Meet Aminé, a jovial rapper tackling political and racial injustice with his music

Interview by Lupe Baeyens / lupebaeyens

Photographer Christian Lanza / bychristianlanza

Creative director Liam MacRae / liammacrae

Stylist Aly Cooper / repoocyla

Clothing via DEPARTMENTO 

Rising star of the hip-hop scene Aminé has made his name by being overtly different from the herd, expressed through both his music as well as his visuals.

Early this year, the Portland-born rapper released the song ‘Shimmy’ marking 2020 as his year. With a global pandemic, racial and political injustice at a never before seen height, Aminé / amine is determined to be one of the driving forces of change. Offering a sigh of relief during lockdown, he released ‘Riri’ following ‘Shimmy’ and a future LP favorite ‘Compensating’ featuring Young Thug, while fans eagerly awaited the drop of his new album “Limbo.” And then came “Woodlawn” accompanied by another undeniable visual co-directed with his visual comrade Jack Begert. Much like the stunt he pulled in 2016, where he swapped out the chorus of his platinum-selling record ‘Caroline’ for a well- versed critique against Trump, his new project unapologetically calls out systemic racism. To say 2020 has been challenging, would be an understatement, but one thing is certain, it will be Aminé’s year.

Your new album “Limbo” features more personal tracks like "Kobe" and "Mama" that your peers and generation will be able to directly relate to. What inspired you to include these songs?

Yeah there’s the “Kobe” track, as well as the line in “Woodlawn.” I thought it paid homage to Kobe in a perfect way. It’s just small recognition, considering all that he means to young Black boys of my generation. He is our Michael Jordan, so losing him was unbelievable - you know? He was like a god and fatherly figure in basketball and in rap/hip-hop culture. I always knew I wanted to make a song about my mom. I made a couple attempts at it years ago and they just weren't perfect. You only get one shot at that “Mama” song. So, when we had that beat and hook it came naturally, and was so genuine and easy to sing along to. I’m really proud of that one.

In February you dropped the music video for ‘Shimmy’, paying homage to your hometown of Portland, how was it growing up in a city known for its strong indie rock scene, pursuing a career in rap?

It was not easy pursuing a rap career in a city like Portland. Some aspects of the city worked against you. The venues shut down a lot of hip-hop shows, but they wouldn’t shut down rock shows. That kind of hostility and racism held me back. But my love for the city is based around how I was raised there - the monuments that made me who I am, the places I went to hang out, and the relationships I have in Portland. Not so much centered around the history of that city because it wasn’t welcoming to Black people. We found our way there. You got to make do with what you got.

We couldn’t help but notice the references to the Wu-Tang Clan in ‘Shimmy’, how have they and other artists further influenced and inspired your music?

For me, Wu-Tang didn't only affect my career musically growing up, I was also really influenced by the impact of their logo. When you saw it on a t-shirt, on a poster, or in the streets, you knew it represented this sort of hierarchy and artistic form. As a kid, I knew they were legit because of this iconic logo, the quality of music, and how good the raps were. I knew they weren’t to be fucked with. So, people like Wu-Tang, Kanye, OutKast, and even Lil Wayne played a part in establishing my idea of what an artist is supposed to be like. Along with Pharrell, Jay Z, and people of that caliber. These were the guys I grew up on who helped establish my mindset regarding what a great hip-hop artist needs to be, and the requirements as far as bars and the type of songs you make.

Four years ago, you released Caroline, now nearly raking in 300 million views on Youtube, did you know you were on to something when you had finished recording the track?

Honestly it’s hard to gauge when I'm onto something for a song. There have been times where I made music and loved it, but my peers would tell me they weren’t into it. I would feel confused, so for the last couple of years I was in actual limbo when it came to making music. I just make what I like and hopefully the world likes it too. Luckily it's worked a couple of times.

How was it to experience this immense and very sudden success, how has your life and music changed since then?

Life has changed a lot. There have been a lot of positives that have come into my life as far as being able to take care of myself and my family. Having financial freedom and moving out of my parent’s house is a huge accomplishment. However, there are some negative aspects. For a person that's very introverted to be thrown into the spotlight - it’s an abrupt change that was difficult to adjust to. Fame builds your anxiety and paranoia. I've had people who were too excited jump on me in the street, grab me, or touch me and be like, “oh my god.” Where I'm from, you don't touch anyone like that. So that was something I had to get used to, you know? But I’m adjusting to it, and I'm thankful for everything that's ever come my way, even the smallest bit of success.

A constant in your work, is the extraordinary creativity seen in your music videos, which you direct as well. You navigate perfectly between a bringing a message with a deeper meaning, with a tongue-in-cheek approach, do you have any further aspirations with acting or directing?

Thank you. That acknowledgement really means a lot. There is a stereotype for rappers - that they can’t direct their videos, and even if they do, it’s assumed they’re just trying to get a director credit. I really do this shit though. I write my treatments - even if it’s by myself, or with Jack Begert. There’s a lot of work, blood, sweat, and tears that are put into these music videos, so any sort of compliment is appreciated. Yeah, of course, I have aspirations to act and direct on a larger scale. I personally would love to direct other artists’ music videos. I haven’t thought about directing movies or TV shows, for now I would rather just write and act in them. That’s definitely an interest of mine that’s been boiling for a couple years.

You’ve previously made strong statements against the Trump-administration on live television and the messages you bring often deal with topics such as racial inequality, putting on a ‘white face’ in your ‘REDMERCEDES’ music video, do you see yourself as an activist?

I don’t see myself as an activist, because I believe there are a lot of requirements you need to meet before you get that title. There are people who truly study and obtain master’s degrees in Black studies, revolution, and civil rights history. They deserve the activist title. When I talk about controversial things, it's based on experience and pure feeling - that's the artistry in me, I guess. I f eel like I'm required to use my voice as a Black artist in America. The best activism I can do is to open my purse and protest, but I don't think we as artists or celebrities should be leading the conversation of activism and protesting.

In tracks like “Becky” and “Fetus” you highlight the racial tensions plaguing America, including police brutality, and other issues such as gun control. How has being a part of the music industry impacted your beliefs on these issues and how they are handled?

My beliefs on these issues have always been the same. The music industry has amplified and spread the messages I believe in. I don’t hold back from letting my fans know what I stand for, and if they don’t believe in equality then they can fuck off. “Becky” and “Fetus” are examples of me expressing some of these sentiments. If it resonates with the world, cool.

With the American elections and the Black Lives Matter Movement gaining major ground, how are you experiencing this current social duality?

I honestly love it so damn much, it’s exactly the momentum necessary to remove a white supremacist from office.

You have previously worked with Disclosure, Kehlani and even had Sporty Spice, Melanie B, made a cameo in ‘Spice Girls’, who do you dream of working with in the future?

I’m down to do a track with Carti. I was so shocked when the XXL cover came out, haha. Maybe the song would be called “Step Brothers.”

“Limbo" has significantly more album features than your previous records, with artists such as Summer Walker, Slowthai, and Vince Staples. All of these artists have very unique sounds, as do you. How were you able to integrate and elevate these voices along with your own?

It was easy to place these artists on this album because I literally listen to them all the time, so I know their range and exactly what to expect. Every song that has a feature or background vocals was planned and intentional. I always wanted to do an R&B duet with Summer. I always imagined a JID verse on Roots. We talked about it back in 2018 while I was touring. He wanted me to send the beat but I had to play it for him in person. I knew the song had potential and some things are too deep to just text a beat. 7 months later our schedules aligned around the 2019 BET awards. He pulled up to the studio and really did that verse on the spot. Moments like that are what really make me proud of the music.

Finally, what are you looking forward to about the rest of the year, and what other plans do you have on the horizon?

I’m working towards more music videos and I can’t wait to perform all of these new songs live. I’m also hoping this project gets recognized. I’ve wanted a Grammy nomination since the beginning of my career - I’m not gonna sugar coat it to make it seem like I don’t care about awards.