Ogwaa FrenchBoy is exactly what his name says he is
By Andre Kettle
He calls himself the “OG” and says it’s not up for debate. A St. Martin native turned French resident, Ogwaa FrenchBoy uses his music to tie together the various pieces of his world. We caught up with him in the middle of his trip to New York to talk everything from overcoming depression, to his creative process, to his superpowers.
How would you describe who are you and what do you do?
What describes me? I would say everything and anything, to be honest. I come from so many places and have so many cultures in me. I would say from happy to sad, from [being in] nature to partying. I see a lot of different things in me. One day, you’ll see me jumpy and [hype], and next time, I’m calm and happy. I’m social, but then I become antisocial. One day I’m chilling with everybody, and the next day, I don’t’ want nobody around me. It’s kinda hard to describe myself.
How did you get the name “Ogwaa FrenchBoy?”
For those who don’t know, its pronounced “Oh-Gee Waa French Boy.” “OG” came from the fact that I’m the oldest brother between my mom and my father. I’m also the first grandson of my grandmother on my mother’s side. Also, the project that I came from, my family was the first one to move in there, so I was the OG of the projects. The “Waa” came in when I was rapping and freestyling. People would say, “Waa (wow), that shit was kinda nice.” I was going to put a bunch of As, but I figured that would be too much. The “French Boy” is because everything [is] French. I’m born on the French side of the Caribbean. I’m from “French Quad,” which is the project I’m from. When I’m in France, I speak French. Beats [are] French. Everything French, you know.
What is your favorite song you’ve worked on to-date?
To be honest, I can’t really choose one, but the top three, I would say, are “Waiting,” “Soo Wha,” and “RIP Depression,” They mean so much emotionally. I don’t know if people believe in zodiac signs, but I’m a Scorpio, so everything is based [on] emotion. “Waiting” was like I was waiting for somebody to push me to the limit and then I snap,you know? “Soo Wha,” I like chilling, laughing, relaxing. It reminds me of the Caribbean, on the beach, not caring about life. Just happy. “RIP Depression” because of some other things [in my] life—growing up and stuff—to answer the question simply without going into detail.
Can you talk a little more about your experience with depression?
To be honest with you, it was a long time ago. In the beginning of “RIP Depression,” you hear me talking about it like I’m talking about someone. I feel like people in hip-hop see depression as a that you have. They [act] like you have to idolize it. They make it feel like it’s something that you haveto do. Hip-hop idolizes it, like it’s a beauty to have. For me, I had to overcome it. To advance in life, depression can’t be there.
So you’re in a better space right now?
I’m grateful for the space I’m in. I’m definitely in a better space mentally. I could do better—I could always do better. I feel I’m better mentally, and I feel I owe it all to opening up, if you ask me.
Does better mental health mean more music? Are there any new projects you’re working on?
A new project is mostly about showing everybody everything, you know what I mean? I’m using everybody that inspired me as a child, like Zac Brown Band, to Tupac, to Popcaan, to Vybz Kartel. Even Whitney Houston and Phil Collins. I’m just trying to bring in who I am.
You listed a bunch of musical influences. Do you have a favorite?
I would have to go with Tupac. I remember when I was a kid, I was on a vacation, and I was rocking, and then I heard [the instrumental] and just stopped for a sec. I remember the album was fifteen dollars, and I only had fourteen dollars. I asked my friend for an extra two dollars so I could get the album.
Which album was it?
I think it was like Mackaveli. After his death, I was playing it a lot.
So who’s on your music radar right now?
Right now, I would say Drake. Drake is making dope music. I also want to say Burna Boy, but I want to see how he continues. I like his vibe, but in order for me to like someone, you have to consistently put out good content—making just one song isn’t enough.
How do you go about consistently putting out good content?
I just go based on emotion. I just have to feel it. To be honest with you, I get the chorus before I get the actual stuff. “RIP Depression,” off the back. “Soo Wha,” off the back. The melodies, off the back. Just raw emotion. Any song you hear from me is based on what I was feeling at the moment. I got to feel the beat to go with the flow—I don’t want to force it. The beat has to catch me. It’s like an RKO. Gotta catch me out of nowhere.
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Working at Burger King. I’m joking. I think I would still be in entertainment. At one point as a kid, I loved wrestling, like WWE. I never saw myself being a doctor or a firefighter. I’m just an entertainment guy, to be honest with you. One way or another, I was going to be an entertainer. But if you mean a regular job, I would be in the military—probably in the Navy.
If you had a superpower what would it be?
How about a shapeshifter? I could scare my mom and my little brother. Either that or teleportation, so I could teleport into a bank and withdraw some money. Like $1000. You know, something light!
How do you want people to remember you? What is your personal statement to the world?
A real nigga, a real dude, a real person. I don’t want to give you a fake image. That’s what I was doing for a while when I was younger. Like Nipsey [Hussle], he lived what he rapped about. I would like to be a role model. That would be real dope. That would be an honor.