Luke Bar$: GoodEvil-Q&A
Brockton artist Luke Bar$ is a headlining figure in the up and coming rap collective, Van Buren Records. A little under a year ago, last January, Luke dropped his debut album, GoodEvil. The eight track album came to fruition after performances across New England, dropping an EP, and even getting the opportunity to work with Dreamville Records on the Revenge of the Dreamers III project. Luke carries an extreme talent to create these songs and a unique voice that will surely take him places. I’ve said this before and I will say it again, the sky's the limit for the Van Buren Boys, something is surely brewing over there in Brockton.
Johnny Dube: What was your childhood like in Brockton? Is there anything unique about growing up in Brockton?
Luke Bar$: It was dope. Brockton isn’t really a big city so everyone kinda knows each other. We watched each other grow up from middle school, to high school, even to now. So I’ve watched the culture of Brockton get shifted throughout all those years. It’s dope to see.
JD: Who were some of your early musical inspirations? How did they help you get into making music?
LB: When I was a child my biggest inspo’s were Ye, Wayne, Eminem, Hov, 3 Stacks, etc… Now it's Kendrick, Drake, Tyler, Mac Miller, VB etc… They shaped me into who I am now. How they pushed the barriers and weren't afraid to be themselves. That's hella inspirational to me.
JD: Your last album, GoodEvil, is easily one of the most creative albums to come out of the city recently, what was the process like behind making it?
LB: I just wanted to be myself unapologetically and express what was going on in my life and how I was feeling. It took a lot out of me to do. Everyday I woke up scared and discouraged when making the album because I just didn’t know how people would respond to it. I don’t think hip hop has ever seen anyone that honest and blatant before. But although I was scared something told me to do it no matter what. I’m happy I listen to that voice instead.
Cover for GoodEvil
JD: How do you want people to feel when listening to your music?
LB: I want you to feel how I felt when making it. I want my emotions to be clear and direct… I want you to feel like this is the greatest shit you’ve ever heard before.
JD: What has been your favorite live performance so far? What do you miss the most about performing?
LB: My last show before Covid took place was easily my favorite performance. It was easily my best, anyone that was at the show can attest to that statement as well. I’m mad because there's really not a lot of footage of that show but it was like something told me to give it my all that night. Like really giving my blood, sweat and tears to this performance. I remember just looking at everyones face in the crowd and everyone was in awe, there was one person crying. That was such a special night I can’t wait to get back on that stage again because I'm going to force it.
JD: What is it like performing and working with all your best friends? Do you all push each other to be the best?
LB: Performing with VB is very fun. It takes a lot of nerves off you when you’re on that stage with all your friends. I saw a lot of these songs get created so to see it get performed in front of all these people does something to my spirit. It’s very inspiring to see the people next to you do well.
Luke crowd surfing at the House of Blues in Boston, November 2019, captured by Marika Rosegold
JD: What is next for you and what can us listeners expect?
LB: I’m just working… Hopefully I have something I can show the world soon, but for now I'm just working...
Follow Luke on Instagram to stay up to date with any releases! @lukebars
Listen to GoodEvil below!
