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Henok Achido is Almaz’s Charming Child

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Twenty-six, Eritrean, and from Sweden, Henok Achido is a beacon in Stockholm's growing hiphop scene. His official debut, Almaz Charming Child, culminates a journey he started as a child, soon after discovering a copy of NWA’s Straight Out of Compton in his uncle’s music collection.  The seminal group's brand of story telling and hardcore musicality pricked his ears, and along with Eric B and Rakim, provided the soundtrack to his early adolescence. This exposure nurtured Henok's appreciation for lyrical depth and artistry.

“There is a way of studying a rapper through his character, to see whether he is real or not,” he explained. “It’s easier for a rapper or someone who knows rap well to recognize 'realness'. Due to the media, and some of rap's audiences, people tend to judge rappers only through their sounds and image (the beat, flow or music videos) while missing subliminal messages and punch lines.” 

Almaz Charming Child measures up to Henok's standard of 'realness'. Its lyrics are not only clever, but offer a panoramic view into his life. Memories of childhood stand alongside stories of his ambitions and of course, lyrical prowess.  Set against a backdrop of darkly textured beats, Henok's expressive and authentically phrased delivery wins him a wide audience. This incudes the multi-platinum selling artists Madcon, who feature Henok in the remix to their hit “Beggin’”.  Below is Henok's interview with Abesha.com.

There’s a huge buzz around the release of Almaz Charming Child. How does it feel to have such a well-received album out?
I am truly grateful for all the support I have received, especially when you’ve put in a lot of hard work and people embrace it.

What inspired the album title, and what’s the story behind your album cover picture?
The title is inspired from a baby picture with my mother. I decided to dedicate the whole album to her because she created me, and my music is the outcome. I was looking through some of my baby pictures that reflect the title and found the cover.

Who are your musical role models?
I listen to a lot of different music, any genre, but in rap, there’s Jay-z, Kanye, Jeezy, Wayne and Andre 3K. Also the Canadian rapper Drake.

Your range of technique is pretty impressive. How did you learn to rap so fast. Talent or practice?
I am born with this ability to flow. Many rappers who’ve been doing this longer than I have still can’t do it the same. Of course, learning Bone Thugs lyrics at twelve helped me along the way. So yes, a combination between talent and practice made my tongue go WRATIDIDIDAM.

Who would be your ideal producer/artist to work with and why?
Kanye, one of the few musicians who’s a crazy rapper and a musical genius, period.

Describe your creative process.
My creativity is myself and my ‘free mind' way of thinking. I don’t follow rules both musically (beats) or rap (flow), so creativity is nothing I lack.

What is the Swedish hip hop scene like?
There are a few artists who I truly respect and inspire me, most of them non-rappers.  I guess the scene is evolving and there is a competitive environment, but I don’t usually hang around in destructive and unhealthy circles.

What was it like growing up Eritrean in Sweden? How has your experience shaped you?
I am privileged to have grown up in Sweden to avoid poverty and war, but I have been the victim of racism and discrimination, and have a very open mind compared to the average Swede.

How would you compare where you grew up and Stockholm?
I am from a very small city in south Sweden, but most cities in Sweden work the same no matter their size.  The only difference is that there are more opportunities in Stockholm than Kristianstad (producers, studios etc).

You rap and speak English like you’re American, how did you manage this?
I learned it from dictionaries, music, movies and books at a very early age.  Anything I did not understand I would write down and look it up in the dictionary.

Do you rap in Swedish also?
I rap in Swedish sometimes but started in English and enjoy it more. I mainly rap in Swedish when other rappers want guest verses, but my preference is English.  It’s a more open and broad language and sounds a whole lot better too.

If you weren’t rapping, what would you be doing?
Hard question. Most likely I would work with music in any other form. I’ve tried studying, office and factory jobs but it wasn’t for me.

In your song “Holes In My Dreams” you call yourself a walking contradiction. Explain this.
Who is not a walking contradiction? For me to admit such a thing, I personally think strengthens my character as a man. We all go through situations where your morals and values are put to test, and sometimes we have to break those values and morals to get where we want to go. I seriously believe your shortcomings can be to your advantage in the sense that when you are aware of it, you can try to better yourself.

“Henok Achido vs. The Prodigy” is based around your use of the phrase “I’m better than myself”.  What does it mean to you?
The phrase comes from me seeing myself as my own competitor. I, first and foremost, don’t see any other Swedish rapper on my level and I also believe you should always set your own goals and not follow trends or let people set your standards. My developing factor is that I am my best friend and also my worst enemy—everyone claims to be the best, but no one is better than me and I am better than myself.

Any words of advice for up and coming artists?
Be better than yourself, use the free mind's creativity and don’t follow rules, they are made to limit everyone.

Henok’s current mp3 picks:
Anthony and the Johnsons - Hope there is someone
Dr.Dre feat Nas & T.I -Topless
Drake - The Calm