The Grind Don't Stop

Even though O.T. Genasis blessed the culture with a timeless, eras-transcending hip-hop anthem in 'CoCo', he hasn't paused to luxuriate on his laurels.

- INDRAN PARAMASIVAM

"I'M IN LOVE WITH THE COCO."

Those words—and the accompanying swells of bass and rhythm—are amongst the founding testaments of contemporary trap music, and they echo in hip-hop's consciousness in perpetuity. Eleven years after their release into the ether, in the hymn that is ‘CoCo’, its maker sits before me, amidst the plush confines of KOMA Singapore, moments before his debut performance at Avenue. It is surreal to be in the presence of a builder of worlds, an architect of some of the headiest experiences that are born when the right music congeals with a night out—a fever dream of sound, sweat, and physical release—in such a casually elegant sitting.

What stands tallest isn't that O.T. Genasis gave hip-hop a timeless anthem. It's that he kept creating, undeterred by its shadow.

As I find out, we should expect nothing less from a musically omnivorous champion of the culture.

What are you looking forward to the most about performing in Singapore?

I'm excited to meet the people. I love performing and people. Being able to perform for people who don’t know me always excites me.

A club setting where we're drinking and turning up—that's totally my thing. I'm always ready for what's new and for the next thing. I want to see what Singapore offers me.

You started the year with a bunch of strong singles, including one of my favourites, 'NO SLEEP'. As an established artist, how do you approach music today?