In this interview, Cashus King breaks down the making of “Streams,” its collaborative spirit, cultural roots, and how it defines the vision behind Water to Wine.
1. “Streams” brings together a unique mix of voices—how did the collaboration between Cashus King, Big O, Blu, Frannie EL, and Shari come together, and what did each artist bring to the track?
Streams was not originally included on the album. Big O personally chose the piece of production specifically for me because he thought it would suit my style. He asked me to speak from the heart without picking a specific topic, which reminded me of the concept of a stream of consciousness. That’s how the concept was born. Each artist chose to speak on a topic that resonated with them personally. I spoke about the mentality of the average criminal in urban neighborhoods and Blu spoke on absentee fatherhood. Big O suggested Blu as a feature on the track and asked me to write a melodic hook. I wrote the hook and Big O brought in Frannie EL and Shari to sing the second half of the hook. The singing contributions to the songs are immeasurable. It wouldn’t have been the same if I performed the hook solo.
2. The song draws inspiration from the Congo and Nile rivers—how did these powerful symbols shape the mood and message behind “Streams”?
Water is the element on earth that enables life. I have always felt a strong connection to my cultural/racial Lineage to Africa. Being a black American, I don’t know exactly what part of Africa I descend from, but I feel a strong connection to the motherland. When I think about streams of consciousness, I also think about the literal bodies of water that enable life. I think about the Nile crocodiles And the deepest river in the world, the Congo river. These bodies of water host a multitude of species and lifeforms, But they also provide resources for the people that live Close to the rivers. These bodies of water are located on the continent where the Homo-Erectus species originated and was the first to migrate out of Africa to inhabit other parts of the world. When I think about what enabled homo-sapien consciousness, I think about Africa. When I think about streams, I think about the rivers of the Nile and Congo.
3. The track leans into a stream-of-consciousness style—how important is spontaneity and raw thought in your creative process?
My creative process almost always involves spontaneity. I rarely ever think of a topic before I begin to write. I recall Kendrick Lamar saying he doesn’t even know where his lyrics come from, they come from the soul. I feel the same way. This song felt natural and organic to me because it aligned with my creative process.
4. Blu’s verse touches on fatherhood in a very emotional way—how did that moment influence the overall direction and impact of the song?
Blu’s Verse took the song to another level. I talked about the reputation of the common street person’s tendency to commit violence and Indulge in impulsive behavior. Blu took the song to a personal level. He was honest and vulnerable. The song went from a Smooth West Coast banger to something with depth and intimacy. His verse altered the entire shape of the song. I really appreciate that he did his own thing, it added weight and diversity to the record.
5. “Streams” has a soulful, laid-back West Coast feel that stands out today—was there a conscious effort to revisit or reinvent that classic sound?
I think there was a conscious effort from Big O, but I admittedly slept on the beat. I tend to gravitate towards things that are a bit more melancholy. When Big O suggested the beat, I immediately understood why. It’s up-tempo, energetic, but still encapsulates emotion and spirit. It combines all of the spectrums of color, from light to dark.
6. As the lead single from Water to Wine, how does “Streams” set the tone for the rest of the album, and what can listeners expect from the full project?
Water to wine encapsulates all of the vibes of the album into one song. Upbeat, intimate, street, West Coast, soulful And diverse. The listener can expect a diverse array of topics, stylistic presentations, and production styles throughout the record. We literally touch on every style of rap music from trap to gangster to introspective. We have contributions from all around the world literally. From Africa to Philadelphia to New York back to Los Angeles. We poured everything into this record and we hope people can take something from it after listening. Water to wine is about taking the ordinary and turning it into the extraordinary. I hope people feel something when they listen to this record. I want it to inspire the world.
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