Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Christus
Hip Hop, R&B and Afrobeats Artist Based in South Africa. Follow Christus on Instagram, Twitter And Tiktok at Christusxo
Q. What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Probably my big brother blasting Jay-Z in my ears when I was 5 years old.
Q. How did your passion for creating music begin?
Well, I used to journal a lot growing up, so I’ve always had a passion for writing. The musical aspect of it came after I shared a few notes I had written with some classmates of mine in high school and they thought they would sound good on a beat. From there, I decided to explore, and I haven’t stopped since.
Q. What’s the story behind your current music project?
When making music, I usually start the process by playing around with melodies on certain instruments until a melody catches my ear and then build from there. But with Highlight Reel, the production was already made, so all I had to do was come up with the rest of the song. Which Usually looks like me writing how I feel towards a specific topic, basically like a journal kind of writing and then turning those words into a song.
Q. How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Just like a box of chocolate
Q. What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Learning how to mix and master my own songs was a big game changer. I understood that it doesn’t take 3 weeks to get a song mixed for starter. I’d say having a home studio was a key ‘cause it creates freedom.
Q. What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I like to leave my microphone on during the whole process, even when I’m not trying to record the song. I might harmonized a melody or say something out loud that I might wanna use for the song or for a different song. You just never know
Q. Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I like Russ. He’s shown that you can make it on the biggest stage as an independent artist.
Q. How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
My musical taste is very strange to some people. I’ll go from Gucci Mane to Taylor Swift so quick. I like to explore different kind of genres. We don’t feel the same everyday. We fluctuate. And I guess that approach has robbed on how I make music. So much so that It’s very distinctive on how I like to mix different genres together.. The “Purist” hate that approach but to that I say “so what?” what’s the point of making music the same way the artists before me have?
Q. What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I write a lot about love and relationships. Good or sad stories I guess the message is what the listener interprets it to be.
Q. What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Communication is key. And that it’s okay to express your creativity out loud.
Q. What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Coachella
Q If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Drake and Ye. Both have huge influenced on my music
Q. Where can our listeners follow and support your music?
My Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/47sRi5nLN3eVOmpZX3sb2k?si=aNye-rgvTB6RZ5NV8pPNEQ
My IG: https://Instagram.com/christusxo
My YouTube
Q. Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Doubling down on being independent. I really want to show that you don’t need a “big machine” to make something out of nothing. And that nowadays, the artist is the Machine.
Q. What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That I’m really good at what I do
