Day 1: The Memphiasco

As we prepare for the highly anticipated album "Good Intentions" We dive into each album release by Virghost, each day we dive into another project, into higher emotions and greater accomplishments. Please join us on this journey into one of Viralvoice's highest-rated MC's as we prepare for what we hope to be another stand out project. 

The Memphiasco

by Virghost

What was the meaning behind this now iconic album cover?

When I first started recording the album, I knew I wanted the cover to represent Memphis, reflect what I was personally feeling and dealing with in my personal and spiritual life at that time, and depict the album title “The Memphiasco” which was simply Memphis and Fiasco merged into one word. I thought of a lot of ideas for it but I ultimately went with the famous Dr. King assassination photo at the Loraine Motel. It represented Memphis because the event in the photo infamously took place in Memphis. I felt like the theme of the assassination was directly connected to how I felt my character was getting assassinated by different people around me at that time. All the dream-like stars, airy colors, and the pale horse...I wanted that to represent the spiritual world that we sometimes aren't aware of. In the real photo, they are pointing to where they think the shots came from. I wanted it to appear as though they were pointing at a more spiritual assassin which would be the Pale White Horse. If you don't know what that is, look it up. I basically wanted to show that there is deeper war going on in the spiritual world even when we only think it's physical. If you listen to “The Memphiasco Interlude” it explains as exactly what I was trying to portray with that cover. I enjoyed designing it.

What nostalgic feelings does this album bring?

A time of newness, uncertainty, creative freedom, personal darkness. I was in a weird space at that time. A time of transition as an artist. I was a well-known poet in Memphis but I was trying to be taken seriously as a rapper. I had 2 children and one on the way. I was in a very turbulent marriage. I felt stuck. I felt numb. I felt paranoid. I want to express all of that without being too direct. I know I'm more direct and open now as an artist but I wasn't at that time. So I had to find a way to honestly say what I was trying to say without saying it. I think achieved that. It was also an exciting time too. After I released the album, it was embraced and praised. People finally started viewing me as more of rapper rather than a poet. This made me happy and gave me confidence. 

Seeing your growth from then to now any songs now make you cringe?

Nothing really makes me cringe. There as some minor things that I would have done differently now that I've grown as an artist and a writer.  But that's the beauty of the album...seeing the growth from then to now. I wouldn't change a thing about it. That's how I was feeling and what I was on at that time.

Listen Now!!!!