Taji Deleon’s music is creatively refreshing as he boldly goes against the grain to approach music in a way that is uniquely his own. That is something rare when some many emerging acts choose to follow popular trends rather than be original. We had the chance to discuss music, the industry, and more with this rising star.
When did you discover your love for hip-hop artistically?
Music was always a large part of my being. I lived in my headphones growing up feeling like I was able to relate to a lot of it. Specifically, artistically, I found my love for hip-hop when I was 17. I sort of stopped relating. Freestyling by myself or with my close friends, I realized it gave me that feeling again, so it made me curious to write.
Tell us some of the rappers who inspired you creatively.
I definitely caught onto rap a little late, maybe by 10-11 years old. Back then I listened to older stuff like Biggie, Nas, Outkast, Mobb Deep, Goodie Mob, and even The Game… Wayne too, of course, he was running the industry even from jail, which lead me to play Drake. By 13 or 14, I was headfirst into rap music culture, listening to all the (now) greats like A$AP, Joey Bada$$, Kendrick, Future, Durk, G Herbo, and Lil Bibby.
How does your current music differentiate from your earlier bodies of work?
My current projects are directed more toward the audience than ever. Honestly, I started making music to get my feelings out somehow, someway, and to listen to songs really for me about my experiences. Over time, I saw how easy it was for other people to relate to my music, even if it’s one line out the whole song stuff like that sticks with people. Seeing that encouraged me to diversify my sound and message in newer songs.
What do you do to stand out individually in a genre where so many artists constantly emerge?
Nowadays, to me, the number of artists emerging with only social media accolades resemble crabs in a barrel. Everyone’s clout chasing to be the next hit or riding the coattail of who’s popular, more so than working to provide a quality experience. Music is a business and I understand likes, followers, and attention sell but I care way more about cohesive projects and quality relationships. My character me less of a liability to myself and those who do help me.
Do you feel pressured to conform to trends to build your brand?
The only thing I feel pressured to do is to facilitate my own growth, ideally faster than what I have been, but we all are on God’s timing. Conforming was never my thing. At most, I’m good at code shifting as needed. Flowing with the times and trends is definitely important in the music industry and I intend to move in that direction but never as anything other than myself. And some shit isn’t for me, I won’t fake it.
Let’s talk about your creative process. What comes first, the music or the lyrics?
My creative process is more structured than a lot of artists I’ve met thus far. I write songs equally as much as I freestyle songs depending on whether I feel it needs more lyrical content or melodic bounce. The music/beats/instrumentals I purchase exclusively from producers, so I’d say that comes first every time, but there are times I have a 2-year-old note written that just happens to work for a beat purchased 2 weeks prior to recording.
How do feel about social media? Does its focus on lifestyle take overshadow the music?
I didn’t grow up having positive experiences with social media it didn’t really make me feel closer to anybody. More often than not, it had the opposite effect on how people portray themselves. As a marketing tool it’s great though, most all my posts are incidental otherwise I have little interest. I’d never knock someone authentically marketing their lifestyle, it helps the audience understand your music but, in this day, and age, the lifestyles sell more for sure.
What do you hope listeners take away from your latest project?
I hope the listeners can’t get my songs out of their heads. Selling Dreams 2 is more honest and melodic than the whole of my past projects. The goal was to show growth in delivery and I think that’s been accomplished. The listeners should feel confident after hearing this project that I’m an artist who gets better every time I walk into the studio and can create relevant music with the signs of the times.
If you had to pick one song that would best introduce your artistry, which would it be?
Choosing one song is a difficult decision because I feel my music differently than others will. Off the upcoming project Selling Dreams 2, I’d say either “Move like a Don” or “Bittersweet” because both have very seamless executions and clear topics. They’re more fun songs to play in the presence of others. I probably listen to “Only One” the most from anything prior, off of the first Selling Dreams project.
