Establishing yourself and who you are is one of the biggest and most important challenges we face in our lives. This is especially important when it comes to a career in music, where you always need to bring something new to the table.

Cassi B, like me, is part of the new generation of musicians and artists. Multi-talented and ambitious almost to a fault, Cassi B will stop at nothing to make his mark. Hailing from the small country of Togo, Cassi came to America many years ago with his mother and settled in Newark. Since then, he’s been able to carve out a successful career in music and marketing, as well as his own clothing brand.

Cassi has an infectious energy and relentless enthusiasm that I’m really looking forward to sharing with you all.

Enjoy this conversation on making music, the importance of having a “why” as an artist, his new album “Made in Togo” and much more.

Episode Outline: 

(1:30) - Episode introduction

(4:18) - Cassi’s background and journey to America, how music has evolved for him since he was a kid

(9:15) - Growing up in Newark, growing as an artist through experiences and gaining perspective

(13:20) - An artist has to have a “why”

(15:30) - Some more context and background on Cassi B’s new album “Made in Togo”, the making of the album and where Cassi drew inspiration from

(20:28) - Artists need experiences to write music

(23:30) - Conceptual albums, the power of creating a narrative behind your music, reaching “higher levels”

(27:03) - Shooting music videos, how to “act” and challenges that come with building a visual element to your music

(29:44) - Artists need to either be multi-talented or collaborate with other talent, Cassi’s other ventures

(34:34) - The pressures of establishing and running a clothing brand, how Cassi manages his career and music

(38:14) - “What makes you want to be an artist?”

(41:15) - The next generation of content creators

(48:12) - Everyone is accessible these days, having figures in your life that inspire you

(52:23) - “I create more than I consume”, Cassi is focused on process and results even in his music

(57:08) - Rappers and singers vs. artists, differences in how people create and the goals they have for their careers

(1:06:08) - Fleshing out the environment around the music, promotion, business, and more considerations you need to make

(1:07:59) - What’s more valuable to you, people at your shows or streams/plays?

(1:12:58) - What Cassi does for work outside of music, how he started in the marketing field in college and after

(1:18:00) - “Not everyone is trying to learn things on their own”, building a dream and your success

(1:22:03) - “Curiosity is the best teacher, cause it allows you to learn without expectations”, discussion around publishing for your music

(1:28:07) - Is it worth it to get paid for your music? The real grind of getting money for your music

(1:33:57) - Your music can impact people on different levels and social media can sometimes obscure that

(1:35:16) - What’s next for Cassi B

(1:40:53) - Mental health awareness, it’s place in Cassi’s music and his experience with his own mental health struggles

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