Q+A: LANGSTON BRISTOL
Born and raised in the Metro Detroit area, Langston Bristol never thought he would be writing lyrics or even be a “lyrical artist.” Bristol, who also sang in choir started playing drums at 5 years old, was soon interested in playing the piano after watching his older brother play; inspired and interested in wanting to mimic a similar style as his brother. At 21-years-old, the hip-hop/R&B artist who initially wanted to “make jazz albums, play the piano, make and sell hip-hop beats to other artists” is now making his waves and building relationships with other creatives through the power of social media. We were able to have the opportunity to talk to Langston Bristol, whose latest collaboration with Redveil for their track “PSA” was just added to Zane Lowe’s Apple Music Playlist.
Can we get into an introduction of who you are?
Yeah, bro, I’m Langston Bristol from Michigan outside of Detroit from Westland, still not far from Detroit, what we call the Metro Detroit area, and all the cities surrounding Detroit. Living in Westland though that's where everything happened, I got to get into musical Theatre and produce all that. I started playing the piano at 7. I started making beats at like 11. I wrote my first rap at 14 after that I was like wow this is crazy; I love writing lyrics. I made my first song at 18 and after that, I was like this is what I want to do, this is it.
A lot of newer artists today are gaining fans and followers through the help of Tik Tok due to not being able to perform at concerts due to Covid restrictions. Can you tell me how you feel about gaining newer fans and followers through social media without having to touch a stage?
Before the pandemic happened my homie JayPitts let me perform one of my songs with him on stage. We were excited about doing shows and had plans and then the pandemic happened, and we couldn’t perform on stage. Here's the thing the Internet has always been there. As for me and everybody else that’s how all artists have been coming on for a while now. The thing is though because we are under quarantine it made everybody focus on the Internet more. Since everybody's at home, a lot of us are on our phones and have more free time. So, the Internet has made a lot of artists popular all at one time. Also, with the help of Tik Tok, it is set up well where you can find new artists with the way their algorithm is. I'm thankful for it. I'm super psyched. It’s also helped me with how I met Redveil. He hit me up because of seeing me on Tik Tok. Along with Mac Ayers, I was on FaceTime with them both. They’re both super cool, it's crazy I didn't know these guys personally at all just a couple of months ago. It’s amazing how this Internet stuff connects you with people. It's amazing and I’m so very psyched to have met these two.
You seemed to be having a lot of fun in your Tik Tok videos as you make videos to your very own songs. May I ask where does the inspiration come from and how long is the process for when you make these visuals?
So, the thing is I'm new to the camera game. I've always been into creating stuff and I also am an actor too. When I finally bought my little Sony A5 100 camera along with my tripod as a graduation gift with the small amount of money I had buying it at Best Buy. when I first got it and started working with it, I was watching people like Montell fish. I love the way he does his videos along with other people too. I just like regular music videos. I love movies, so I love studying movies and trying to film things that are cinematic. At times or maybe even just as I think of movies and music videos that I've seen before it gives me some inspiration but also just helps me think of whatever vibe I'm trying to create. When I filmed my song “Woohah” for Tik Tok it took me 2 hours and more within filming and editing. While also I’m doing every little thing by hand, I’m also learning but it has helped me to go quicker.
So, your song “PSA '' featuring Redveil was recently added to Zane Lowe’s Apple Music playlist. Can you tell me where you were when you got the news and how did it make you feel?
I was at work. I was in the break room, Redveil had texted me and sent me this video, this small little video that Apple Music makes along with a little video motion thing. They had both of our names and our song with Zane Lowe’s face on Apple music. Redveil was like “You gotta post this!” I had to look it up for myself. I looked it up on Apple Music. I went to the playlist and even scrolled down and I saw our song. I was like “dude this so wild!” It's cool to be recognized by somebody cool like Zane Lowe. Also, for even Redveil it’s so cool to know him he’s doing his thing, and even for him to reach out to me and want to work with me he’s such a cool dude. It’s humbling bro, that’s all I can say I feel very blessed and I’m thankful.
You have said in recent days that you’ll be dropping an album soon; Can you tell me what you think fans and newer fans can look forward to hearing from this new album?
The name of this upcoming album is called “M side Odyssey 2.” There's an M Side Odyssey 1 which came out like 3 albums ago. M Side Odyssey is my story in Michigan. The “M” stands for Michigan. I got inspiration from one of my favorite artists, John Givez. His brand is “THA SIDE” and the side stands for wherever you are from that’s your side. I was like I mean I'm in Michigan I'm calling it “M Side” Odyssey which means your journey, your story. So, I decided to name the album “M Side Odyssey.” This next one I'm working on “M Side Odyssey 2” is just the continuation of my story talking about what's been going. I’m in a different place than a few years ago when I made the first one. For this album, fans can expect some more vibes, more lit stuff, more chill stuff, and a lot of introspective songs, deep stuff. Talking about life and pursuing things and paying attention to what's going on around us like those types of songs. As well as fun songs, it's just like my eyes right now. The whole album is just my eyes, how I’m seeing things, how I’m experiencing things, my mind is my odyssey.
If you could make a playlist filled with artists or songs that describe how you have been feeling now but also for the past couple of months who would be on it and what would you name the playlist?
I would put John Givez, Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, and Lucky day. For songs though I have been in a reminiscent type mood. Lately, I've been driving past my old neighborhood where I used to grow up. Sometimes and I've been thinking about my childhood especially within recent things that have been happening. It’s kind of like, Dang I've been remembering stuff when I was a kid, I remember I used to just be making songs, and now people are starting to hear my songs and it's just crazy. I’ve been thinking about songs like “Nostalgia” by Chance the Rapper off his 10-day Mixtape. I've been listening to a lot of old Chance the rapper songs like from his “Acid Rap” mixtape. To even old and new Logic songs like “Celebration” off his latest album. That song in particular describes that I'm excited. At the same time, it's like songs like “Nostalgia” by Chance the Rapper because I can’t explain it. It’s the type of vibes I’ve been feeling lately I could be feeling excited, nostalgic, I do get anxious and down sometimes where I doubt myself but that’s just what everyone goes through. At times of getting these dumb thoughts, I get too down on myself at times we all go through it but then find ways to pick ourselves up. I can tell you though the name of the playlist probably would be called “Untitled” with all of the many different ways I have been feeling. “Untitled” is the title that fits perfectly with what I can say fits me.