Interview: Los Angeles Rapper AUS10 Talks About His New Single/Video "Dreams"
Big ups to you on the release of your new single and music video “Dreams”. Tell us about what initially motivated you to write the song and who provided the beat.
The song was in my room while I was in a deep thought, you know, I always take as much time needed to create great music. This one here was just a result of those periods of time, reflecting on my past experiences, where I'm at now and my dreams of what will be over time. That's where the name “DREAMS” come from.
It was produced by epik the dawn. I think I might've found that beat on YouTube or received something in my email and responded. At this point, beats come in a lot and it's getting challenging to listen to all everything so I tap in when the time is right.
How did you and the director connect and where specifically in Los Angeles did you shoot the video’s scenes?
Me and my videographer of this video, Ike connected on Instagram and linked up in the South LA/Watts area where I used to stay and cruised around to a few spots. I think I'm a pretty likeable guy and this brother here is a solid brother as well so it was very easy to work on both sides to create something dope.
We also went to Venice Beach and shot some scenes such as the intro and Culver City Park all the way at the top. I really admire scenic overlooks and am eager to find more.
If you could pick any artist to appear on a remix to “Dreams”, who would you select?
Jay-Z, go big or go home. In all honesty, I strive for excellence lyrically. I'm competitive and he's the big dog in the game and I'd love to see what myself and someone like that would do in the studio. It would be crazy. Life changing.
Tell us about your creative process for your most recent work “Lost in Paradise”. Also, what are you most proud of with that project?
There's something inside me that changes when I'm creating a full project as opposed to a single. I love creating full projects because I like creating a story line as best as I can. The order of the music has to be to where if you listen to it all in one sitting in a quiet space or wherever you feel comfortable, it sounds like a vibe all the way through. Most of the time I don't go in with that mindset but afterwards I just piece the music together with the tracklist and there it go.
How would you say that your hometown of Los Angeles influences the music you create?
I make music from the heart, not just for my city, there's a world within me and I’m universal and aspire to be global with my music. So although I can make music I know will turn up an LA function if I got up on stage at this point in my life cause I know what they like, my primary focus is staying diverse like a stock portfolio, letting my creativity flow, and staying true to myself and letting those who are attracted gravitate this way.
With “Dreams” now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of 2020?
I will be releasing more music. With me, it's like once I finish a song and am in that mode, I can write about 3-4 more in one sitting when I'm feeling the beats I got in front of me. So with that being said, I have more heat coming soon that I'm equally, if not more excited to release to the public.
I also am eager to get back to performing, so later this year I'll be back on stages in front of people showing my face more.