Curren$y:Fly Society's No. 1 on the Mic. 
I was introduced to Curren$y about a year ago. I’d known about him for some time, been impressed with features here and there, and was generally excited about his prospects. He’s also managed to do something that really struck me - moved on from label issues and turned attention to pushing along his own way.
Since we met, Curren$y has released a slew of solid mixtapes. Their names, like his rhymes, are layered references to popular culture and childhood memory. They are also full of certified bangers (Movie Writers, Business Men & Gangsters, for example). Through the mixtapes, Curren$y has built a solid following, built up his Fly Society team, and hit the cover of XXL Magazine. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Last month, Curren$y made the leap from free offerings to his first full fledged solo outing. Aptly titled This Ain’t No Mixtape, the album is fully produced by Monsta Beats and released via Amalgam Digital. Bun B offers a verse. Amanda Diva is on there too. Of course, he’s got a few of his class offering verses too - Mickey Factz and the Fly Society Crew.
Having just featured Terry Kennedy, it seemed appropriate to reach out to Curren$y and talk more directly about music, Fly Society, and Lois from Family Guy.
HS: Let's start with the new release... this ain't no mixtape... after your string of mixtape releases, how different was the recording process for this project? Curren$y: Honestly, it wasn’t too different other than me being way more open to what people think could be done to make the records better. I let Monsta Beats come up with like four of those hooks, I usually just do my thing and follow my first mind, but I knew it was bigger than me this time. I grew on this one, this wasn't a mixtape, hahaha.
HS: A Bun B feature is something of a stamp for southern rap albums, conveys a real sense of quality, how was it working with him? Did you grow up with UGK in the speakers? Curren$y: Man, the funny thing is I hadn’t met Bun in person until a month after that song was recorded, my homie Derek at Sneaker Politics hooked that up. He spoke on me to Bun before and once the big homie checked me out he reached out to me and was like shoot a joint out. And, he got it back to me that same day. I was honored man. I just met him recently in April right before I dropped the album. I told him nice to finally meet you sir, thanks for the flat screen u put on my wall
HS: You got Fiend on there too, tell me a little about how the No Limit and Cash Money era defined your understanding of hip-hop growing up in New Orleans? Curren$y: Everyone of the artists on either of those labels (well at least the ones who I dug) listened hip hop from all over. Real shit, they would list niggaz that I was into as some of their favorites when they did interviews. That’s how I knew I wasn't the only one in my city listening to the og shit ya know.
HS: I know you've answered a gang of questions already about the XXL cover. Apart from the publicity, it marks you as a new voice for hip-hop. One that I, for one, am really excited by. With you, Wale, Asher, and the others, it seems there is a real reverence for craft and wordplay. That being said what do you think is the defining characteristics of you and your "class?" Curren$y: We are tired of the wack shit.....
FASHION
HS: We were introduced to each other through Derek Curry of Sneaker Politics, so it makes sense to chat footwear. How'd you get pulled into the scene? What was that first sneaker that caught your eye? Curren$y: Jordan 3, man man man, plus the whole flight line from Nike back in the golden days bro.
HS: What labels are you feeling these days? Curren$y: Diamond, Playcloths, 10deep, Polo, Bape, Lrg.
HS: With the Fly Society garments, how much time do you spend thinking about logos and shirt designs? What role do you all have individually in making those projects pop? Curren$y: We all basically are our own bosses in this situation, because no one has come up with a wack design. Everything that has come to the table has been go-able (new word), there is a ton of new shit bubbling over here too. Like the diamond supply x fly society tee....whoops did I say that....oh well there you go. Oh, GO GET THOSE TK SOCIETY's.
HS: Does Curren$y deserve to be the next rapper with a signature shoe? If so, who would make it, and what features would you push for? Curren$y: Nike would make them. I wouldn’t use elephant print either, but I would have to have the cement spatter ish from the jordan 4 o.g.s. on the soles and eyelets. Bo Jackson shape, but super lux, no strap.
COMEDY
HS: Anyone who follows you on twitter knows you are into your comedies - what movies are classic to you? Curren$y: Half Baked,Grand Ma's Boy, Old School, Screwed,
HS: Outside of movies, you have any stand up favorites? Curren$y: Any Eddie Murphy joints. I dug some early Carrot Top, Dave Chappelle’s old shit was way funny too...the one when he had the porn stache...
HS: Do you have a favorite John Candy movie?Curren$y: The one when Digital Underground was singing “all around the world the same song.” [Nothing But Trouble].
HS: What about Chevy Chase? Curren$y: Funny Farm.
THE INDUSTRY
HS: The new album is out on Amalgam. A digital platform home to some big names (notably Joe Budden). What made you want to go that route, and how do you feel its worked in your favor? Curren$y: I needed to insure that my album would be available on the date that I said I would deliver. After we tied the loose ends up I knew I had no time too waste trying to shift through the bs with labels. I knew the folks at Amalgam already and I knew they would be ready to hustle with us asap. Plus I knew they had the resources I would need to assist in my quest for world domination. You will soon know what I mean, Jets fool.
HS: Tell me how working through the internet has helped keep you visible. Do you think it has proved a solid platform for personal growth? Curren$y: Yeah because you can avoid the politics of the game to a certain extent through the internet. The blogs are outlets for all sorts of media content, you just have to be creative and be someone who....man fuck it...you just gotta be cool.
HS: Biggest lessons learned so far?Curren$y: Do it ya damn self.
HS: Dream collaborations/deals/albums? Curren$y: Pharrel,Slick Rick, and Snoop
FINALLY
HS: Who has the best boobs in the world? Curren$y: Lois Griffin
Im not makin it up this time 