Slayr Interview: Aura, Half Blood, Greek Mythology, Lil Uzi Collab? Diss Wars, Rage, Sloppy Joe

The Impact of Online Criticism on Personal Success

Initial Reactions to Negative Feedback

• The speaker reflects on their initial amusement at negative comments but later questions if they did something wrong due to the backlash.

• They emphasize that selling out a show contradicts the notion of being negatively perceived, suggesting success can overshadow criticism.

Coping with Internet Opinions

• The speaker stresses the importance of not letting trivial internet opinions affect them, particularly regarding personal style choices.

Insights into Slayer's Career and Background

Work Ethic and Upcoming Projects

• Slayer discusses their busy schedule leading up to a sold-out deluxe release party, indicating ongoing work on music revisions.

Personal Interests Outside Music

• When not working, Slayer enjoys visiting Dave and Busters, highlighting a casual side to their personality.

Musical Influences and Early Beginnings

Unique Interests and Family Background

• Slayer shares an unusual interest in capybaras, showcasing a quirky aspect of their personality.

• They mention coming from a Jamaican background with significant musical influence from family traditions.

First Encounters with Music

• Their first memorable encounter with music was through playing Sonic Colors, which led them to explore various soundtracks.

Transitioning Between Genres

Influential Artists in Rock and Rap

• Crush 40 is credited as the artist who introduced Slayer to rock music; Lil Uzi Vert played a similar role for rap.

Evolution Through Diss Tracks

• Slayer describes how participating in diss tracks shaped their early career within the underground scene without taking it too seriously.

Parental Support and Musical Aspirations

Early Start in Music Creation

• They began making music at age 11 despite initial parental disapproval; support came later when financial success became evident.

Overcoming Cultural Expectations

• Their mother initially wanted them to pursue orchestral music but eventually recognized their talent after seeing potential earnings from rap.

The Journey of an Artist: From Humble Beginnings to Recognition

Early Influences and Live Interactions

• The artist reflects on starting their journey at age 11, using the Instagram handle "Slayer 77" to document their rise in music.

• Initially influenced by favorite rappers, they began going live weekly, engaging with a small audience of about 10 viewers.

• Celebrating each milestone, the artist expresses joy over growing viewership from 5 to 10, then to hundreds and thousands.

• Emphasizes the importance of connecting with early supporters as they can help spread the word about one's work.

• Maintains ongoing communication with a group chat of loyal fans who have supported them throughout their career.

Artistic Identity and Inspirations

• The artist's name evolved from "Swag Slayer" to "Slayer 77," inspired by both anime (Demon Slayer) and rock music influences.

• A strong interest in mythology is revealed; they enjoy researching various mythologies including Greek and Norse.

• Video games like God of War sparked their fascination with mythology, leading them to explore lore extensively during downtime.

• Discusses how projects are influenced by mythological themes, indicating a creative direction that incorporates these elements into their work.

Personal Experiences and Cultural References

• Shares a humorous anecdote about acquiring the game God of War without parental approval due to its violent content.

• Mentions using stealth when purchasing games like GTA, highlighting relatable experiences for younger audiences regarding gaming culture.

• Expresses newfound interest in reading books such as Red Rising while acknowledging past engagement primarily through movies rather than literature.

Unique Artistic Expression

• The artist embraces incorporating interests like Greek mythology into their music and album covers despite potential stigma within hip-hop culture.

• They express pride in discussing diverse topics such as anime in songs, showcasing authenticity in artistic expression regardless of genre expectations.

Community Support and Local Recognition

• Reflecting on local support during their rise, they note that only a few people from their neighborhood were aware of their musical endeavors initially.

Exploring Philly's Music Scene and Personal Influences

Connection to Philadelphia

• The speaker reflects on their limited time in Philadelphia, expressing uncertainty about the local music scene but hopes to discover it through an upcoming show.

• They acknowledge Philadelphia's rich street rap history but clarify that they were not influenced by it due to being removed from bad neighborhoods at a young age.

Musical Influences

• The artist cites influences such as Uzi, X, and Ski, indicating a preference for these artists over the local drill rap scene.

• They mention friends in the industry like 19 and Remy Xerxes, suggesting a close-knit community of artists worth checking out.

Underground Scene in Philly

• The speaker highlights a significant underground music scene in Philadelphia that often goes unnoticed, overshadowed by the focus on drill music.

• They emphasize that many pop artists are working hard behind the scenes, contributing to this vibrant yet underappreciated niche.

Social Media Presence and Perception

• Reflecting on past social media interactions, they initially found negative comments amusing but later questioned if they had done something wrong.

• The artist stresses the importance of not letting trivial online opinions affect them, especially regarding personal style choices.

Authenticity vs. Aura Farming

• When asked about pressure to maintain an image or "aura," they admit struggling with silence during promotional periods but ultimately prefer being open and engaging with fans.

• They recognize that some artists benefit from maintaining mystery; however, they find it challenging to remain silent about their work.

Insights on Artist Identity

• The speaker acknowledges that while mysterious personas can create buzz for some artists, it's not a sustainable approach for everyone.

• They express respect for those who have unique personalities but criticize attempts at forced mystique which can lead to losing one's authenticity.

Exploring the Unique Sound of Slayer

Influences and Inspirations

• The artist expresses a reluctance to mimic successful styles, preferring to be authentic and true to themselves.

• Describes their sound as a blend of various influences, including Uzi, Juice WRLD, and XXXTentacion, highlighting the difficulty in categorizing their music.

• Mentions being influenced by artists like Tekk and Cardi B, emphasizing a fusion of styles rather than adhering to one specific genre.

Musical Style and Production

• Discusses incorporating rock elements into tracks like "Sloppy Joe," noting that heavy rock beats were second nature due to previous work.

• States that approximately 75% of their music is self-produced, with significant contributions to projects like "Half Blood."

• Shares excitement about collaborating on unique beats that stand out from typical sounds in the industry.

Aspirations and Collaborations

• Expresses a desire to produce for Uzi, viewing it as a long-term goal and recognizing Uzi's current underdog status despite his talent.

• Reflects on Uzi's recent music output, acknowledging its quality while discussing the narrative surrounding his career.

Sampling Dreams

• If given the chance to sample any song without clearance issues, they would choose "All of the Lights," wanting to put their own spin on it.

Artistic Efforts and Transitions

• Highlights personal involvement in creating transitions for projects since their first GIA project; this effort has been well-received by listeners.

• Notes that attention to detail in transitions contributes significantly to the overall success of their music.

Album Cohesion and Artistic Integrity

The Importance of Care in Album Creation

• The speaker emphasizes that creating an album is more about care than effort, noting that many artists put significant effort into their songs even if they lack transitions.

• Acknowledges the decision to cut four songs from the original 16 on the album "Half Blood" for cohesion, releasing them later as SoundCloud bonuses.

• Critiques the music scene for lacking cohesive albums, expressing hope that future projects will reflect greater care and thoughtfulness.

Autotune as a Tool for Enhancement

• Commends another artist's use of autotune, suggesting it should complement vocal skills rather than mask weaknesses.

• Shares insights gained from studying T-Pain’s streaming sessions on autotune usage, highlighting its importance in song production.

• Stresses the need to test one's vocal abilities rather than relying solely on autotune to carry a performance.

Learning from Others in Music Production

• Discusses extensive research into how pop artists utilize autotune effectively, indicating a commitment to learning and improving his craft.

• Describes watching YouTube tutorials as a time-saving method to understand various music-making techniques.

Recognition and Influence in Music

Critical Acclaim of Recent Projects

• Highlights mutual influence between himself and Jim Legacy regarding their respective projects "Half Blood" and "Black British Music."

• Mentions being featured alongside major trap albums like "Rodeo" and "Die Lit," which was a significant recognition moment for him.

Balancing Perfectionism with Timeliness

• Expresses desire to meet expectations without falling into perfectionism; aims for completion without dragging out the process unnecessarily.

The Impact of Social Media on Music Perception

Concerns About Online Narratives

• Reflecting on social media's role in shaping narratives around artists, particularly during rap beef periods where comparisons can be damaging.

• Warned against taking online comparisons seriously as they can alter public perception negatively towards an artist's work.

Discussion on Music Authenticity and Online Criticism

The Impact of Online Criticism

• The speaker expresses that while music isn't being destroyed, its importance is diminishing due to the nature of online criticism.

• They differentiate between constructive criticism and disrespectful comments, stating that the latter is simply hate rather than critique.

• The rise of monetized tweets has led to a culture where people prioritize sensationalism over thoughtful commentary.

Nature of Online Engagement

• Insults tend to garner more attention on social media compared to constructive feedback, which reflects a troubling trend in online discourse.

• The speaker discusses their connections with other artists formed through online platforms like Discord, highlighting the community aspect of music creation.

Influence of Underground Producers

Mount Rushmore of Underground Producers

• The speaker lists influential underground producers they admire: W, Mexico Draw, Can Can, and Legion.

• They emphasize the significance of these producers in shaping the underground scene and their personal musical journey.

Love for the Underground Scene

• The speaker appreciates the creativity within the underground scene as it often rejects mainstream constraints.

• They note that many successful mainstream artists originated from an underground background, showcasing a cycle where underground trends eventually influence mainstream music.

Concerns About Cloning in Music

Issues with Musical Cloning

• The discussion shifts to cloning in music; it's seen as detrimental when artists mimic others purely for promotional gain rather than genuine homage.

• Examples are given about how certain artists have been labeled as clones without recognizing their unique contributions or evolution.

Future Directions in Music Style

• The speaker plans to maintain a trap and rage sound but emphasizes that "rage" can encompass various musical elements beyond typical game sounds.

• They believe that energy is key in defining rage music, suggesting flexibility in incorporating different instruments while maintaining core themes.

Exploring New Musical Directions

Embracing Individuality in Music

• The speaker expresses excitement about exploring new musical styles, whether orchestral or rock, indicating a willingness to experiment and innovate.

• There is an emphasis on the importance of staying true to oneself as an artist, suggesting that authenticity is crucial in creative expression.

• A humorous acknowledgment of potential criticism when adopting different fashion styles (e.g., Rick Owens), highlighting the pressure artists feel regarding public perception.

• The speaker appreciates their conversation partner, Slayer, reinforcing the value of camaraderie and support within the music community.

• Anticipation for the impact of the interview with Slayer is noted, predicting it will be recognized as legendary in the future due to Slayer's significant influence in music.