Interview: Fontana, CA Based Indian-American Rapper iismaill Discusses His Debut EP "Marzi"
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We had the opportunity to connect with Fontana, CA based Indian-American rapper and Badgenre collective member iismaill for an exclusive interview to discuss his debut EP “Marzi”. Specifically, we got a chance to learn what iismaill is most proud of with the EP, why he decided to not include any features on it, how he and the other members of Badgenre push each other as artists, and much more.
After reading our Q&A with iismaill, be sure to check out our review of the “Marzi” EP, connect with him on his social media, and listen to the EP on Spotify.
Congratulations on the completion and release of your debut EP “Marzi”. What would you say that you are most proud of with this project?
Thank you very much! In all honesty, the responses from people that I received after releasing "Marzi" were some of my proudest moments. I just can't say that there is one single thing that I feel most proud about.
The production, writing, recording, mixing/mastering, and promotion were all components that I was extremely ecstatic about. Plus, I was proud of myself for sticking through with a project that took quite a while to create.
Why did you make the decision to not feature any other artists on “Marzi”?
Because I was going to release this project onto multiple major music streaming services such as Spotify and iTunes for the first time ever, I wanted to really show the world what I could do by myself. Not to say that I'm against features or anything, but for this specific project I really felt like I could create something by my lonesome.
I personally feel like it's best never to force a feature. My mentality is that if you can kill a track solo and it sounds dope, by all means do it.
Since the release of the EP last year, how would you say that you have grown as an artist from a creative perspective?
Speaking from a creative standpoint, I truly feel like I gained a new kind of confidence after the release of the EP, both as a writer and an artist overall. I realized that what I wrote had the potential to go somewhere far, and the potential to stick to peoples' minds. I learned that as long as the lyrics within a track are relatable and catchy, people will vibe. But in the end, it really depends on what kind of message the song is conveying.
With the whole year ahead of you, what are some of your goals musically and fashion wise, in regards to your clothing line?
In terms of music, I've been working on a couple new tracks, and a project may be on the way towards the end of 2020. Music visuals are also something that I've been hustling towards, because I truly feel like a single track can go very far if people can see the music and the artist simultaneously. Performing at different venues and doing shows is another thing that I've been working on.
As far as my clothing line goes, I'm coming up with new designs, and "iill" merch will be available in the coming months. I have big plans for this year.
Tell us about Badgenre, the collective you are a part of. How do you each push each other creatively, and is there a friendly competitiveness?
So "Badgenre" started off as an idea from the collective's manager, Reno Ludwiga. He came up with the name way back, thereafter which he realized that some of his friends and his brother were musically gifted, and it kind of just evolved into a collective.
While we are a collective, we each have our individual style and vibe, and that's what makes us unique. The group consists of myself, Regi Levi, Waqqas, Cully Seville, DJ Madrid, and Reno. We do push each other musically, and continue to learn from one another. There is most definitely friendly competitiveness, as there should be. I truly believe that competition, in its proper parameters, breeds pure content. This mentality most certainly applies to Badgenre.
If you had to pick one song on “Marzi” as the most representative of you overall as an artist, which one would you select?
That's a tough one, because I embodied myself through my lyrics in all five tracks. The name "Marzi" itself means "choice" or "decision" in Urdu, which I speak fluently.
To me, this project is extremely personal because I really used different experiences as motivation to write it. Be that as it may, if I had to pick one song off the EP to represent me as an overall artist, I would pick "Anything". This is because the song in its entirety encompasses what I feel like I can do best. Relatable lyrics, catchy hook, vibey beat, all in a pop-form compared to simply rapping. The other tracks come very close though, very close.