records and our music. This track spoke to me and I just dove in. It reminds me of vintage New York Rap music. Soulful, funky, luxuriously hardcore.
What’s the hiphop market like for luxury handmade accessories?
My footwear and accessories lines are handmade, sometimes custom-made original pieces for a particular clientele. Most people who spend $1,500 on a pair of handmade kicks don’t usually wear them. They just keep them in the box for bragging rights or collector's items. My customer base varies from collectors, artists, business people, celebrities, etc.
How do you think being from New England influenced your rap style?
New England is on the East coast, so I was influenced by NYC rap mostly growing up. I also had fam in NYC, so I could get that flavor in a quick three-hour drive. Every summer of my early teenage years was spent in Harlem. So the slow life of NE mixed with influence of the fast life of NYC created my approach to writing and rhyming.