Following on from a wave of fresh and impressive releases in recent months, New Jersey-based singer and rapper HueGo now returns with his latest jam 'I'm Good'.
Taking his cues from the 90s hip-hop/RnB crossover aesthetic of The Notorious B.I.G. and A Tribe Called Quest, 'I'm Good' makes for an incredibly smooth and laid-back summertime jam. With his honey-soaked vocals layered upon warm and sweeping lo-fi beats, his newest release is sure to become your latest sunshine anthem.
So with his new single available now we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has influenced him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with was the Saxophone. I thought it was the slickest shit right next to the Trumpet. It was cool, and I felt cool for the four or five years I played it.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
So far, it has definitely been how people resonate with my story and come up. I get hit ups from people telling me how some of my records got them through tough times or how they ride out to it with their homies, making memories and all that. To know that people are rocking with me based off of the real life experiences I put on wax inspires me to continue to live and be present so I can continue to give to those who’re riding with me.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
As a teenager I literally listened to everything and I still do. A lot of Hip Hop of course! Albums like Reasonable Doubt, People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, Atliens, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, Fantastic Vol. 2, The Minstrel Show and Doggystyle just to name a few, raised me for sure but, I was also a teenager during the apex of the blog era back in like 2009 to 2013 so I was also really into rappers like Dom Kennedy, Curren$y, Theophilus London; you know, that whole wave from back then which was definitely a second golden age in Hip Hop by the way. There was so much fire coming from everywhere when I was a teenager. I was rocking with Toro y Moi, Santigold, N.E.R.D and Kilo Kish heavy at the time too. I was really into the Neo-soul wave as well so a lot of Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and D’angelo. I had the vibes for whatever I was in. Apologies for the long winded answer by the way, but this was high-key a loaded question.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
The first song that made me want to pursue a life in music was Jazz (We’ve Got) by a Tribe Called Quest. I saw the video on VH1 soul one Sunday when I was like 11 or 12 and Q-tip’s verse really captivated me. I wanted to rap like him so bad! Tip is one of a kind though, you can’t emulate that.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
In the AM I like to stay away from songs with lyrics just so I can keep the signals clear. I’ll do mainly Jazz or throw on Madlib’s “Shades of Blue” or one of DIlla’s joints while I’m getting my day started.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Pretty much every song. I try to keep it candid in the ways that I know how.
What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
To be honest, I don’t think it happened yet but, If I had to choose one moment it would probably be the time I was performing this record I have called “Lucy Pearl” at this concert and the crowd knew all the words. That’s an artist’s dream for real.
Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?
Outside of music, I would say my biggest passion is being an inspiration and being of service to others. I’ve always enjoyed giving back and things like mentorship. I think music is just one of the mediums in which I express that.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
If I weren’t a musician I would’ve most definitely been managing some corporate companies supply chain firm or been some kind of consultant. Before really pursuing music I was in college just chasing a bag honestly.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to start a career in music?
To the musicians looking to start a career in music the only gem I have for them is, just go! Stop putting off the hard decisions that have the potential to change your life. Easier said than done though because it can be scary placing a bet on yourself. Pursuing a passion may fracture relationships, it may, nah matter of fact it WILL f*ck your money up and most of your peers won’t quite understand what you’re doing it for but, you have to trust that God is going to catch you.
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HueGo's new single 'I'm Good' is available to stream and download now. Watch the video for it in the player below.