In this special episode of Quartertones in collaboration with XP Air, we sit down with prominent artist Dreamville's Bas, to discuss his journey in the music industry. We talk about the financial challenges of touring, the value of exposure over immediate monetary gain, and the significance of rehearsals and meticulous work ethic exemplified by artists like J. Cole and Drake. Bas reflects on his Sudanese heritage, the cultural pride that comes with it, and how his background influences his music. The conversation also covers Bas’s experiences with evolving music industry trends, including streaming and AI technology, and the importance of artist development and investing in oneself. The episode wraps up with reflections on family involvement in his career, navigating business relationships, and recommendations for fans looking to better understand Bas's musical perspective. Bas also shares exciting news about his upcoming collaboration with the band The Hics from London. Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with behind-the-scenes stories and valuable lessons for aspiring musicians.

00:00 Introduction 
00:49 First Impressions of Riyadh
01:37 Crafting the Perfect Festival Set
02:32 Dreamville and the Power of Dreams
03:54 The Journey of Artistic Development
05:31 Investing in Yourself as an Artist
08:33 Global Influences and Musical Evolution
13:21 Sudanese Pride and Cultural Impact
18:15 Family Support and Changing Perspectives
20:10 Navigating Industry Challenges
20:36 The Evolution of Music Revenue
21:30 Adapting to Technological Changes
23:23 Crafting a Unique Narrative
26:14 Balancing Art and Commerce
26:44 The Importance of Touring
30:05 Managing Online Presence
32:19 Working with Family and Friends
36:13 Top Album Recommendations
37:05 Upcoming Projects and Collaborations

Abbas Hamad, known professionally as Bas, is a French-born Sudanese-American rapper born on May 27, 1987, in Paris, France.At the age of eight, he moved with his family to Jamaica, Queens, New York City.Bas is signed to J. Cole's Dreamville Records and Interscope Records.He has released four studio albums: Last Winter (2014), Too High to Riot (2016), Milky Way (2018), and We Only Talk About Real Shit When We're Fucked Up (2023).His music often explores themes related to his Sudanese heritage and personal experiences. ​

Connect with Bas 👉 https://www.instagram.com/bas

XP Air are podcast conversations that were recorded as part of XP Music Futures in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in December of 2024. XP Music Futures is a one-of-a-kind event that unites people and talent from the music industry through forward-thinking programming. Three days of captivating sessions in various formats, facilitated by diverse speakers, attended by our ever-growing music community. 

Stay tuned for more XP Air 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@xpmusicfutures.mdlbeast

Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK 
Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7FiLcdH_iSgv4RiXEy4GAh

ABOUT AFIKRA
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