The upcoming album “PANDORA” by DAMNSHAWTOK! is set to release in early April. The concept behind the album was initially an allegory for man’s greatest follies: envy, greed, and lust. The artist believes that these negative emotions are what drive most of what we consume without realizing that they are also consuming us. Along with this theme, DAMNSHAWTOK! also aimed to create an album full of futuristic sounds that would resemble what the soundscape would be like in a strip club in neo-Gotham from Batman Beyond. The artist feels that they have succeeded in achieving both objectives, but the most important thing to them was to create an album that cranked all the way through, which they are sure they have accomplished
I had the privilege of conducting a Q&A session with DAMNSHAWTOK! regarding their upcoming tape.
Can you tell us about your stage name, and how you came up with it?
“I had like seven different rap names over the years and [people] just kept stealin’ em lol. Then one day I saw the “damn shawty, ok!” meme and saw it was a black stick figure getting the suck and I was like damn art imitates life you hear me, lol. And It’s been DAMNSHAWTOK! ever since.”
Can you tell us about your background in music and how you got started as an artist?
“My parents used to manage a bunch of old-school acts so I’ve always been hip to the business, but I never really recorded a song until high school with my niggas Leek, Neff, Ant, and RF. And I never felt like I was doin’ what I was supposed to do more ever in my life than the first time I made a song. I’ve been jackin’ it ever since.”
What inspired you to pursue a music career, and what keeps you motivated to keep creating and releasing new music?
“Pretty much all my art is excessive, not necessarily maximalist, but about the dangers and pleasures of excess, I guess. Like my clothing line is called “BLOODLUST”, and it’s half social commentary on Western culture’s obsession with sex and violence and half shit I just think looks cool. So I guess it was just on brand lol.”
Can you tell us about your creative process when writing and recording music? Do you have any specific routines or rituals that help you get into the right mindset?
“Honestly, I think people that truly appreciate my music just wanna hear me jump on the mic and say some shit that’ll make them think. “What was this [guy] thinkin’ when he said this?” But, in a good way. And, honestly, my end goal is to make songs I wanna listen to so as long as I think that shit fire.”
Can you talk about the creative team involved in the making of “PANDORA”? Who were some of the key collaborators, and how did they contribute to the final product?
“The homie Bugsy was instrumental. He shot the YSL video and was by my side getting studio footage for like half the tape. The homie Kiel and Lair Studios in Dover (DE), recorded and engineered half the tape and helped shaped the sound for sure. JKeys did the other half. I couldn’t have done it without him, that’s the homie. My brother Ugly (his artist name) shot the cover and it came out insane. Shout out to him and the homegirl Xu who did an incredible job as the model. And, of course, my brothers that held the features down [including] TaeHendrix, Mo Dope, Lust Nite, and Tony Matrix. Shout out to them fasho! It dead ass takes a village, I don’t care how cliche it is, shit be cliche cuz it is true.”
What is your favorite track from “PANDORA”, and why?
“Probably the outro, Estrella, and I don’t know, all these jawns crank. My opinion is the only valid opinion in existence, but that jawn is a different dog, it’s definitely getting a video.”
How did you come up with the concept for “PANDORA” and what inspired you to create an album that explores the themes of envy, greed, and lust?
“Honestly months of agonizing searching and archiving. I came across two producers (NV and Xrazy) and they were making exactly what I was looking for. I feel like I was into some more experimental sounds on my last tape (Don’t Talk 2 Me Don’t Touch Me) but I leaned fully into Supertrap on this jawn.”
How do you feel about the reception of “PANDORA” so far? Were there any surprises or unexpected reactions from fans or critics?
“The singles/visuals all got a really good reception so far, which has been encouraging. But, I don’t know, again I feel like this is my best work yet and that’s all the criticism I really care about.”
How do you see your music evolving in the future? Are there any themes or sounds that you want to explore next?
“I wanna be fully producing my own albums by the end of next year and I think that, since no one gets your vision like you do, I think that it’ll be insane.”
Finally, what message do you hope your listeners take away from “PANDORA”? What do you want them to think and feel after listening to the album?
“Comparison is the thief of joy, don’t wear fake Balenciaga, and take care of your people before they get you taken care of!”
Check out the album here
