SoFaygo Interview: Respecting the Grind and the Evolution

Photo Credit: Le3ay Studio

As we’ve progressed through music, we have grown to see the many mediums that artists are using now to take their careers to the next level. We’ve seen artists get popular from Myspace and older social media platforms. Current social sites such as Instagram and TikTok play a huge factor in emerging artists as well. By far one of the most memorable moments in rap would be the rise of Soundcloud rap and the amazing talent that stemmed from it.

Being able to watch artists like XXXTENTACION, Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Trippie Redd and Lil Yacthy take that platform and completely skyrocket into fame was such an amazing sight to see. While each of these artists has their own respective art and their own craft, they all share one thing in common being the OG’s of the Soundcloud rap community. Here we are in 2022, and we are witnessing the new generation of artists who catch their big break from Soundcloud and take their career to the next level. Some of those names are SSG Kobe, Yeat, Ken Carson, and none other than SoFaygo.

First blowing up in 2019 with his breakout single “Knock Knock”, the Lil Tecca-produced single and Cole Bennett-directed music visual would thrust SoFaygo into the spotlight and make him one of this generation’s best new artists. Signing to Travis Scott’s label Cactus Jack, SoFaygo has been able to take his career to the next level and really focus on being the best version of himself that he can be. Thriving off of authenticity and vulnerability, Faygo is one of the best new artists to do it and will have one of the greatest success stories when it’s all said and done.

I sat down with SoFaygo and talked about his early life, what it felt like blowing up in high school, his new album Pink Heartz, being named as Apple Music’s latest “Up Next” artist, and more.

Read our conversation in full below!

LM: What was life like for you growing up in Cobb County?

SF: It was pretty cool. I was moving around a lot back then, so I had to adjust to new people and new friends. Financial situations were tough, you know, I didn’t have all the clothes and shoes that everyone else had. But overall it was cool you know? Being in Atlanta and Cobb County was better for me because if I would have grown up in Grand Rapids Michigan, then my creativity level would not be anything like it is today. Up there, it was a lot of drama and violence, so my parents moved us out of there for a reason, and I’m glad we did.

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LM: At what point in your life did you start taking music seriously?

SF: I didn’t start taking music seriously until maybe my Junior or Senior year in high school. It got to a point where I was like okay, I had my fun and all, I started seeing the numbers increase and I started to make a little bit of revenue from it. People around me were looking at me a certain way so I had to hold up that standard.

I was still in high school when I really started to become popular with this music so you know, you got some people that hate on you. Some people just wanna be around you because you know certain people. Sh*t got crazy when people found out that I started working with Lil Tecca. Once they found that out I was making music with him, them n**** would not leave me alone for months, bro [laughs].

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LM: Who were some artists that inspired you to make music when you were first coming up?

SF: I would have to say Young Thug, Chief Keef, Rich Homie Quan, people like that. When I was in 9th grade, I was listening to a lot of that Soundcloud wave of rappers, you know. Trippie Redd, Uzi, Carti, those guys. From there, thats when I started rocking with Thug and Rich Homie, you know, the whole Rich Gang thing that they had going on. Chief Keef and Durk, the whole Chicago scene. Some Future. I was pulling from a lot of different areas. Even Drake when he was on his YMCMB run, I was inspired by all of that. I used to look at all these rappers and be like “How can I do this? How can I get to this point right here?”

Everything they showcased was just different. They didn’t care about anybody’s opinion if it didn’t benefit them at all or had any value in their life. That was always so inspiring to me. Chief Keef and Thug ‘til this day still blow my mind with their music and how their careers have gone.

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LM: I think that it’s dope that we’ve gone through enough years to be able to see the old Soundcloud OG’s blow up and completely take over the game. How does it feel for you now being in the new generation and the new wave of Soundcloud artists?

SF: It’s cool, bro. I used to always dream of being here. Like I always used to say that I wanted to be the biggest Soundcloud rapper, you know? But now, I feel like my goal is so much greater than just that. It’s an honor that people and fans look at me as one of the leaders of the new generation, but I’m striving to be bigger than just that. I wasn’t tryna soak in the moment or get lost there; I knew I always wanted to be greater.

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LM: One of the biggest moments for you in your career was signing to Travis Scott’s label Cactus Jack. How has it been since signing with Travis?

SF: It’s been dope. I’ve been able to do a lot of things that I haven’t done before and meet a lot of people within the game that I never thought I’d meet. Performing at Lebron James’ son’s birthday party, like that was insane to me. I’ve been able to really take my career to the next level by being here.

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LM: What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve learned while being a part of Cactus Jack?

SF: Somebody told me that you can sit around and listen to everyone in the room, or you can begin to create your own rules, and I think that’s one thing I will always remember. Being able to move how I want to move and craft my own formula and see it work; that’s what makes me feel empowered. It’s all trial and error, you know? I learn from any and all of my mistakes and I have no one to blame but myself if something goes wrong or something doesn’t go as planned. Me making my own rules and my own blueprint puts me in control and I’m able to hold myself accountable for my wins and losses.

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LM: Many fans nowadays are very impatient when it comes to wanting new music. How has it been for you to cope with fans who were constantly pressuring you to drop music when you weren’t ready?

It was tough because I know what my fans were used to and I know what I was used to, you know? I’ve never been used to waiting a year and a half to two years to drop music. I used to drop a tape one week and then drop a tape a couple of weeks after that. But now, I’m doing more than that. Being in a better position unlocked a new mode in me that I didn’t have back then. I’m doing more than just loading up a YouTube beat and laying down some half-assed or lazy vocals on a track and calling it a day. I’m building on my craft and focusing on being a better me, and I have to take my time with my music because this is my art.

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LM: Your song “Hell Yeah” was featured in a Beats By Dre ad with Lebron and Bronny. Talk about how that situation came about.

SF: It was all a part of the Apple Music “Up Next” campaign that I’m doing right now. Lebron and Bronny have always been rocking with my music, you know? So it all worked out. Bronny is super tapped in and he’s been known about me so we became tight. Lebron being their dad, he’s always listening and seeing what his sons are tapped into so that link-up was just so natural.

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LM: You were recently named Apple Music’s “Up Next” artist for the end of 2022. How did that feel for you to get that huge look from Apple Music?

SF: It’s amazing, bro. I’m honored to have my name next to some of the biggest artists in the game right now. I know the way social media works today and people feel like social media runs the game, so some people may not look at this as a huge thing. To me, this is mind-blowing and I’m so grateful to have this opportunity.

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LM: Your debut album Pink Heartz is finally here, how are you feeling about the album now that it’s finally out and the fans can enjoy it?

SF: I’m so relieved. It feels like a hundred thousand bricks have been released from my shoulders. I’m happy that I’m able to give this music to my fans and warm up to the new sound and catch a vibe. Especially when we go on the road and we start to feel that live energy, it’s gonna be crazy, bro. I’m just excited and happy to live in this moment.

I feel like when I was creating this album, I wasn’t trying to be perfect. I know a lot of artists when they drop their first project, they get anxious and want to make it too perfect and too polished. I didn’t want to do that. I just wanted to create freely, and then progress and get better as I go.

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LM: Timing plays a huge factor in when artists release music. What was it about this moment that felt right for you to drop your album?

SF: I just felt like it was time, bro. I feel like we got the music right. I was waiting long enough, my fans were waiting long enough. I can’t really explain it, it was just a feeling and it felt right. When you’re taking your craft this seriously, your music becomes your baby. You can’t hold on to it for too long. I was just ready for it to be heard and I’m happy that it’s out now.

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LM: What was the inspiration behind the album Pink Heartz and what does it mean to you?

SF: What it means to me is just about wearing my heart on my sleeve. Being open, being free, and being vulnerable. Being myself regardless of what’s going on or whatever trends. For the longest, I felt like I was trying to be this person that I wasn’t, you know? Trying to match myself with the underground wave and wasn’t really making the music that I wanted to make. I needed to tap into what Faygo wanted, what Faygo’s brand looks like and what my future is gonna be.

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LM: Which song means the most to you on this project and why?

It’s kind of hard for me to pick just one, you know? There are a few songs on the project that are very personal to me. The song “Going Back” means a lot to me because I’m talking about how I’m not gonna go back to what I came from. I’m in a different mentality. It’s not the same Faygo that people were used to. It’s a whole new everything. “Forever” is also a very important song for me. It’s about me wanting this life forever and I don’t want this to end. I have flaws and I know that there’s room for me to grow, so I’m gonna do what it takes to live this life forever.

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LM: One of my favorite songs on the project is “Took Off”. Talk about that exchange with Pharrell and what it was like working with him.

SF: Pharrell is amazing, man. Super chill and super humble. He really cares about the music, You can tell he’s one of those people that knows that music comes first, regardless of anything. Working with him was an experience. We had a two-day camp where we pulled up to Pharrell’s crib and just cooked up and caught a vibe. He was giving us a lot of advice about the industry and just told us to take our time and don’t rush everything. Trust in God and don’t forget to have fun.

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LM: Now that the project is out, what’s next for you?

SF: I’m still working, always. This is my life and my career so I’m always thinking of the next while still promoting the current. I don’t think I’ll ever stop working and feel content. I got a lot of work to do and I can’t slow down. In this day in age, people can forget about you so fast. You always have to be pushing and always focus on evolving. I do plan on going on tour so I’m excited about that as well.

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LM: What do you want the world to remember SoFaygo for when it’s all said and done?

SF: I just want the world to remember Faygo for being Faygo, bro. Just being in his own world. I just want to exist and be myself. Plain and simple.

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