Photography © Fifou
Photography © Fifou
"If there was a project with Sexion D'Assaut,
we'd make sure to stick to each other's artistic vibe."
"If there was a project with
Sexion D'Assaut, we'd make sure to
stick to each other's artistic vibe."
You surely have already heard of Maska and his group, which brought him to the forefront and conquered the entire country in early 2010 as a valid model. Coming from the legendary group Sexion D'Assaut, he's one of those who inspired a whole new generation of rappers.
Unmistakable and incomparable, Maska has also made a name for himself as a solo artist alongside former group members, such as Gims, Black M, Lefa, and Barack Adama.
The one who claims to be authentic and gracious against all odds has decided to draw from his experience and everything around him to create and express his feelings. Always truthful in his lyrics, Maska seems honest with himself and opens up to A Rap & A Cup Of Tea about his new project entitled Étoile De Jour.
"When love fades away to summon the darkness, it results in the magnificent project of Maska." We can confirm that the artist opened his heart to this magnificent project, which kicks off a new trilogy.
We knew you for all these verses that became classics in the Rap scene, and now we know you in a more Pop register than before, especially in this new project. What made you want to leave your comfort zone?
The most important thing is to have fun doing what you do. When you get stuck in a routine, it takes the fun out of doing things... I've always been a sentimental rapper who puts a lot of emotion in his lyrics, and I find that the melody "helps" this song genre. The fact that I come from Sexion D'Assaut helped a lot because Sexion brought a lot of musicality to French Rap. It truly shaped me in my musical culture as an artist or as a rapper.
Is there a difference between the two?
I had to take singing lessons to become a full-blown artist. With melody, you can convey more different emotions than with Rap. For me, rapping is one singing style among many, and it would be a shame not to take full advantage of it.
This project, which people will soon learn about, is the first part of a trilogy ending in 2021. How did you get the idea?
Many music releases are always coming out, whether singles or albums. If you give your audience a 17-track project all at once, many songs get lost. So, it was a great way to highlight each of the tracks. If someone offers you to listen to an album with 40 tracks, you'll get tired before you click on play. (laughs)
Was there an important message you wanted to convey through this first project?
I like to convey messages through my songs, but sometimes, I do so unconsciously. For example, when I talk about my personal life, it's more a way for me to "unload". That's what I did on some of the tracks on the EP. I also admit that I often go to the studio with concepts in mind. Whether in music or life, when you give to someone, that person gives back even more. I have a great appreciation for my producer and all the great things he is capable of doing. I don't want to come into the studio and give him "a little bit of me". I want to give him everything in me and say, "Here's a part of my life, what can you do with it?" he'll naturally make wonders of it. But if I show up dragging my feet without an idea, the result won't be the same. It's not an exact science. Sometimes, with just feeling and spontaneity, you can get great results.
You said, "Success and authenticity are very much intertwined. In my music, I have always performed like that. With an open heart". Can you tell me more about that?
Paradoxically, the more you dig deep inside yourself to talk about intimate subjects, the more you'll reach out to a broader audience. We are all very different and yet very similar at the same time. I'm always amazed when I listen to a piece of music and think, "Wow, that's crazy, I've been through the same thing". With my producer, Nino Vella, this is often what happens because we have become friends, and when we chat about our lives, we realise that we are similar in some ways. People who live the same thing understand each other faster and connect more easily.
Have you ever felt you were holding yourself back in your artistic creativity?
I know that sometimes you can't give everything to others and must keep a certain decency. Regarding my personal life, I quickly open up to others. "I don't protect myself from others", if you know what I mean. What you do with my confessions is your own business, it's your act. People around me often tell me, "Don't share too much with people; they can use it against you", but I don't think like that because these wrongs are their own business. Even though I'm an open person, when it comes to music, I put some limits and boundaries on myself when it's too intimate. If I feel something in music or everyday life, I say it without asking myself too many questions.
The project includes a feat with Lefa on "Voie Lactée". Was it obvious to do a feat with one of the members of Sexion?
It was quite the opposite. (laughs) To establish an artistic identity that stands out from the rest of the group, I didn't necessarily want to do a feat with the members of Sexion. What happened on this track is that I wished for Lefa to be filmed for the video. I thought this track was good for him because it talked about his artistic life, and his last album, Fame, was also in line with this idea when he spoke about fame. Eventually, he told me that he liked the song too much and that if I wanted him to be in the video, he might as well put his voice on it. And since I'm someone who doesn't ask for help, I didn't want to bother him with it as we had already done some tracks together on our previous projects. Ultimately, he asked me, and since our artistic styles are similar, I thought it could be a great idea.
Your speech is rather very impactful on the track "Vérité", and I see it as a caring advice... For you, is it also an artist's duty to have this kind of human speech?
Totally! Kindness is vital to me. It's not necessarily "stylish" to say this, but being a kind person has a lot of positive influences on your personal life, and it's crucial for me. When you're good towards people, you can only be proud, fulfilled, and happy in your social life.
Do you feel a certain pressure to be Maska of the Sexion D'Assaut?
Coming from Sexion indeed leaves you with a specific label, but it's also a kind of heritage. In France, people tend to put you in a box and leave you there. People will always want to see me rap like I did back then, but I don't look back anymore. Even though I'm happy with what I did back then, I'd instead focus on my solo career and the artist I've become. For me, the most important thing is personal growth. It allows you to experience real personal success, not just professional success.
The return of the Sexion with this series of concerts is a big deal...
It's true, and I can't wait to go back on stage; it brings back many memories... The last time we performed with Gims at the Stade de France, were 80,000 people there, and we had a great time. Back then, when we were performing one concert after another, we somewhat lost the meaning of playing at the Zenith or elsewhere because it became a habit, and this was totally different. Before going on stage, I said to myself, "This moment, you're going to live it for yourself, and you're going to enjoy every second of it". Eventually, even if it was only a 16-bar verse, I think it was one of the most beautiful concerts of my life because I fully enjoyed this moment. So I can't wait to get back on stage! Anyway, if there were a project with Sexion, we would make sure to stick to the artistic orientation of each one and create a project in the spirit of the times.
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