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WKNC DJ Whippopatomus interviewed local artist Maasho. They discussed the local music scene, his upcoming projects, & the personal journey he took to reach his artistry.
Off the Record features interviews with local and national musicians as aired on WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2.
00:00
DJ Whippopatomus
What's good, everyone? You are listening to WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1 Raleigh. We are a student run nonprofit radio station based out of North Carolina State University. I am DJ Whippopatomus and this is Local Industry Talks where I interview local artists from around the mid Atlantic region. Here with me today is the very talented Maasho. What's good with you, man? How you doing?
00:26
Maasho
I'm doing good, man. How about yourself?
00:27
DJ Whippopatomus
Good, good. I'm real excited to have you in.
00:29
Maasho
Thank you, sir.
00:31
DJ Whippopatomus
Why don't you go ahead and introduce yourself to the listeners out there?
00:33
Maasho
Yeah. So my name is Abel Maasho. I go by Maasho. I am an Ethiopian American music artist and I've been making music now for about three years. I started at the end of my senior year in 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. So go Raleigh. Big Carolina fan base. Absolutely love it down here.
00:54
DJ Whippopatomus
Love it.
00:56
Maasho
I'd say I'm like a genre fluid artist that I'm just really excited to perform and do whatever it is possible. Yeah, yeah.
01:02
DJ Whippopatomus
I've seen you perform. You bring the energy and your songs, your music in general is just so versatile.
01:08
Maasho
Thank you.
01:08
DJ Whippopatomus
It sounds like you've hit on like almost every type of sound. Just about.
01:12
Maasho
Yeah. No, that's the goal. I really like music for that kind of reason because it's one of the most vulnerable kind of mediums of art where people can express themselves in any different kind of way. And I think the different genres of music are just like essentially different emotions, and so everybody has them. So I think it's really cool being able to like, bounce through different genres and express yourself.
01:30
DJ Whippopatomus
I. I love that. That's a great way to put it. So what's the story behind your name, Maasho.
01:36
Maasho
So Maasho is my last name again. I'm Ethiopian American. And my last name to me is really important because when I was growing up, my dad has no other siblings that have kids.
01:51
DJ Whippopatomus
Right, right.
01:51
Maasho
Okay. So when he was growing up, his last name is actually from. I believe it's from his uncle who he used to live with back in Ethiopia. And he picked up that last name because that uncle started like, paying for him to like, go to school. And my dad would like literally, like run like 12 miles talking about it, like every day, like, just so that he could go to school.
02:10
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
02:11
Maasho
And so he picked up their last name. And it's like, really important to me, especially knowing, like, I'm pretty much like the only person like, that's gonna be able to carry on my last name. So I kind of wanted to, like, do that and like, it shows, like, my heritage as well. So that's something that's really important.
02:25
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, I love that, man. I love to hear. Yeah, it's a cool last name.
02:28
Maasho
Thank. Thank you.
02:29
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. I don't know if you realize, but woof. Epotamus comes from wipo. That's my last name. I respect the last name game.
02:37
Maasho
Last name game is strong. You feel me? You feel me?
02:41
DJ Whippopatomus
So, yeah. How. How did it all start making music?
02:46
Maasho
So I started in like 2019, like officially, but I had started making music or at least like, messing around in this one class that I had at my old high school, Raleigh Charter. Raleigh Charter. Research Triangle High School.
02:59
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay. And in Durham, right?
03:01
Maasho
Yeah, in Durham. And I had this one teacher, like my sophomore year, and he used to like, teach this digital music creation class. And so I thought that was like, real cool. I was like, okay, bet. Yeah, I would just like, go at lunch and just like, watch him. And Bro was supposed to be teaching us, like, music theory and stuff, and he probably was, but, like, I was mad undiagnosed add at the time. So, like, I was not listening to the stuff that he would do. But I was still like, so intrigued that I would, like, go in at lunch and stuff.
03:25
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay, so outside of class, you come back. Yeah.
03:28
Maasho
And he would just. He would just like cook up like. Okay, it'd be far. He would just cook up for like 30 minutes and make like a beautiful, like, arrangement. And then. Yeah, he ended up getting fired.
03:38
DJ Whippopatomus
So.
03:38
Maasho
Yeah. Nah, shout out my boy, Mr. Farrow.
03:41
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, for real.
03:42
Maasho
Wherever he's at right now. I hope you hear this. Love that guy.
03:46
DJ Whippopatomus
Sounds like my man had game.
03:47
Maasho
Yeah. So he left. But then that kind of like, inspired me, like, just, oh, wow, music is cool. And then the next teacher, shout out Mr. Wood. At research Triangle High School, he was actually like an English teacher, but he had like, he had a background in broadcasting, actually, like doing radio and stuff back then. And he basically went and like, used his own money to like, buy back like, all of like, the studio equipment and stuff that like, Mr. Pharaoh had. Because Pharaoh, that was all of his equipment that he was letting everybody use. So when he left, he took all of his stuff with him and Wood went and rewent and bought all the things that, like, we needed for, like, the class and, like, continue to invest in the program.
04:23
Maasho
And he didn't really have any technical knowledge on, like, mixing or like, producing or anything like that. He just had like, an extensive music taste yeah. Would, like, show me cool stuff, like, in class. He was still teaching the same class. Yeah, it was a really cool guy.
04:36
DJ Whippopatomus
Need that in schools, I'm saying. More schools.
04:38
Maasho
That's what I'm saying. I feel like just because I went to that charter school, like, I had that opportunity, like, who knows? Like, what. What would have happened if I didn't end up at that school and I ended up transferring my senior year. Okay. Which kind of, like, stopped me from being able to at least play around with sounds and do, like, that kind of thing at lunch and whatever it is. Like, you know your homies going. And, like, I'm trying to make, like, beats and, like, freestyle and stuff.
04:56
DJ Whippopatomus
Right.
04:57
Maasho
But the next year, I was, like, in my world history class with my friend Global, and he asked me to, like, take him to the barbershop. And I was like, all right, Bet.
05:06
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
05:06
Maasho
So I took him to the barbershop after school. And after I took him to the barbershop, he was like, yo, could you go drop me off at this producer's house? I've been making music for a little while. And I was like, yo, like, I kind of mess around with that stuff. Like, can I, like, come hang?
05:17
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
05:18
Maasho
And I went. And the guy's name is Cash Paradox.
05:22
DJ Whippopatomus
Word.
05:23
Maasho
And I think I've heard his tag.
05:25
DJ Whippopatomus
In some of your songs, right?
05:26
Maasho
Yeah, he produced Ginger. Ginger is the first one. I know. Off the My Head. We've got the Banger. Yeah, we've got. We've got some other stuff that's, like, unreleased and things.
05:35
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
05:35
Maasho
I love that guy. And so went and we met Cash, and it was like his. His crib, like, at Morrisville and stuff. And went and I met him, and I was like, yo, this is, like, cool. Could I, like, come back? And I started just, like, going back, and then like, after, like, two days. I've known this kid for, like, 72 hours at this point.
05:55
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
05:55
Maasho
Have his number on my phone. He's like, you should just, like, hop on a song. And I was like, okay, bet.
05:58
DJ Whippopatomus
Right?
05:59
Maasho
And then started making me. That was like, really. When I started, like, okay, this is fun.
06:03
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
06:04
Maasho
And that was like, probably, like, May of 2019.
06:07
DJ Whippopatomus
Was that your senior year?
06:08
Maasho
Yeah.
06:09
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
06:09
Maasho
That was my senior year of high school and then graduated. And then I went to East Carolina University my freshman year. And that was when I, like. I really, like, locked in and, like, figured out what it. What it was that, like, I wanted to do because I had, like, no production help because Cash would do like, production for me as well as Nick Nash.
06:27
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
06:27
Maasho
And they did, like, production and mixing and stuff. But I kind of, like, once I went to school was like, oh, well, I can't go to my homie's house every day because it's not summer. And I'm also a freshman of college. Let me figure my life out right quick.
06:39
DJ Whippopatomus
That's what it's for.
06:40
Maasho
Yeah. And so I kind of just dived into, like, vocal mixing and stuff. And, like, for me, like, when I started making music, I wasn't really, like, a singer. So I've always, like, I want to do voice acting, like, later on in my life. Yeah. My voice, I love it. Mad malleables, like, to do, like, impressions and stuff, like, when I was a kid. So, like, when I started making music, like, singing and, like, doing other genres and stuff for me kind of came, like, naturally because I was like, oh, well, I can just make myself sound like this without having to actually do any vocal mixing. And then I can do vocal mixing. And then I was like, wait, all of my favorite artists, like, do cool stuff like this. Like, I'm thinking too small.
07:14
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
07:14
Maasho
Then it kind of just. From that point, it kind of just blew up. I was like, okay, Yeah. I really love doing this. I want to keep doing this.
07:20
DJ Whippopatomus
That's dope, man. Yeah. I really have been enjoying your music. I've been bumping in a lot lately preparing for the interview.
07:27
Maasho
Thank you.
07:27
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, you already know, man. Actually, I first discovered you at Summer in the Carolinas. Yeah, that was lit. That was, like, the first time I really got exposed to the local art scene out here. And, yes, it was a dope performance.
07:40
Maasho
That was a really cool show.
07:41
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
07:42
Maasho
That was, like, the first time that, like, I performed.
07:44
DJ Whippopatomus
I was about to ask, bro, and you were a natural out there. You brought the energy. It was really fun.
07:49
Maasho
I'm telling you, man. You throwing some sunglasses. You can do whatever you want.
07:51
DJ Whippopatomus
Big facts. I'm telling you, it's a superpower.
07:54
Maasho
It is. It is really for real. It is.
07:57
DJ Whippopatomus
But, yeah. So you just dropped roses and daffodils, and that's a different vibe, too.
08:02
Maasho
Yeah.
08:02
DJ Whippopatomus
And, yeah, I don't really know how to describe it, but, like, it's just. It just resonates within you. And you actually sampled Dreaming about you by the Blackbirds.
08:13
Maasho
Right. So production, actually a little bit more of, like, a story into, like, how I got into music. When I first, like, started making music, or not even when I was making music, I had these homies at, like, this charter School.
08:25
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
08:26
Maasho
And one of them, his name was Travis Barker, and now he produces for, like, so Fago and stuff.
08:30
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, he sound that. That name sounds like he's got to go far.
08:33
Maasho
Like, and it's funny because it's like, Travis Barker, like, the drummer, but this guy makes.
08:36
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah.
08:38
Maasho
And his tag is, like, Y2TMB. And then there was this other homie. His name was Chinasa, and he's the one that produced roses and daffodils.
08:45
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
08:46
Maasho
But these two, I'm talking, like, back in, like, 2016, like, these are the first people I ever saw with FL studio on their computer.
08:51
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
08:51
Maasho
These are the first, like, Internet producers that, like, I had ever met in my life. And this is my freshman year of high school. And I just, like, remember that being, like, such, like, it was, like, a very pivotal thing because it was like, oh, yeah. Travis and China make beats. They're hard. Like, it's different. And Chinasa, he goes by Chinese food. And you can go on the. You, like, you're able to, like, go on his SoundCloud. And he was, like, popping with, like, 400,000, 500,000, like, streams.
09:17
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
09:18
Maasho
Back in, like, 2014, 15, 16, like, and they're just beats. It's like lo fi. Like, that's crazy. It's like lo fi, like, R&B. And he had this one beat, and it was called you'd, which is the beat that I use for roses and daffodils. And that I think has been sitting, like, for. Since, like, 2015.
09:38
DJ Whippopatomus
Damn.
09:38
Maasho
And, like, from, like, the inception of, like, when I first really decided, like, oh, I love music. Like, I was like, I want to do something on, like, Chinas beats. Like, because that was genuinely one of the first times I'd ever seen, like, and here I am now on, like, my FL studio, like, using, like, the same plugins and things that, like, I saw this man use when I was, like, a freshman. So, yeah, no, I absolutely love that guy and, like, the music that he makes. And I'm really excited to see, like, if there are any other collabs that, like, we can have in the future. But that is, like, one of, like, the pillars of, like, me getting into music is Chinasa.
10:12
Maasho
And so I'm really excited that song Roses and Daffodils is out, because I made it, like, two years ago, is about five years old. Damn.
10:19
DJ Whippopatomus
Like, that's wild.
10:20
Maasho
So I'm, like, real excited that it's out now.
10:23
DJ Whippopatomus
You got a deep vote.
10:24
Maasho
You.
10:24
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
10:26
Maasho
The vault goes crazy. Man.
10:27
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, I can't wait for it.
10:29
Maasho
Yeah, me too. Me too, everybody. My manager been talking to me. What are we. What are we going to do with these things? I'm like, hey, man, we got to figure it out.
10:36
Maasho
I guess so.
10:37
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. Game. I love your shirt.
10:38
Maasho
I just noticed your ancestors. Thank you.
10:40
Maasho
This is.
10:40
DJ Whippopatomus
That's tough.
10:41
Maasho
This is one of my grails. It says, I love ncsu. All girls are cheerleading.
10:47
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. What the tie dye is fire, too.
10:49
Maasho
Shout out Plato's Closet. That's all I gotta say. What you got that Plato's Big Thrifting, man. I'm a big thrift.
10:55
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, me too. I feel that. Hey, Bones, you've been to Rumors? Yeah, yeah, I've been. Actually haven't been, but I keep hearing about it, people.
11:03
Maasho
Yeah, no, Rumors has a big hype. I actually. So I live up in Boone right now. I actually work at this thrift store called Anna Bananas that, like, you could stop by, like, if you're in Boone. It's like around like a mellow mushroom or something.
11:15
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
11:16
Maasho
And it's like, literally prime time spot, like in Boone. And it's like, the culture there is really nice. Yeah. All of, like, the workers and stuff. Like, everybody's like, super sweet. You can, like, dance and get, like, a 10% discount, like, at the register.
11:30
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, yeah.
11:31
Maasho
And we've got like, a vintage store and like a consignment store, like, in the front.
11:34
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, word.
11:35
Maasho
Yeah. So it's real dope. It's real dope. And now I'm lit because, like, I think I get a discount, like, unlike. Some of the stuff.
11:42
Maasho
So there's some fines.
11:43
Maasho
Like, before I started working there, I probably bought, like, a decent amount of my closet for that story. Yeah.
11:48
Maasho
So, like, now I got the discount.
11:49
Maasho
And I'm lit, man. I'm excited.
11:50
DJ Whippopatomus
Facts.
11:51
Maasho
I'm actually gonna be in Boone this weekend for in the fest.
11:54
Maasho
Fire.
11:54
Maasho
Yeah. Definitely. Go check out Anna Bananas. Got a chance.
11:57
DJ Whippopatomus
And. Yeah, you're gonna be performing at in the Fest, right?
12:00
Maasho
I don't think so. I think.
12:01
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
12:01
Maasho
Not. Not anymore.
12:02
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, my bad.
12:03
Maasho
Yeah.
12:03
DJ Whippopatomus
No, yeah. I'm be djing out there.
12:06
Maasho
I can't wait to check out those people. Those people are absolutely killer. Like, they're some of the nicest people that I've ever met in my life.
12:12
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, yeah.
12:12
Maasho
Like, the music scene and the music culture is, like, very welcoming. So I think you guys are gonna have a wonderful time. And I definitely put out a big word, like, people are gonna know that what's Going on.
12:22
DJ Whippopatomus
I love that. Yeah, I've been hearing a lot of good things about Boom. I haven't been yet.
12:25
Maasho
Oh, yeah, you gotta go. Go out on the parkway.
12:28
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
12:28
Maasho
Go. Go check out some mountain things.
12:30
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah, I love if you're in.
12:31
Maasho
Town, you definitely got to go head out on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Facts. Yeah. You a hiking man at all?
12:35
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, yeah, big time.
12:37
Maasho
I used to live in Alaska actually, so.
12:38
Maasho
Yeah.
12:39
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. That's when I really started discovering the mountains and. Yeah, yeah, I've appreciated ever since. I'm definitely mountains over beach guy.
12:47
Maasho
Yeah, no, me too.
12:47
DJ Whippopatomus
I grew up near the beach. I'm from Virginia beach and I just never really went to the beach. It just didn't have that much of an appeal to me.
12:54
Maasho
Yeah, no, I think I. I grew up, like, it's funny because, like, when I was a kid, I used to go up to Winston Salem and I had this one uncle and he would always be like, yo, like, let's go to the mountains. Let's go to the mountains.
13:04
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
13:05
Maasho
And we would always go with him like, up to like the Grandfather Mountain and stuff. And now I live like 20 minutes away from Grandfather Mountain because I live in Boone and it's real nice.
13:13
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, hell yeah.
13:14
Maasho
Always gravitated towards full circle again. Yeah, full circle.
13:16
Maasho
Full, full circle.
13:18
DJ Whippopatomus
So for our listeners who haven't heard your music yet, how would you describe it to them?
13:24
Maasho
I would say think of whatever it is that you want to hear performed, and that is what I want to make. I would say at this point in time, it's definitely a very big blend of like hip hop, R and B punk.
13:35
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
13:35
Maasho
Those are all very, like, performable types of genres. And I think it's like, it's more centered around, like, the experience of the music rather than it is, like, the genre. I think that's the best way that I can explain it is come to a show if you ever get a chance.
13:51
DJ Whippopatomus
Exactly. For real. Are there any notable influences to your music?
13:56
Maasho
Oh, most definitely. I think the ones that, like, I've kind of like, honed in on now just full, like, world building kind of characters are Childish Gambino, Tyler, the creator, and this last one has been throwing people for a loop. Yeah, Jamie Foxx.
14:10
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
14:12
Maasho
Jamie Foxx, specifically because, like, within those three, like, you have like, Gambino, who's done comedy. He's also done, like, acting. He's also done, like, his fair share now of like, directing with, like, Atlanta. And then you have Tyler, who has his hand and he's Got a bunch of bags every day, man.
14:30
Maasho
He's got a bag everywhere.
14:32
DJ Whippopatomus
Genius. Honestly.
14:33
Maasho
And Jamie is like a guy that just like seems very fluid with the way that he's moved through all these different things. Like people forget like Jamie Foxx is like a Grammy Award winning artist.
14:43
Maasho
Yeah, like Jamie Foxx is that dude.
14:46
DJ Whippopatomus
Did he do more than music too?
14:47
Maasho
He did music. He also did like movies. That's. That's a Django. Yeah, yeah, Django.
14:52
Maasho
Oh, so think about that.
14:53
Maasho
Like Django is in slow jams, bro. Like Django is in slow jams.
14:58
Maasho
And that is crazy to me, for real.
15:01
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, I love those influences, how they're all doing a lot of other things besides music too.
15:05
Maasho
Yeah. And they're just all incredibly unapologetic, like intentional people. And I think that's something that like I really strive to be and whatever it is that like I want to do with art and life. And I think that's something that's like really important to me. And those are three people, especially as like black men that like do their thing in each one of their respective arts. Like that's like real inspiring. Those are people I definitely like. Like I would want to wait before I meet them. Like I got. I gotta make sure like I'm. I'm 10. Yeah. I gotta make sure I'm 10 toes before I see them.
15:34
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay. Yeah. That's a solid list. Yeah, your music is super versatile. Like I said, you can ride to it, you can smoke to it, you can march to it.
15:43
Maasho
That's what I'm saying.
15:44
DJ Whippopatomus
I love it. Yeah. Do you have any upcoming shows?
15:47
Maasho
Yeah, so I think I have this show next weekend at the trailer park here in Raleigh.
15:53
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, I heard about that.
15:55
Maasho
The trailer park is like up and coming venue. Late Notice also did a show there recently. Okay. And by George as well.
16:03
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
16:04
Maasho
And it's a real cool venue. I've heard great things about it. So I'm really excited to go to that one.
16:09
DJ Whippopatomus
It's literally at a trailer park.
16:10
Maasho
Yeah.
16:10
Maasho
Yeah, Literally at a trailer park. Like true to the.
16:14
DJ Whippopatomus
I gotta peep it, dude. Pull up, pull up. Yeah, I'm gonna hit you up for that. Yeah. Do you have any upcoming projects?
16:23
Maasho
So I'm currently working on releasing a couple of the singles that are gonna be coming on like a forward coming project. There isn't a set name. There are a couple different names that will be used sparsely for different things that I can't say.
16:39
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
16:39
Maasho
It's big picture kind of thing.
16:41
DJ Whippopatomus
But I'm Excited.
16:42
Maasho
I'm really excited. I do have a song with Western Estate that I plan on dropping this summer. I know people have been bugging me about that for a while.
16:50
DJ Whippopatomus
So.
16:51
Maasho
Yeah.
16:52
DJ Whippopatomus
You got one song with them, right?
16:53
Maasho
Yeah. Fresh air.
16:54
DJ Whippopatomus
Hell yeah. Yeah, It's a banger.
16:55
Maasho
Thank you. Yeah.
16:57
DJ Whippopatomus
You've collabed with Western Estate and also Sonny Miles. Are there any other collabs in the future?
17:04
Maasho
Let me think. Anything off top right now that you can tell us? I'm thinking of what's in the vault. It's got. It's got quite a bit, I will say. I will say I'm looking forward to working with some new friends that I've met out in Los Angeles.
17:20
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
17:21
Maasho
That I would love to. Yeah. My friend Asha Amuno A S H A I M U N O That's my boy. Okay. And he's like a. I genuinely think like this guy can be like regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time before he turns 30. Like I'm talking like that Kendrick like Drake type level type thing like this. And he produces everything himself. Does all his own mixing, vocal mastering, like all of that, all his own writing. And he's somebody that's like really inspired me in like recent months just to like get better at my craft and also just like understanding my own story and my own voice and like my own identity and my own music.
18:01
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
18:01
Maasho
So I definitely like got some things cooking up with Austin. Nothing, nothing really set in stone just yet. But like I'm speaking into existence. That's one of my boys.
18:10
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh yeah.
18:11
Maasho
But yeah, I would say so. Weston, maybe.
18:15
Maasho
When, Whenever that decides to come out.
18:17
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah.
18:18
Maasho
Greek, my friend, Greek. Michael Greek, he goes by Greek. He's incredible. Also self produced, self written, mix mastered all by himself. Very, very excited to work with him. I got some. I got some plans with him as well.
18:32
DJ Whippopatomus
Hell yeah.
18:33
Maasho
So, yeah.
18:34
DJ Whippopatomus
You've been out to la. What's been going on out there?
18:36
Maasho
Yeah, so I've just made some recent trips. Most recently I went out with the Western Estate boys and did these two shows at the Roxy. They were back to back nights, both sold out and that was real fun.
18:49
DJ Whippopatomus
The Roxy is like a well known venue.
18:51
Maasho
Yeah, the Roxy. The Roxy is pretty well established. Like some cool cats have definitely ran through there and like I went out there with like my bell bottoms and stuff.
19:01
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, I love your outfits. Yeah.
19:04
Maasho
I was on my Freddie Mercury vibe. I had to that night. I was like, okay, I'm feeling it. Might as well Right.
19:09
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. I love that. Yeah. And we got to talk about your music videos. You got some amazing music videos.
19:14
Maasho
Oh, Shout Out Angel Orozco, Jailhouse. Oh, my gosh. Yeah. So his brand and everything he's doing with that, like, angel is been a really vital, like, addition to, like, just, like, our ecosystem within, like, my friends. Shout Out Michael Again. Greek. He was the one that, like, really made that connection when we first met him. He from out here? No. So, okay, angel, he's from Los Angeles.
19:38
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
19:38
Maasho
And he's been shooting videos and editing for, I think, like, three years now, maybe more than that. And he's an incredible director. He's got one of the most, well, like, educated minds on just, like, content. Just, like, content in terms of, like, movies. Like, he's seen every single movie that, like, you can possibly. Like.
20:02
DJ Whippopatomus
That's dope. And he tries to kind of incorporate those influences in his videos, and so.
20:07
Maasho
I'm really excited for this Roses and Daffodils video.
20:09
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
20:10
Maasho
We just came back from New York. I met up with angel up there. Angel and Julio. And so those two were such a great help because they, like, manhandled the entire video. They were like, okay, bet we're gonna go do this, this. We did it in a day and a half, a little bit less than that. And it's based off of Taxi Driver, if you know the movie Taxi Driver.
20:30
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah.
20:31
Maasho
And that's, like, a heavy influence. So I'm excited to see what angel does with it. I kind of just show up, do my little acting bit, do my little song, do my little performance, and then give him, like, two, three weeks, and.
20:41
Maasho
Then he sends me something back like.
20:42
Maasho
The day before, like, the I Got it video. I did not see that until hours before everybody did. Yeah, yeah, I saw that.
20:49
Maasho
I saw that video probably, like, an hour and a half before I had to release it.
20:53
DJ Whippopatomus
I was like, yeah, that one's so fire.
20:55
Maasho
Yeah, we did. We shot that up in. In Boone, matter of fact.
20:58
DJ Whippopatomus
For real?
20:59
Maasho
Yeah. That was all in my house in Boone. It was such a great.
21:02
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, I love the angles he gets with that. It's insane.
21:05
Maasho
We did it with a. This thing called a Snorri cam, and it's basically like a, like, chest, like, strap, and it, like, kind of sticks out, and you stick a camera, like, at the end of it, and it looks like it's, like, the point of view, or at least opposite point of view of, like, wherever it is that you walk, the camera will, like, follow all of your movements. So it's very cool to, like, show, like, emotions and just, like, party scenes and things like that.
21:27
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, I've seen those. Are those heavy? Like, how does that feel to, like, have that on you?
21:31
Maasho
It's so weird, dude. It's like, think about. Like, think about, like, the heaviest backpack.
21:36
Maasho
That, like, you had to wear, like.
21:38
Maasho
In high, and then now put it on the front, and then, like, try.
21:42
Maasho
And run around with it.
21:43
Maasho
Like, that's the best way that I can explain it.
21:45
Maasho
It's so weird because also, like, it's literally a stick protruding from my body. So like, I also have to, like, keep in mind because, like, there's thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment at.
21:56
Maasho
The end of this bowl. So, like, I got to make sure wherever it is that I'm going isn't.
22:00
Maasho
Like, hitting anybody in the face. And multiple times, like, I probably. I probably hit, like, the other people in the video shout out my friends. They're hard, hard worker. Because were moving around, like, my little house, and, like, my living room isn't too big, right? But it definitely was not Snorri cam, like, certified. So I was, like, moving around and stuff. The camera might, like, clip somebody, like, in the chin or clip somebody in the shoulder. Whole time, everybody's like, okay, yeah, do it for the video.
22:26
DJ Whippopatomus
Do it for the video. Right?
22:27
Maasho
For real, though.
22:29
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. That's dedication.
22:30
Maasho
Yeah, most definitely. Most definitely. Yeah.
22:32
DJ Whippopatomus
You also got a music video for Sad Machine that I really liked.
22:35
Maasho
Yeah. Shout out to dicks. Yeah. Ju the homie Chris.
22:40
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
22:41
Maasho
We shot that last year around this time, probably about, like, a week ago last year. And we did that in Dorothea Dix and, like, a combination of different spots on, like, Hillsboro street. And then also my friend Keenan's place for the pool. But the story about the pool. So it was about 45 degrees when we shot that, so the water was cold.
23:01
Maasho
And so here I am, like, full.
23:03
Maasho
Sweatsuit, because I'm jumping in over and.
23:05
Maasho
Over again, over and over again, literally. But, okay, you think that's the worst part? So Julio, because Julio's sitting underwater with.
23:13
Maasho
Like, his encased camera, like, and with, like, making sure that it's waterproof and everything. So he's down in the water. He has to stay there. Yeah. And so we're both getting our, like, our sides of hell because, like, do.
23:24
DJ Whippopatomus
You have a snorkel?
23:25
Maasho
No, not even. Bro was just holding his breath. I promise you, that is one of the most athletic people I've ever met in my life. Do not sleep on Giulia Giannini.
23:33
Maasho
Yeah.
23:34
Maasho
So I, like, we had to keep.
23:36
Maasho
Doing the shot to make sure that we got it right. So here I am, like, I would jump into the pool, and this is like a. Like an eight foot pool. And so I'm jumping into the pool, full sweatsuit, freezing cold water, over and over again.
23:49
Maasho
It's not even the jumping in part. It's like the getting back out. Because now the sweatsuit is, like, sticking to my body and like, bro, like, I'm not that heavy, bro. So now at this point, my clothes weigh more than me. So I'm really fighting, like, I'm really trying to get out of there and stuff. And I finally, like, grab like, the.
24:04
Maasho
Ledge and I got to get myself back up and then, damn, like, I got to do that like six more times.
24:11
Maasho
And Julio will peek his head back out.
24:12
Maasho
Be like, we need a new shot.
24:14
Maasho
We need a new shot. We need to do it again. And then as soon as the entire thing was done, we already had like.
24:18
Maasho
A hot water, hot shower going. And, like, the two of us just like running there and like, like I'm still fully clothed, like in. In the sweatsuit. And it's the two of us just like standing in the shower and G's standing there, like, in his swim trunks, bro.
24:31
Maasho
Like, yeah.
24:35
Maasho
It was a great time. There's. There's a story for every music video. I'll tell you that.
24:39
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
24:39
Maasho
Yeah.
24:40
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. I love the attention to detail. Your man' dedication again. So when you're making a song, do you pick the beat first, then write the lyrics, or do you write the lyrics then the beat or both?
24:55
Maasho
I think it's turned into more of, like, a fluid process of just like, understanding that if I'm going to be a creative individual, that I just have to allow, like, creativity to come out of me at any point in time, regardless of, like, what the medium is.
25:05
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
25:06
Maasho
So, like, when I'm like, making songs, a song might be written or it might be produced, or, like the final product. It might take it like a couple months, but it might be like a combination of like, okay, here, today I wrote down this, and this worked for this beat. But then I didn't like that, but I still felt that feeling and I wanted to continue on it. So I take it and I move it to something else. Okay. I take that and I move that to something else. And then now this sounds better with this or this sounds better with that. And I think someone, like the most intimate songs and things that I have are Ones that have, like, had their time to, like, sit and wait and like, they've been in different, like, parts or like, drafts.
25:38
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
25:39
Maasho
Cuz like, for me, it's kind of like seeing how everything kind of comes together. It's like a symbiosis. But there's also those times where it's like, I'm really feeling this beat tonight. So I'm gonna go ahead and I'm gonna, like, just run through this entire song and I'm gonna be up till 6 o' clock in the morning and then I'm gonna go to sleep and I'm gonna wake up the next day and I'm gonna hate it. And I'm not gonna wanna listen to it for another two, three days. But then after those two, three days go by, then I'm listening to it every day and I'm asking my homies, yo, how do I make this better? This was tight. I really like that feeling. And it's.
26:05
Maasho
It's like a very, like, hard question to answer, I would say, because it's like, it's kind of all over the place. But I would say, like, it comes down really to, like, whatever the emotion is and, like, feeling that catharsis of, like, okay, here. I'm going to keep on working on something until either I cannot make it better or it says everything that it says that I want to say. And I think that's like, the process, the best way that, like, I can explain that. And I think, like, understanding that, like, if my art is going to be an extension of myself, then I'm not finishing everything. I'm not fixing every single piece of myself. I'm not explaining or understanding every single piece of myself every single day. Like, it's a lot harder than that.
26:40
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah.
26:41
Maasho
So. And I think it's very reminiscent, like, with the music and the workflows and the work processes and things like that.
26:46
DJ Whippopatomus
That's amazing, bro.
26:47
Maasho
That's.
26:47
DJ Whippopatomus
That's a complex process. Honestly, it is very. I love to hear about it. That's crazy. We're going to take a quick break to play Sad Machine by Maasho. Y' all stay tuned.
26:58
Music
[Maasho - Sad Machine]
29:58
DJ Whippopatomus
And we are back again. I am DJ Whippopatomus and I am here with Abel Maasho.
30:04
Maasho
What's good, y'all.
30:05
DJ Whippopatomus
Yes, sir. So now we talked about your performances a little bit. Just want to get into a little bit more. Are there any rituals you perform before a show?
30:15
Maasho
Honestly, no.
30:16
DJ Whippopatomus
I think.
30:17
Maasho
I think at this point, so. I used to run track when I was in high school.
30:19
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. Yeah.
30:20
Maasho
Middle school. It was a very, like, that was like, the big predominant thing that, like, I was kind of hyper fixated on. For me, it's. It's kind of similar. I don't really get nervous, like, before shows. I. I get, like, really excited. Like, for me, if I'm about to walk out there and, like, I feel like a lot of the time I could be like, what if people out there don't know my lyrics or they don't know me or they don't know my music? Right. For me, I'm late. Oh, you don't know my music. This is the best first impression that I can possibly give you.
30:45
Maasho
I hope you don't know my music.
30:47
Maasho
Like, I'm about to make a fan.
30:49
Maasho
Like, come on, bro.
30:51
Maasho
And I think one thing that, like, I always. I kind of just, like, chill out. Like, for me, it's like a breath, like, breath of air in, like.
31:00
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yeah.
31:01
Maasho
And, like, I'm there. But, like, when I used to run it, I used to, like, listen to classical music.
31:05
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
31:06
Maasho
Very, very often. And so I found myself doing that, like, every now and then. Just like, if I'm on a flight or, like, I know that, like, okay, I'm gonna have, like, a performance or something, like, coming up. But, like, in the moment, like, right before.
31:18
Maasho
I'm pretty amped. Yeah, I'm pretty amped. Like, I'm always really excited to do.
31:22
Maasho
These kinds of things.
31:23
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, yeah. Yeah. So I want to kind of get to know the person behind the artist, too. So you said you're from Raleigh. Do you have roots anywhere else?
31:34
Maasho
So I was born and raised in Boston for about, I believe, six, seven years. Seven years. And then I moved down here when Wake county was, like, the number one school district in the. In the country.
31:46
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
31:46
Maasho
Yeah, let's go send our kids to the number one school district in the country. We want a good education.
31:50
DJ Whippopatomus
That's tough.
31:51
Maasho
And so we came down here to carry. And I grew up, like, mainly, like, between, like, Cary and Raleigh. And one of, like, my, like, predominant memories and, like, notable things is, like, my family, like, our money kind of comes from, like, this little bodega.
32:06
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
32:06
Maasho
Like, my dad runs.
32:07
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
32:08
Maasho
And that's, like, out in the hood, essentially. Like, Raleigh on the other side, like, next to, like, Saint OG and, like, I love that area because I'VE been going there, like. Like, going to my dad's store.
32:19
DJ Whippopatomus
Stomping grounds.
32:20
Maasho
Exactly. Like, I've been playing basketball over there and stuff since I was a little kid and stuff. And it's real funny because, like, I have a lot of, like, very good memories. I remember one time when I was a kid, like, I went to the store, and my dad was like, hey, like, you should go meet Terry. And I'm like, who are you talking about? Who's Terry? Whole time there's like, this, like, six foot five guy with dreads and a python around his neck. Like a literal python. Yeah.
32:47
Maasho
And I wasn't afraid of snakes. So my mom is. My mom is hiding behind the counter. Like, she's giddy. Like, she's mad at my dad. Like, you let him in the store with a snake? Like, what are you doing? My mom's is hot.
32:59
DJ Whippopatomus
That's lit, though.
33:00
Maasho
So, like, I'm like, okay, bet. So I walk over and I'm like, hey, Terry.
33:04
Maasho
Like, how you doing?
33:05
Maasho
My dad said that I should come up and say, what's up? Like, I'm a little impressionable kid. I'm gonna listen to what my dad.
33:11
Maasho
And he's like, oh, my bad, yo. I think you got him mixed up. The snake's name is Terry.
33:19
Maasho
My name is dj. I was like, you're lying. I was like, you're lying. Ain't no way this. I was like, dad, he said, this snake's name is Terry. My dad was like, I don't know what he said. I heard Terry. I said, that's the man. And I was weak, bro. Like, that is a very weak. That is a very, like, core memory, like, to this day.
33:38
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
33:39
Maasho
And so I used to grow up, like, around.
33:40
Maasho
I would. Around there. Like, I'd just be, like, breaking boxes, like, restocking shelves and. Yeah. And I used to run a whole bunch when I was a kid.
33:51
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
33:51
Maasho
Track and field was, like, a very big part of my life until pretty much I decided, like, at the end of high school, like, oh, I don't want to do this anymore. I don't like being, like, quantified by numbers. Because with track and field, like, there's no intangibles. Like, you can be a good team player, you can be good at certain things in, like, a basketball or a football that cannot be measured by, like, a certain statistic and track. And you are either fast or you are not.
34:14
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
34:14
Maasho
And I was like, I'm tired of living like that.
34:17
Maasho
And it's always been something that's like, dear to my heart. And, like, recently, I've been getting back into running and doing my thing with that because, again, I. I did, like, a bunch of different things in track and field as well. Like, yeah, I went everything from, like, the 200 to, like, the 5K. Like, damn. Yeah, I had fun with it, too. So, like, now I'm getting back into running, like, refining, like, the love for it and stuff. Because, like. Like, that kind of, like, really messed it up with, like, the possibility of, like, oh, do I want to do this in college, like, for a little money? Or, like, what is it that I want to do with my life kind of thing. But, like, I used to. In terms of, like, music and stuff, it's actually real funny.
34:51
Maasho
Like, the first album that I listened to was 2014 for sales drive.
34:56
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
34:57
Maasho
And that was, like, a real turning point for me in my life where I was like, music is cool.
35:02
Maasho
Like, I want to listen to this.
35:04
Maasho
And, like, that's so funny as, like, a Carolina boy myself, like. Like, I claim North Carolina over Boston. Cause, like, I've lived here more of my life.
35:12
DJ Whippopatomus
I feel that.
35:12
Maasho
But, like, I also gotta shout out the Boston Celtics. I love the Hornets. I love basketball.
35:17
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay. I was gonna ask. Yeah.
35:18
Maasho
But your sports.
35:20
DJ Whippopatomus
What other sports teams do you follow?
35:22
Maasho
So the Celtics. I'm a big fan of Steph Curry. Steph Curry is cool. Also, Giannis Antetokounmpo. I love the Bucks. Greek. Greek is a huge Bucks fan, that man.
35:36
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, word.
35:36
Maasho
Yeah, he's a huge Bucks fan. He loves Giannis. Like, way. Yeah, but, yeah, in terms of, like, I was rooting for Carolina the other night.
35:46
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, yeah? Yeah.
35:48
Maasho
Versus Versus Kansas.
35:49
DJ Whippopatomus
Kansas City. Yeah. The championship.
35:51
Maasho
That was lost.
35:53
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
35:53
Maasho
Just for the state.
35:54
Maasho
You got to.
35:55
DJ Whippopatomus
Crazy game.
35:56
Maasho
Yeah, that was an incredible game. I was there when we beat Duke. When they beat Duke. I was. I was on Franklin Street. That was a good time. Yeah.
36:03
DJ Whippopatomus
You out there.
36:03
Maasho
Yeah, that was a great time. I got it on my Snapchat story and everything. Man, that was. That was the first and only time that I've ever rushed Franklin, but it was probably the best time.
36:11
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, it's deep out there, too.
36:13
Maasho
It was deep, man.
36:14
Maasho
It was deep. Like, it was deep and sweaty, like a song.
36:17
DJ Whippopatomus
You mean like last week when they beat do great?
36:19
Maasho
Yeah, yeah, it was.
36:21
Maasho
It was deep.
36:22
Maasho
Oh, my God.
36:24
DJ Whippopatomus
That's amazing. Yeah. My wife actually goes to unc, so we got a little rivalry going.
36:30
Maasho
I'm kind of split all over the place. E.C.U. My freshman year. Good Ties to people at Duke, like, the basketball team. Marco. Marco. Luca. He used to be friends with those guys. Oh, that's tough, Unc. Just for the hometown state. I went here for my sophomore year, and I've just, like, grew up in Raleigh, like, for the most part.
36:49
DJ Whippopatomus
Right.
36:49
Maasho
And then now I'm at App. Yeah, I live.
36:52
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, I know you're at app.
36:53
Maasho
Yeah, I live five minutes down the road from Appalachian State, so.
36:56
DJ Whippopatomus
That's dope.
36:56
Maasho
That's a great time as well.
36:57
DJ Whippopatomus
What are you studying at App?
36:59
Maasho
So right now I'm not in school, but I've been thinking about going back and doing, like, some things in, like, IT and, like, computer science and stuff when I was at school. So I took a gap year off this most recent year. Yeah, I'm actually at App now, just literally, just so I can, like, focus on music. And I moved up there at the end of December.
37:16
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
37:18
Maasho
So when I moved up there at the end of December, I was like, okay, here. I'm gonna be here specifically because I want to enjoy the summer months. Like, the summer on the mountain is real cool.
37:26
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, for real.
37:27
Maasho
And also, there's a great music culture. And I was like, well, I'm taking time off of school right now, kind of to get my head straight, figure out what it is that I want to do, because education is incredibly important to me. But I just realized for my own mental health, I was like, I gotta take a step back, because, for one, I cannot do these online classes that is gonna make me hate it. And I know that at one point in time, I do wanna definitely get my degree or at least continue to enrich myself in the things that it is that I wanna do. But right now, I gotta take a step back. So I was like, I'm gonna move to Boone.
37:54
Maasho
I'm gonna go spend my time up on the mountain, because I know that my life is getting crazy right now. And I was like, I have to move with, like, the solidarity and, like, the confidence that this is going to work out. But if I know that this is going to work out, then I want to be a step ahead of it. I want to make sure that I got my mental on straight and that, like, I have my life together and that, like, I can treat myself like a proper adult and, like, love myself correctly. So everything comes to me that, like, I'll be fine. And so I was really excited about communications and sociology and psychology when I was at UC my freshman year, and I continued with that. I met a really cool professor here, actually. At NC State.
38:33
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
38:34
Maasho
Shout out. Gary Beckman. I've.
38:35
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, yo, that's my guy. I'm in the arts entrepreneurship program.
38:39
Maasho
I love that guy.
38:40
DJ Whippopatomus
I'm about to interview him next week.
38:41
Maasho
Really?
38:42
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
38:43
Maasho
Wait, what are you interviewing him?
38:44
DJ Whippopatomus
I will pull up yo, next Tuesday.
38:47
Maasho
Oh my God.
38:48
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
38:48
Maasho
Okay, I'm gonna let you know if I'm around. I might have to pull up on Gary and surprise.
38:52
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, you just name drop Gary.
38:54
Maasho
I love Gary, man.
38:55
DJ Whippopatomus
He's been brought up in so many different interviews too. It's crazy how Gary is the key.
38:59
Maasho
I'm telling you, Gary is the key.
39:01
DJ Whippopatomus
He's the guru.
39:02
Maasho
Like, Gary single handedly, like, like kind of. I hate to say this, but, like, Gary is by far the reason why.
39:11
Maasho
I was like, yo, I got enough confidence in myself to be like, I.
39:14
Maasho
Don'T want to be in school for a year.
39:15
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
39:15
Maasho
And I emailed him. Like, I emailed him a couple months ago, man. And I was like, yeah, we need to hop on a zoom call. Like, I got some cool stuff to tell you. I need some help with some things. I have yet to hop on that zoom call.
39:25
Maasho
I've just been everywhere.
39:27
DJ Whippopatomus
That's amazing.
39:28
Maasho
I love that man, Gary. Like, I remember because I hopped in his class and like this was. I was doing part time last year, spring semester, I was doing part time and I knew that I wasn't going to be in school for like after that semester. And I was like, okay, here, let me be in part time. Keep working towards some credits right now while I make some money. And my arts entrepreneurship class was the one class that I like, I was excited for. And I was like, okay, bet. So I joined that. And I distinctly remember it was like, here's this guy, like older white guy with long white hair and black glasses. His hair is back in a ponytail.
40:10
DJ Whippopatomus
Yes.
40:10
Maasho
He's like sitting in like, where's the vest? Yeah, like a dope vest. And I see like amps behind him and like guitars.
40:18
Maasho
He's got like four or five guitars. And I'm like, I can only name.
40:21
Maasho
Two of those guitars. I'm like, he knows something. I was like, he literally looked like.
40:25
Maasho
Like, have you ever seen Phoenix? Phoenix and oh yeah, you remember Love Handle? Like the band?
40:31
DJ Whippopatomus
I don't think so.
40:32
Maasho
Love Handle has this one guy that looks. And I'm pretty sure he's the guitarist.
40:36
Maasho
Or he's like the bassist as well.
40:37
Maasho
And it's so crazy because Gary looks just like him and he just has like the great. Like, Gary has like the craziest aura. Like, he's. I can just tell. He's just like a wisdom filled man. Like, I will speak his praises till I'm gone.
40:52
DJ Whippopatomus
Same.
40:53
Maasho
That is such a cool dude.
40:54
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, I'm trying to keep a pen pal relationship.
40:57
Maasho
Real talk.
40:57
DJ Whippopatomus
He's got mad game. Yeah. He said he's a metal guy. He used to be in his own band. Tour around the nation.
41:02
Maasho
Yeah, he's done it all.
41:04
DJ Whippopatomus
He's got a lot to talk about. So how has the music scene and the triangle been like, for you or just in Carolina since you're in boondock?
41:16
Maasho
So I really like it here. I think that the state as a whole is not getting enough credit for what we're doing right now. And I think it's gonna be really funny in like two, three years when people are like, oh, wow. Like, I wish I was hip to say that, like I was on everything that was going on.
41:28
DJ Whippopatomus
Right. That's what I'm saying, man.
41:30
Maasho
But yeah, I remember love my guys. Like, like my home team guys. Jackson Free, Kevin Powers. Zach Kokus. Les the Genius. Marco Luca. State.
41:43
DJ Whippopatomus
All the right names.
41:44
Maasho
Ysb Trill. YSB Eli. Okay, shout out my boy. Jaybird. Like all of the homies. Jet Rogers.
41:52
DJ Whippopatomus
Like, yeah.
41:53
Maasho
Cole Sipe.
41:54
DJ Whippopatomus
I'm DJing for Jet Rogers.
41:56
Maasho
Awesome.
41:57
DJ Whippopatomus
Let's go.
41:58
Maasho
Yeah, that's my boy.
41:59
Maasho
For real. Okay.
42:00
Maasho
Dab him up and be like, tell him Abe sent you. Tell him I got you. You're gonna get the certification. I promise you that.
42:05
DJ Whippopatomus
Let's go.
42:06
Maasho
That's my guy. For real? That's my guy. But yeah, no, the scene is like, really good. And I think like now I'm starting to see, like, people are trying to make the crossroads and understanding, like, we got culture, we have something that's going on. Like, let's actually, like, culture's here. And I think, like, that's really, really important if we want anything to happen and like, we want to be seen like, on a global scale. Because I think like just the ability of the state to be so like, multifaceted, like, already, like talking about me, like the rest of my friends do it too. It's so crazy and it's so fun. And yeah, I think there's a lot of promise out of this state. The culture here is very strong and very warm.
42:46
Maasho
And I think also having three major schools, universities around you to be able to capitalize on and just be able to go do shows and have people that are your Age. I think that's something that right now is really being seen with a new come up of people, especially going through Covid and stuff, and people wanting to be outside and like, go enjoy live music. Like, TikTok killed live music. Love TikTok. You can get famous on TikTok. But TikTok killed live music because everything then just got pointed because, okay, now we can't go to shows like, okay, well, now all of your content. I've seen somebody do something live is going to be through a phone. How are you gonna do that? You're gonna go on TikTok.
43:25
Maasho
But now, like, all the people that actually do this and like the people that want to go perform and do their thing, like, I think now is like the best time because you have a state filled full of people that just want to go perform, that make all different kinds of music that can like scratch that itch in any kind of way that it is that you want. And I think that's like, really beautiful. And I think, like, also with the fact that, like, now everything is kind of getting pivoted back towards, like, live music, like, I'm excited. Cause like, when I went into, like, when Covid started and like, I, like, came home and stuff, it was like, I did not know that was my strong suit. I did not know that I enjoyed being on stage as much.
44:02
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
44:02
Maasho
As much as I do now.
44:04
Maasho
But now it's like, I love that.
44:05
Maasho
I don't want to stop doing that. That's going to keep going. And I think there's a lot of people with that same similar mindset around me and, like, knowing that they're like, all from, like, the same area code or at least one or two away, like, that's fire. And I'm real excited for it.
44:18
DJ Whippopatomus
There's a whole lot of momentum out here.
44:20
Maasho
Oh, yeah.
44:20
DJ Whippopatomus
You know, like, I keep thinking that I know a lot of artists out here, then I find a ton more. It's overwhelming.
44:27
Maasho
Everybody's in their little clicks. Yeah, the clicks are now finding each other.
44:30
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
44:31
Maasho
Yeah.
44:31
DJ Whippopatomus
People are starting to come together, work together more. Yeah, it's like three or four, like, kind of like bigger groups out here. Yes. I see them moving. They see each other moving too. So it's dope that. Yeah. Whole lot of energy out here.
44:42
Maasho
Whole lot of energy. Whole lot of energy.
44:44
DJ Whippopatomus
It's great. Can you describe your sense of fashion for us? Question I like to ask everybody.
44:51
Maasho
Oh, that's fire.
44:53
Maasho
I definitely say, like, I'm on Like. Like, skater. Yeah, skater smoker.
45:02
Maasho
Kind of.
45:02
Maasho
Kind of vibe.
45:03
DJ Whippopatomus
Love it.
45:04
Maasho
But, like, I'm. I'm a kind of guy where, like.
45:06
Maasho
I drip up, I drip down.
45:09
Maasho
My casual fits are usually just, like.
45:11
Maasho
Some, like, worker's pants and, like, okay, shirt, like, a graphic tee. But, like, I'm not afraid to go throw on a dress or, like, throw a nice fit. I just did this show up in. It was Boone Prom. Like, Euphoria Prom, which worked out perfectly. Okay. All the promo I was doing for, I got. It was very themed the week before, and I went and I dripped out. I was wearing a bright pink dress with, like, it was ballroom game.
45:35
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay.
45:36
Maasho
I was wearing it all white.
45:38
Maasho
My Jordan pure money fours. Like, I was drift. I had my little jerk on stage, too. Like, I'm all over the place when.
45:44
Maasho
It comes to stuff, man. I definitely say, like, what I aspire to be is, like, a Dennis Rodman type of character.
45:49
Maasho
Okay.
45:49
Maasho
What it is that I wear.
45:51
DJ Whippopatomus
Love.
45:51
Maasho
That's the best comparison that I can give you right now. I just got to get my money.
45:54
Maasho
Up so that my closet matches it.
45:56
DJ Whippopatomus
Feel you. I feel you. Are you a cat person, dog person, or do you prefer another pet? Completely.
46:04
Maasho
Oh.
46:05
Maasho
So when I was growing up, like, I never had any animals in my crib. And that's just like, my parents, like, living in, like, rural, like, East Africa.
46:12
Maasho
So, like, they got legitimate, like, fears.
46:14
Maasho
My dad always loved animals, but, like, my mom was like, yeah, no, we're not gonna get a dog or a cat. And now as I grow older, I understand that was probably for cost reasons. Not even my mom was scared.
46:25
DJ Whippopatomus
It's not cheap, but I definitely rock with cats.
46:28
Maasho
Okay. Cat in my house. My roommate's cat. Her name is Aspen. Shout out.
46:32
DJ Whippopatomus
Aspen.
46:32
Maasho
Shout out.
46:32
Maasho
Aspen is the best. Aspen is the best.
46:35
Maasho
And my room is real dope, too. I've got, like, these big greenhouse windows, and so the cat will come in and, like, sit on my fridge and just sunbathe in my room. So, like, I've gotten pretty accustomed to the cat, but, like, that's dope, I think. I think I'm probably, like, a dog kind of guy. I want to get my little French pit bull.
46:51
DJ Whippopatomus
Okay. Yeah. I love those guys or girls.
46:54
Maasho
Not those little dudes.
46:57
Maasho
They're. They're awesome. I definitely want to go get myself animal once I'm, like, financially stable to be, like, I can care for you.
47:04
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. Honestly, like, dogs are like children.
47:07
Maasho
Yeah. Not real talk.
47:08
DJ Whippopatomus
Real talks. If you get them as puppies, that's.
47:10
Maasho
A long term investment.
47:11
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. I have a dog and a cat. Oh, they're best friends. Icy is the cat. We got him in Alaska. He's got his white fur. I see blue eyes. And then Rico, she's a German shepherd boxer mix. So she's a lot bigger.
47:26
Maasho
Rico.
47:26
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
47:27
Maasho
That's a hard duo, yo. That's a dynamic duo.
47:30
Maasho
For real.
47:30
DJ Whippopatomus
They really are, man. They go crazy, like sick. That's the cat's head will be inside the dog's mouth. Like when they're. They play hard, but that's good for them. They got boundaries to a certain extent.
47:43
Maasho
They got it down.
47:44
Maasho
They got it down.
47:45
Maasho
I'm glad to hear it.
47:46
Maasho
Yo.
47:47
DJ Whippopatomus
No, it's so much fun. Ask you one more question before we start closing things out. How many hours of sleep do you usually get a night?
47:56
Maasho
How many hours of sleep do I get a night? Let's see. I'll be sleeping.
48:01
Maasho
I'm like low key. Nocturnal.
48:03
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
48:03
Maasho
But my sleep schedule now is so weird.
48:08
Maasho
It's so weird.
48:10
Maasho
Like I'll be out for like three, like four hours, like at night. And then like randomly take it to like not random. Have to take a two hour nap. I'll be like knocked out between like the hours of like 7 to 9 o', clock, reanimate and be like, oh, okay, this is what we're doing now.
48:25
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah.
48:26
Maasho
And that's usually like, that's usually.
48:28
Maasho
Like incited by like a meal that I eat and then like a little bit of leisure time to myself and then I'm out, bro. But yeah, nah, it combined, it's probably like six hours. Okay. There's six hours for like a day. Yeah. So definitely not healthy. But like it is go mode right now.
48:45
DJ Whippopatomus
Everyone has their own hours that they can operate on. Honestly, I've come to find out I'm trying to lower my hours of sleep and trying to be more productive.
48:53
Maasho
But one thing is one thing that's really cool about living up in Boone now that like my sleep schedule, like I'm actually real happy about it because that big window like brings in light every single day at like 7:30. So like it's not even like an intentional like, oh, I gotta get up. It's like the sun is waking me up. Don't even need an alarm. I just gotta get up. And that's 8 o' clock every single day.
49:15
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. So.
49:16
Maasho
And I've also like been making it a little bit of a habit now. I've been trying to go see like the Sunset or the sunrise like every single day.
49:22
DJ Whippopatomus
That's tough.
49:23
Maasho
Yeah. So at least try and get like one of those in. So like if I'm up at those hours, I'm like, yeah, I'll go watch, like, I'll go watch the sunset. It's about a 15 minute drive down to the parkway and then I'll go watch it. So that's like been a real cool thing to add to my routine. That's like, made me happier about like my sleep schedule and just like being able to pick where it is, like where I'm at and stuff.
49:41
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, that's a nice way to wake up. For real?
49:43
Maasho
Yeah. Oh, the best way to wake up.
49:44
Maasho
Or go to sleep.
49:46
DJ Whippopatomus
Can't sleep on the natural lighting.
49:48
Maasho
Yeah, it's incredible that vitamin D is essential.
49:51
Maasho
Yes, vitamin D is essential.
49:52
DJ Whippopatomus
I need it.
49:53
Maasho
I'm saying.
49:54
Maasho
My mom gave me vitamin D tablets.
49:56
Maasho
She was like, especially. Cause like up in Boone, like that seasonal depression will hit you hard. She's like, I know it's only gonna be winter there for maybe like two months, but she was like, take these. And so like, that's real. Yeah. Nah, she was on, she would be.
50:07
Maasho
Calling me, like she was on my head about it.
50:08
Maasho
Like, hey, did you take your 3.
50:10
Maasho
Vitamin D tablets today? Like, I'm trying to make sure that you up.
50:12
DJ Whippopatomus
Oh, that's love.
50:13
Maasho
Yeah, that's love. Set up moms, man.
50:16
Maasho
For real.
50:17
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah. When I was in Alaska, we had like 24 hour nighttime for like half the year. And so yeah, the vitamin D deficiencies was a real thing out there too.
50:26
Maasho
That's crazy. I. I really want to go like experience that like in some of those different places and like around the world where it's like your splits between like day and night aren't like the usual ones.
50:36
Maasho
Yeah, we're definitely gonna have to talk about that.
50:38
Maasho
Like.
50:38
Maasho
Okay, that's real cool.
50:39
DJ Whippopatomus
I got you.
50:40
Maasho
Yeah.
50:41
DJ Whippopatomus
Yes. It was crazy out there. We're gonna start closing things out though. Is there anything else you want to let the listeners know where they can find your music, socials, all that?
50:51
Maasho
Yeah.
50:51
Maasho
If you get a chance, you can.
50:53
Maasho
Definitely go check me out at Able, Maasho, M, double A, S, H, O. That's two A's. I'm on all Spotify, Apple Music, all music platforms that you can find me at and go check out the YouTube if you get a chance at. So we got some cool stuff brewing up and I'm really excited to see how the year pans out.
51:13
DJ Whippopatomus
Yes, sir. And I'm gonna have the link to all of those in the description, so keep an eye out for that. Yeah, it's been a pleasure though. I really appreciate you for sharing your story with us.
51:22
Maasho
Likewise. Thank you for having me, man.
51:24
DJ Whippopatomus
Yeah, you already know and I appreciate each and every single one of you listeners for tuning in. You can check out the interview I did with other local artists at wknc.org/podcast and click on off the Record. I am DJ Whippopatomus. This is Local Industry Talks and I.
51:42
Maasho
Was here with Abel Maasho.
51:45
DJ Whippopatomus
What's poppin on WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1 Raleigh. I'm gonna send y'all off with one more song by Maasho called Strange off of his latest EP Abe's World V1.
51:58
Music
[Maasho - Strange]