Los Angeles rapper Price (Audio Push) dropped his solo debut CLRD back in October. His eclectic project is extremely timely for its subject matter and theme. With its release, Price intended for CLRD to be a musical blueprint on how we progress as Black people.
For over a decade, Price released music with Oktane as the Hip-Hop duo, Audio Push. While the two continue to make music together, they desired to create solo projects as well. From there CLRD was born.
Did you work on that project this year or were these songs you had prior to the pandemic?
“I’m putting out another album very soon. When we were put on lockdown in March, that’s when I started to create CLRD. I knew that I wasn’t about to put out the initial album because I would not be able to get out in streets and promote it. That’s really the album that’s gonna make Hov and ni**as like that have to really tap in. When creating CLRD, I knew I wanting to create a body of work that was gonna be like a nice jab… a nice right hook, but it ain’t the knockout. I created CLRD before our brother (George Floyd) was laying on the concrete with knees in his neck… before our sister (Breonna Taylor) was killed laying her bed.”
You tackle systemic oppression in “Maya.” Speak to the composing that record.
I wanted to address a couple things. The most important thing was to address the stupid a** statement that Black people kill each other the most. I was hurt after my little homie got hurt. He was just in my apartment a few months prior. I produced his single that he was about to put out. He rapped. I really wanted to go slide and get on my bulls**t, but that’s not the purpose that I’m fulfilling. So the only thing that I could truly do was put it in song. I wanted to address why my lil homie was killed, why this cycle of a rat race that we’re in. We were put in this cycle, so I can’t go and try to kill these dude that look like me. We’re only keeping the cycle going if we do that.
On “Rumors” you say “I ain’t hear to force no auto tune or no melodies this is straight raps, but I can write an R&B hit quick don’t mistake that.” Melody is definitely more prevalent in Hip-Hop, now more than ever now signifying the growth in the genre. With that line are you taking a non-conformist approach or you felt that this project was not for that?
“The lines prior to and after it give the context. I say ignoring all the lies these A&Rs are telling me. That was speaking more to these young artist who are taking meeting with these labels and A&Rs. They have a sound their true to, but it gets swayed because of the opinions of A&Rs. It doesn’t need to be the standard. They’re making it to seem like if they don’t do melodies, then their (the artist) isn’t dope. It needs to be a balance.
You said you spend your whole life on the search for freedom. Where are you at currently on the journey?
“I am at the height of it. At this point, I’ve found it. Now it’s more about maintaining and sustaining it. For me, I finally know where the freedom is, spiritually, mentally and creatively. I’ve truly found my freedom, so now I just have to hone it to where it’ll never leave. James Fauntleroy said, ‘what’s better than being rich is being the best at whatever you say you do.’ I’m just on a high right now to get better.
Saw that you hit million streams on all platforms. Does that matter to you? How do you define success now as an artist?
“Success with my music isn’t based on how much money I’m making off of it anymore. The music industry took the fun out of making music. It’s so easy for that to happen because the moment you’re doing what you love to do, but you’re not making x amount of dollars… and you’re getting older. Now your family and the people around you are looking at you like a failure and telling you to give it up. It sucks for musicians and artists most times because of that. But success for me is being able to create, own and control my music and write what’s true to me. The fact that my girl and my son f**k with my music is fresh to me. My son know songs on my album. Anything else is a cherry on top.
You and Oktane were signed to Hit-Boy (as Audio Push) back in 2013. He produced a lot of projects this year. What’s your relationship with him now?
“That’s my family. Blood couldn’t f**k with our relationship. We got some incredible music coming. I’m trying to tell y’all this (CLRD) was a warning shot. I’m super proud of my brother man. He just had his son, C3. I believe that’s his biggest accolade of the year. That’s what got him so turnt up. I love Hit-Boy. We went through a real journey in this industry that many people don’t survive. Win, lose or draw, regardless what might have happened, we maintained a brother hood. Same with me and Oktane. You see some of the biggest groups…everybody from A$AP Mob, Odd Future, Wu-Tang, St. Lenatics. There never been a clique that came out and then there is some weird public sh*t, except us. We from the I.EM (Inland Empire, CA). We the realest ni**as to do it.”
You have ventures outside of music that you’re working on. I know you got the Hibachi food truck poppin. What was the process to create that?
Shoutout to Brodihanas. We’re the first and No.1 Black-owned Hibachi food truck and lounge, which is Lounge 24. I’ve had a restaurant for the last 6 to 7 years in San Bernardino, CA. It is the No. 1 murder capital in California, then Oakland and then Compton. The fact that I’ve had restaurant here for that long speaks volumes and it’s because on how we give back to the city. Throughout the year, we are feeding the homeless, doing giveaways in the parking lot. This inspired us to start the truck because of our experience in the food industry. The best things that have been done are just done better than the originators. Along with Brodihanas, we got Carrie’s BBQ & Soulfood. We got City Recording Studios, right next door to the Carrie’s. We got CLRD ENT, the millennium Motown. We’re creating business owners and entrepreneurs. Also, we got Push Products.”
His entrepreneurship ventures also includes his upcoming podcast with retired NFL defensive back and business partner, Shareece Wright. The podcast is titled, “The Price Is Wright Podcast.” In addition, they are opening a two classroom private school setting for both K-12 and adults.
“It does not take much to create and make change, so here we are.”
How do you stay motivated in both your art and entrepreneurship ventures?
“My biggest motivation is my sons. I didn’t grow up with my father. He was in prison since I was 5. He was in and out of prison. I created the CLRD album to give my people a musical blueprint, but it all starts with my two kings, my sons. Financial freedom, ownership, Black financial literacy and leaving a legacy for them is the most important thing for me…… having real wealth to pass down to our kids. That’s my biggest motivation.”
