Interview: Linking Up with FRITOGANG

San Antonio-based rap group FRITOGANG spoke with Afterglow about their new album, opening for MadeinTYO, and their influences following their set at Mala Luna Festival in San Antonio.

Written by Thomas Galindo

Photo courtesy of FRITOGANG

Having dropped their second album Garage Sale! in April, FRITOGANG is looking to expand their audience beyond the San Antonio area. The group of 10+ rappers, singers, producers, and managers took the stage at 1:15-1:45 p.m. on Saturday at Mala Luna Festival. 

During their set, they performed their hits “Best Friend” and “Shake That” from their 2018 debut album Are You Even Listening?, along with “Rotation” and “Slide Thru” from their newest record. 

We discussed how their performance went, what being at Mala Luna means to them, and who else they wanted to see at the festival. 

Earlier this year, I saw you open up for MadeinTYO at Paper Tiger in San Antonio. What did you think about that experience?

Adrilla: It was a great opportunity, man, and it’s always a good time to be in town.

How did that get set up?

Spec: We have a really good relationship with the owner of Paper Tiger. They like us, and they book us for a lot of events. Usually when they feel like they got a good rap show, we’re the first people they hit up about opening. 

So, either individually, or as a whole, who is the main inspiration for your music?

Spec: Ah man, there’s too many of us bro. It’s a lot of influence. I think what I like about all of us is we all like different music, and we all end up expressing the music that we make in reference to the music that we thoroughly enjoy. We all really love music and have really big music palettes. 

So who have y’all been bumping lately?

Levi: I been on that Burna Boy a lot lately. 

All: BANDANA! Freddie Gibbs! 

Adrilla: That new Smino single is hot. 

What was that track called again?

All: “Trina”! “Trina”! That s--- tough. Kenny Beats!

Are you all from San Antonio?

Spec: We all met up in San Antonio and went to high school in the San Antonio area. We went to Judson and Steele mostly. 

Malcolm: I’m the odd man out; I was homeschooled. 

Niko: F---in’ nerd! *all laugh*

So you came out with the new album in April. What was the reception of it? Did you get any feedback on it from fans?

Manny: Definitely. We had a few articles written up. I didn’t hear any bad feedback to be honest. 

Mike: Which is a little scary but it’s good. I think the people that were fans from our first album became even stronger fans, and we reached even more people as well. 

So transitioning from that first album to this one, what did you change or do differently when making it?

Spec: We didn’t really change anything. I think we all just knew each other better by the second album. 

Mike: I feel like the first album was us trying to figure things out. We’re just going to continue to make music the way we make music. 

Adrilla: Once you put out something to be critiqued, it’s easier to look at that, because you can’t take that back, and then be like, “okay, I really wanted to change this,” and you can make those changes going forward. 

With you all being from this area, what does it mean to be able to play at Mala Luna?

Levi: It means the world, man. It was for the city. We doing it for the city. The best way I can say we did Mala Luna is that we good in the city now. Now it’s time for the next step. 

How did y’all feel about the crowd out there?

Adrilla: It was good, man, I felt the energy. Everyone was responding to us, everyone was doing what we asked them to do, everyone was chanting what we asked them to chant.

Niko: We started a mosh pit! 

Dubb: You could just tell they were intrigued. They were like “hat is this?” Everyone in the group starts laughing. 

Spec: Honestly I saw that more from the sound people on stage. The stagehands were like “these motherf---ers got me DANCING!” 

Levi: The dude who was controlling sound who’s supposed to keep composure was like this. (Levi starts bopping his head, and everyone laughs).

Spec: It meant a lot, man, it meant a lot to do this. 

Who do each of you want to see the rest of the weekend here?

Levi: I want to see Russ. 

Dubb: I want to see DaniLeigh for sure. 

Kue: YG! 

Adrilla: Smino! 

Dubb: We just met Smino in the back, we were chopping it up with him. 

Levi: That’s my homie now! (They all laugh). I got his number! 

How did you all feel about performing in the day as opposed to being indoors or in the dark?

Manny: I think it brings a new energy. I feel like the music is meant to be heard outside. So it was good to play it outside. 

So what’s next for you?

Spec: Tour. That’s the plan. We’re figuring it out but that’s what we want to do. And more music. Keep up the pressure, man. Pressure makes diamonds.

This interview has been edited minimally for clarity and length.
Listen to FRITOGANG on Spotify and find them on Twitter and Instagram @thefritogang.