INTERVIEW: Rapper & Songwriter, Famond Talks Getting Over the Fear of Releasing Music, Being an Independent Artist, What Keeps Him Motivated, and More…

Meet Famond aka Flag Famond, a R&B singer and rapper from New Jersey.  Born in Haiti, where English wasn’t his first language, he learnt it well enough and then started writing poetry. 

His music sound has very 90’s to early’s 2000’s feel to it. It also has a twist of the modern bounce, which sends your ears on a melodic trip. 

Through his writing, he saw how words capture people’s attention and hearts. Then started to realize his love for music. With that, it ignited a career path for him.  

In 2018, Famond vowed to be more consistent and progressive with his work. He promises to continue to work hard and deliver quality R&B music for my his fans.

Check out my interview Famond below:

Hey Famond! Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m a multi-talented writer, artist, and producer who wants to show the world that substance within the culture still exists while still being entertaining.

Talk me through an average day in the life of you? 

It consists of a juggling act between being the man of the house, and a worker/entrepreneur by day, then becoming a motivating artist working in the studio to push for my own goals while maintaining gym hours during the week.

How did you come up with the name “Famond”?

I came up with the name “Famond”, pronounced (fay-mend), by combining my first and last name together, Flag Raymond.

How did your journey into music begin?

My journey in music began when I started an elementary school where they started to teach poetry in English class. Although my English was not great, since I was a foreigner from Haiti, I loved how poetry was a way to express yourself. Poetry reminded me of my native language, Haitian Créole because it is an expressive language. With this, it helped me grasp the concept of writing in English.

Are you signed on to any label or management deals?

No, currently I’m an independent artist. I’m not sure if I’m looking for a label to call home or to embark on building my brand for success, still undecided.

As an independent artist, how will you describe the music scene in the United States?

I feel like its very political, it’s either you have NETWORTH or NETWORK skills. You have to find what your missing and climb aboard. With my own eyes, I have seen people NOT have both but hold so much talent as well. Those are the people I hope to inspire to keep striving.

As a R&B singer and rapper from New Jersey, how will you describe your type of music?

My type of music is rich with creativity. I remember a time were listing to music in the 90s to 2000s was captivating and soulful in any translation. I made a promise to myself to bring that type of sound back to push my ear to blend sounds. I want it to be nostalgic and freshly modern. it’s not going to be easy, but the road to success isn’t easy.

In 2018, you vowed to be more consistent and progressive with your work. Soon after, you debuted the song “More of You“. Will you say it was your attempt to help revive the genuine R&B soul in the music the world is clearly missing?

Yes, absolutely. After making the song “More of You” and get the reaction I have been looking for my critics, who were saying that it’s undeniably a great song, it gives them a feeling of back in the day R&B soul but with new modern writing.

What will you say keeps you motivated/inspired to stay dedicated to what you love?

What keeps me motivated is the desire to push the sound to a limit where it’s not only hard to ignore, but it’s hard to not show appreciation for the music. I am not afraid to say that I strive for a “greater sound” as opinionated as that maybe because I want to be remembered as one of the greats.

As a song writer, how have you been able to use words to capture people’s attention and hearts?

I have this method writing of making people remember certain relatable scenarios that have happened in their life but expressing it in my own way. This makes people feel like I can relate to their experiences especially because people want to feel connected and not alone.

What’s your 5 Dos and Don’t when it comes to doing music? 

My 5 do’s or don’t are:

1. don’t lie in music, people are waking up to real energy and everything comes to light
2. Not everyone can afford a half a million-dollar car, so motivated more than boast about it
3. You have a responsibility as an artist to show young people how to feel, so not all content not is good content
4. The greatest advice is your own advice 
5. Lastly, if someone sees the vision you see you right away most likely you’re not a visionary yet, so dream bigger!!

What do you do to stay in shape, do you go to the gym? 

I stay in shape by hitting the gym at least 2-4 times a week, depending on my schedule for the week, mainly to keep my body healthy, especially my lungs, and my mind sharp as possible for my vocals/focus to have no restraints.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?

I balance my hectic days by saying a prayer as much I can each day because with hectic schedules it can be easy to slip or give up. So, my motto is “one prayer a day keeps demons away”.

What would you say is the main misconception the public have about indie artists?

The misconception of indie artists is that they are not good enough to be “superstars”. However, I think that they just haven’t found their “go-to sound” which makes them stick out or lack in revenue/knowledge of marketing. 

What aspect surprised you the most once you started working in the music scene?

The aspect that surprised me was the amount of hours you have to put in. Putting in hours of work to put your best sound forward only to squeeze into 2-4 minutes for the enjoyment of your fans. There are different steps that go into it too, for example, your favorite songs have many points of contact that goes behind it; 1st the artist, engineer, band, marketing, visuals, and placements each time the sound taken through different shapes of energy in production.

Looking back to when you started doing music, writing songs, is there anything you would like to change going forward? 

Moving on with my writing, I have to come to realize ‘less is more’ and to stop being a perfectionist. People listen to music to escape while their favorite artists are constantly delivering. If I want to be a favorite as well, I can’t hold onto songs.

Which brands, clients, artists, producers, directors, photographers, songwriters, etc, have you worked with?

I haven’t worked with a lot of people yet, but the ones I do work with understand quality over quantity. To name a few of the people I have worked with; Kamran Hassian, a producer, is known for super melodies and pockets that can amplify any sound. Peter Hall, a photographer, who can be trusted because of his artist background. Taylor Marie is a very talented singer with a voice that can give chills. Last but least, Andy Scheib who is a talented guitarist and Whatupran‘ who is a killer Engineer with know-how.

What do you consider your biggest professional success so far? 

My biggest professional success is getting over the fear of releasing music,  the ability to be a ‘Triple Threat’ type of artist, and learning how to produce hard at first. Eventually, I got there and I am ready to showcase my work later this year 2019 and the beginning of 2020.

Who do you want to work with that you haven’t yet? 

I always wanted to work with producers like Dr. Dre, Timberlake, Metro, and Hitmaker. My collabs would be Kendrick, Lil Wayne, Drake, Nick Grant, Chirs Brown, Durk, and 21 Savage. Plus, NIKE for sneaker deal. 

What has been your biggest challenge? 

My biggest challenge has been exposure and social media. I am just such a studio/home-body type of person that I tend not to ‘show and tell’ to my viewers. This makes it hard for them to advertise me as someone to listen to. But I’m making changes with A&Rs and proper marketing so that I can get more social media exposure and my viewers can experience/share my music more.

Tell us two things people don’t know about you? 

Two things people don’t know about me is that;

1. I was born on the island of Haiti
2. My real name is actually “Flag” I could say it a hundred times people assume it’s just a nickname.

As someone who is very active on social media. Do you think its important to be online and if so why?

Yes, I learned from my early mistakes that it’s very important to be on social media, not only because it free & everyone has cellphones but because we live in a fast world so if someone can’t find you or your content in seconds or in days, then you are not considered reliable or relevant. People in today’s age like fast results.

Born in Haiti where English isn’t the first language, how were you able to learn it well enough? 

To be very honest I learned English by watching T.V. as much as possible but the urgency to want to connect to my American classmates got me to learn the language faster.

What are your must visit travel destinations?

I have recently been to Boston for work purposes, but I made sure I took my studio equipment with me so that I never missed a beat and stayed dedicated to making great music.

How would you describe your style?

My style is very versatile, I don’t know if it’s part of the problem or solution but I have effectiveness on the rapping and singing  And refused to choose one right now.

Name 5 things we should take seriously about our style choices? 

Five things to serious about my style;

1. My cleverness
2. My delivery
3. My notes selections when singing
4. The ability to be a rapper, and
5. My dedication towards my work at all times. 

Name your must have accessories/essentials? 

My must-have accessories would be;

1. My “I love Jesus” keychain
2. My notes and voice memo app on my phone
3. My hair beads, and
4. African shea butter.

What are your favourite fashion trends? 

My favorite trends right now are the Fashion Nova brand, I like how they have a big-name artist to promo for them.

What is your favourite dish?

Favorite dish, hands down is yellow rice and peas with fried fish. I could eat it every day!

What music genre appeals to you the most?

The genre that appeals to me now is definitely R&B and Soul. That’s another thing I can do/listen to all day.

What songs are currently on your playlist?

Top in my playlist right now is;

1. Highest in the Room by Travis Scott
2. Show Me Love by Alicia Keys/Miguel
3. On Chill by Wale /Jeremih

Apart from music, what other projects are you currently working on?

Right now, apart from making music, I want to start my own self-sustainable business. I’m not sure in what exactly yet but I think it’s important to own and grow my own business one day.

Seeing you’re doing your dreams, what advice can you give others to pursue their dreams?

The advice I would give to the people is to start working today on your goals because in a year from now you’ll wish you started yesterday.

Any specific plans for the future? 

Yes, my next goals to be a billboard artist by any means.

Any final words? 

Because actions speak louder than words my last word for people is, “sit back and enjoy the show”!

Where can we follow you online and on social media?

You can find me on;

Instagram: @flag_ontheplay

Twitter: @flagged_down

Facebook: Flag Raymond