During his appearance on the g1 Ouviu program on September 30th, rapper Rashid addressed the current situation of the Brazilian rap scene. He expressed concern about the departure from the principles that sustained the movement, stating that this is equivalent to giving permission for oblivion.
The artist, who is 38 years old and works as a composer and screenwriter, emphasized the fundamental role of hip hop in maintaining cultural memory. According to him, memory is intrinsically linked to the message and territory of the movement, which justifies the constant mention of pioneering artists.
In his conversation, Rashid mentioned several important figures in his art, dedicating special highlight to Milton Nascimento, one of his greatest inspirations. He related that his maternal grandmother met Milton Nascimento, which transformed his appreciation into a deep fervor.
The rapper also shared memories of his childhood and adolescence, a period when he lived between São Paulo and Minas Gerais. He described the periphery of São Paulo as an urban and gray environment, marked by financial scarcity, contrasting with the interior of Minas Gerais, which was characterized by rural life, friendships in sugarcane plantations and the distillery, despite distinct financial difficulties.
Rashid recalled the two cancellations he suffered at Lollapalooza due to weather problems. He confessed that he was about to refuse the invitation for the third time, fearing becoming an eternal comic figure, arguing that the music industry should be more professional to avoid such a situation.
Thanks to the help of a friend, Rashid managed to return to the festival and perform in 2023. He described the emotion of going on stage and seeing the audience, feeling that that event surpassed all previous ones, comparing the post-show feeling to Brazil's victory in a World Cup.
Regarding the beginning of his career, when he promoted songs through MySpace, the artist reflected on the difficulty of capturing public attention. He pondered that although there was a chance for his music to be presented, the challenge lay in convincing people to select it.
Upon observing that his songs reached 5 thousand plays, Rashid felt great recognition, comparing it to his own Grammy, even if the plays were from other people's listeners. He concluded that while in the past promotion was like sending a letter to the sea without knowing the destination, today he already knows his fanbase, reinforcing the importance of believing in music and community.