What is your names?
Frederic Da, or just DA
What is your genre of music?
Rap
Give us a little bio about you as a artist
I grew up in Paris and moved to New York when I was 18. I’ve been recording songs since I was 12, and making short films too.
Are you a signed?
Yes, I am signed to bORDEL Records.
You have your brand new EP EP#78, tell us more about it.
Well, the interesting thing is that even though it’s just coming out, it isn’t brand new. EP#78 is a collection of tracks I recorded between 2013 and 2015, with various friends and producers. When I was signed at bORDEL, we were planning on putting out some songs I’d done in 2017, but Sebastien, the head of the label, heard some of this old stuff one night, and was like “Why don’t we just put this out first.” While I was hesitant at first, I’m sincerely glad I did, because it feels good to hav e them out there, and not dying inside of a hard drive somewhere.
Get your copy here
What was the writing process like?
The writing process on EP#78 was very lyric heavy. The songs came from friends of mine sending me beats, and me writing endless verses. Up until a few years ago, I would spend hours on verses, even single lines sometimes, to make sure the sentences made perfect sense, didn’t feel forced, but had enough syllabic rhymes to keep me interested- but also trying not to have too many, or else it doesn’t sound natural. Songs like “Superstar”, “Careful” and “Watchu Kno” come from that mind set.
What was the recording process like?
The recording process was very introspective. I did all of the recording and vocal production myself. I had a few sessions here and there over the course of a few years in studios, with engineers, but I always felt like it was taking forever. I never worked as fast as when I was 14, recording alone with my 8-track, or 18, digging through ProTools. A lot of the tracks on the EP were things I was having fun with, and getting done myself.
Who did you work with on the Ep?
The producers on the EP come from all types of backgrounds, and are generally just friends I had been hanging out with at the time, or helping with lyrics here and there. Max LBC is a guy I met through one of the Sound Designers on my first short film “Fuckin White Boy”. Max had so many beats, it was crazy. Just like hundreds of beats. So I had him put like 50 on a hard drive and that was that. A.Chal, who made the beat for Superstar, was a guy I spent a lot of time with in 2013, 2014- we had similar taste in movies and art in general. Sometimes he would ask me to come help out with lyrics, and in exchange sometimes he would throw me a beat here and there. Through A.Chal, I met Count Justice, who I clicked with instantly. He also just kept sending me beats regularly. So, yeah, just a lot of different people connected together through a particular moment in my life.
Describe each track in two words.
Da Intro – dark, grime
Watchu Kno – bouncy, agressive 90’s
Superstar – funny, secretly depressing
Then She Gone – New Age, DeepHouse
Careful – Future meets Beastie Boys
Da Outro – Hesh Anthem
You also have you EP Showcase on March 15th, what can we expect?
Drinks, drinks, drinks – maybe some other things – oh yeah, and a live set.
Tell us more about your support for the night.
It will be me and a few friends, just playing our tracks. Count Justice may DJ for a bit before my set to set the mood.
Where can tickets be purchased?
No need, just show up at The Friend on Thursday 15.
Do you have any more gigs coming up or a tour?
We just started with this EP to think about a live performance, so, it’s on the way!
What made you go in to music?
When I was really young (like 4) I used to spend all my time replacing words in popular songs, with words that sounded identical, but would change the meaning completely. I was just a fun thing I would do to make my brother and sister laugh. When I turned 10, I shoplifted a cassette tape copy of Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, and I was obsessed with it, because it felt like I didn’t need to replace any words. It was already funny, dark, offensive etc. I think that’s when I realized that I didn’t have to replace words from pop songs to entertain myself – I could just write original material. And then I started recording tracks everyday any way I could.
Do you play any instruments?
Not really. But I like to mess around with the piano. But mainly I use my voice. I like to go very high or very low. EP#78 is mainly low (with the exception of Watchu KNo and the verses on Careful)- but the newer stuff is higher-pitched and more melodic.
Who are your influences?
Then: Snoop Dogg, Beastie Boys, Raekwon, Eminem, DMX
Now: SpaceGhost Purrrp, Father, Young Thug, Lil Yachty
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Based on the beat. I always say, if I can’t figure out what the song is about by the time the beat is over, then I can’t really use it. It needs to be instant, or else the beat is probably not for you. It might be instant for somebody else.
Would you up for collaborating with new artist/bands? if so how could they contact you?
Art is all about collaborating, so of course. Anybody who wants to contact me can hit me up on IG.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Probably exactly where I am now, with more music out!
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
When I’m not doing music, I’m normally working on a film project. I go back and forth constantly. Or I’m shooting a music video. But I’m always up to something. It’s hard for me to just chill. I wish I could, but always start fidgeting and feeling like I need to be doing more.
Where would your dream venue to play in your hometown?
Love The Cigale venue in Paris!
If you could collaborate with one UK Artists or Band who would it be?
King Krule, with a beat by Burial.
If you could collaborate with one US Artists or Band who would it be?
Young Thug, with a beat by Count Justice.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
When I heard “Rock Bottom” by Eminem, I remember thinking “Holy Shit- this is too good.” I would listen to that song over and over. It kept pushing me to want to be perfect stylistically and constantly search for people make music with.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Nobody cares about you and what you do. Don’t wait for anybody to help you. Make it happen on your own and have people come to you. Not the other way around.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Same as above. And don’t over-analyze yourself. We live in a time now where people don’t care or remember the bad shit (unless it’s laughably horrible like “Friday”). 99% of the time, people just remember the stuff they like. So just keep putting stuff out. If you have one song people dig, they won’t care about the ones you put out before that they f*** with less.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Be careful what you wish for
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
My sunglasses, my weed, my set list, my sanity, my gratitude for every second I get to entertain.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Absolutely – anybody can follow me on
bORDEL Records Links
