Fascinated by hip-hop and rap since his adolescence, TarOne, aka Thomas Raepsaet, has never stopped writing songs and performing on stage, including with the group Dope Skwad, without however managing to ” drill”. His experience, undeniable, he decided to share it in a book-disc entitled Well tried. A project he has been working on for around ten years and for which he has surrounded himself with friends who are illustrators, graphic designers and photographers. “I almost gave up 100 times. Being an unknown artist who released a book of 300 A4 pages, at 40 bucks, it was a risky bet”he says.
This frankness and self-deprecation are also found in the subtitle of the book: “A life of hardship and beautiful things in Belgian hip-hop.” “It was an opportunity to talk about passion, surpassing oneself, sharing music when we still have the energy and the time”, he says. But also failures and slumps. “I had already taken the alias of magnificent loser. I always wanted to be transparent. If I want to touch people, it’s by delivering my truth and what I am. And what I am is also failures and cracks.”
If he was able to benefit from gratifying feedback, in particular on his qualities as an author (as a lyricist, as they say in the industry), and from great opportunities (like Dour, the Francos or even the first American acts), he still has to and always fight. “Being without a publisher, without a team, without a booker, it’s not easy. It also always remains complicated to find concerts, details TarOne. But if I continue to do it, it’s because it always brings me something.”
When asked if he feels that the generation of artists to which he belongs has been, in some way, sacrificed, he does not mince his words. “Really yes. I have seen this culture go from super obscure and underground to dominant today. When we formed our little tribe of enthusiasts, we did not at all imagine being able to cross certain levels. We dreamed too small. generation after was able to benefit from the few advances that we were able to make and attempt bigger bets. But if there were some great successes in terms of rap, I don’t have the impression that it paid off. things easier for a rap that is more lyrical and less pop, radio-friendly It’s not a big deal. Any victory for hip-hop culture is a good thing to take. .”
To the Francos and the Vibe
TarOne was able to present Well tried during a special evening at Laaaaab, in Dison, and a meeting at La Traversée. He will soon be able to defend his latest pieces (which deal with crime, conspiracy, male-female relationships, etc.) during the 2nd edition of the Vibe Festival on Saturday July 6, in Verviers, but also at the Francofolies de Spa, on Friday July 19 . “It will be on the free stage in the pedestrian area therefore accessible to all the curious”concludes TarOne.
The book (with free disc) can be found in all bookstores. The album can be listened to on streaming platforms. Follow Tar One news on FB.
