stream Growth Season
Twitter @menacinjohnson @moka_only @moshakray
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Los Angeles emcee Menacin Johnson presents the Big Rif-directed music video for "Crown", the lead single from Growth Season, his new album produced entirely by Canadian beatsmith and emcee Moka Only, featuring guest appearances from DJ Ethos, Allen Casilla and Rain Bisou. Menacin's Brand New Headsets 2 album (Soundcloud) featured A-Plus of Souls Of Mischief as well as Menacin’s fellow Project Blowed representer Abstract Rude, and his Stargate Aquarius album with producer Duke Westlake features Slimkid3, Frank Nitty and Pigeon John. Constantly touring, he has performed alongside Aceyalone of Freestyle Fellowship, Tre Hardson formerly of The Pharcyde, X-Clan and many more. Menacin says the new single "is about rocking my crown, manifesting my vision and embracing the next chapter in my life while creating new vibes on my music journey and bringing it to the world for everyone to join my tribe and get down with us."
How did you come up with your rap name?
I was battling others MCs alot in high school and just getting into trouble as a youngster so my long time homie and rhyme partner Grande Scheme had this running joke calling me Menacin because we would be sitting around bored and I always managed to get us into some shit. So he was like "dog you always getting us into some shit, you a menace, like the black version of Dennis the Menace". lol When we would link he also called me Johnson! So one day we were working on our raps and he said "Yo! You should call yourself Menacin Johnson!" And the rest was history.
How did you hook up with Moka Only?
I've always been a big fan and supporter of Moka Only and had always wanted to work with him, so when the pandemic lockdown came around i had a lot of time on my hands since I was no longer working a 9 to 5. So I reached out to him, and shared my vision for the project with him. He was super cool and down to earth and was down with my vision. We got to work right away. It was pretty seamless and easy going. He sent me a lot of fire ass beats! And I did my thing.
What’s the concept behind Growth Season?
The concept is based on personal growth as a person and artist. I felt with George Floyd, Breanna Taylor and the pandemic and everyone stuck inside it gave me time to reflect on how I was feeling. It was the inspiration to the overall vibe. Through the recording process I felt that I and the world needed positive music more than ever. I also felt i needed to step away from a few support systems and fly on my own independently so I can create something new, raw, stripped down from the ground up. I had a brief conversation with Moka and he expanded on the idea and the first song we did was called "Love to Give" so I ran with that as the theme of the project. I also lost my mother and started to see people that were my so-called friends and family show me their true colors during my grieving process so that also became the theme and emotion behind the project.
How have you been adjusting to life since the pandemic?
I've been doing a lot more reading, working out and mediating and writing lots of new music. Staying on top of my spiritual and mental growth.
How has it affected your music an career?
My pen game is stronger than ever! Since I haven't been on tour in over a year plus. I've had time to dig into the writing and recording process more, having lots of fun with it.
What’s next for you?
Working on a brand new full length album with Najahead for early release next year! And a few EPs as well.
