A new perspective and a new start is what Telescopes and White Roses, Triple O’s latest free project, is all about. Jam the Hype sat down with the MOBO Award winning rapper to ask more about the influences behind the album and what this new year holds for him…
JTH: Hi Triple O! You’ve been away for some time making your latest project and we were wondering – what was the inspiration behind the project’s name: Telescopes and White Roses? They are not normally two things you associate with each other…or are they?
Triple O: I took some time out to really perfect my craft. As well as commitments outside music, the brief time away was much needed for me to formulate what in essence was a free album.
With regards to the concept of the project well that is quite simple. “Telescopes” is an instrument which absorbs light and allows you to see further than the I (eye) can see, a new perspective. “White Roses” are flowers which traditionally symbolize a new beginning, refreshing, renewal; a new start. So the overall concept of the project was to look at the mistakes I’ve made within the context of relationships, and apply those two notions in light of God’s sovereignty.
What is the message you want listeners to take away from this project?
The message from Telescopes and White Roses plainly states that there is always hope in Christ and what He is doing in our lives, even when it may not feel so.
What inspired your choice of samples e.g. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory on “Daydream” and Norah Jones on “I Know What I’m Doing/Real?”
Honestly speaking, those songs were produced for me by an amazing young producer by the name of Alex Miller who also produced “Down At Your Feet” and was 16 at the time. He sent me both beats and I simply wrote around what he gave me. I love samples and he did them so well.
From the club feel of “Jubilee” to contemporary worship on “Yahweh,” we love the variety of music styles on this project. It is so diverse! How have you found your music style develop from your previous projects?
I guess this just stems from the sources I draw inspiration from. Whether it be Miles Davies or Hans Zimmer, Andy Mineo, Timothy Brindle, Swoope, Hillsong and Casting Crowns, down to Swedish House Mafia.
I just love the way that music is able to convey emotion, evoke thought and generate feelings linked to memories. By putting together such a conceptual project, I wanted to do exactly that. I am a big fan of albums which take you on a journey, which is really what I wanted to do on this project. So, on this album I just got comfortable incorporating the various genres I love listening to into one pot.
You have lots of great collaborations throughout Telescopes & White Roses – how did you know which song to assign to which artist?
That simply depended on the instrumental and the story I wanted to tell. So whether it was the anthemic vibes of “Never Let Me Down” with Hayley Cassidy or the more soulful collab on “Down At Your Feet” with Sean C Johnson and Jahaziel, I wanted the artists to reflect the heart behind each of the songs. I was fortunate because every artist on the project I am a fan of, and that is the exciting thing about the album for me. The amazing artists involved.
What has God taught you through writing, recording and performing T&WR?
If anything God taught me how to trust him. Trusting Him in His entirety, depending on His sovereignty in the midst of everything that is going on. He knows what He is doing, that is the reassuring thing He reminded me.
Final question: What can we expect from Triple O in 2014? A new album, maybe..?
2014 looks like a exciting year. The group that I am in, “Earmark,” will be releasing an EP later on in the year, with videos for songs on “TAWR” also dropping throughout the year. I start working on my sophomore album, the follow up to 2011’s Flatline, from September, set for a Summer 2015 release.
You can download Triple O’s latest project ‘Telescope and White Roses’ by clicking here
