Redveil Refuses to Allow His Age to Define Him: Interview
From “Traffic” music video.
Age does not define maturity, knowledge and experience does.
Redveil, a year 16 old rapper from PG County, Maryland, has been shaping a sound for the past few years with a potent message that strides on his blackness, all while still embracing six degrees of separation of the typical sound people in his age bracket would create.
No funny shit, homie is 16 rapping like he’s in his 20’s. Back in 2019, Redveil dropped his debut project Bittersweet Cry, where he exchanges witty lines over J Dilla-ish production. (BTW he produces his own beats, crazy!) Since 2020 started, he’s dropped four singles “Callback,” “Soulfood,” “quarantine freestyle,” and “Traffic.” Redveil is young but secure about his purpose. He understands the value of words and the impact his art will have on others. On my way into Brooklyn, I had a chance to chop it up with Redveil on the phone.
Our conversation, lightly edited for content and clarity, follows below.
I know you’re from PG County, Maryland. Would you say the DMV influences your sound?
“Yeah, it hasn’t really affected my sound per say, it kinda affected my fashion sense. Like New Balance, that’s some DMV shit. But not really the music. “
What about the internet, has it helped shape your sound?
“Definitely. The sound I’m doing now has been influenced by Tyler, J. Cole, and Kendrick. Also, on the flip side, xxxtentoxicon, the distorted stuff.”
How’d you get your name?
“Man I got my name from literally just walking around my house…there's not much of a backstory. It just stuck in my head and it felt catchy. I wanted to change my name because (laughs) the first one was corny.” (He refused to offer up the first name lol)
How long have you been doing music and what was that moment where it all connected?
“About four years, but under Redveil for 2 years. I started around summer 2016, but took it more seriously around December 2016. I started rapping and kept putting out stuff. Not that people were gonna find out about it but once I knew what I was best at and what my strengths were, that’s when I started the Redveil name. It became more intentional.”
What was the first beat you rapped over?
“Actually, it was a beat I made.”
Really! So, tell me about that process. Do you produce all your beats?
“Yeah man, besides Soulfood, everything else I produced.”
You must have a strong ear and music background to find good samples. What were your parents playing the crib growing up?
“It wasn’t even what my parents were playing because my mom plays a lot of gospel. But, it was more so of going on YouTube and finding samples. But also, the process, it depends on how I’m feeling. Llike my feeling at that state of time drives the beat. And, half the time, the lyrics would come after the beat. I like to tweak the beat and my writing at the same time while recording sometimes.”
How does your mom feel about your music content? Is it tough?
“Yeah, it’s kinda like that”
On “Traffic,” you say “We burn this shit to the ground and building it back.” That really stuck out to me. You talk about police brutality and the frustrations of being a black youth in 2020, what’s your thoughts on the global protests and how are you coping?
“I’m using my art, definitely & specific resources to contribute, I’ve been to some protests as well.”
Do you feel hopeful?
“Yeah, man, like on that song (Traffic) I say “I’m turning 16 to the tune of liberation” because now more than ever, we have the momentum to be liberated.”
That’s beautiful, man, optimism is needed! Back to the music, how do you feel you grew from “ Bare Naked Hatred” to “Traffic?”
“Sampling has definitely influenced the evolution of Redveil.”
What’s next?
“Next is the album, it’s almost done.”
I love to see what others are listening to, so what were the last 3 albums you’ve listened to?
Almost There by Lucki
Alfredo by Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist
Freewave 3 by Lucki
With an album on the way, Redveil is an artist you definitely should keep an eye out for. He’s got a great ear for enriched samples and is a lyricist! I would describe his sound amongst the likes of Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, and Mavi. Redveil will be one of the forthcoming leaders of the new wave of lofi rappers, I’m calling it!
