Interview: Al Rogers Speaks On Almost, Baltimore’s Defining Movement and Whats Up Next

Do you smell the flowers? Of course you do. Al Rogers has been gearing up to release his solo project, Almost, to the world for about 2 1/2 years now.  The release of his visuals for “Fin” drew us in, especially the first ten seconds which find the rapper communicating with his imprisoned brother. Seconds later, Rogers begins to bark, the audience already captivated by his narrative. Scratchy at times, his voice demands your undivided attention. This past weekend we got up with one of Baltimore’s newest shining stars.

First off, what’s the story behind “Fin”? You were saying your brothers were locked up for a large part of your life.

All the way up until I was 19, I was getting into shit and it was mostly because I was following in their footsteps and I didn’t really get my act together until I was like 20. I was still doing music around 18 or 19.

How old are you now?

I’m 23. Then, I was trying to find a getaway. “Fin” was just me making a song about that transition. From being a fuck up and trying figure out a way out. And when I figured it out it was like I found my passion. This takes up all of my time. I’ve been selling shoes and shit. Selling clothes. Fin is powerful because of the reason that I did the song. That phone call he was locked up but when the video dropped he had just came home for days. That shit was pivotal. I worked the summer for that visual. When it was done, it was kind of a sigh of relief.

Did he see it? How did he feel about it?

Yea, like he loved it.

How do you feel about Baltimore’s current movement? Do you want to be that shining star from Baltimore?

I want to be global but I want to be that person from Baltimore that’s global. I don’t want to be like I got my city on my back. Like that’s corny and shit. I do want to be like that dudes from Baltimore and he’s running shit. Baltimore to me is just building a music scene. Now we have all these people making new sounds and shit and everyone’s making it outside.

Why is it just getting out?

Because niggas is finally trying to work together. When we first did shows it would be 10 people in the audience. I think finally people are learning to be cool. Cool is normal now. all these kids are trying to find a lane. You got kids that are 16 and picking up a camera. Nobody wants to be under the man and it’s mad rebellious. I feel like if someone sees you doing your thing, they want to help. Everyone wants to be a part of something. For a long time I was stuck on some ego shit but I saw other acts doing their thing. I felt within my heart that I needed to reach out.

What has been your inspiration to write lately?

This might sound crazy but for the most part it’s been getting out of Baltimore. I’ve been trying so hard to just see something new. Now, it’s like if I don’t leave I’m going to get stuck. It’s people that’s been here for years and they had aspirations to leave but they never took a chance. I don’t want to be one of those cats. As far as hip-hop, I like a lot of people but it hasn’t had the biggest influence lately. I’ve been listening to this album by Panda Bear that’s one of the best albums I’ve heard yo. It’s the lead singer from Animal Collective. That’s all I’ve been listening too.

Was it a conscious decision to reach out to other artist in the city? How do you feel about the scene there?

I felt like within my heart that I need to reach out. I think when you say conscious, it’s a decision made simply off an ulterior motive, but with me I figure this would be better for me. For my growth. I feel like there’s no grey area. It’s either black or white. There’s the dope boy scene where you got rappers rapping over trap style, and then you’ve got the rappers who are catering to the blogs and shit. So, I feel like it’s not open minded. I feel like more people are going toward the trap style.

What’s the reason behind the title, Almost, and the theme of the project?

It’s me feeling like I’m not good enough. Simple. Me working so hard at something and finally getting right, yet feeling like “is it too late?”

Why is everyone trying to make it out of Baltimore?

People are dying. You can die any given second. People are crazy there. Me and [G Money] were on the bus stop and this guy out of nowhere beat the fuck out of his baby mother, and we had to stop him for real. I feel like if you can make it in Baltimore, you can make it anywhere else. I feel like Baltimore is an island. We separate ourselves from everything. We’re not the DMV, we’re Baltimore. It’s a different place and a different mindset.

What do you want this project to do for you?

I want this project to at least get me to a place where I can get a solid fan base and I can go to any city and muthafuckers is bopping there heads and shit. Of course, I want to pass my expectation but that’s how you get let down too though. I just want people to listen to it, because I feel like it’s a classic.

Who handled the production on Almost? 

I have Millz Douglass who’s the producer of “U Must Luv me,” and 713 who has like 7 tracks on there. Also Boogie Madison and Rayon Sosa, who’s produced like three of the tracks with an additional credit from Rells Royce.

Why do you think we’re searching so much outside of hip-hop right now?

Because people are getting tired of the norm and shit. Everybody wants to be different so I feel people are opening up to new ideas and new things to try. I think people are trying to change the mold of how they were brought up because I was brought up around Pac and Sade, but I didn’t start listening to The Beatles till I was around 18 and I really went and found their whole catalog. At the time that was me stepping out of my comfort level, and now it’s just my every day.

Is a political theme going to be rampant throughout Almost? Seems like you’re ready to speak on certain things.

This shit is for your everyday person. I’m not trying to Lupe myself [laughs]. That shit is not the swooz yo. This is for the guy that got out of a year long relationship that’s heartbroken. This is for the person that’s working a 9 to 5 that don’t feel like going to work and shit.

What’s the latest for the The Sapiens?

We’re kind of putting all our chips into one basket. Hopefully, this tape will shed light on the whole group because we got secret weapons yo. I feel like we could kind of keep up with some of the top camps and shit, so I’m trying to kick the door open so I can get all of my niggas through.

Anything coming after this?

I’m going to be working on a tape. The Love Below is my fuckin’ favorite album ever and I kind of wanted to make a tape like that. I’ve been fucking with melody and I’m not trying to make a whole tape singing but I want to make this next tape for the women. Once an artist has the women behind him, you know he’s made it.

Download : Almost