Music
At home with Swedish rapper Finess
What does your local rapper do in a time of lockdown and social distancing?
Rapper Finess has been in the game for years. Raised in Hässelby, a suburb in Stockholm - he started writing lyrics when he was 12 years old. First in English and later in Swedish, after his older brother introduced him to the Swedish rap scene during the ‘90s. A brother who was involved in the first wave of hip hop in Sweden together with pioneers such as Petter, Blues, and Ken Ring.
When Finess is not in the studio making his signature beats and rhythm, he hopes to inspire others. He is a rapper who frequently speaks openly about his past, which has not always been a bed of roses. He wishes to inspire others to choose another path, as he once did. In 2017, after years of being a solo artist releasing multiply EP’s, Finess co-founded the rap group OVÖ (‘’Om Vi Överlever’’ which in English stands for If We Survive) with rapper and friend Ivory. They want to inspire people to live each moment, not knowing what tomorrow will bring. Together they have released multiple tracks and if they are not making music under OVÖ they are frequently seen supporting each other's solo careers - which they both pursue on the side.
...at the moment I write as I have never done before
Earlier this year, Finess released his latest mixtape ‘’Dedikerad vol. 1’’ which includes 12 songs, and during the current lockdown, we wanted to say hi and ask how a day at home for a local rapper looks like. Fortunately, we had the chance to meet him for a quick photoshoot in his home earlier this spring before social distancing.
What is your present state of mind?
Right now I'm just thinking about the future, to work as much as possible under the radar until everything is liberated and you are back to reality.
Finess kitchen
© Yasmine Mubarak
How would you describe your music?
SOULFUL, I would say, music that takes you through everyday life or hypes you up in the gym, something you can groove with especially during these times.
How does your writing process look like at the moment?
It's crazy because at the moment I write as I have never done before, I mean really constant. As soon as I wake up, even if I'm just in the bathroom. I don't know where everything comes from, but it's really pretty amazing.
Favorite music to listen to at home?
At the moment, I listen to a lot of Brockhampton and especially the song ‘’Sugar’’, it’s pretty incredible.
What’s your daily routine?
I wake up, get my mind right. Then I make some calls, checks my email, and prepare to eat a good breakfast. After getting the nutrition I try to go to get a good workout as soon as I can, to get some energy - then it's back to writing and try to organize all the other hundred plans I have in my head. I usually finish the day trying to see all the series I have missed, ha ha.
Before the lockdown, we have seen that training is a big part of your life, do you have a typical home workout to share?
There is so much you can do from home if you have the inspiration but mainly the motivation for it, try to create a circuit with half-burpees, push-ups, sit-ups and plank, and also add some other abdominal/core exercises. Do it for around 20 minutes or even longer if you wish, and you will have a great full-body workout at home. In Sweden, we can still go for walks outside, so that’s an idea too.
Have you found a new hobby or interest? Or something that you might have had more time doing.
I play more video games, like FIFA online with friends of mine. But I have also had the time to sketch on a new business idea with a friend that can be pretty nice in the future.
What are your hopes for the future?
Mainly that this epidemic passes soon. My hope for the future is that I can start touring again. I really miss to tour and meet everyone who listens to my music, it’s something I will never again take for granted. I also look forward to being able to hang out with my mother more.
What will you do after answering these questions?
I will listen to some new songs that I recorded, which will end up on the next mixtape.
