Token: Finding The Balance

Let’s hop right into this latest offering / video, “Sister“ — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?

Ever since my dad passed earlier this year, me and my sister have been super close. It had me reminiscing a lot about old days. The beginning lines were just talking about how we used to sell lemonade together before my parents got divorced. I just went off from that. I’ve always wanted to work with Latrel James, too, and we finally got one.

“Sister“ follows on the heels of your previous single, “Toy Story” — Talk to me a lil bit about this song…

“Toy Story” is really just for the OG fans; embracing the meme that everyone has always used (to be) saying I look like Sid. Hopefully I put it to rest.

Last year also saw the release of your most recent full length effort entitled Pink is Better — Conceptually, what does the title represent both to and for you?

The album is about finding a balance in my life. Over the period of making the album, my life had seen a lot of extreme highs and extreme lows. The red side represents the fast fun I was having, finally getting the crib and all. The white side was feeling defeated about a lot of personal shit that was happening…like putting up the “white flag.” Throughout the project, you can hear me find the balance between enjoying life, but not going crazy, and being in touch with my emotions, but not letting them take over. By the end of it, the songs are written by a much healthier person.

How then do these new material(s) either differ and / or compare to previous Token entries?

They’re really different. Even the singles I’ve been dropping this year are really different from my album. A lot of my earlier music was about a kid trying to grasp and take advantage of his small level of success and everything else came second. Now I think I embrace who I truly am more, and don’t look at everything as a result of my career

As a lyricist, when you sit down to pen your rhymes where do you draw your inspiration from?

My current life. If there’s not new things in my life happening, I can’t really write. I really like going out and meeting new people and having new connections. That shit really writes my music.

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Benjamin Goldberg?

To keep it short, I was an emotional ass kid. Really depressed even when I was like six. I needed a way to express it without feeling judged…and it just turned into a diary, that turned into poetry, and that turned into rap. My older sister introduced me to rap when I was like five, so it’s really in my blood. The core of this whole thing is just expression. Trying to get out my feelings to feel normal again

Now you’re a native of Salem, MA, correct? So growing up in ‘The Witch City,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

I’m originally from Salem, but did a lot of my growing up in this town Marblehead. I didn’t really have any influences from there. The local influences I had are some of the older guys from Lawrence and Boston I used to join cyphers with in Boston. Guys like ESTEE NACK; getting his cosign in a cypher was everything.

In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

It’s really always changing. The most recent album really sounds nothing like the one before that. I like darker music. I don’t really make happy songs. I’m not really inspired by happiness. I love words, too, so that’s a big part of my music; playing with them and meaning and the sound of them.

Where does your moniker originally derive from?

When I was really young, I just felt so different. I was kind of ashamed of it. I felt like I couldn’t relate to or talk to anybody. My first rap I ever wrote was about feeling different. Token means “the only.” Token can also mean a gift, and being different, turned out to bring me to my gift, brought me to music.

Switching gears here…

What do you feel has and will continue to be the ultimate key to your longevity?

Being honest, and sharing my unique perspective. I feel like there’s a lot of people I speak for. Every time I’m brutally honest in my music, people seem to connect with that much more.

What do you want people to get from your music?

Whatever they want. At the end of the day, I just want them to enjoy it. However that comes, it doesn’t matter to me.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?

I think it’s in a really cool place right now where unique sounds are being celebrated more. I think people are tired of the same shit. I think we’re on the cusp of something really great.

Do you have any other outside / additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

I want to get into acting one day. Not for some years though.

To date, what has been your greatest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

Probably the sold out shows. Specifically across the country, that shit is just crazy. Especially if I got someone I love with me. It really feels like my dreams came true in that moment.

What’s an average day like for you?

I go to the gym every morning, then I’m usually working all day. I try to be in the studio every day unless I’m busy with doing something else career related. At night, I try to live new life, I like to try new things with new people.

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…

I feel like over the years me and the fans have gotten tighter and tighter. We have a lot of inside jokes. They’re really such a part of my life. It’s kind of amazing. I feel like I know them well. I’m always responding to messages and comments. I do that now more than ever. I know how much it means to them.

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?

My favorite part is the performing. I felt like I was meant to be on stage. I feel like that’s the most natural thing I do. The most freeing. My least favorite is the social media. I wish I could delete it all and just make the music. It doesn’t help me creatively. Sometimes just feels like a job.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Nothing comes without hard work. Even if you’re not great at something, if you practice every day, you will get good…maybe even great. Talent isn’t enough. Don’t become bitter. Always know there’s more things to learn.

You’re about to embark on this 42-date headlining Never Too Different’ Tour — For someone who has yet to experience you performing live what would you tell that person can be expected?

My shows are super important to me. I literally give them my all. I think it’s what I was meant to do, being on that stage. I’ve turned a lot of people into fans that way. I think you see the true me up there…way more than social media.

Lastly, what’s next for Token?

I’m not really sure. I’m sure after this tour, I’ll have a lot more to say. I have a feeling the next album is going to be the best one yet. I feel much more aware of who I really am, and who I’m supposed to be. I have no interest in being anyone else. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve grown a lot. I’m excited to keep writing the story.

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Tags: Estee Nack, Latrel James, Never Too Different’ Tour, Sid, Token, Toy Story