S.O. - Larry Ginni Crescent (EP) + 10 Questions
Following the success of his last album Augustine’s Legacy, which was dedicated to his late father and his first child and has now accumulated over 16 million streams on Spotify alone, with support from Essence, Rapzilla, The Hype Magazine and OkayAfrica, among others, Texas-based international rap artist S.O. is going back to his African roots with his brand new EP titled LARRY GINNI CRESCENT. Tracing his footsteps back to his hometown in Nigeria, where he was born and raised, the new project is nostalgically named after the street in Lagos, Nigeria that S.O. lived on as a child called Larry Ginni Crescent.
Written and composed by S.O. and produced by long-time collaborator and Grammy Award nominated producer GP, alongside burgeoning Nigerian producers TBabz (Travis Greene, Faith Child, Aaron Cole) and SteveRawd, the Larry Ginni Crescent EP is driven by lead singles ‘Kinda Love’ and the previously released ‘Corner (O Ti De)’ – the former is a summer-ready afropop love song from S.O. dedicated to his wife, where he exudes the virtues of their love, while the latter is an infectious head-bopping track that sees S.O. boasting about who he has in his corner, as he sings “no babalawo in my corner, just God putting things in order”.
S.O. sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
I started rapping when I was 6. My grandma was turning 60 years old and I remember saying my first rap at her birthday party. That started my journey. My father loved music. So we grew up on Michael Jackson, Bob Marley etc. Growing up in the church I’ve been in all sorts of praise teams and had solos but it was when my dad took me to my first studio session that I knew this was something I wanted to do. I was a teenager and wrote my raps on the plane. He connected me with a producer in Nigeria and we made the beats, recorded 2 songs, mixed and mastered everything in a few hours. At that point I knew 2 things, 1. I can do this. Life story told through music & 2. One of the reasons I was born was to do this - share my story through music.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
I grew up on Eminem, Jay-Z & Nas. Lost Tapes by Nas is still one of my favorites. Recently I have been enjoying what Burna Boy brings to the table. Drake & J Cole (of course) are huge influences & I really like how Mr Eazi operates. Future wise, I like to take it one day at a time & work with artists that want to work with me. Mr Eazi wassup?
3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the coronavirus pandemic?
One of the main things was inspiration. Being stuck indoors did not lead to that much creativity (in the beginning). I guess when you are trying to figure out life and experiencing loved ones pass away, making music becomes the last thing in your mind. Over time I found a way to regroup, go out and experience life a bit and get creating. I knew my fans wanted to hear from me and I had created tons of music (once the inspiration hit, it hit HARD). So Larry Ginni Crescent is my gift to them and hopefully the music will carry them through these times we are in.
4. How would you describe your sound?
At this point I would say my sound is without boundaries. I grew up singing in the church, fell in love with rap music but love creating afrobeats. I also have an indie band called Our Future Glory that makes genre bending music. So as an artist I enjoy many styles of musical genres. What I enjoy I try to create but I make sure it is still me - you feel me?
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
My proudest moment would be doing what I set out to do many years ago, which was doing music as a job and making an income to provide for my family & create business opportunities for my friends. I am proud to say that I am doing that.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Have a plan. Study the game & understand that they don’t call it the business for no reason. Keep to your vision and do not get distracted or let what someone else is doing deter you from your path. Finally, comparison is the thief of joy.
7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?
Check out my guy A Star & his album called Born & Raised. Been on regular rotation.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Not an album but a playlist called Rhythm & Praise. Don’t let the name fool you, this playlist has nothing but fire.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
Watch anime & spend time with my wife & daughter.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Water, my phone & my laptop.