Vince Staples, responsible for two of the best albums of the decade, is as good to listen to in music as outside of it. He takes interviews just seriously enough not to be a jerk, but seems to remember, too, that the vast majority of a press junket is too much of a circus not to have fun with. (A personal favorite and good example: Staples chatting with Canadian institution Nardwuar The Human Serviette.)
Testament to this is his appearance on First We Feast’s “Hot Ones,” a show where guests are invited for an interview conducted while eating increasingly spicy chicken wings.
“Hot Ones” belongs to a reality genre that can feel a bit too often like a cynical opportunity for celebrities to show just how down to earth they are—our cultural demigods react to spicy food, just like the rest of us plebs!—but this episode in particular is worth watching for Staples’ charm alone.
As per usual, he seems perfectly himself, but aware enough that his appearance is meant above all to be entertainment. He calmly explains his show business philosophy (“save your money, pay your taxes, don’t go to jail”), smack-talks grown men who play Mario Kart, gives Long Beach travel advice, and discusses the end of his brilliant career as a Yelp reviewer. It’s one of the best Vince Staples interviews in an ever-growing catalog of great Vince Staples interviews. Watch it and take notes on how this man lives his life.