Interview with Big Toks

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today? 

• I had a conversation with myself about what I wanted out of life. I reached a career goal of mine to be a branch manager at a bank, pursuing my Masters in Business Administration but I wasn’t fulfilled still. I decided I would pursue a dream and look to play basketball overseas. A week or so later I had a near death experience in a game where I fractured my neck and dislocated my spine. I felt my spirit leave my body and I saw “the light” realizing that I never pursued a dream till it was to late, I only pursued what I thought would be acceptable. I came to the realization I was supposed to be on a different path. I said if I had the chance I would pursue my wildest dream and create music, because music was something I always loved but never thought about doing because it wasn’t safe or practical. But even playing it safe doesn’t guarantee safety.

  When I came to I knew I had a purpose, I had dreams to fulfill, and something to work towards. Music was a guiding light during my rehabilitation process. Music helped me feel alive.

  I would probably own a gym or run a basketball league if it wasn’t for music, or be some other type of business owner.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity? 

• When I’m not working on music I’m either lifting weights, occasionally playing basketball (Just started getting out there again), Cooking folks on 2k, hanging out with family/friends, I read, I advise other musical artists, travel, dress fly hit a brunch or a lounge, working. All of this influences the music because of the lifestyle. I do stuff I used to dream about it’s inspirational to the music. And working out and getting your competitive spirit going is a cheat code to health and focus. I say the Pilars to the people are body, mind, and spirit I try to exercise each

   I’m big on making your life cool and talking about that. 

How long have you been making music?

• I’m going on my 6th year from when I first picked up the pen/started the musical journey. 

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

• I’m based out of Los Angeles, California currently. I rep all of California because I have lived in so many areas born in Sacramento, but mainly lived in Southern Cali, the Inland Empire plays a big part of my upbringing. But I always felt like the world is mine, it doesn’t matter where I am, I am home.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

• Easy, July 9th 2022 this was my first major show. I opened for Curren$y. Curren$y is one of my all time favorites so this was super major. I got to meet Curren$y in 2016 and give him his flowers and let him know I genuinely appreciate his music and his work ethic. 

  Fast forward to 2022, I find out Curren$y is coming to town. I bought tickets to attend but didn’t think of opening until my boy hit me up. The slots filled up but I said I wanted to get ready for the next opportunity whenever that may come about. So I was locking myself in the studio day after day and I was in a zone creating. I said I am going to be ready next time Spitta is in town. 11 Days before the show I get the call do you still want to open for Curren$y? The stars aligned because I felt ready I got the call of course I said yes, and I knew I was performing my new music.

  My people really supported me and purchased tickets and were in the building. When I touched the stage and I felt like I was supposed to be there. I had visions of this before I even made music, and I did it. I was living a dream sharing the same stage as Curren$y and to make it even better the crowd was really vibing with me. The crowd was singing back the hook to “Doin My Thang” and it was the first time anyone heard it. People were coming up to me after the show to tell me my music was dope. This moment inspired me to get back in the studio and finish my first project “Coupe Etiquette” which I dropped on 11/11/22

  From never making music to rocking a stage like this in 6 years for one of my favorite artist, was nothing short of amazing and a testament that you can really make your dreams come true, so dream big and put in the work.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

• Well, I would have to say the Garden Amp in Garden Grove is my favorite venue I played at, it’s an outdoor venue it has a dope vibe to it. I would love to play the Observatory, I have been to so many dope shows there, I love the energy there. The Roxy in Los Angeles is another venue I would like to play. And really anywhere I want to be able to go on tour and play across the nation/world.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

• Curren$y, Larry June, Joey Fatts, Dom Kennedy, Premo Rice, Kai Cash. Key Glock, Chap D

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

• Finding your voice/pocket is not always easy, but you just have to stick with it. Keep practicing, keep learning, do it for the love of music. Find a tribe you can learn with. Don’t overcomplicate things. You can make dope music but if no one hears it, it doesn’t matter. Don’t sit on your music, package it up, put a plan and a budget behind your music and let the world know you are here! 

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? 

• That’s like asking a parent to pick their favorite child. but if I really had to think about it, it’s Matte Green. This was what started the “Coupe Etiquette” experience the first song I wrote on the project. I felt like I found my pocket and my sound with this. I got my car wrapped Matte Green and I was like let me talk about my life and not overcomplicate my music but make it more fun/more of a vibe, but still be lyrical.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

• B*tch I’m Groovy, Doin My Thang, 38 Special are probably my favorite to play but depending on the day it switches up I really like every track on my project.

  B*tch I’m Groovy gets requested the most.

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

• My process I usually get some nature in me, and turn on a beat and see what comes to mind. Sometimes I record a mumble, sometimes I think of a bar and build around that,  Sometimes I get an idea when I am working out and I write it down, sometimes I create a melody/rhythm in my head and write to that. 

  And really my life just inspires me to write, what I do on the day to day, I am always working on myself or something. You ever throw on an outfit and be like I am fresh AF! I might make a song about that.  I wrote a song recently about not needing motivation to do what I need to do. I am already motivated. How I feel is usually what sets the tone and inspires the creativity.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music? if so please tell me about them.

• Make your life cool, make moves because life is a game, and no one is going to move your piece except you. Believe in yourself. Be motivated to do any and everything you want. Don’t think small, think big. Do the work, learn to love the process. The grind doesn’t stop so learn to love it. Love the drive, enjoy the ride.

Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about? 

• My latest video for “Never Slackin” off of Coupe Etiquette dropped 1/21/23. More videos to come, and my second project is in the works. You can accept the next single around 4/15/23

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

• Keep promoting the music, drop my second project, promote that, look to see when Larry June and/or Curren$y is coming to town and open up for them and look into touring.

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

• Instagram: Big.Toks - probably the best way to keep up with me

• All my links are here: solo.to/big.toks

• All streaming Platforms: Big Toks