Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Masego sat down with Rebecca Judd on Apple Music 1 during the UK legs of his current ‘Where We Goin? Tour’. The two deep dive into his time in London and how much he’s loving the fan meet and greets whilst in the city. They discuss Drake sampling his huge hit ’Navajo’, how he used to “catch twerks’ to his music, and shares his views on a collaboration in the future. The two also touch on collaborating with Muni Long, the freestyle element of his live shows, his celebrity crush and more.
MASEGO ON MEET AND GREETS
Rebecca Judd: Masego's with me right now in the studio. Can we make some noise, please? He's awake, he's with us after his huge headline show last night in London. Do you have a special place in your heart for London? I feel like every time artists will come here, they're like, "London is my place." But is it really your place? Do you actually feel a difference when you're here?
Masego: Yeah, ya'll be smelling good.
Rebecca Judd: Oh, that's a good thing. At least we know we don't stink.
Masego: Yeah. The meet and greet was like some good fragrances.
Rebecca Judd: Really?
Masego: It was some good fragrances.
Rebecca Judd: Would you noting down people's scents so you can buy them yourself?
Masego: And trying to steal them.
Rebecca Judd: Okay.
Masego: There's one with an L. Trust me, I will smell like that song.
Rebecca Judd: It's probably... Is it Le Labo?
Masego: Ooh, no. That's the one everybody got.
Rebecca Judd: Oh.
Masego: That's the New York Popular of the Week. No, it was something new I couldn't pronounce. Where it's like certain syllables are silent. One of them type of scents.
MASEGO ON DRAKE SAMPLING ‘NAVAJO’ AND FUTURE COLLABORATIONS
Rebecca Judd: I mean, it was sampled by Drake on Champagne Poetry. How did that make you feel and how did that even come around?
Masego: Somebody showed it to him, it wasn't a dude.
Rebecca Judd: Okay. And then what? Did he hit you up like, "Hey, bro, can I used the beginning of this song?"
Masego: Pretty much. He was like, "Yo, this shortie put me on to you." And I was like-
Rebecca Judd: He's like, "You don't need to tell me twice.”
Masego: That's how it goes. Anytime it's a man that's like, "Why are you listening to Masego?" Because a girl you like is.
Rebecca Judd: Really?
Masego: For sure.
Rebecca Judd: Oh my gosh, man. Well, hopefully one day an actual collaboration with you and Drake can happen. Is that something that's on the list for you?
Masego: That'd be cool. He got a... I don't know how it's going to go, but I love him though. I listened to him in college. I used to catch twerks to his records.
Rebecca Judd: Oh my gosh.
Masego: Can I say that?
Rebecca Judd: Any song in particular? Best I Ever Had. Twerk, twerk.
Masego: Ooh, Language.
MASEGO ON WRITING NEW MUSIC ON STAGE AND KOBE BRYANT
Rebecca Judd: ... Do you do that at every single show?
Masego: Every show. Because I might mess up in front of people, which is amazing.
Rebecca Judd: That's mad. How do you still have so much creativity every single night, even though your mind is probably focusing on so many other things? Of course, you play the saxophone on stage as well. You're literally running around, you're singing, interacting with your band. How do you still have that creativity in your mind to be like, "Hold on, I want to create this on the spot.”
Masego: Watching those Kobe videos in the morning, man. He makes you want to just be him. So I feel like if I make a beat in front of somebody and it's successful, then I'm like, "It's a sport now." So I feel like I need to prove myself again and again, and it's a nice feeling.
MASEGO ON DOING KARAOKE WITH FANS
Rebecca Judd: So we know on this tour, it's been really important for you to really connect with your fans. I heard that you've been doing karaoke and stuff with your fans backstage.
Masego: It's been so hilarious. People are so nervous around me.
Rebecca Judd: I mean, it's understandable though. If they've grown up listening to your music and they're such a huge fan of you, to be in front of you and just be having a normal conversation is a lot.
Masego: And then to sing, it's like, "Hey, nice to meet you. We're going to sing.” And they're just like, "I just wondered..."
Rebecca Judd: How is that experience for you actually meeting these people that listen and are riding out for your music?
Masego: It's cool. Yeah, people definitely give me my flowers and just surprise me with how my music is the soundtrack to their experience. I'm like, appreciate it.
Rebecca Judd: Yeah. Has there been anyone backstage that's been singing and they're really, really good and you're like, "Hold on, can I get your email because I actually want you on a track.”?
Masego: A couple, but it's like, then we start flirting and it's like, "Now I can't talk to you.”
Rebecca Judd: You can't mix business with pleasure.
Masego: And I never have. Look up on the blogs
.
Rebecca Judd: He's like, "I got the receipts, I am not that guy.”
Masego: My rep is clean.
MASEGO ON PERFORMING HIS LAST ALBUM LIVE
Masego: It's real vulnerable. You know what I mean? It's just like, ooh. You know what I'm talking about? Like, Eternal Sunshine. I don't feel like having to cry every night. You know what I mean? I'm supposed to be a thug. But I feel like it's cool to see the records connect. You know what I mean? Because I think when I'm making this last album, I didn't shop it around and see how people feel. I just did exactly how I felt and then released it. So it was more vulnerable than touring for two years, trying out songs and having a little bit more of a crutch.
MASEGO ON COLLABORATING WITH MUNI LONG
Rebecca Judd: Is that a collaboration to hopefully happen one day? You and Muni Long would be good.
Masego: I hope so… the Muni Long joint [‘Made For Me’], crazy. Oh, we've been singing that song too much. It's like, "Oh, this song is good."
MASEGO ON HIS CELEBRITY CRUSH
Masego: You know me, I like them older. Maybe like Tracee Ellis Ross.
Rebecca Judd: Oh my gosh.
Masego: Give me like a Sanaa Lathan.
Rebecca Judd: Look at this.
Masego: You know what I mean? Yeah, she make me smile.
