Interview: Pell, "Dream-Rap," And Changing Southern Hip-Hop

By now, most know that there is a certain social stigma attached to the South. “Uneducated” and “uncultured” are just two of the common descriptors. Why is this, though, with the South having roots that are rich in Blues, Jazz and historical empowerment? Shifting the current perspective of how the South is viewed is one objective of newer artists arising from the lower region. Preserving the musical culture while displaying sonic versatility and meaningful lyrical content seem to be a challenge. Nonetheless, these qualities prove to be worth the risks in order to remove stereotypical labels and open new lanes for a fresh artistic experience.

Pell, a southern rapper, is one artist that is challenging listeners to lend their eyes and ears for a broader outlook. Born in The Big Easy and having to relocate to Mississippi after Katrina, he’s formed his own sound, coined “dream-rap.” In 2011, Pell released Calphonic, a project that formally introduced him as a lyrically diverse artist with a southern edge. It wasn’t until 2012 that he released Feel Good Summer, an EP that gave his fans a taste of his experimental music side. His latest release, Floating While Dreaming, seeks to provide both substance and experimental sounds that radiates vulnerability and authenticity. RESPECT. spoke with Pell on his new body of work that he describes as “melodic and futuristic with soulful hooks.” He also speaks on his musical influences, his new sound, and how it all ties in with the inspiration behind Floating While Dreaming.

RESPECT.: After relocating to Mississippi during Katrina in 2005, you’ve mentioned that you were able to take the musical culture and life lessons from New Orleans. What were some of those musical influences?

Pell: I’ve taken a lot of influences from jazz and soul culture, i.e. a little Miles Davis and Rebirth Brass Band, and with rap, some Curren$y, Wayne, and others. Although its not too prevalent in my music, I still like to call on people like that to channel my inner artist because they inspire me to come through clean and uninterrupted in my pieces.

What was one life lesson that you learned?

That nothing lasts forever. You hear the adage again and again over time, but it never really hits home until you have something taken away from you. I had many items lost to the storm, but I was still blessed to have my family as a support system to build anew.

Your previous projects Calphonic and Feel Good Summer EP both have very distinctive sounds. Calphonic had more of a southern influence. Why did you decide to go in a different direction with Feel Good Summer?

I decided to go different with Feel Good Summer because as a person I am constantly changing. I was influenced by the sounds of summer as the project was scheduled for release then. I followed where my gut was taking me, and that was into the summer sun.

You’ve said he objective of Feel Good Summer was to “breakthrough the saturation and sense of contentment in the hip-hop world by experimenting with new sounds intertwined with lyrical vulnerability.” Why do you think it’s so important to show that the South is more versatile?

Good question. Coming out of the south, there isn’t really a market for an artist like me pushing a new wave, ambient sound. At first, I had to almost force people to listen when I would drop verses or lay down hooks. I think that is what really drives me to let people know what can be created down here; the fact that people in my own backyard weren’t making the same music as me. My mission is to push the culture, if not for the entire music industry, at least for the people and fans who first supported me. I’m actually happy that the new talent surrounding me from the South has been taking risks to be different and is carving out a new lane for their sound to be heard. It honestly is making music fun again.

What was the inspiration behind your new project, Floating While Dreaming?

Originally, I watched a documentary called Waking Life that inspired me to lucid dream. It also inspired me to tread on a path to know myself. Usually people go through life chasing their dreams so hard that they forget to look up, and once they do, they realize their whole life has been “floating” by. Some realize that they are going through the motions and want to make a change to find out who they are as a person and not become unconscious. The title and theme also reflects the soundscapes you hear throughout the album. When you listen to this record, I want you to feel like you’re on a cloud sipping Rosé with Ye, or listening to Alicia Keys playing her greatest hits, all while three video vixens call you by name and feed you grapes. That’s how it makes me feel, like I’m in paradise. Yes, at times there can be trouble in paradise and those same clouds can spout rain and we aren’t always prepared with an umbrella. But I want Floating While Dreaming to be that metaphorical umbrella for people, saving them from their own rainy day in paradise, and helping them to create a new day full of empowerment.

What type of sound can we expect from Floating While Dreaming? Is this an experimental project?

The album is very melodic. It’s not solely a rap album. I do a lot of singing. It has a futuristic feel to it, but that’s countered by soulful hooks and summer vibes. I would say that its experimental in the sense that I’m always pushing to re-invent myself musically, but don’t let that run you off. You’ll always get the real me in the end.

Vulnerability is what makes an artist more authentic and relatable. What’s your most vulnerable track on Floating While Dreaming?

I would say that my most vulnerable track on the album is “Runaway.” I don’t want to spoil it for the listener, but trust that it’s from the heart.

Your style of rapping has been termed “Dream Rap.” How would you describe “Dream Rap” ?

I would describe “Dream Rap” as me being me. As far as how it could be described sonically, I would say that it stems from ambient chords coupled with a relaxed flow/melody. Substance-wise, it’s usually music personifying a dream. That’s the aim.

Who is your go-to producer or the producer that you would credit for helping you to craft “dream rap.”

I would have to say that one of the people that has been with me from day one, Staccs, is my go-to guy when it comes to understanding my vision. I feel as though anything we make together will be classified as Dream Rap because it’s a sound that we started creating together and it comes out naturally.

It’s really hard to compare your musical style to any other artist that’s out right now. What are your feelings about not being able to be placed in a specific box?

I feel as though it helps my music spread faster. I think that since the sound is so distinct, people are able to identify who I am as an artist and it helps my message get across easier.

Since your sound is so different, who do you think you would have great chemistry with in the studio?

I think that I would have a fun time in the studio with Travi$ Scott, Pharrell, or Tyler, the Creator. Also, I would like to get in the studio with Andre 3000. Hope you’re reading this, Three Stacks.

Southern hip-hop is typically known for its bounce, trap and chop and screw, but your style is different from your southern peers. Do you for see yourself intertwining more southern elements or are you going to continue to go with experimental music?

You can expect some southern influence to shine through now and again, but for the most part I will keep my music progressive and experimental.

You collaborated with Big Sant on “Inner Peace.” He’s also an up-and-coming artist from Mississippi. Can we expect you to collaborate with more Mississippi artists in the near future?

Yes, for sure. A lot of my album features collaborations with artists/producers from Mississippi. I have Helen Le, LV Baby, Staccs, and even someone who I’ve looked up to artistically, Dent May, on the album.

Who are some of your dream collaborations within any genre of music?

Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend. I’ve been a fan too long and just have so much respect for his style. Travie Mccoy from Gym Class Heroes, Danny Brown. And I feel like this almost goes without saying, but I would love to work with Kanye West. There are some others too but that’s my top 5.

What are some of your plans for the remainder of 2014? If you are going on tour, is there anyone in particular that you would like to join you?

I have plans to release more videos for the rest of the summer, as well as going on tour as much as possible for the rest of the year. If I could pick the tour, I would like it to be with my camp, That Feel Good, along with Michael Christmas, SZA, and Banks. That would be a perfect lineup. Actually, we need to make that happen.

Pell‘s Dreaming While Floating is out now. The album is available for streaming below, free download here, and on May 27th on iTunes, with a bonus track and a digital booklet full of short stories Pell wrote himself, for $2.99.