Hip-hop has had a great 2016 in the Northwest with Seattle and Portland really showing out. The Emerald City is cooking things up with a few special artists right now, a few of which are on the cusp of making a dent nationally. Ryan Caraveo is one of these artists and his new album Maybe They Were Wrong is testament to why.
With clean & crisp production, Caraveo is Seattle’s first legitimate product for mainstream hip-hop since Eighty4 Fly. Fans of Drake and G-Eazy will find a quick familiarity with Caraveo’s vocal tone while Northwest residents should find his style to be a bit out of the norm for many current local hip-hop artists, but still very much Seattle.
For those music lovers who like to support local hip-hop, Caraveo has a show coming up at the Showbox Market this weekend. Also, down below we have our recent interview with him!
Ryan Caraveo at the Showbox Market 12/10
Get Tickets Here
Q: Ryan…I’ve been wanting to ask you some questions for a while. What’s good? How are you feeling about the album release?
A: Whatsup man, I’m feeling fantastic about Maybe They Were Wrong. I’ve been wanting to make a lot of the songs on this project for awhile and they finally came out the way I had imagined them in my head.
Q: ‘Maybe They Were Wrong’ is probably the dopest hip-hop release out of the Northwest this year. Dave B had a banger, Raz did what Raz does with the top shelf quality content, Mic Capes made some serious noise out of Portland…but your album is really pushing the limits. You have a unique sound and it is very ‘pop accessible.’ Don’t get me wrong and think I’m coupling you in with plastic pop music, I more mean that I can see why so many people like it. It’s catchy and sounds great sonically. How did you get to finding your sound?
A: First of all thank you. I have the up most respect for the artists in my hometown so that compliment is huge to me. I’ve always had a lot to say but I’ve quickly learned that what you say will never be heard if you’re not saying it right. For example saying “I love you” doesn’t mean much in a monotone voice. Saying “I enjoyed kicking it with you” with blank stare means the exact opposite of what you just said. Even if you meant it from the bottom of your heart, you have to consciously convey your message with your face. To me music is the same so I’ve put massive amounts of effort in developing my sound that works for me and acts as a vehicle to carry a message. Tthat’s important to me. To a rap fan listening for the first time, they make think it’s “pop” but the polished sound is intentional to carry an important message to me. Like a Trojan horse for music.
“To a rap fan listening for the first time, they might think it’s (the music is) “pop” but the polished sound is intentional to carry an important message to me. Like a Trojan horse for music.” – R. Caraveo
Q: There’s a few records that sounded like you’re having fun…but I really got the vibe that you are this hungry under dog. That you’re out to prove people wrong about you and make shit happen! At times the feeling is a little dark, but your confidence shines through. What was the main feeling you wanted to get across with this project?
A: The story of Maybe They Were Wrong picks up where my first album Swings left off. Track 1, “Supernova” is an extension of track 13 “Paradise” from the first album.
“I’ve learned that maybe I’m not supposed to belong but rather create the place for other people to belong. If that hold true, it’d be a terrible thing to waste on trying to fit in.”
It’s a very self aware record where I’m ok with burning out in a blaze of glory as long as I’m happy in the moment. As the album progresses I snap out of it and realize the real world potential of where I’m headed. A perfect reflection of me as this album is a little bipolar. When it comes time to compartmentalize my creative zone and become a worker, I do not stop and I do not sleep. If you’re on the team and you want to be great, I expect the same. I think that’s why some of the best music never gets heard. It takes incredible mental focus to be free, creative, soak up the world and calmly make music. Then as soon as that part is complete, become the hardest working PR mechanism, sales agent and whatever other hat you think you should wear to steer the ship forward all while independently funding the music and progression. The underdog attitude definitely comes from being left out growing up, the same as when I “stepped on the scene” still feeling left out. But I’ve learned to be ok with that. I’ve learned that maybe I’m not supposed to belong but rather create the place for other people to belong. If that hold true, it’d be a terrible thing to waste on trying to fit in.
“When it comes time to compartmentalize my creative zone and become a worker, I do not stop and I do not sleep.”
Q: This upcoming show at Showbox next Saturday is about to be crazy. How excited are you? You haven’t really played many local shows since selling out the TownTv event have you? This feel like it will be something real special as it’s ‘your’ show.
A: The Showbox show is a full circle moment for me. I went to my first show at that venue and it was a local Seattle Hip Hop show when I was in middle school. After that show I told my mom I would play there one day and she said “I know you will.” My family is proud, my team is proud and that’s one of my top priorities in life so I’m pretty damn happy. I’ve definitely been selective with the shows I play just like every other step and decision I’ve made up to this point but my gut has steered my right so far.
Q: What is your favorite part of performing live? How do you separate yourself from the standard hip-hop show?
A: Giving people and myself more than they and I expected. The same way I separate myself. Dj Vega, My drummer Anthony Ghazel and myself work as a unit up there and give 110% every time. In the past I’ve designed all the video reels and visuals to play with the music as well to add another element to the show. When watching a show I pay attention to when I decide to grab a drink. When listening to music I pay attention to when I hit next. That is the moment something needs to change, add or subtract. It’s hard work developing the perfect show or song and I’m far from where I want to be but I challenge myself every time and try to take it to new heights.
Q: What is your favorite record off Maybe They Were Wrong?
A: I have a lot of favorites but “Supernova” ft. Tezatalks is probably one of my favorites. The feeling of that record best sums up the whole album.
Q: What are some studio essentials for you? Got any weird superstitions or rules when you’re creating?
A: NO DISTRACTIONS. When I’m creating the phone is off. There’s not 15 homies there. There’s no blunts in rotation. There’s a list of ideas I want to try. There’s a feeling I want to learn to convey, and a little bit gets left up to faith of un intentional magic happening.
Q: Seattle has had some massive movement in the indie scene these past few years. Macklemore and Raz’s national attention has brought back some buzz that has helped other artists, musicians, engineers, and industry insiders alike. We still have a long way to go, but who do you see out here really making strides to pop off next nationally?
A: I like this question. My counter question is what is rap anymore? What is pop anymore? It’s just a dope record that got tagged with that genre. Whether or not you like or agree with that statement, it’s true. I think there’s a plethora of artists with equal potential to do incredibly dope shit. I also think there’s a mythical idea that one artist “got next.” That simply isn’t true. I think that the Moor Gang is a unique group of artists that could make even bigger waves tomorrow or next week even based on timing. Black Umbrella has an incredible infrastructure and also consistently puts out dope projects. I’m surprised those artists don’t have 100x the buzz then they do right now. In left field the Thraxxxhouse artists are an acquired taste and very dope with national potential. DJ Levitate who is arguably one of the most slept on DJ/producers could blow up tomorrow. I left out too many important artists and camps but you get the point. It’s all different and it’s all dope and it could all be the next to blow. I personally leave as little up to chance as humanly possible and do everything to steer the ship forward to make sure my music goes where I want it to.
Q: We always ask this, what is your favorite spot to eat in Seattle?
A: This changes often but this week it’s Tacos Chukis.
Q: Anything else the people should know my guy? Thank you for your time!
A: My new album Maybe They Were Wrong is out now. It’s a story I’ve wanted to tell for a while and I’ve never been more proud of a creation.
As usual I’m already working on lots of new things. Thank you to every single supporter, new & old. The love has been unreal up to this point and I won’t let you down.
Make sure to check out Maybe They Were Wrong on iTunes, Spotify, Apple music or wherever else you get music!
M-Pyre’s favorite tracks:
Never Did, We Don’t Need ‘Em, Perfect World
