The fairly new up and comer Prince Fox slayed this past Saturday as he performed on his set for the Billboard Hot 100 Festival.
It was my second time to see the incredibly talented Prince Fox performing and boy was he awesome! He also played for the Life in Color festival that took place in Governor’s Island a couple of weeks ago, which made me fall in love with his set. This time around, Prince Fox reminded me of why I had such a blast the first time. He’s really good at heating up his crowd, which by the way was having an absolute blast. People were shouting and singing to the lyrics of his songs, specially when “Fragile” featuring Hailee Steinfeld came on.
We got to chat a bit after his set to get a scoop on his set, his music career and what’s to come.
Prince Fox performed a new song on his set, which he introduced as being just finished on the car ride to the music festival.
Can you tell me about your new song that you debuted during your set?
It’s not out yet but it’s called “Tuck Myself In,” I wrote it with my friend Olivia Noel. We are just finishing up, figuring out who’s going to feature, etc. I kinda wanted to test it out for the first time here, it went well. I am happy about it.
What was the producing of your last released single “Oxygen” like?
My buddy sent me the original song idea for “Oxygen” just over piano chords. I completely rearranged it, changed the chorus and started my production around it. It really spoke to me because it was a very literal, kind of love story, metaphor that could either be for someone that passed away or a very strong metaphor for someone that you love, that you want to always be by your side. I love lyrics like that, so it just immediately spoke to me and I started the production and I guess the rest went from there. The first demo didn’t take me very long, it was like a day or two but then I re-did it about three weeks before release and that took me like another two or three days.
How was it like working with Hailee Steinfeld on “Fragile”, what was the process like for that song?
It was amazing working with her. It started through my friend Erin G. and I. He sent me a song that he wrote, it was the original idea for “Fragile”. Then again, I rearranged it, did my production around it. We sent it to the label, they really liked it and they asked who I want on it, I said I want Haille. She was super excited about the song, she asked that I fly out to LA to record it with her. I finished it a couple of weeks after that and then put it out. Working with her was amazing, she’s a professional in every artistic mean. She’s a great actress, great singer, she’s funny in person as well, makes you feel right at home. A lot of times you meet people that have a certain stature about them, whether it’s an actor or famous musician. She was just instantly welcoming and made everybody in the room feel like they’ve been friends for years, that’s a really powerful quality to have.
Last year, in a ‘Beats and Booze’ episode, you were asked why you haven’t moved to LA. Why is it you have decided to move there now?
I get so much done there. I make three times as much music in half of the time. There’s just so many people to work with, inspirations for writing. I just had to do it, it’s where it’s at. My uncle is there, my parents go out there a lot so it’s not so bad.
Where did the name “Prince Fox” come from?
It’s from the French book “The Little Prince”. The prince and the fox are the two main characters.
What are the top three songs you’ve been listening to lately?
Marc E. Bassy “You and Me,” love that song. Kodak Black and Fresh Montana “Lockjaw,” love that song. The third, probably “Purple Lamborghini,” Skrillex and Rick Ross.
What do you like the most about DJ-ing and producing?
Everything, I like to do what I love and be able to profit off of it. There is no better feeling in the world than having your hobby be your profession. It’s what you wake up and you want to do anyways, the fact that it’s your job it’s pretty amazing, I love it. I have been producing and writing for a long time but the “Prince Fox” project didn’t start until only a couple years ago.
What made the break for you?
It was a remix that I did that blew things up. It was just like, an overall ethos change. I was doing a lot of quantity over quality. Then when I was like “I want to write songs and work on them, make them my own kind of sound.” I took a step back for a few months and brought myself back to the game, that’s really when things changed.
What have been your favorite sets to play?
This was definitely up there. Billboard 100 was an amazing festival. I loved playing Hang Out Fest and going towards Alabama, and every time I play in SF it’s just a nuthouse.
What do you want your crowd to get from your songs and sets?
I want them to feel something, whether it is a fast song, slow song, energetic or not. I want it to strike a chord within them and say “Oh I relate to that” or “Those are words I wish I had had to say in a situation in my life and now I have them to say it when I feel it” kind of thing.
What do you have coming up?
I have about 20 new tracks that are almost done right now. We are just figuring out how to roll them out. I would say there’s a bunch on the horizon, not sure how it’s going to be released but there’s going to be a lot of contact coming from me in the future.
Can’t wait to listen to his new songs, the ones that I have gotten to hear so far have been fantastic. Be on the lookout! What’s to come won’t disappoint.