Picture this: convertible Italian car, roof down. Riding down the palm tree infested backroad that spirals towards a beach with the sun beaming down on the soft sand. You crack a cold one and gaze out into a distance that bursts with possibility, the freedom of existence parading your inner thoughts. That’s what Larry June sounds like.
June is a rapper who has somewhat gone under the radar this side of the Atlantic. There’s always been whispers of his name, the odd shout, but in comparison to many of his peers, he has often appeared somewhat overlooked. This narrative is swiftly changing though – in large part to The Great Escape, his new The Alchemist produced, effortlessly seminal album.
The Alchemist is undoubtedly one of the most progressive and cherished producers in music, who only works with the very best, with Freddie Gibbs on Alfredo, Action Bronson on Lamb Over Rice and Boldy James on Super Tecmo Bo providing some of the more recent fruitful collaborations. Making his way through the upper echelon of US rappers, June is a natural name for the dextrous producer’s bucket list, and the early hype of the match-up has proven to be an acutely backed horse.
The Great Escape is a terrific manufacturing of a sound that feels so familiar yet so unique, an amalgamation of both players skill and appeal. Atop the crisp and kaleidoscopic instrumentals, Larry cruises; rarely having to leave second gear, the rapper wanders through his condensed narratives, oozing class and craft. A layered and profound lyricist without taking himself too seriously, June’s humour syncs seamlessly into his characterful depth as reality merges into romanticism. The measured technicality of both June and Al is a joy to witness, on what is one of the most listenable, intricate and explorative rap albums of the year so far.
Whilst this side of the pond for an assortment of European shows, we were blessed with the opportunity to meet Larry. His laidback artistic persona is very much mirrored in his actual persona, as we find him lounging in Soho House, sipping herbal tea, poised for a fascinating conversation about his style, passions and the new LP.
Watch the visuals for “Porsches in Spanish”
Read the full interview…
Who and what influences you to create?
These days, just being able to live how I live. Freedom. Being able to eat sushi whenever I want to eat it, ride my bike wherever I want to ride it. Being able to provide for my son and my family. I’ve come from having nothing, there’s so much inspiration in that alone. You gotta take advantage of every opportunity. I wake up in the morning and can go to wherever I want to go to.
Does that ever feel like a burden? The fact that, in order for you to live this life, you have to be inspired to create?
I love making music but I wait for the right time. I keep my studio with me everywhere that I go, so if I do get that itch I can record. I don’t force it though.
Would you say that you are prolific or does your creativity come in bouts?
It comes at a certain time. For two weeks I could feel like writing about nothing, but I know in that period I’m recharging. You’ve got to live a little bit; go take a walk, hang with your girl, produce anything, go sky diving – go and see some shit so you have something to write about. You can’t just sit in a box with windows and try push yourself to write a song. For me it doesn’t work like that. Every song you’ll have ever heard from me was written at a right moment. I never want to be repetitive, I go learn and experiences new things, go and meet people, read books. I take my time when it comes to writing.
Do you ever write something that you are not happy with?
Erm… yeah but I never play it for no one. It’s hidden in my computer somewhere.
How did you first discover that you had a talent and this is what you wanted to do?
I was around eight years old. I had a little keyboard and make beats and try rap on them. For my whole life I’ve always felt like I could do the music thing. It took a long time. Sometimes life is deeper than music – you need to understand yourself and learn over time. Once you’re better with yourself, everything will come together. Sometimes, artists become successful too early. So it’s cool being able to be a little older, I’ve been doing it for a while and I understand what I have to do. I understand what I want to do and how I want to do it. When you are young, sometimes you don’t understand how to interact with people, or how important some things are. None of this shit matters without relationships. I’m there now. I’m just going to keep making good music.
Would you say you are in your prime right now?
It’s the best I’ve been for sure. Every year you should be getting better. Even if it’s a tiny bit. It might not even be finically, you might have lost some money but you’ve learned so much. I do feel like this is the best I’ve ever been. I feel, lyrically, I could still get better. It’s not over for me in that regard. I’m my own biggest critic, I analyse my own work, I make sure I’m always working on it.
What would you say is the essence of your sound? What are you as an artist?
A vibe. When you put my music on, it puts you into a state of mind where you feel it too. I gave a blue print for years, showing my mistakes to the world, showing people you can do it no matter what. I was trying to be a rapper at 15 years old, handing out my CD’s at high school. At 16 I got into some street shit, fucked up a few times. I had a kid at 18, so I had to get some money and took time away from music. All this time though, I was experiencing things, and my character was getting stronger. I discovered what I needed to do, what I needed to stay away from in order to be successful. It’s a learning process. I’ve been through some shit; I don’t want no sympathy for it, I just want everybody to know that they can do.
Having been writing for such a long time now, how do you maintain the passion?
There’s still a way to go, it’s not over for me. We were just in Mexico City, promoting the album, and a lot of people weren’t familiar with me, which was cool because it should me there’s still a way to go. I’m not the type of person to give in or quit. I’m not trying to be the biggest rapper, I just know what I want to do, there’s more things I’m trying to accomplish. I’m thankful for everything so far though.
Is it like subtle ambition?
Yeah. People get comfortable and they think they are the man and can never fall off, but that’s not how life works. Especially with music these days, you’ve got to constantly work on yourself if you want to have a legacy. You need to push yourself. That’s a big reason why I’m over here [in the UK], why I’m sitting with you right now. It’s like – if I don’t do it, I know that nobody is going to do it for me. I’m putting the work in now so that when I’m 60 I’ll be sat somewhere by the beach making tea with no shoes on. Peaceful.
The industry is evolving so much at the moment, especially with social media. Have you had to change your approach to how you market yourself as an artist?
No. I want to continue to do what I’ve been doing. Maybe the rules of how things are presented might be different, but you should always stick to what you are – that’s how you become legendary. When you hear a song of mine, you know it’s me, and that’s a hard thing to get. When you have it, you should keep it and build on that. The biggest people in the game, they stick to themselves. If you try and do more, you can lose. You can’t control other artists, their art or the industry, but you can control yourself. You know those artists that you love and then they change when they get somewhere in the industry? I never want to be that artist. It’s easier that way for me too.
Lyrically, how have you built up to this point of nuance? What is your writing process?
I just flow with the beat. I treat my vocals as if they are a sound on the beat. I don’t go too deeply into my lyrics where it’s overthinking it and there’s crazy plot twists. I made beats first, so I like the make sure the beat compliments my voice and vice versa. I’m just creating music, I’m not a freestyler. I’m not selling myself as a crazy lyricist, I just make music that’s pleasing to the ear. The kind that when you’re driving and there’s not too much to think about. It’s straight to the point but it sounds good. I could rap super in detail and use huge words but it wouldn’t be originally me.
How was working with The Alchemist on the new album, The Great Escape?
It was great. I got to bring my style to the table and he brought his style too. We came together and made a sandwich of great music. He’s made so much great music and has incredible taste. He’s a legend.
What do you want the legacy of the album to be?
I want it to be something that I can always come back to and do again. Me and Al created a sound that is different, that’s ours, that we can do again. He’s been doing it and I have too, but this is something different. This tape is different from everything he’s done before, so it’s cool to have created something we can both go back to. It’s branding a sound – in a way we became a group for the album. It works, the music works, he’s a great person and I love working with him.
What’s next for you?
More music. More solo projects, more working on my beats with other artists. I’m just going to keep going, keep recording. I haven’t really got a crazy plan, I just know it’ll keep getting bigger.
Stream the full album…