This song is the beginning of Cris Cainโa return. Itโs been a while since youโve heard from him. This song is just ONE of many songs to come that will surprise and satisfy any listeners. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
CRIS CAIN: Iโm from Brooklyn, NY. Flatbush specifically where West Indian immigrants are rampant, my dad being from Spanish Town, Jamaica, And my mother from Trinidad. I moved to Columbia South Carolina when I was 13 years old, having household problems I tried to move down south with my father and chase my football dreams. however, I immediately got caught up With the wrong crowd and got arrested for a gun. I spent my 14th birthday in jail and when I came out I was determined to make a differenceโฆThru God, I met two independent rappers, ( one white, one black ) and they had a studio in their closet lol. Back then, to me, it was the most amazing thing Iโd probably ever been involved in besides football. At that time they were dealing with Bad By South Block Ent and had gotten features from the rising rapper Yung Joc and Gorilla Zoe. This motivated me to look at life differently. After being kicked out due to Rebellion my experience In Columbia became a rappers life at the age of 14
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
CRIS CAIN: Iโm self-taught with basically everything I know up To now. Thatโs not to Say that I havenโt learned from artists and engineers who Iโve met, because that was what helped me Sharpen my engineering, recording, and performance skills. But I undoubtedly put in the work myself, diligently doing my own research and learning things thru the #1 outlet โGOOGLEโ
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name โCRIS CAINโ?
CRIS CAIN: I would have to say my biggest musical influences since I can remember have been Bob Marley and Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, and Gucci Man. I was about 6 years old when I found the Legend of Bob Marley ( Unopened) in my momโs secret stash lol. I opened it without permission, wondering why this CD was STILL in a brand new package for so long. Well, after I listened to it I realized why because I listened to it every day for years. Not to mention when my mother came from work and heard me listening to BOB. After yelling at me, As bad as she wanted to grab the belt, she sat there and just smiled inside. Lil Wayne was a different story, thereโs no reason to explain why heโs on my list, heโs on everyone. But heโs the reason I donโt write. If I could resent him For anything itโs that lol. When I moved down south at 13, Jeezy ruled the world for me, he was my JAYZ, and I had to choose between him or Gucci since I was Crip at 13 I chose Jeezy, and still love my boy Guwop tho. The name Cris Cain is something Iโve thought about changing for so long. Iโve had it since I was 16 before that my first name was 6lacc Felony smh lol. The reason I canโt seem to shake the name Cris Cain is that the more I live my life I start to realize that itโs more than just a name. Itโs who I am. See, Iโm a Gemini, and that alone carries a stigma. Before I was ashamed of the 2 sided Gemini Stigma. I definitely am, living proof that the Gemini is like a 2 sided Gold Coin. One day you might get Cris, the next you might get Cain. Iโm a firm believer in GOD, I would dare to describe myself as the Cain in the Bible, but I can definitely become and mightโve even become him a few times in my life. Not literally stabbing my brother but you donโt have to literally stab someone in the back to stab someone in the back lol. Iโm not gonna incriminate myself but when I first heard the name a female called me, and said โ Chrissssโฆ..Caineeeeโฆ.can I get some Chrissss and then can I get some Caineeee lol??โ โ Iโd rather just have some Cris Cain lol, the entire trap house bust out laughing and from there it was a wrapโฆ itโs crazy because I believe in god so much that I can relate the โ CRISโ to โCHRISTโ which I took the H out of because it was silent and Iโm not. I did the same thing with the E in โCAINEโ because Im QUIET but not silentโฆ the same way I can relate Cris with God I can relate the Cain with a darker side, which I wonโt call the devil. My lifestyle had taken me to many places, good and bad. I struggle with spiritual warfare and you can hear it in my music. The 2 sides. One song may sound like the beautiful life of CRIS, the next might sound like the Real life of CAIN My new album will be called Cris Vs Cain
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
CRIS CAIN: Honestly it took so long for me to be heard in this industry, it seems that I have to constantly improve and change my sound, to keep up with the modern times. As much as I TRY to do that, I Came to realize that I Am who I Am, even if try to adapt to the modern era. My music ORIGINAL, regardless of when itโs released itโs New to the listener and will resonate with the audience because the way the music relates to the fanโs lifestyle will, without doubt, turn them into lifelong consumers
5. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
CRIS CAIN:
Where Iโm at now In my life many people would say wow, youโre doing so good. I engineer at GoDLeveL Studios which is the late Fred The Godsonโs studio that was made in his name. I have made a couple of showings on 105.1 Iโve met many celebrities. Either way, none of this is satisfactory for me. None of this is even worth mentioning. Because it hasnโt done for me what I want to be done. I need the world to hear my voice and music, until then UNSATISFACTORY
6. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as HIPHOP?
CRIS CAIN:
Bob Marley. Lil Wayne, Jeezy, I loved JAYZ, and Biggie and Tupac because they really made a difference and were a major influence on my life real early around 1-5th grade all Iโd do was rap and emulate Tupac in his movies, I knew Biggie where Brooklyn at freestyle by like 8-9 years old. That probably influenced me more than I even know. as I previously stated I tried to keep up with modern times and new artists by switching my flow or experimenting and whenever tried to emulate the artist anybody but me I realized that I just needed to be myself, Iโd been good ever since. Donโt get me wrong, these new young artists definitely get me to try out new things but before I do what somebody does I perfect my own craft then I can work on trying to be like someone else. This is why I can say my style of music will In turn change hip hop entirely because of my ORIGINALITY, I just love music, so I canโt stick to one genre lol. My mom is Trini and I gotta Jamaican pops, I was raised in the dirty south, which is what makes my accent sound so different from the typical New York Rapper, Then I have the Brooklyn in me naturally, the diversity in me will show in my music, which will, in turn, create an entirely new genre or evolve hip hop
7. Whatโs your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles โ and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
CRIS CAIN: Music is definitely a tool for politics, spirituality, and cultural expressions, do I use it for that intent? Not intentionally, but will it have an effect on all these scales? Of course, my music will be the Ferrari vehicle driving everyone in all of these categories on a beautiful vacation or Iโll be driving them crazy, sadly. The fact that Iโm the first generation of Americans in my family I come to take this very seriously. Immigrant parents coming from an island with nowhere near the things we have here in America have taught me to appreciate the little things we have here and to cherish things that people take for granted. Thatโs why I added the โAmericaโ to Cris Cain. Cris Cain America is the first American of my generation, and Iโve created my label AmeriCAIN Music And the brand AmeriCAIN Dreamz. All of this will In turn share my life. Which I will eventually tell the world my life story thru film and entertainment. My life will be the future of many youths not just from Brooklyn but from all around America, with immigrant parents and faced similar struggles. The story is more than most people can handle or believe. Most people this the life of Cris Cain is a fairytale when I tell the truth, not a story
8. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
CRIS CAIN: Iโve been doing music for a while, itโs the love of my life, but you know how it is when you are in love lol. Sometimes you need a break, but you always gonna come back if you are really in love, sometimes you live harder the 2nd time around, and sometimes you love less. Sometimes the 3rd time around might be better than the 1st, for me. Iโm blessed by a different kind of higher power, so God has kept me hungry and always, always, fills my appetite. I just think Iโm greedy at this point lol, god knows that. Not saying that I got what I wanted cuz I definitely havenโt, but Iโve had more good times doing this than not. I just havenโt reached where I know Iโll be one day. The spot Iโve always deserved, itโs just time to stop waiting to receive that spot and take it from whoeverโs holding it down ๐คท๐พโโ๏ธ
9. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
CRIS CAIN: like I previously stated I tried not to emulate any artist outright but lil Wayne had a serious impact on my creative process in making a song. when I start a song, I loop the beat, because Iโm usually recording myself, I loop the beat and freestyle whatever comes to my mind at the time. I do this as many times as I feel is good, I might come up with 4 hooks and 8 verses on one song, I choose what parts or whatever sounds best. I use that as a stepping stone, everything I rap about is what Iโm living, some things might be a bit exaggerated but if itโs not me, itโs someone around me living what Iโm rapping about. After the freestyle, I put it together and make it make sense. Turn it into my real-life story. The freestyling has become easier and easier the more I stay in the studio, whenever I take a break from the lab, you can tell in the creative process. Sometimes itโs a good break, and sometimes itโs a bad break, leaving you feeling rusty. Thatโs why I admire these new younger artists. They have so much available to them that wasnโt available to us. Iโm still trying to figure tiktok out ๐คฆ๐พโโ๏ธ
10. What has been the most difficult thing youโve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
CRIS CAIN: I just recently served 5 years in jail, the story behind that would probably need an entire article lol. But I was locked up at 25 and came out at 30, I felt like my entire prime was snatched from me. And before I got arrested I was on 105.1 fm radio, on the rise. Seriously. Thatโs just part of the difficult story. After I was released last year in April 2022 I was shot and almost killed in July, returning from BET Awards with my close friend Mr.Papers. Who is also Rapper Lil Kims Babyfather and almost like a brother to me. After getting shot, I was hospitalized for 3 and 1/2 months. Iโm still recovering and fighting every day to turn my dreams Into a reality. You see, I know my window is naturally closing because of my age. But me seeing 2 chains become successful at an older age gives me inspiration. I know that my talent will not be wasted even if itโs passed down, which is why I started AmeriCAIN Music
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
CRIS CAIN: I cannot act like haters or naysayers will not affect my thoughts for a short moment but itโs not something that can or has affected my mental capacity In the long run, I mean, everyoneโs gonna have their opinion. I know that deep down im prayed up and Iโm blessed to still be here healthy and alive. So I canโt let critics or anyone thatโs not In my immediate circle bother me. Like seriously I try to let things not bother me from the people closest to me so how hard can it be, with people that I barely know? Thatโs another thing maybe Iโd care if I was actually on social media as much as I should be. So as Iโm starting to elevate as an artist, maybe you might see me care a little more lol.
12. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
CRIS CAIN: I mean all my songs are not meant to be deep storytelling songs, some are just meant to make you feel good. The songs that are deep, are mostly true stories that i actually went thru. Sometimes those are, how can I put it? Sad or too real for people to digest because they canโt relate and therefore they judge it Incorrectly afterward. So I donโt want my fans to get misled. Because one-day im Cris, the next I might be Cain. You might like one or the other or none at all but I want people to just take the time to know to understand the story behind it. Thatโs so important to me, and thatโs why I know for this to be done will take time which means I must be in the industry for a while turning fans into lifelong people who actually know who theyโre listening to. At that point, Iโd be more than just a rapper. Iโd be the difference
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