Photo by @45isalive
So much of the online has been saturated with “lofi hip-hop” the past few years that it’s getting difficult to sift through the same chill-hop-nujabes-homework-type-beats with the typical boom-bap drums and re-used samples. San Marcos producer por vida has managed to step out of this stale lane by crafting some crisp beats sautéed in nostalgia. Seamlessly blending both classic 90s and contemporary rap acapellas with euphoric soul samples, his Only Nineties Kids album was one of my favorite projects of last year.
SEVA GALITSKIY: I remember back when you were raava in cassette culture. Simpler times. After a hiatus in making beats you came back onto the scene as por vida, completely flipping your aesthetic towards a warmer, more minimalist approach. What influenced you to change your sound and your name? Was everyone stealing the signature raava 808??
POR VIDA: I feel like now I’m just making music I really enjoy making rather than music I know will gain reposts on Soundcloud. I would not necessarily consider my music as minimalist or lo-fi either, it’s simply production made with the intent of a rapper paving their way over the instrumental, rather than the future beats approach to oversaturating the song with mindless percussion haha. I feel like I grew bitter of the future beats sound and community after being heavily involved a few years ago, it was no longer for me and I was purely stretching my production talent for the playlists of others. My new sound is the result of Madlib/Dilla worship, manipulating my samples in ways beyond extreme, something my idols are masters of. My name is Spanish for “for life” which represents my music and hip hop in general and how important it is to me, no one can take that away. Also, YES my bendy 808’s took over Soundcloud and now that sound is so bland and annoying to me ewie.
SG: Did you ever finish that one song with Night Lovell?
PV: Hahaha I did not. He has followed me on Twitter for years now and at any time I can send him a folder of beats. The reason as to why I haven’t though, is because the sound he encompasses does not come natural for me. My sound is more romantic and warm, his is dark and cold. I am a fan of the man, hopefully I can eventually land that placement.
SG: Your only nineties kids album is dumb nice. I’ve definitely opened up some of my own sets with “buy u a drank” not gonna lie. What was the creative process behind producing such a memorable project? Do you typically start with the samples or beat first?
PV: That product was my way of introducing myself back into the production game. During this past summer I would go hiking and listen to a different album that I hold close due to its production. Freddie Gibbs’ and Madlib’s Cocaine Pinata, Tyler The Creator’s Cherry Bomb, A$AP Rocky’s Live.Love.A$AP, and so on. I would head back home after and get to cooking! That entire project was made over the course of about two weeks as well! It was incredibly draining but I am extremely satisfied with the result. I always start with a dope sample. Digging takes forever at times, but it’s usually always worth the finished product! After I’ve pretty much made the beat I search for a cappella’s to mend into my work.
SG: How did you find out you were recently featured on Soulection radio? What a cosign.
PV: One night I had checked my email and I got a message from Joe Kay’s assistant asking for permission to play a song on air that I had then recently released. I gave the song little promo as well, and the fact that it found itself on Soulection Radio nearly brought me to tears. All my years producing future beats never landed me anything quite like that. It was special to me because I wasn’t even trying, I was just producing! It was also assurance to my parents that their son is talented, and his passion should be taken more seriously.
SG: I can tell you wear a lot of your influences on your sleeve with the samples you use but what are some of your favorite non-hip-hop artists?
PV: Prince, Curtis Mayfield, Title Fight, Bad Brains, Beyoncé, Joyce Manor, Al Green, Bane’s World, Steve Lacy, Ovlov, Happy Diving, Sade.
SG: How did you link up with PNTHN? It’s exciting to hear such a talented collective on your production.
PV: My friend I met freshman year at Texas State University had met a few guys working at Adidas who liked to rap. What set these guys apart however is that they’re all outstanding spitters, better than anyone my age I’ve met in person. I had just started producing again and my friend suggested I meet them and work on music. It has been about nine or ten months since, and everything has just been running greatly. Everyone in PNTHN is very passionate about hip hop, we all live and breathe it, and I am very glad to have met friends who share this with me.
SG: If you were to collaborate with any artist imaginable who would it be?
PV: Prince.
SG: What’s the inspiration behind your first PNTHN mix?
PV: Clairo aka DJ Baby Benz, as well as the lack of representation women have on in the rap world today. My mix consists of a handful of my favorite female MC’s on Soundcloud, they all deserve more respect and recognition for their art! A lot of it is being drowned out in a male dominated field!
SG: Any projects we should be looking forward to?
PV: Some released by PNTHN, and a short EP consisting of solo tracks by different members of the collective. I don’t know when, for I am a very busy soul, but soon!
SG: What kind of advice would you give to any aspiring hip-hop producers? This is many people’s hobby now lol.
PV: Don’t give up, it takes time. I am 21 now and have been producing on and off since I was 15. I would say the best way to learn would be to teach yourself, make a beat every day, and try your hardest to break the status quo.
Be a trendsetter with your art, not a lemming.
Check out the music featured in this interview!
– nicktoons by por vida
– only nineties kids by por vida
– [from disorder…] mixtape by PNTHN
Follow por vida: Soundcloud | Instagram @joeywithpulp | Bandcamp
SEVA GALITSKIY | DJ Lofi-Homework-edit | KXSU Music Reporter
Thanks for the wonderful article