VIPER caught up with Jamaican “grimehall” star Fyah Roiall to hear all about his favourite mixtape (technically an album but we’ll let that slide)…
What’s your favourite mixtape ever?
‘The Marshall Mathers LP’, I hope that counts. Whenever the question on a favourite body of work comes up, it’s what comes to mind first, vividly too.
Why is it so significant to you?
I think it’s when I REALLY fell in love with hip hop, I was 8 when it came out, got my first Walkman at 10 and got the CD and played it until the CD artwork was basically flaking off; crazy. Also, it taught me to not be afraid to say what’s on my mind and be myself, the song on there called ‘Criminal’ took on a different meaning for me from time.
Were there any artists or producers that you discovered through this tape?
Eminem himself, I remember watching the video for ‘Stan’ and getting teary, it was the first time a song gave me goosebumps, oh and Dr.Dre, I later learnt he was a rapper before I was born and ting.
Where exactly were you when you heard the mixtape for the first time?
Home. The routine was, do homework, study, shower, then free time and I used that free time to either play outside or watch MTV. This was an MTV day and ‘Stan’ was on, “I just drank a fifth of vodka, dare me to drive?”
Did it come into your life at a significant time?
Looking back, I think it did. When you’re 8-10, you’re susceptible to influences in things you find interesting, more so than adults. So I guess that tape is part of why I deliver lyrics the way I do, or treat words how I do in music, cause I think yeah, that’s how it’s done.
How did the mixtape cover make you feel?
Revered, strangely understood, ’cause that was me in a way, sitting away in a harsh reality with a mind going millions of miles per second.
Did you have a physical copy?
I did, for years.
Describe the mixtape in three words?
Emotional, relatable & poetic.
What song is your personal favourite?
‘Kim….’
If you could put a price on this mixtape, how much would you pay?
Either label it priceless ’cause it is, or make it free ’cause everyone deserves to hear it.
