A$AP Rocky interview

Harlem MC A$AP Rocky and moobahcore originator Dillon Francis opened the floor for questions to college students during a phone interview hosted by the 2013 MTVU Woodie Awards, with topics ranging from music genres to favorite pets.

Taking place on Thursday, March 14, in Austin, Texas, the Woodie Awards consist of recordings of performances by big artists at the Woodie Festival, as well as winners for various categories. Established in 2004, the Woodie Awards have helped numerous artists gain publicity, record sales and mainstream acclaim. The producers of the show have announced a new category called the Chevrolet Sonic College Artist Woodie, which allows artists from NYU, Belmont University and Greenville College to compete for a spot in the opening set at the Woodie Festival. 

Dillon Francis, an electronic dance musician known for pioneering moombahton and moombahcore, a fusion of house music and reggaeton, was born and raised in Los Angeles, where he was always interested in scratching and began playing with music early on. He has collaborated with artists like Diplo and has made remixes of numerous songs, including Passion Pit’s “Carried Away.”

During the interview, Francis spoke about the progression of the genres that he is associated with. Inspired by Blink 182 and by comedians, he enjoys doing funny things that other people can enjoy, equating his reputation as a class clown in high school by bringing humor to the classroom of music. Francis also shared that he loves to work with Calvin Harris, a musician that he has listened to for years and always dreamt of creating music with. He closed the discussion with a humorous anecdote about James Mitten Francis, his cat, who only wants to hang out with him at the wrong times. 

Next up was rapper and music director Rakim Mayers, better known as A$AP Rocky from the A$AP Mob. Mayers grew up admiring The Diplomats, Mob Deep, Run DMC and WU-Tang Clan. He gained attention with his first single, “Peso,” followed by an unofficial compilation titled “Deep Purple.” 

Mayers said, “I noticed I was on the come-up when I started to see strange people I didn’t even know come up to me and congratulate me on doing such a good job on my music early on.” He gave advice to new performers, telling them to have as much fun as they can and do their best on stage. He also spoke about his dream collaborations with John Lennon or Tupac, and his intention to keep developing as an artist and perfecting his sound.

Mayers ended the interview saying, “I am leaving behind a legacy, I’m teaching the youth … It’s a new day and age, we need to bring back the hippie power. It’s not about race, power, ethnicity, color anymore – we’re all one people. We need to get high and enjoy life the way we used to in the 70s.”