Reese LaFlare: when passions meet

DECEMBER 6, 2022 → WORDS ADRIÁN GOMIS EXPÓSITO

American rapper and record producer from Atlanta, Georgia, Maurice Williams –aka Reese LaFlare–, one of the original members of the hip-hop collective Two-9, tells Sicky all about the crossover between rap and skateboarding in his career and how his origins and skateboarding roots are reflected in all he does, from his music to his design facets.

LaFlare, known as the rapper-who-skates or the skater-who-raps, developed new styles as the hip-hop zeitgeist shifted throughout the 2010s, a time when he proved his mettle as an early innovator in Atlanta’s rapidly rising trap scene. Now, with a prolific career with global features, numerous platinum and gold plaques, and even a Grammy nomination, the rapper keeps pushing himself while staying humble and true to himself.

BEFORE ASKING YOU ABOUT YOUR HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL CAREER, I WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND. YOU STARTED SKATEBOARDING AND KIND OF JUMPED OVER TO MUSIC, KEEPING YOUR PASSION FOR THIS SPORT. HOW AND WHEN DID THAT CROSSOVER BETWEEN RAP AND SKATEBOARDING HAPPEN?

That mixing between skating with rap sort of happened around 2011-2012. I’ve always loved music and dealt with it a lot, and one day I decided I wanted to try something new besides skating, so I just tried around a bit and my first attempts were promising.

YOU WERE ONE OF THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE HIP-HOP COLLECTIVE TWO-9. HOW DID YOUR EXPERIENCE THERE SHAPE THE PROFESSIONAL YOU ARE TODAY? ARE THERE STILL ANY INFLUENCES FROM THAT ERA IN THE RENOWNED RAPPER AND RECORD PRODUCER YOU’VE BECOME?

That time made me aware of what to do and what not to do. However, I’m still the same person from back then, only wiser and financially better off. But I will always be Two9 forever, I keep in touch with everybody for the most part. I and Key have our own group together called Beenhadboyz.

REGARDING YOUR DISCOGRAPHY, YOU HAVE 16 SINGLES, 2 EPs, 6 ALBUMS, AND NEARLY 6 MILLION VIEWS ON YOUTUBE, WITH GLOBAL FEATURES, NUMEROUS PLATINUM AND GOLD PLAQUES, AND EVEN A GRAMMY NOMINATION. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO SEE YOUR HARD WORK PAYING OFF AND EVERYTHING GOING FANTASTIC IN YOUR CAREER?

Sometimes it feels like I haven’t done anything at all. I guess I put so much pressure on myself that I underestimate my achievements. It all often seems very surreal to me.

YOU RECENTLY RELEASED YOUR LATEST SINGLE NAMED FLU GAME, WHICH IS TRULY A GROUND-BREAKING TUNE. HOW WAS THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF THIS SONG ALONGSIDE THE MUSIC VIDEO? 

The song came easily to me. But what I liked most about the creative process was that I developed the concept for the video with my homie and director Rick. I actually want to get more into movies and directing, so this is my first step in that direction.

WOULD YOU SAY YOU KEEP DEVELOPING NEW STYLES AS YOU DID AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR CAREER, WHAT PUSHED YOUR CAREER AS AN INNOVATOR, OR HAVE YOU SETTLED WITH SPECIFIC SOUNDS THAT WORK FOR YOU?

The key is to always develop new sounds and give the fans what they want without losing yourself in the process! Growth is the key.

YOU ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT FASHION AND HAVE A REALLY STRONG STYLE, HAVING LAUNCHED YOUR OWN BRAND DIVA IN THE USA. FIRSTLY, WHERE DOES THAT INTEREST STEM FROM? DOES IT HAVE A CONNECTION WITH YOUR SKATING BACKGROUND?

I brought the idea of Diva In The USA to life in the fall of 2019. Diva is definitely 100 percent based on my skateboarding roots and musical influences. From the references to the nuances, you can clearly see the influences.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE STYLE OF YOUR BRAND DIVA IN THE USA? WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO LAUNCH YOUR OWN CLOTHING LINE AND HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR FACET AS A DESIGNER?

I would say timing motivated me. Time is one of the most important factors when it comes to doing things. As far as being a designer, I just like to make cool things that I could pass on to other people to enjoy.

YOU ARE REALLY TALENTED AND IT’S SEEN IN ALL THE SUCCESS YOU’RE HAVING. HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR EVOLUTION AS AN ARTIST? HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR CAREER? 

I don’t plan my career according to a strict plan. I have a vision and certain expectations of myself and I just try to get as close to them as possible and turn them into reality.

I’M CONVINCED YOU’RE PROBABLY WORKING ON NEW RELEASES OR OTHER PROJECTS, WHETHER THEY ARE MUSIC OR FASHION. COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR PLANS AND WHAT YOUR FANS CAN EXPECT?

I have some more collaborations planned with Diva coming out next year - I’m looking forward to that. I've also accepted a position as Creative Director. On top of that, I’ll be releasing three music projects next year... It’s up!

TO CONCLUDE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEND A MESSAGE TO OUR READERS, GIVE SOME ADVICE TO UPCOMING ARTISTS, RAPPERS AND PRODUCERS WHO LOOK UP TO YOU?

I can only give one answer to that: keep being you and push yourself further.