Casablanca the Gawd Interview/Track Review

Hip-hop is an important part of Buffalo’s musical expression. Even without major hip-hop venues nearby, many local artists find their voice within the genre. One of these locals is talented lyricist Casablanca the Gawd. Like other Buffalo hip-hop artists, Casablanca uses music to showcase his perseverance through struggles in a creative, yet familiar, way.

The local MC has a new album on the way entitled “Soon Before Winter,” and there are two tracks available before the album’s Dec. 8, 2020, release date. The pre-release tracks, “Animosity” and “Rondo,” embody the gritty New York sound Buffalo has become famous for.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Casablanca before the release of his new album, and after speaking to him it was abundantly clear that he has made it his goal to both grow his sound and share the spirit of his city through his work.

The Buffalo Hip-Hop Scene

Buffalo has been on the rise recently. More specifically, Buffalo’s hip-hop scene has been on rise. Popular local artists like Benny the Butcher, Westside Gunn, and Conway the Machine have focused the music industry’s attention on the streets of Buffalo for the first time in decades. Yet although more attention is being drawn toward the area, there is still a plethora of talented musicians and performers that have yet to see the limelight. Years of dedication and creativity have gone mostly unrecognized due to upstate New York’s “rural” reputation.

With this in mind, Casablanca started an act at Milkie’s entitled “Casablanca the Gawd Hour.” During his time on stage, he showcased some of the talented hip-hop artists Buffalo has to offer. With the excess of talent in the area, he knew he had to try and shed light on some of these talented underground artists.

“The mass of talent in Buffalo is at an all-time high,” Casablanca says. He recognizes the opportunity the city has now due to the success of artists like Benny the Butcher and his crew Griselda: “Griselda started the heartbeat… and there’s a lot of energy being pumped back into the music scene.” 

With all of this musical energy, it’s hard to ignore the intentionally raw sound that has become the signature of Buffalo hip-hop. 

Buffalo’s New York-inspired sound is reminiscent of the past, referring to the style of artists like Big L, Wu-Tang Clan, and Mobb Deep. While the city’s style draws inspiration from these legends, they also have a unique voice that Casblanca describes as “the grit.” This grit stems from years of being overlooked. Artists have had to keep a chip on their shoulder, motivated by the need to show people the true face of Buffalo.

“People will say: ‘Buffalo? What, you got cows out there?’” Casablanca jokes. He adds that the area has been “down so long” and that its artists “took that serious.” 

This serious approach to the craft has culminated into honest, vulnerable narratives that describe the struggle to stay alive and provide for those in your circle. Casablanca’s previous album, “Gangs and Gods,” is an example of this attitude. Tracks like “Small Planet” and “On Gawd” combine authentic storytelling with soulful, slow instrumentals featuring cutting brass, soft-spoken woodwinds, and gentle chimes. The juxtaposition of the sweet-sounding instruments and the raw lyricism are emblematic of both the New York and Buffalo styles.

One trait that separates Casablanca the Gawd from some of his local contemporaries is his fearless approach to songwriting. He isn’t afraid to break from his usual recurring bar form to sing a soulful hook or, in the case of “F.L.Y,” an entire track. Casablanca describes himself as “a man of many sides,” and he has been growing his arsenal of musical techniques to become the “master swordsman” he always strives to be.

These musical and lyrical themes that have come to define Casablanca the Gawd as an artist are further expanded in his new album.

The New Album: A Sneak Peak

“Soon Before Winter” is Casablanca’s sophomore release with Compass 120 Entertainment, “Rondo” and “Animosity” being the first impressions of the album’s contents. The tracks have two separate personalities. “Rondo” takes the form of a conscious “anthem,” while Animosity tells a cautionary tale about the consequences of fame and fortune. Some of the most poignant bars from the “Animosity” act as the thesis of these motifs:

“I preach for independence, send my menaces to war. My cynicism see you Benedicts, for what it’s for.” 

Not being blinded by fake smiles and greed, Casablanca’s realism allows him to cut through this deceit and see the truth in people’s intentions now that he’s on his way up. The production of the track is done by Sincere Noble, who keeps a familiar boom-bap feeling throughout using the kick and snare pattern to set the slow tempo. When combined with staccatoed piano stabs and high-pitched bells, the tune emulates a church hymn, with Casablanca handing down wisdom to those same artists he cosigned at Milkies at the beginning of his career.

“Rondo,” on the other hand, is the album’s anthem. Produced by Documentalz, the track showcases the techniques that brought Casablanca this opportunity. This sample-driven track is slow and triumphant, as Casablanca relishes his accomplishments for a moment — without overlooking where he came from. An orchestral instrumental follows both the vocal sample and Casablanca’s lyrics closely, creating a large, cinematic effect. A ride cymbal keeps the time as he reminisces about his journey, including the hardships that placed him in a position to transcend his past life.

Casablanca the Gawd creates music that is steeped in grit, triumph, and above all, honesty. The pain and hardship from his past life are the inspiration for this new chapter in his story. He was put in this unique position to use his lyricism to provide for his family and the city that raised him. “Soon Before Winter” is yet another opportunity for Casablanca the Gawd’s voice to be heard. A voice that can draw more attention to the underground communities in Buffalo, the same community he tries to elevate with every chance he gets.

Casablanca joins a crew of legendary Buffalo artists that are bringing ’90s hip-hop sound back into the mainstream — a sound he describes as “that boom-bap with a spin on it.” There’s no doubt in my mind Casablanca is next up in the long queue of Buffalo artists ready to be heard, and with technical lyricism and tasteful instrumentals combining to recreate the early spirit of hip-hop, he can rest assured that his time is now.

You can find “Soon Before Winter” on all streaming platforms starting Dec. 8, 2020.