Watch Blood Orange Discuss Freetown Sound, Carly Rae Jepsen, More in 90-Minute Talk

On October 18, Dev Hynes (aka Blood Orange) gave a lecture for Red Bull Music Academy in Montreal. During the 90-minute talk, Hynes discussed the making of his latest album Freetown Sound, the music that inspires him (from Bach to Nina Simone to Arthur Russell), and his collaborative process with other musicians. Below, watch the full lecture, and read excerpts from the discussion. The event was a part of the ongoing Red Bull Music Academy in Montreal, which takes place through this Friday, October 28. Find more information here.

Read our feature, “The Realest Out: A Conversation With Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes.”

When asked about his work with female pop artists, Hynes said:

I really want to be there to help make the best that they can and I can. I don’t go into it as this, like, “I’m the man that will help you.” I’m learning so much. I learn so much from the times I worked with Carly Rae Jepsen, it’s been really interesting and eye-opening to me. There’s so much that she can do that I am in awe of.

Regarding the legacy of black artists and his perceived limitations in pop music:

It’s a little disheartening to realize that, regardless of how far I think I can go, there’s a ceiling to it. When I listen to people like Nina or Stevie Wonder, it’s this feeling of exceptional artistry that just doesn’t get honored. 

On the way his appearance affects people’s perception of his music:

It’s interesting. Say that I’m in a cab somewhere. Someone will ask what I do, I’ll say “I’m a musician” and they’ll say “Oh what do you do, reggae? rap?” Always. And I always reply and say, “Classical.” I grew up classically trained. Sometimes that ends up in really great conversations.

Watch Blood Orange’s performance of “Love Ya” at Pitchfork Music Festival 2016:

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