With some of the biggest hits in the R&B and Rap music industry, Tory Lanez manages to set new records every time he releases a project. In an exclusive interview with Out Now, Tory Lanez is sharing his 2021 goals, Inspirations, and his single with Chris Brown.
Tell us about your latest Album ‘PLAYBOY’, how was it working on it, and what is the story behind it?
The Creative process for my project was incredibly polarizing. I just lost my girl to an athlete, and for the first time in a long time I was writing the R&B from a place of hurt and vulnerability, Unlike a lot of my other RnB which is based off pure vibe and catchy melodies…
For playboy I really dug deep in my feelings during the time that I was recording I went through a break up, so emotionally I was able to flow creatively. Some of my best creations come out when I’m vulnerable.
Producers on the album includ “braxt” it’s mostly myself and chazz and mike.
I want my listeners to walk away with an understanding of how my emotions are and I want them to understand that this is an honest depiction of how I feel about relationships and people that are close to me.
Who have been the people who influenced you the most and from whom you were inspired?
Artists like Bob Marley and Tupac Shakur definitely inspired me.
What inspired your single ‘Feels’ with Chris Brown, and what do you hope to communicate with this single?
Feels is a track is really important to me I recorded it in Cancun, Mexico. I just wanted to get away and catch a vibe I was on vacation I ran into Chris. He had called me and told me he was out there, I said “I’ma pull up.” I pull up out there and we spent a couple days vibing, being away from America for a little bit. We recorded it out there, it was a vibe.
Everything was good, everything seemed to transcend the right way. The energy was good, the vibe was good, the music was good, the beat was great. When I first started the hook, it was so infectious, so contagious that I felt “Chris, you have to join this.” This has to be one of them records we put out there because it feels like me and you.
In light of the Coronavirus, do you think the music industry that has suffered tremendous damage by eliminating festivals, closed clubs, and of course, the loss of livelihood to musicians will change the face of the music industry as we know it?
Absolutely it’s suffered. I miss the stage a lot. I miss the feeling of fans singing my music back and forth to me, us making eye contact. Us having that moment of interaction where our souls are connecting through the music. I miss that but at the same time, the safety of people is so important right now. With what’s going, it’s hard for artists to stay still. I do believe in doing what we have to do to make sure everyone is safe. As much as I miss it, it’s not about me I can’t be selfish and not think about the health of everyone else.
From all 12 tracks of PLAYBOY Album, which one is your favorite?
Probably “Deceiving Eve” as it’s one of the tracks where I felt I was the most vulnerable and I was able to share my feelings and how I felt about the particular situation between me and the person this is me being as honest as I can be on a record.
Who is the next artist you would like to collaborate with?
I’m collaborating with some amazing African artists for my upcoming reggae/afro beats album but I’m keeping them underwraps for now. And also just working with my artists on Umbrella Records like Mariah the Scientist, Melii, Davo, VV$ Ken, and Papi Yerr.
From all the singles you’ve released so far, which one still makes you excited every time you hear it?
There’s no way I can just pick one but I would probably say “Luv”
2021 is coming, what are your goals for the next year?
My goal for the next year is to become a corporate mogul. I’m releasing NFT’s, I have an Alkaline water line “Umbrella Water” that went to relief efforts in Texas and Louisiana and a lot of other business ventures. I want to defy the laws of music, that’s it. I want to take myself to different places and echelons, I want to do different things. The things that are the norm, I want to rebel against that. That’s the only time I could feel that way. Everything else about my music is very gray. It’s very simple-minded at the same time, but also very complex. I give people a little bit of half and half, that’s what makes people come back and listen to my music again.
What excites you most about being a singer and performing around the world?
You ever seen that meme of DMX on the stage performing to the whole world? He’s performing to a million people, that’s how I feel. I’m going to stop wars with my music like how Bob Marley did. I’m going to do certain things that are so above and beyond other artists.
You are an inspiration for lots of people around the world, including Singers, music producers, and music fans from around the world. What message would you like to send them during this time?
Stay positive and keep God first.
