INTERVIEW TERRELL “REALIFE” BLACK PHOTO @SUICIDALSHOTZ

“…the message. I feel like I always have to pass that on for my audience and who’s listening.” -Fabeyon

VALIDATED: Being from Springfield, Massachusetts, what’s your earliest memory of Hip Hop culture?

FABEYON: I remember being around 4, my pops had Big L’s “Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous”. He told me Big L was one of the first rappers that I could recite their bars after hearing them. Pops also always had books laying around of mad graffiti pieces that just brought me in and made me fall in love with the culture.

VALIDATED: Which emcees influenced your style and what if anything did you “borrow” from them?

FABEYON: Emcees like Rakim, Nas, Pun and Kiss. I definitely took pages from their book and ways to elevate my pen. The way Esco just takes you through his environment, things he can describe and just expressing your perspective. Jada, the way he mixed slick talk with so many gems in his bars… the message. I feel like I always have to pass that on for my audience and who’s listening.

VALIDATED: You’ve participated in numerous rap battles and cyphers, how did this help you hone your skills?

FABEYON: Being in those cyphers and battles helped sharpen my presence while I’m rapping. Back from being on stage at my man Frank Nino spot. Just a kid spittin, and definitely just the excitement with those moments in your verse that shake rooms, you know.

VALIDATED: How important is it for those of us living Hip Hop culture to take the time to actually learn the history?

FABEYON: It’s super important because first, our ancestors in this culture that paved the way, they built the path for us to be where we are now. They made sacrifices, they were creative enough to help build this. How can someone not feel it’s mandatory to pay homage to that? Know your history, just from the love of it, period.

VALIDATED: You’ve released a couple of projects, “Beyond Will” and “After Grace”, how do you feel you grew as an artist from one project to the next?

FABEYON: I think through that time I definitely developed ways to articulate different situations in my life, and just being more transparent through my music by taking people with me on my journey.

VALIDATED: You’ve worked with Fred The Godson (RIP) and Termanology, what’s one piece of advice that they gave you that you’ve utilized?

FABEYON: Being around Fred I picked up a lot of how he was as a person and staying true to himself no matter who he is around. Him being genuine reminded me to keep that with me no matter where I go. There were certain records he would hear from me and just say “Yo you different.” and to never switch that up.

With Term I learned so many things, how to maneuver in this game. How to be calculated with your moves. Ways to invest, and most importantly Term the best example of what you see when you just work hard man. T is like my big brother I built a relationship with beyond just music.

VALIDATED: You’re currently working on a collab album with J.Arrr, produced by Ayo Shamir. How did you two link and what can you tell us about the project?

FABEYON: I always respected J’s craft and how he spit. We worked on a few records in the past and knew eventually we had to work on a project together. Now the time felt right. We both been working with Shamir and all our sounds fit. It was a no brainer for us to cook and make a nice body of work.

VALIDATED: Other than the joint project, what does the remainder of 2022 look like for you?

FABEYON: Other than the collab album, I’m aiming for late summer to release another solo project. I’m looking to perform more, work with other artists that I’ve been wanting to get with, and put out some dope merch for the people who’ve been rockin with me. Just staying active overall.

VALIDATED: What’s your social media contacts?

FABEYON: Pretty much @fabeyon across the board, follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and my website fabeyonmusic.com.

THE MESSAGE: Fabeyon