During NXNE I was able to see Raz Fresco play at the Drake Underground on June 18^th. I didn’t know what to expect as this was my first time seeing him in concert. I’ve been hearing more and more about him as he is about to release his debut album Pablo Frescobar on July 1^st. On Canada Day Raz Fresco will show the world his story and how amazing the hip hop scene is in Toronto. That is exactly what Raz is all about, bringing the spot light to Toronto and always being loyal to his home town. After the show I was able to talk with him for a few minutes (shouts out to Big Soze for setting this up). I wanted to know what it was like for him to play NXNE this year.

What’s it like playing north by north east?

“It’s dope you know, at the end of the day it’s something that’s coming from the city. It’s something that represents up north. That’s exactly what I’m trying to do like with my album Pablo Frescobar, I’m trying to represent up north.”

Through his whole set you can tell just how much he represents for the city. It’s great to see artists like him putting on for the city and bringing back that hip hop spot light to Canada. Just like Toronto, Raz Fresco’s buzz has been steadily growing.

Speaking about your album coming out July 1^st what can people expect from it?

“It’s just crazy man. It’s just a new elevation and growth for me as an artist. It’s just a lot of growth since my last mixtape. And this is my first debut album it’s a big deal. We’re throwing a really ill release party on June 30^th actually here (The Drake Underground) too. It’s almost entirely self-produced with a couple co producers.”

When he said that the album is almost entirely self-produced my jaw dropped. Not many rappers produce their own tracks let alone most of their album. Raz Fresco is also known for producing beats for other rappers like Tyga, Mac Miller, French Montana and many more. But recently he’s been focusing on his debut album Pablo Frescobar.

How long were you working on the album?

“Like 2 -3 years.”

How many songs did you have for the album? Did you have a ton of songs you had to go through?  

“Oh My God, I have projects. I have songs that are like recorded that are unreleased but then I have full songs that I didn’t even record yet. The amount of unreleased material right now is crazy. My whole thing is just picking out the best material and formulating it into a project but I defiantly have a lot of things to pick from. “

As we talked I could hear the determination in his voice. Even though he spent years workings on this album you can tell this is just the tip of the iceberg. The release of Pablo Frescobar will keep his momentum rolling and it’s up to him how far he takes it. Talking to Raz you can tell he knows exactly where he wants to be and how to get there. I ask him if he has a favourite concert venue to play in and he gave me an amazing answer.

Do you have a favourite venue in the city to play at?

“Nah not really I love playing in a room where there’s people and their feeling the music. They have energy and their giving that energy to me so I can give it back. That’s what I love, it doesn’t matter the venue it matters about the people in the venue to me.”

That’s probably the best answer I have heard to that question. This made me realize he’s doing this all for his love of music and seeing people jam out to the songs he’s created. Raz Fresco is a true artist who loves to have his art displayed and have people relate to it. With Raz Fresco being a part of the ever growing scene here in Toronto I wanted know his thoughts on the ever growing scene.

What do you like the hip hop scene in Toronto right now?

“What I like right now is there’s more confidence because there are more people looking at Toronto. It’s a relevant city in the hip hop culture right now. It just lit the spark so certain artists that never had that courage. The city has a lot of talent, that’s what people don’t know there’s a lot of talent here.”

What advice would you give your younger self?

“Don’t get caught up, stay focused.”

And that’s exactly what he is doing. Raz Fresco is extremely focused and is ready to take over the scene with his album Pablo Frescobar. He has all the skills and determination to become one of the best it’s only a matter of time.