El Coffee , the new promise of trap from São Paulo, has just premiered the music video for “Casual”, marking a significant step in the artist’s career with the production of Paiva Prod. This release is not just a visual addition to his mixtape “Massif”, but rather a manifesto of his identity and experiences. The mixtape, available on the main digital platforms, is the first complete project in the trap genre in El Coffee ‘s career and is full of collaborations with well-known names in the scene, such as Kayode , Caio Luccas, and Trunks.
“Massive” is described by El Coffee as a work that transcends concerns with the market and musical labels, seeking to offer an authentic portrait of his personal and professional experiences. With 13 tracks, the project reflects the struggles, achievements and challenges faced by the rapper over his 22 years, representing a true journey of self-discovery and affirmation.
The choice of the name “Massif” for the mixtape is a tribute to the roots of El Coffee and his “band” of friends from the North Zone of São Paulo, reflecting the original, authentic and positive character of the project. The word, which is also the artist’s first tattoo, symbolizes the importance of remaining true to one’s origins and beliefs. With the collaboration of renowned producers and artists who share similar experiences, “Massif” promises to be a milestone in El Coffee ‘s career , presenting the public with a rich, diverse and deeply personal sound.
What was the process of creating the mixtape “Massif” like and what do you hope listeners feel when listening to it?
The process of creating Masiço Tape was natural, completely natural. It was a time when I was going through a lot of things, a lot of turmoil. It was a mix of happiness and sadness and I want listeners to absorb what I’m trying to convey. Like it or not, it has a message. There is a nexus. So I hope listeners identify what I’m trying to say, what I’m trying to convey and what I’m transmitting.
What was the main theme or message you wanted to convey through the lyrics and music of “Massif”?
The theme was more about focus, persistence, empowerment. That’s what I wanted to convey through the lyrics, the verses. That was basically it, really focus, confidence. Trust is what is needed, especially trust.
What was it like working with a variety of music producers and guest artists on the mixtape?
For me, it was awesome because I knew how each producer works, how each producer works in the studio. For me, it was a huge experience and you can be sure that I evolved a lot with these producers. If it weren’t for these producers who are at Tape, perhaps I wouldn’t have had the musical evolution I’m having today. It was essential to have these producers working with me because they helped me a lot, as well as giving me advice when I was starting out. When I started making the sounds for the mixtape I was just starting out, so I listened to it a lot. I spoke little and I listened a lot.
What do you highlight as being the essence of São Paulo trap and how is this reflected in your music?
What I can highlight, being the essence of Trap Paulista, is being real. On the mixtape I’m being me, I’m not being a character, I’m not saying what I want. Of course, sometimes on the mixtape I said what I want, but most of the things I say on the mixtape are things that I’ve already experienced and things that I’m living, I’m living. So that was it. It’s 100% me on the mixtape, 100% street, 100% everything, outskirts, everything. The “Massive” mixtape is real Coffee .
Can you tell us a little about the inspiration behind the song “Casual” and what the process of creating the music video was like?
Casual I think will be well received by women, because I reported what really happens, which has already happened to me. I went through a love experience similar to Casual, so I think it will be well received by the female audience. The process of creating the music video was crazy. On the same day that we recorded Casual, we were in the studio, so it was a really cool, really cool art direction. Therefore, I think Casual will be well received by the female audience.
What are your expectations for the release of the “Casual” music video and how do you think it complements the mixtape’s listening experience?
What influenced me on my journey was rap and funk. The biggest artists, the current biggest funk artists in Brazil, are from the North Zone and the biggest funk company in the world is also from the North Zone. Funk influenced me a lot on this mixtape, it influenced a lot on my career, it influenced a lot on the way I report the things I’ve experienced, what I’m experiencing, what I aspire to.
How have São Paulo’s culture and music scene influenced your journey as a trap artist ?
You can expect a lot of good music. I am music, I love trap , I am rap, but I won’t stick to labels. So, you can expect that you will see a more musical Coffee , but without losing the essence. There’s no way I can lose my essence, there’s no way I can create a character. I will continue to be Coffee . I’m just going to move towards a more musical side, but I’m going to continue with my essence.
What is it like for you to represent the North Zone of São Paulo in your music and how does this local identity manifest itself in your lyrics and art?
For me, the North Zone is the best area in São Paulo to live, to socialize. The identity that I wanted to convey in my art is my essence. In reality, everything I’m going to do, I’m being 100% me. I am as original as possible, my way of speaking, my slang, my way of imposing myself, my expressions are 100% me, 100% North Zone, 100% my area, Vila Albertina. The experiences I had in the North Zone had a huge influence, because I saw a lot of things when I was very young. There are many things that people who are 10 years older than me have not seen and experienced what I have experienced.
In addition to music, you mentioned interest in elements of afrobeats . How do you plan to incorporate these elements into your future music and what is your vision for this fusion of styles?
to Afrobeat for two years. Not only listening, but also studying. I started reading Afro’s biography, from Fela Kuti onwards, and studied their metrics. African vocabulary is completely different from Portuguese, so I had to study it. I didn’t come in and just rhyme. I studied Afrobeat to try to sound as much like the genre as possible. There are times when I do it in an hour, there are times when it takes me three weeks to write, to compose to an Afrobeat beat . There’s no point in me getting to the Afrobeat beat and composing anything just to rhyme. It has to make a connection, it has to have a meaning. In Maciço Tape, there are songs that I wrote in 10 minutes. I didn’t even write, I just went in front of the mic and released it. Now, not with Afrobeat , Afrobeat already requires greater attention. My musical evolution will be clear in Afrobeat . I’m betting on Afrobeat because it’s a wave, a different sound. Afrobeat is the future.
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