Passion Series Follow Up: Mescal, Rapper and Entrepreneur
In the first ever follow up for The Passion Series by Mark Mendoza, we are chatting it up with the man himself, Mescal. Proud resident of Boyle Heights, Mescal was my 2nd interview and one of the first people I've met when I moved to LA. It's been 2 years since we've talked and from what I see on his social medias, he's been busier than ever. If you haven't read the first interview click HERE.
For this shoot we decided to part from the East LA vibes, and set out for more of that SoCal Venice life. We met at The Venice Beach Bar where Mescal tells me that he picked this location because of a funny experience he had once here with his cousin. (Make sure to ask him about it, involves someone falling down the stairs)
Read the interview below to see what Mescal's been up to.
Images by Mark Mendoza - It was really great to link up with you again! It's been 2 years since we last spoke. What has the Man Mescal been up to?
Mescal - Yes! 2 years flew by so fast. I've been traveling, performing on bigger stages and building the team like never before.
IbMM - I've been following you on Instagram and see you had Murs in the studio. How did that come about?
Mescal - Murs is the man! He booked my crew EOTR for his Paid Dues Festival in Sept. 2017. I was able to meet him from a friend named Koncept714 who host "Wake tha Flok Up" Podcast. Koncept needed a space to record the podcast close to LA and EOTR Studio happened to be the best option. I was able to make the most of the interaction and give Murs a CD of mine and my crew. Murs is a real one, he actually took the music and listened to it and has been fucking with EOTR ever since. It was a real organic music connection.
IbMM - You were in Europe not too long ago for a music related event, tell us about that.
Mescal - I was in Rotterdam and Amsterdam Netherlands for the New Skool Rules Conference. NSR is a gathering of artist, producer, A&Rs and other industry heads to meet talent and exchange ideas. It was super dope to be out there and experience a new culture and way of life. Plus the music connections we made were amazing.
IbMM - How has East of The River evolved in the past 2 years?
Mescal - We've expanded our team and pushed our brand to new audiences. We are much smarter and capable today then we were 2 years ago that's for sure. The moves we've made last few years have finally flourished and put new energy into the things we are currently working on.
IbMM - I know that you're someone who is consistently working and planning. What goals have come to fruition, and what are still in the process of becoming reality for you?
Mescal - I always wanted to take my music and talent to Europe. It was was of my long time goals and it kind of happened out of nowhere but I kind of always seen it coming. I want to do a national tour and reach new audiences here in the states, I want to break 1 Million plays on Spotify, I've yet to do those things so... I got work to do.
IbMM - What lessons have you learned?
Mescal - I've learned to stay true to who I am and what my message is. Which is to transcend the condition and pre-determined position i was given and take my story to a world wide audience. I learned its better to fail than to not try at all.
IbMM - What's next?
Mescal - I'm wrapping up my 2nd album titled "Long Live: The Peyote" Its coming along nice and I'm excited to bring my vision to life like never before. I got a feeling its going to make a big impact on the Hip Hop world.
It was great catching up with you homie! Can't wait to see what the next two years brings to you and the EOTR Crew.
Follow Mescals journey:
Instagram - @VivaMescal
Website - www.vivamescal.com