Sunday Speed Round: Sugar Tongue Slim
The interview portion of this article was conducted following In Bloom Festival in March 2018 and has been previously published by the author.
Sugar Tongue Slim (S.T.S.) will be the first to tell you- he’s not a rapper. The musical poet hails from Atlanta by way of Philly, where he cut his teeth on the slam poetry scene around artists like Questlove and Black Ice. At the urging of Hip Hop legend DJ Jazzy Jeff, Slim started rapping and hasn’t looked back.
Now the talented verbalist is as comfortable rapping on tracks by producers like RJD2 and Kavinsky as he is writing chart-toppers, like “Oh” for Ciara and Ludacris. We caught up with him after In Bloom Festival to quickly pick his brain about favorite venues, band break-ups and international fashion. This is the speed round.
Sugar Tongue Slim (S.T.S.) shows off his Atlanta and Philly roots.
CC: Best late night food?
STS: Fish tacos (grilled)
CC: Most awkward/thirsty text you received recently?
STS: Please leave me alone.
CC: Favorite fashion items you’re rocking right now?
STS: Jacket I got in Portland. Christian Dior raincoat.
CC: Pre-show ritual?
STS: Shot of jack or any whiskey that’s in the room.
CC: Post show ritual?
STS: We take a shot and cheers, “Here’s to the highest of the highs, and the lowest of the lows.”
CC: Weirdest thing you’ve seen on tour?
STS: When The Crookers broke up. It was the saddest day of my life.
CC: Favorite place to travel?
STS: Berlin or Paris. Berlin has great shopping. Great vintage spots. I always buy a leather jacket. Kiliwatch in Paris.
CC: Favorite place to perform?
STS: Can’t smoke in there but I love Brooklyn Bowl. Just played there with RJD2. Everyone knows us before coming to the show so it’s pretty cool. Anywhere in Colorado but Red Rocks is dope. The Independent in San Francisco.
CC: Favorite tattoo?
STS: Got my man Tino after he passed. That’s my best friend.
CC: Who are you listening to right now?
STS: Phonte. That album does it for me. or Son Little.
CC: Best performance you’ve seen recently?
STS: I was pleasantly surprised by T-Pain at In Bloom. Also Aqueous Transmission.
Check out S.T.S’s latest project, Edgewood & Boulevard, a 2018 collaboration with Atlanta producer Daily Bread. Y’all have a beautiful Sunday.