Esso discusses his thespian ambitions, his whirlwind SXSW experience and where to get a good cup of joe in New Orleans…
1. Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
My craziest touring experience had to be this year’s SXSW festival in Austin Texas. I went down there booked for 3 shows, ended up performing 8, left the next day for Houston, recorded for 3 days straight and then came back to New York to finish up my latest project The Anti-Socialite which dropped about a month and a half later.
2. What type of college class would you’d most want to take and why?
I probably would say an acting class since I’m thinking about taking a few pretty soon.
3. What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
New Orleans is my favorite city other than New York. It’s hard to not say New York for obvious reasons but I think New Orleans has so much culture and history. The French Quarter by itself is worth the plane ticket…and that’s not even mentioning Crawfish or Cafe Du Monde.
4. What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
Figure out what you can be the best in the world at, and set out to conquer that.
5. What’s in heavy rotation in your MP3/CD player right now?
Janelle Monae’s The Anch-Android, Drake’s Thank Me Later, Reasonable Doubt, and a 200 song playlist of all my favorite songs that I’ve downloaded lately.
6. The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to.
Grey’s Anatomy has to be one of the best written shows on TV hands down.
7. What’s the first concert you ever saw - how was it?
The first concert I ever saw was Al Jarreau, and I was way too young to remember anything from it. I don’t even think I was a year old yet.
8. What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
My macbook, my portable studio setup and ipod.
9. Who are your major musical influences?
Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye West, Andre 3000, Biggie, Snoop, Big L, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, James Taylor and everything that my parents played in the car when I was growing up.
Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to mtvU watchers?
Whatever your passion may be in life don’t be scared to pursue it. No matter who understands or who may support you at first. Live your life your way and be ready to accept the accolades and the consequences.
