Photo by: Zhamak Fullad
[Chaz French](https://www.instagram.com/chaz.french/?hl=en) is back and better than ever. The Washington D.C. native is far more than just a rapper, he arrives with his own unique personality, captivating video concepts, culture-shifting ideology, and of course, bangers for his growing fanbase. With undeniable talent for lyricism and catchy hooks, it was his 2015 viral smash “Ready” that would land him in the hands of the legendary Motown Records.
To kick off his first single of 2020, Chaz releases “Me” featuring Cam Wallace. The record is an ode to self-awareness, self-love, and mental health, released in perfect timing during these troubled times. On the record, you hear him addressing the highs and lows that come with life, with a reminder that separation and isolation can actually help you find your true inner self.
Beyond the music, Chaz is a proud father to 3 beautiful children. He states, “Chaz French is a father first, then I'm a rapper. An artist, an open book when it comes to my music. I'm constantly trying to figure out how to become the best Chaz possible. That's who I am, forever growing.”
His recent talks of mental health unveil a layer of vulnerability and realness that we can all relate to, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. Flaunt caught up with Chaz to discuss the importance of “Me,” his own journey with mental health, fatherhood, and more!
**How have you been?**
Good, just working! Trying to get like you man.
**How's it been in quarantine over there in D.C.?**
It's been cool. It's the same everywhere, everybody should be taking the proper precautions. It's out here, you never know.
**Have you picked up new hobbies or interests?**
Definitely picked up on puzzling. I definitely picked up a couple books too. Beforehand, I wasn't reading like people tell me I should have. That's something I'm diving into now, but definitely picked up puzzling.
**What books are you reading?**
I'm reading _The Four Agreements_ right now, but I haven't read it in 3 days. I'm a slow reader. I be procrastinating.
**“Hol Up” with Shy Glizzy was a big record for you. What did that do for your career?**
That’s a throwback! It’s more so what it did for the city and the D.C. music scene in itself. Not just my career or Shy's career, but what it did for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Showing not everybody has that crab in the barrel mentality they try to put on us. We’re showing that anything’s possible. If you want to work with somebody, just do it. Put the pride to the side, make sure it comes out how it's supposed to.
**It’s been a few years, how have you evolved as a person and as an artist?**
Just being more open to new things, being more of a team player. Realizing that it's people out here who really got your back, who really care for you. The people on your team really want to see you do better, they’re trying to get you to the next level by any means necessary. Not being so stubborn. Trying to help me, help everybody else around me type shit.
**“Me” is inspired by life’s highs and lows. What were you going through when you recorded this one?**
The whole nostalgia feeling that the sample gives in itself took me back to when I first heard that song. How as a kid, you're so happy to be alive. You don't have a care in the world. Then transitioning into an adult and feeling like you have to change for certain people, feeling like you have to meet everybody else's expectations. I got to a point where it’s like “what about me?” It's nothing wrong if I put myself first, while applying the other things that I care about when it comes to other people to my life. Making that compromise to where everybody can be happy in a sense.
**Talk about putting “Me” out during sunken times like quarantine. The world’s facing racism, police brutality, all that.**
It all makes sense. Definitely didn't know quarantine was going to happen around that time so it put a hold on certain things, but we made the best of it. That's what life is about in general, making the best of situations that you didn't know were going to ultimately put a hold on things. Still trying to be as uplifting and positive as possible through a time like this is always important. Easier said than done, but that's how life is.
**I know that mental health is a large part of your life. How has music been a coping mechanism for you?**
It's always been my go-to, that's my therapy. That's why I always felt I never needed a therapist, music is that therapeutic for me. It's the only thing that I can count on. It's the only thing never gave up on me, even when I felt like it wasn't for me. Every time I turn around, I continue to prove that it is for me because it's just been that.
**How was the mental health panel you did with Kiana Lede?**
It was lit man. I was a little nervous going into that, as far as addressing certain things when it comes to mental health. You realize that you're not the only who goes through it. You're not the only one who's dealing with it. You're not the only one who feels the way you feel sometimes, that being an outlet in itself helped out a lot of people. That's one of my #1 things, is making sure that other people are good. Making sure other people are happy and straight. To be able to help people through that being in that conversation for an hour or 2, it made a lot of sense.
**Have you always been like that, where you want to help others through your own journey?**
For sure. It's a lot of people I put before me and I don't mind, I'd do it again. It's nothing wrong with that, that's how my life is supposed to go. You also have to realize that you can't help nobody else out if your shit isn’t together. Now, I have to get me right before I can fully help other people.
**Someone asked why don't you play drums anymore?**
That's what really got me into music, drums. When I used to go to church, I’d always beg my mom if I could sit by the drummer. I was self-taught. I don't know because once I started rapping, I stopped playing the drums. I was so into rap. That's one thing I wish I would have kept at. It's not too late, but I was so into rap that nothing else mattered but rap. My aunt used to have to hide drum sticks, I used to be beating on everything. I finally got a drum set, they used to say “no more drums after 8:30pm.” That’s all I was doing. \[laughs\]
Photo by: Zhamak Fullad
**Drums are really hard, I remember trying to play.**
You have to have great hand eye coordination man.
**Let's talk about your faith. I know you grew up in a religious family.**
He's real. If you can't accept that, then that's a personal problem. It is what it is. I know what God has done for me and my family, that’s all that matters. I'll forever have faith. Actually I've been talking to God more and more, feeling like I can't talk to anybody else. Or maybe I don't want to talk to nobody else, but I've definitely been trying to strengthen my relationship with God. On my own terms, rather than somebody else telling me that's what I need to do. Everybody's walk and faith in Him is different. At the end of the day, he's a loving God. He's going to see me through: all that I've messed up with, all of my sins. I'm trying to develop a better and stronger relationship with God, like I’m trying to do with everyone else I love. He's real! He's a real thing!
**What can we expect from your next album?**
This album is basically about getting back to the music that makes me happy. Back when nobody was listening to my music, back when I didn't have the platform that I have now, getting back to doing it for me. Understanding that it starts with me at the end of the day. Everything that I've gone through since _True Colors,_ dealing with my vices, dealing with things that I’d want to make me happy, it was a temporary happiness. A lot of that took me away from who I really am, but it also made me who I am in a sense. It was a learning process. I definitely made this album for me because that's who it starts with.
**What are some ways that you exercise self-care?**
It depends. Sometimes, I won't even get on Instagram. I won't get on Twitter or nothing. I won't talk to anybody. Giving myself some me time, for me. Let me try to block out everything that's going on right now that ultimately plays a part in my energy. Let me focus on me for a little bit. Just for a little bit, I'll be back.
**How’d it feel to have your track featured in _Spider-Man_?**
That was surreal, because we had done that song so long ago. It's so crazy because I did not want to do that song! I can say it now. \[chuckles\] You know, just being an artist. That’s the time I was making _True Colors_ too, so I was so focused on that. I was being me, being difficult for no reason. Bro, I'll never forget my manager’s like "did you do that record!?" I said “I'ma do it.” 3 days later, he’s like "did you do that record?!" I said “yeah, I'ma do it this week!” It took a whole week.
Finally I told the engineer I was in the studio with, "bro he's going to pull up to the studio today. I already know we’re going to argue about this record." Sure enough as soon as I said that, I heard him walking down the steps. We probably argued for a good 20 minutes, I ended up doing the record. A year later, it came out. To actually go to the movies with my kids and they get to experience and see that...
**Wow, that's so full-circle.**
That was surreal. They didn't really know how hype I was about it until they got to the movies, was actually there to be like "yo that's my daddy right there!" They’re loud. \[laughs\] That was crazy.
**What goals do you have for yourself at this point in your career?**
I'm ready to go to the next level. Whatever God got for me, I'm ready to accept it and take it all the way. I'm ready to do more shows. Granted, that's not going to happen for a long time. I'm ready to accept all blessings that's for me, step up and tour the world. Sell out my own shows. I want all the plaques, I want all the Grammys. I want all the fans. I want to change as many lives as possible. I want everything. I want it all.
**Anything else you want to let us know?**
New music coming very very soon. Be prepared, everything is a level up. I know it's the quarantine, the streams are down, but we have to tap back in. I'm ready to get these bars off.
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