EQUATE Introducing Feux
“I guess that’s what sets me apart, that I'm kind of creating my own little pocket of sound.”
It was only six months ago when rising rapper Feux gave us his debut album “Pure Nine”. Fast forward through two lockdowns, and the North-West London hailing rapper is already back building on that whirling, psychedelic, lo-fi hip-hop sound the underground knows him for with his new EP “Dubious”. When we catch up on the phone, it’s immediately apparent that -much like his approach to releasing music -, the 20-year-old musicians’ mind moves at a mile a minute. We whizz through some small talk about his failed attempts at vegetarianism, and how the past year has left him feeling like he’s been in a back and forth between lockdown and his music career. On the whole, I’m pleasantly surprised to find that outside of making music, Feux is an excellent conversationalist. So naturally, there’s much to cover – from star signs and a particularly sentimental holiday in Dordogne, to his many influences and his feeling-based approach to telling stories through his tracks.
Read the full interview below…
Words & Interview by Tahirah Thomas
EQ: It’s been a week to the day now since you released “Dubious”. How are you feeling?
F: It’s been alright – last week was a bit busy, then beginning of this week was busy and now it’s all kind of mellowed down. I’m happy; it’s going well. I definitely feel like people took it in and that’s kind of what I wanted more than anything, was for people to feel it. It’s definitely a project that I’m proud of having out there in the world.
EQ: We’re living in peculiar times right now; what are some of the things you are “Dubious” about?
F: Well, I’m a libra so I’m a very dubious character when it comes to making choices in general [laughs]. I think that word represents a lot that’s going on nowadays though so you’re right in asking that question. I’m dubious about all the uncertainty going on, the fact that we don’t know where we’re going next. It can feel quite weird when you’re in a situation and you have no idea whether you’re still going to have your job when you get out of it, or if you’re going to be able to play shows. All those ideas went into the project. For me, it’s just been about staying as grounded as possible and making the most of what is still happening.
EQ: That’s very true. I’m a libra too, shout-out to libra’s everywhere.
F: Yeah man, do you find that you’re indecisive?
EQ: Yes! But I guess the main thing that stands out to me about being a libra is trying to find balance; I’ve not yet mastered it.
F: True. I mean balance is the key to everything. I think us libra’s are definitely more balanced than most people [laughs].
EQ: I guess when making music though, being indecisive by nature can be pretty agitating.
F: It’s long. Some days I’ll be going crazy in the studio, then the next it’s like ah I don’t know if this is right, I don’t know if I’m going to release this anymore; it can be annoying.
EQ: Is your artist name ‘Feux’ French originally?
F: Yeah. It means multiple fires in French – that’s the translation. I didn’t name myself that though, one of my school friends did when I started rapping. He would call me MC Feu. I don’t know, I just ran with it and when I started making music properly, I was thinking hmmm, what name should I use? So, I used Feu; but added an X to it because I thought that looked cool. It’s kind of weird too because, I thought fire would be a bait name for an artist but no one’s actually really used it so, that’s good for me.
EQ: It’s a good name. I heard you rapping in French on your new EP. Apparently the song ‘Touch’ was recorded in France? Tell us the story.
F: Yeah, I’m French-speaking due to my mum being Belgian; so, I do rap in French sometimes. There was a meaningful holiday I went on to France. I was with my cousin - whose just now getting into producing -, and he had brought some of his equipment out there with us. We ended up sitting outside on the patio on a super-hot day, and we just started recording. I can’t lie it felt kind of surreal recording that song, because every time I’m with my cousin we just seem to make a song I really like. Whilst I was writing, I was facetiming my boy JP. Rose and his reactions were crazy; he was just jumping around when he heard it. I was like, damn – that’s the best reaction I’ve ever got! It was a fun experience for sure.
EQ: Where in France where you?
F: We were in the South-West; in a place called Dordogne.
EQ: Nice! I was in France recently. There’s actually a big rap scene coming through over there at the moment isn’t there?
F: Yeah, I was actually writing a song in French today. It’s quite rare for me to do so, it just depends, because my first language is obviously English – so I find it hard to rap in the second.
EQ: It’s a challenge.
F: It is, but it’s nice, it keeps me on my toes.
EQ: You’ve said before that music is a feeling for you. If you can lift someone’s mood, change their mindset or affect them positively - then you know you’ve done something. Was that the headspace you were in when going into recording “Dubious”?
F: I think it’s not necessarily me having the goal of making someone feel something, it’s more the goal of me being honest with myself and putting my heart and soul into something. Then, once I’ve done that, it can have an effect on people - or not. I think what I strive to do the most is to be honest, truthful, positive and hopeful – all those things.
EQ: Which makes sense because music is about channelling emotion a lot of the time.
F: Yeah, and I think it’s up to whoever listens to my music to decide whether they feel anything or not. When they do, that’s what pushes me, motivates me and makes me happy; it just makes me want to do it all over again. The only other time I get that feeling is when I listen to other artists. I feel like that general emotion stays within the realm of music and if you can contribute to it then that’s a good thing.
EQ: I like the way you put that – very true. I heard all of your brothers were rappers before you; would you say that you’re the best rapper out of all of them?
F: [laughs] Um – all of them were definitely into rap, two out of three at least and one still has loads of friends that are rappers now. I used to listen to them rapping when I was younger to be honest, they’re the ones that got me into hip-hop. It’s funny because they all did their rap thing and had their phase. It was probably five or six years after them when I started making music and just persevered and kept going with it. So, I wouldn’t say I’m the best, but probably the most consistent at the moment. They sort of have other passions now too - so yeah.
EQ: What kind of hip-hop were they showing you back then?
F: It was a lot of Eminem, 50 Cent, Dr Dre, A Tribe Called Quest – all the classics.
EQ: There’s a big movement going on around alternative hip-hop in the UK right now.
F: Yeah – there’s so much versatility and variety right now it’s mad.
“I think it’s up to whoever listens to my music to decide whether they feel anything or not. When they do, that’s what pushes me, motivates me and makes me happy; it just makes me want to do it all over again.“
- FEUX
EQ: What do you think sets you apart in that crowd?
F: I’d say my content. What I say, the topics I talk about. I do think I’m doing things in my own lane and I think everyone else in the scene right now is too; which is good. Personally, I don’t think I’m really giving into any trends, I guess that’s what sets me apart, that I’m kind of creating my own little pocket of sound.
EQ: That’s very true. Where do you want that sound take you next?
F: Good question! I’ve actually been thinking about that for the past couple of days. I feel like I accomplished what I set out to do sound-wise with “Dubious”. Moving forwards, I want to do something different, collaborate with some people and dive into other genres. I mean, I don’t think the chill alternative rap style will be around forever. So yeah, the goal is to work with other artists, become an overall better artist myself, to produce more and also to do as many shows as I can.
EQ: Wicked- we love to see it! Thanks, Feux.
Watch his latest music video ‘Still High’ below…
YouTube/Feux
Stream ‘Dubious’ HERE