Ferg, the multi-talented rapper and visual artist, has recently turned heads with his latest endeavors. His newest album, Flip Phone Shorty, and his ventures into the art world have showcased his evolving artistry. As he participated in Miami‘s Art Basel festivities, Ferg reflected on how his artistic journey has flourished, working alongside renowned producer Lex Luger and exploring his identity as both a musician and a visual creator.
Releasing Flip Phone Shorty
During a conversation from his sunlit Miami hotel room, Ferg shared his excitement about the release of his seventh studio album, Flip Phone Shorty. “The reception is going crazy,” he noted. Unlike the deeply introspective previous album, Darold, which delved into personal traumas and was marked by gospel and orchestral influences, this new work feels liberating. “It was so personal that it just felt fun to just have fun again with music,” Ferg expressed.
Transforming this project into a lighter, more playful expression was a challenge Ferg embraced. With encouragement from legendary trap producer Lex Luger, who had been sending beats consistently, Ferg was ready to dive into a refreshing direction. “He was sending me beats for, I feel like a year, two years,” Ferg recalled. Luger’s relentless dedication inspired and provided Ferg with the creative fuel he needed.
Reviving Classic Trap with Lex Luger
Ferg’s connection with Lex Luger has proven to be a fruitful collaboration. Ferg shared an unforgettable moment at a Detroit show where classic tracks produced by Luger set the crowd ablaze. Inspired by this energy, Ferg approached Luger to recapture the essence of those iconic years. They worked together to build a soundscape that both honors the past and pushes boundaries.
The album’s title, Flip Phone Shorty, alludes to the early 2000s nostalgia while representing a youthful version of Ferg himself. “This person is really the 16-year-old me,” he said, reminiscing about his style during that era. Alongside Luger’s trap foundation, co-producer Taavi added modern electronic textures to refresh the sound.
Diverse Collaborations and Artistic Ventures
On Flip Phone Shorty, Ferg collaborates with artists like Gucci Mane and Lil B, both of whom played pivotal roles in hip-hop’s evolution. Referring to Lil B, Ferg stated: “He was fucking with the hipsters and the gangsters, and that spoke to me. Because it was art.” This era of blending genres shaped Ferg’s creative perspective.
Apart from music, Ferg has ventured into visual arts, drawing inspiration from his father, who ran a boutique in Harlem. Recently, Ferg has gained recognition for his paintings and art shows, including a solo exhibition called CHOSEN in New York. His partnership with UGG to create a pop-up art installation in Manhattan marked another step in his artistic journey.
A New Era of Creativity
Reflecting on his nearly 15-year career, Ferg marvels at his many artistic transformations. “When I look back on it, I’m like, I worked with more than half the industry,” he said. Although he once contemplated leaving music, he now embraces his unique “Ferg energy” as irreplaceable. Determined to revive the lively club energy of the 2000s, Ferg aims to reinvigorate the music scene with his infectious spirit and creativity.
