With his debut album ‘And After That, We Didn’t Talk’ having finally arrived, Wonderland sit down with rapper Goldlink to have a chat.

‘And After That, We Didn’t Talk’ has been a long time coming. For the past two years, 21-year-old Goldlink has been building a global reputation as a rapper with his own mind and his own sound, to the point where his debut album has widely been heralded as one of hip-hop’s most exciting releases in 2015 – or even just one of music’s most exciting releases. With a handful of features under his belt, including Christian Rich, ZHU and Bipolar Sunshine, Goldlink has only released one mixtape to date, the widely critically acclaimed ‘The God Complex’. Holding back on releasing two, maybe three mixtapes before an album, as some rappers tend to do in these days of instant SoundCloud uploads and DatPiff, has served to only heighten the thirst for his debut.

It’s important to note that it would be wrong to pigeonhole Goldlink to the rap world, however, as his sounds travel far wider. Having self labelled it “future bounce”, Goldlink’s music encompasses hip-hop beats, trap sounds, wavy electronic synths, old school samples with a new school sheen, and an impeccable flow of sometimes jarringly-honest lyrics. With these elements and more blended together, Goldlink is serving some straight-up unique energy that’s about to take over. Check out the album stream below, but not before you get to know the Washington-native a little better via our chat.

You’ve just been on tour with Mac Miller, how was it? 

It’s been amazing. Different from what I’m used too but nonetheless very cool

How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before? You obviously have a different, exciting sound that shouldn’t just be lumped into ‘hip-hop’.

I would consider it futuristic computer funk dance music

How does it feel to finally have your album coming out?

It’s relieving. I finally said everything I wouldn’t say out loud all on record. And plus the album cover being all white is significant to me. It’s a sign of growth…a clean slate if you will. Sort of like the Beatles ‘White Album’.

 What were you listening to when you were growing up, and what were you listening to when making the album (if different)?

I was listening to gogo music growing up. And nothing making the album. I just create from my head. I don’t listen to anything to inspire me. I listen to music to be thoroughly amused.

Tell us about the title ‘And After That, We Didn’t Talk’, what’s the meaning behind it?

Well it comes from my first ever relationship as a teenager. We were so on and off, back and forth, so in and out to the point we pushed each other so far away that we never talked about what actually bothered us, which carried on into adulthood.

And it happens with every past relationship, you lose the person, and you lose the essence and it never will be the same again…hence and after that, we didn’t talk.

What was the process of creating the album? 

It’s really about tapping into my teenage years, I think that comes across.

What the goal with creating it – was there anything you wanted to achieve or a message you wanted to put out?

I just wanted to tell the girl that I made it for that I finally grew up. That was it – simple!

What’s a Goldlink performance like? Is there a particular energy you like to create?

As of lately, I like to create a party atmosphere, like a “live and let go” vibe. You know?

Who’s your dream collaboration – alive or dead?

It’s got to be the old B2k

What’s coming up for Goldlink in 2016?

We’ll see…. !

 

Purchase ‘And After That, We Didn’t Talk’ here.

 

Words: Milly Stockton