RESPECT. Interview: Deniro Farrar Talks ‘Red Book Vol.1’ + Channeling His Inner Tupac & Andre 3000

Photo Credit: Frank Maddocks

Recently, RESPECT. was able to sit down with a one of the most intriguing artists in the industry. This was an emcee from the tarheel state of North Carolina, Deniro Farrar.

Farrar first burst on the scene back in 2014 with his critically acclaimed Rebirth EP. The success of that project brought Farrar respect from many of his peers from Rapsody to Kendrick Lamar.

Now almost three years since the release of Rebirth. Farrar is ready to embark on the next chapter of his career. The Red Book series is an expression of what has become reality for many Black Americans over the past two years.

From the viral nature that police brutality has become in the eyes of the american public, Farrar uses his craft to remain grounded to the roots of hip-hop. Artists like Tupac and Andre 3000 cross his mind when Farrar speaks of the inspiration of his latest project. In this interview, Farrar dives into the making of his latest project and the state of the rap game in general.

RESPECT.: The first time I was introduced to you was on WELL$’s “98′ Juvie.” How did that collaboration come about ?

I linked up with WELL$ in 2014 and that’s when we did the remix of “98 Juvie”. So the track that is on his new album that came out was the remix. Really he took damn near two years to shoot the video. But I recorded that verse around the time that Rebirth Ep release.

RESPECT.: So that’s why you sound like a completely different person on your newer releases.

Yeah my voice has gotten deeper, and my flow and deliver have gotten much tighter since that specfic track dropped.

Red Book, Vol.1 | Available Now @iTunes https://t.co/6CbfCEvZLP @Spotify https://t.co/IjzWEpOOgU pic.twitter.com/jbJE8FbwZA

— Leader of #CultRap (@DeniroFarrar) December 9, 2016

RESPECT.: Obviously on this new project The Red Book Vol.1 you are hitting on a bunch of diffrent topics like police brutality and gentrification. Can you give me some background information about the concept of the Red Book series?

To be honest, the topics that I have been rapping on in Red Book is what I have always been rapping. I think different songs will bring out different energies. “98 Juvie” was a street record, I have a street background so I had to approach it like that. This Red Book project, was my own salvation. This is what I felt people needed to hear, it is really a collection of my thoughts.

RESPECT.: Recently albums like To Pimp a Butterfly have come and introduced a younger generation to this type of politically charged music.Do You feel like the climate of Rap right now was a big part of the inspiration of Red Book?

Yes and no because everybody who has been talking about this stuff now is just taking inspiration from music’s past. Ozzy Osborne was very political with his lyrics back in the day. Goodie Mob and Andre 3000 were on this movement back in the 90’s rapping about being the original black man. which in turn, was rapping about political injustice as well as corruption within the system. Now of days most rappers try to fit into a demographic just to get their music even played on the radio. The main reason why i don’t get my inspiration from newer artist.

RESPECT.: Finally, one of the standout records from the Vol.1 is the record “Gentrification”. This topic has been brought up a good bit throughout 2016. Artist like Big K.R.I.T and Noname Gypsy have record tracks on multiple projects on the subject. How is your take on gentrification different.

I believe that this track leaves the listener with no question of what gentrification is. So many artist, I feel dance around the topic which leaves the listener confused. What I do is break it down so by the end of the track you know what it is and how to combat it. I pride myself on taking knowledge and making it easy for my audience to understand what I am trying to educate them on.

Deniro’s Red Book Vol.1 is now available on Apple Music and Spotify. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

For more news on Deniro Farrar, keep it locked on RESPECT.

Suggested Articles:

New Music: Goodears Debuts “Hip Hop Ain’t Dead”

Fetty Wap & Nicki Minaj Come Together for “Like a Star”