First Day Feature: Arshad Goods breaks down “Black Sunday”, plans for 2016 and more

Penning heartfelt lyrics with a delivery that makes them stick to your ribs, this is Arshad Goods’ claim to fame. Listening to his Black Sunday mixtape is much more of an experience than one would think. What the St. Louis product does just as well as being a musician is invite you into his mind. Without even knowing who he is you have a greater understanding of what makes him tick by the end of the 9 track effort. With the project leaving such an imprint on the mind why not delve inside the artist’s thought process and learn more about how it all came together? Continue below as we do just that and find out Arshad Goods’ 2016 plans.

How long have you been rapping? You sound more polished than the average up-and-comer.

I been rapping since I could remember, but as far as investing in myself and looking at it as a career, it’s been about 3 or 4 years now. Black Sunday is the first project the public has heard from me, but I’ve been at this awhile.

What made you want to start pursuing music?

It was the only consistent thing I’ve loved to be honest. I started paying less attention to everything that I could do and way more into what I found purpose in. And that was music.

What are some of the main takeaways you’d hope for a listener to leave with after hearing you?

I can be all over the place some times, but that’s human nature I guess. I hope it all comes off genuine, because it is. If I had to choose words, I’d say honest, lyrical, and passionate.

St. Louis and the surrounding areas were in the spotlight after the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson. How do you feel the area has coped after the incident and how did it affect you personally?

I remember that day vividly. We were throwing my pops a surprise birthday party and I kept seeing a post of this man with a sign that read “Ferguson Police Just Executed My Unarmed Son.” That when the spotlight was put on the city, but nothing is new about this. I avoided driving around Ferguson and a lot of North County because of the harassment you might get from police. I’m not sure I’m in a position to say how the area has coped because to be honest, the city feels the same to me. I still don’t feel comfortable. It’s so much that has to be done for a system to change. And to be honest, I don’t even know this system is meant to be fixed.

You have a few bars that I can really relate to dealing with school and your hometown on Fear No Man. “Went to college came home and swore I hate my city, really it was how they paint my city”. Man that line gut-punched me and I have to ask how do you feel going to college has helped you musically?

My early years of college are when I started to develop my confidence. I used to freestyle on a radio show that a friend ran and pop up on open mic events. Then I got more focused on school and music kind of became this hobby. I didn’t want to be another black rapper for a long time because of how common it was and still is. College mostly taught me that I have a voice and the ability to influence. How I use those is on me.

What were you trying to convey with your artwork and title of the project here? Both seem well thought out for a particular interpretation.

That as much as words are man-made and therefore flawed, you still should be ready to live and die by your words because they may be the same words “they” hang you by. Also, keep in mind this wasn’t far removed from Ross and Wayne having their public incidents regarding their lyrics.

As far as the title it’s so many levels to it. For now, I’ll say it’s a celebration of self and balance. I view life as a balance so the project comes full circle if you pay attention.

What was it like creating this music? Seems as though you were venting quite a bit.

This project was me figuring out my sound and who I am as an artist. So yeah, it was a lot of venting over different canvases of instrumentation.

4our Letter Word contains a flip of Outkast’s “Ms Jackson”. What role have
they played as far as inspiration? A lot of your music brings some of the same feelings theirs once did for me.

I still look to them for inspiration. They taught me it’s ok to stay true to yourself even if you’re the “outcast.” Andre reminds me of that every time he drops a verse on someone’s song.

What do I have to do to get an extended version of “Water”?

I’ll never say never. Initially I did want to do an extended version, but I’ve kind’ve stepped away from that. The funny thing about that was that was the last thing done on the project. I wanted to do something different on the end of “Classic” so my engineer, Wavey Wayne, flip the beat and pressed record.

What is your personal favorite record from Black Sunday?

It varies. Depends on how I’m feeling to be honest. Sometimes it’s playing “Water” into “Communion”. Other days it’s “Fear No Man”. That’s what I like about the project though. Different vibes make you feel different songs more.

Rap is always evolving how do you plan to keep up with an ever changing genre?

I try not to focus that. If I did, I’d dive myself crazy. I just focus on
making sure I’m growing and evolving and I think as long as I’m connected to the genre then some the change will be the same growth that happens within myself. Time will tell how that works for me.

As far as 2016 is concerned what can we expect to see from you?

Black Sunday. Most of the world hasn’t heard the project so I’m excited to get it out to some more ears. Also, more visuals. I’m looking forward to getting on the road more and connecting with more people. And of course, more music. I’m constantly working.

How will your new music be an improvement on your past work?

I think because it’s a closer reflection of who I am. I think the more I can give myself, then the more I can give something that others can’t. Outside of that, I’m still getting my 10,000 hours in so the growth and progression is going to happen naturally if I keep working hard.

On your record “Tell Her Lies”, which is one of my favorites, you state that your muse is “in love with the thought of love”. What is Arshad Goods in love with outside of music obviously?

Of course my family and friends. I watch a lot of 90’s sitcoms for nostalgia. I love learning people too. I’ll chop it up with someone for who knows how long just to get their viewpoint more. I hooped all my life so I still watch basketball when I can or get out with the homies and play some. And I love food. I’m a fat kid at heart.

With the re-release of Black Sunday coming at the top of the year what changes can we expect to hear? If you could tell us without spoiling any surprises.

Expect to hear Black Sunday, just on steroids. We got a couple surprises in the works, but I want to keep them surprises for now.

You recently did a sold out performance in St. Louis so congrats on that. Do you have any more performances lined up currently?

Things are in the works but nothing that can be announced right now. Just know I’ll be on the road more this year. Expect me to be at way more festivals this year too.

What legacy would you like to leave behind when it’s all said and done?

Right now I just have to focus on becoming great enough to leave a legacy in general. I want to inspire though. I’m one of Pac’s kids so I’m sure you can get where that comes from.

What else would you like to share before we conclude?

A lot of times people ask me what kind of advice I would give to someone, so I’ll leave with that… Know yourself. The rest will fall into place.