200 Words’ 20 Best Interviews Of 2012
Christmas is coming closer which means we’re getting closer to the most exciting lists, like best videos and best tracks, but there’s another important list that shan’t be forgotten. Listening to music is one thing, but understanding an artist’s idea behind it is something completely different. Understanding why an album has a certain title, what that one line in the rap means, that is what makes music interesting and fun too. One of the easiest and simplest ways to find out the answers to most of the questions is by reading interviews. To help you understand some of the artists you listen to, I have compiled a list of the best and most fun interviews of 2012.
Some of the things I found out through interviews and are findable in the list below are for example why Gaslamp Killer’s album is called ‘Breakthrough’, how Solange got inspired for the stunning video for Losing You, what The xx thinks about people singing along at concerts or where How To Dress Well gets his inspiration from. This might all sound serious, but luckily there are some fun interviews too. Like the ones by Nardwuar, who is known for his crazy interviews, or the one with Thundercat and Action Bronson.
20. Jesse Boykins III - Earmilk
19. Zodiac - LFTF
18. Flying Lotus - Consequence Of Sound
17. MS MR - Pigeons & Planes
16. Ryan Hemsworth - FACT
15. Gaslamp Killer - Pitchfork
14. Action Bronson - Complex
13. Solange - FADER
12. Little Dragon - FACT
11. The xx - Pitchfork
10. Kendrick Lamar - FACT
“For good kid, m.A.A.d city, to do good – as far as reviews and actual numbers – proves that this type of hip-hop will still survive in this world.”
9. Jamie Lidell - FACT
“I just want to get better at communicating and spreading a goodness. Lyrics are about blame, love, fear – big real stuff. I can’t get enough.”
8. How To Dress Well - FADER
“The music I really first listened to as a kid was pretty emotional, like I really really loved Like I Love You…. I had like three different cassette singles of I Always Love You. Probably I freaked my parents out a little bit. I was like six years old, singing to Whitney Houston.”
7. Thundercat - FACT
[On Coachella] Do any particular shenanigans spring to mind, or is it all just a blur?
“Well, there’s one where I woke up in a pool area. There’s one where I woke up in the lobby of the hotel I was staying at. And then there’s the one where I got kicked out of Snoop’s backstage area! [laughs] There were all kinds of shenanigans.”
6. Grimes - Pitchfork
“When Regis grabbed Nicki Minaj’s ass on TV, she just giggled. I was like, ‘What the fuck! Come on! Punch him in the face!’”
5. Pussy Riot - GQ
Musically not the most interesting band of course, but absolutely the band causing the most controversy worldwide. The interview was done via post into a Russian jail, which makes it even more real and interesting.
4. Oddisee - Complex
In this interview with Complex Oddisee goes into how he wrote his best work so far: People Hear What They See, and talks about the creative processes.
3. Flying Lotus - Nardwuar
The genius Flying Lotus getting interviewed by another genius, Nardwuar, who is known for his extensive research. They go into everything from the musical legends in FlyLo’s family to the porn star he went to school with. Such an upbeat interview.
2. Frank Ocean - GQ
One of the longest and most in-depth interviews I’ve ever read with one of the most interesting and good artists of 2012.
1. Waka Flocka Flame - Nardwuar
As said, Nardwuar the Human Serviette (yes, that is his real real name) is the boss of prior knowledge. He “fucks up” Waka Flocka…. Flame for around 20 times taking every single thing he did back and going down memory lane with Waka Flocka.
