The Vince Staples saga continues. Since signing to Def Jam, the Long Beach artist has released a new record every year, with his debut LP, the critically celebrated Summertime ‘06 (2015), bracketed by two superb EPs, Hell Can Wait (2014) and Prima Donna (2016), the latter the subject last summer of a Vulture cover story.
With his sophomore album Big Fish Theory due to launch this Friday, we caught up with Staples two weeks ago at the New York Magazine offices to discuss a range of topics including fine art, Green Day, Travis Scott, the election, beaches, Eminem, sobriety, and Kendrick Lamar, who according to people who have previewed the upcoming album may or may not appear as a guest.
What’s new with you?Nothing. Hanging out. Doing the same stuff.
You sleepy?Nah, just old, man. Sometimes you get old. You get to that point. Bones start hurting.
But you’re like, 25, right?You know what’s crazy, I’m not even gonna lie to you, bro. I don’t know how old I am right now. I think I’m 22 or 23 but I forgot. I’m dead serious. I was on a plane earlier, and I was like, which birthday am I having this year? I was trying to do the math, but I was real sleepy, so I was like, “Man, I don’t remember … how old I am.”
What’s your birth date?It’s July 2, 1993, but I was like, it’s like 23 or 24, but you know how you’re sleepy and you don’t feel like thinking about it, so for a couple of hours I didn’t know how old I was. But it was fine. It didn’t bother me at all.
So you don’t feel old or anything.Nah, I been felt old. Long time ago. It’s cool, though.
What did you learn now that you didn’t know last time we had an interview?I don’t think I’ve got to the epiphany stage, but I’m pretty sure a lot of things have changed. Probably perspective, more than anything.
What perspectives are changing right now?I was the person who’d never think of that kind of stuff. I’m just aware of how much information you take in everyday, especially during this job. I know for a fact that certain things have stuck with me, certain things have left, but I think that all comes within the reflection period when you kind of step back and assess it when everything is over. Unfortunately, everything is not over right now. I think everything is in a good space, personally.
Are you nervous about the album coming out?I’m never nervous. I don’t care enough to be nervous. Like, what can happen?
Read the rest of the interview via www.vulture.com/