My first music article was about a member of the group Kazitexx. Today's article is about another member, yes, I love this group don't judge me.
This artist is called Luigi Casseus and he is also known as Gino. After being in the group for several years, Gino has finally decided to put out a solo project and it's really great. Not just saying this because he is my friend, I always promote what I believe in and his talent happens to be one of the things I truly believe in.
Gino is truly gifted, versatile and creative. His talent is showcased in all of his songs, I strongly encourage you to listen to his work. Songs like Krey, Flexx, Secure and many other tracks are very good and I can't think of one song I don't like.
Biased? You may think so, however, feel free to listen to the song below, browse a little so you can have your own opinion and not just take my word for it.
https://soundcloud.com/kazitexx/18krey-prod-by-lukaskywalker
Gino raps in English, French and Creole, even though not everyone in the world understands French, Creole or even English, that doesn't mean he can't try to attract a wider range of fans and that you as a reader can't take further interest in his music. I listen to African music all the time and I don't understand a single word sometimes, when it's good it's just good and Gino is great.
"Fuck Being Classy
-Gino"
Gino explained the whole purpose of this project, it came out last month, July 20th, it is basically him talking about his experience with being able to fit in two types of social classes in Haiti.
You can get further details if you watch his video: Introduction to "Boujwazi Sal"
Unfortunately, the video is in Creole and there are no subtitles. However, I had the chance to interview Gino on the EP. Hopefully, the answers I got for my questions, will help you understand the idea behind the project better.
What made you start a solo project?
I’ve had this project for the longest, I just never felt like it was the right time to focus on it. Specially with everything I had going on with KAZITEXX. After December, I kinda took a step back from everything and everybody (for personal reasons) and decided to focus on my personal growth, it was the ideal moment for me because my schedule and tasks for KAZITEXX were lighter. But above everything... The #1 reason why I decided to do this solo project was to tell my story, experiences, express my frustrations and point of view, because we have some fucked up shit going on and nobody wants to talk about them.
Were you anxious about going solo for the first time?
Definetly, took a lot of thinking, balls, and persuasion, both internal and from my friends for me to finally decide to do it. You may not know it but I always released my projects under KAZITEXX so I always had someone to share my Ls and Ws with. With this project it was me and that shit was a whole new experience. I overcame it tho.
What made the process easier for you?
Suppressed feelings and emotions (specially anger). I don’t talk a lot, a lot of shit I keep inside because I don’t feel like it’s worth arguing over, or the person himself is just not worth arguing with. The hardest shit to swallow is disappointment, as in if a friend/a loved one or even someone you looked up to does some stupid shit to you, not only does it hurt...but it’s also disappointing cuz you don’t expect that from the person, because of how close you guys were or simply cuz you thought you knew the person well enough to be 100 with them and get that same energy in return. But it’s not always like that. During the last 6 months I realized a bunch of things and I used that information to push even harder with my music.
Are you satisfied, surprised or disappointed of the response you got after the EP?
I was surprised because I took a chance by coming out with something totally different. I approached an audience that is mostly stimulated by things that are fun related (specially when it comes to music) with very deep subjects and the response I got was amazing. I can almost say I didn’t expect that because the level of interaction I got with the people who listened to the songs was beyond anything I’ve ever gotten for any of my previous releases under Kazitexx. And that shit was real too. The support was real. I felt it.
In your video, you said the EP would be 3 songs and you weren’t sure about releasing the 4th one, What made you do it?
I felt that last song “BOURGEOISIE SAL” was the one song that really explained what I stood for and how I see things and it would’ve been a mistake not to release it. That song is LITERALLY MY STORY, and the introduction video was an extended version of what I expressed in that song.
Out of all four songs, which one is more personal to you and why?
I guess I just answered that in the 5th question, but to go a little deeper, I feel a deeper connection to the song “BOURGEOISIE SAL” because It’s the only time i feel I’ve ever truly opened myself up and let shit out.
“Jsuis l’stereotype scholarisé,couleur dévalorisée
Stigmatisée
Par une BOURGEOISIE traumatisée
Trop blanche pour sympathiser
On se fait baiser, violer, devaliser
En majorité, par une minorité
Authenticité la priorite
BOURGEOISIE SAL sra jamais déguisé "
This is how I’ve been feeling all my life, and I had to let the others who felt the same know that they’re not alone in this, stay strong! We’re not the problems, society is.
This EP is divided in 2 parts, when is part 2. Coming out?
I know I said February in the video but it might come out even sooner then that.. or later I don’t know. I’ll drop it when I have the public's full attention I don’t want anything (December,carnaval etc) interfering with the message I want to convey when I come to them with my project.
How may songs will there be?
Don’t know yet but I got 5 already.. I want to put more tho, I’m thinking 10 or 12.
In the first part, “Facts” is your favorite track, Which song do you think will be your favorite in pt. 2?
I'll been able to answer that question when I finish the entirety of the project, for now I don’t know.
Besides the EP, what other projects do you have going on?
I'm working on more visuals for the people who listen to my music or just follow my growth, cuz I feel like it’s easier for people to understand with images so I’m working on that also.
Can you tell us more about your upcoming brand?
My brand “Boujwazi Sal” is very much similar to the “San Konplexx” brand that my brothers and I presented to the public but on top of that “Boujwazi Sal” takes position and has more of a socially oriented message and idea behind it. I’ll may go over it in details some time after the release of the part 2.
What did being an artist has taught you?
To remain humble, have patience, stay motivated, have confidence but most importantly to rely on no one but myself and my efforts. I’ve had so many people hear my shit and tell me “yo this is dope, I’m gonna do this and that for you” or just sit down with me and tell all the thing that I could be doing if they were working with me but NEVER take the initiative to help or make a move, that if I wasn’t strong mentally I would’ve given up or even worse I’d probably be kissing some asses now. But I chose to stay strong and patient, I took all the advice i felt were constructive and moved along with them.
“Boujwazi Sal” is you telling your story on how you fit 2 types of social classes in Haiti, one can say that the lower class might be more receptive to your message in those songs. What is your take on it?
It might be, it might not, one thing I know is that I spend most of my time with the lower class because that’s just we’re my roots are, my entire family, most of my friend, most people that taught me life lessons are from that class. I’m just a product of my environment so I guess that’s why️. I tried my best to stay neutral tho and not take sides unless I personally wanted to.
Wat is the next step for Gino?
Touch a bigger audience, go through bigger platforms to get my point across and let the people know that there are things that need to be fixed in our society.
Any words to any young Haitians aspiring to be a rapper like you?
Never give up, stay authentic, stay true to yourself, never compromise when it comes to your beliefs. Stay working, stay patient and always dream big.
Now that we're done talking about the project, I'll insert the link to the EP so you can listen to it. I hope you like it,"Fuck being classy" is my personal favorite.
https://soundcloud.com/gino-official/sets/bourgeoisie-sal
Gino thanked me for letting him use my platform while I'm the one that should thank him for taking the time to do this interview. I whish him the best of luck with his future plans and I'll keep a close eye on him for future updates.
If you wish to follow Gino or get in touch with him you can follow him on:
Instagram - @casseus_
Twitter - @E_Mwenk_GINO_A
Follow him on Soundcloud and Youtube also.
I thank you all for reading this article.
This was "Boujwazi Sal", written by Tiff.
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