AM Is Done Practicing :Interview
The pandemic has forced us to sit down and embellish on life with more freewill effort. Before the pandemic, life was constantly on the go. You barely had the opportunity to breathe or indulge in activities that bring peace.
Long Island rapper AM dropped a short and concise EP at the top of September titled Shut Up , I’m Practicing. The title fits perfectly for the project , while we watch AM run a lyrical scrimmage over his long-time producer and friend, Akari, beats. AM chose a loose delivery over boombap beats that opens up the space for him to be patient with his words but direct with his preparedness.
The concept of patience with yourself feels like the driving force of the project. Taking away the pressure of being perfect and just being.
The joyful “onthisside” recounts future plans and grows to understand that life is not a race, it's a marathon.
“We not trippin on this side”
On “Better Friend,” AM raps about the kinship he has with his friends and the adversities they face as minorities in America.
The standout track for me is “cosmik/rift.” The clutteredness of the drums and AM’s smothering delivery is striking… and I hate that it’s the shortest song on the tape.
I had a chance to chop it up with AM about music, the importance of bandcamp and friendship.
Our conversation, lightly edited for content and clarity, follows below.
I remember turning 21 and having so much confidence whipping out my ID, I know your birthday just passed. How was being 21 ?
When you enter your 20’s, all the things you’ve always wanted to do feel more feasible. You have the opportunity to navigate through the world better because you’re more emotionally mature.
Being 21 and on the older side of Gen Z, would you say that the internet has influenced your sound? You’re also from Long Island. Would you say that influenced your sound as well?
I’ll say it's 60/40 — 60 internet, 40 environment. But they go hand in hand because the people you meet in real life, you connect with them online and then you connect with their friends. I’m from Roosevelt, which is like the smallest town on LI, but I’ve met so many people in this town that helped shape me and those experiences are translated in my music. But, I feel the internet takes away the concept of genre, which helps me feel a bit more inspired.
Genres are being so fused together that it's getting impossible to differentiate. What’s your recording process like?
The pandemic has made it really draining to be inspired. For the most part, I have a sporadic recording process. The demos I released, I made in a week. I just have days of feeling creative and I act on it.
What influenced your decision to only put it on Bandcamp and Audiomack?
These are the two platforms that show they care the most about underground artists and I love the community it brings. There’s something special about sharing music unapologetically between those two communities. You actually engage with people who care about not just your art, but you. I just want to share my shit and share others' music because people deserve it.
I feel that’s such a selfless thing to do as an artist, giving an assist to other creatives. How did you pair up with Akari?
We’re best friends from high school, since 9th grade. Akari moved to NY from GA. At the end of freshman year he wanted to start producing and needed someone to rap on his beats. I wasn’t great but I knew I was nice at rapping. We both motivated and elevated each other by giving it a shot.
I commend you for keeping it in house and taking a shot with your friends producing. People are so tied to the name and not the art.. Why the title Shut Up I’m Practicing?
I’ve been home the majority of the pandemic which sucks because I get a lot of inspiration from going out. But I realized if you don’t use it, you lose it. So I started to go through all these beats I was sitting on and was just rapping and trying shit. I wanted to create something with no real structure.
Explain the concept of “Better Friend?”
I’m so grateful for the friends I have & the opportunities we open up for each other. Sometimes I feel I could be a better friend, even when I try to be a good friend. I’m sure my friends feel differently but, for me, I never give myself the benefit of doubt.
Have you become a better friend to yourself?
I'm constantly trying to… it’s something that’s just a life journey.
Whats planned for the future?
I’m working on another project. Whenever I get inspired to work on a project, I find myself working on two
What were the last three albums you listened to?
Kurt Hazard - Kurt Must Die
Paris Michael - Publicity Stunt EP
Westside Gunn - Pray for Paris
