Future’s career and Atlanta roots came full circle at the Coachella Music Festival this year. He took the stage with a newly reunited OutKast to perform his new single, “Benz Friendz (Whatchutola),” which features André 3000. For the newest star to emerge from the D.F. collective, it was the realization of a lifelong dream. “That was a defining moment in my career,” he says. “[With] everything that they’ve done for music period as a group, standing on the same stage and performing one of my songs with them, it just goes to show everything that I’ve worked for.
“Their soul is in every pattern, every rhythm, every snare and every kick,” Future says. “[They] breathe music. All of the guys that are a part of the Dungeon Family, I’ve seen the steps and everything they achieved before. They’ve got platinum albums and No. 1 hit records and it just allows me to go in and create with the same waves and the same tactics and being in the same headspace of being able to create outside the box no matter what people think and what people say about you. Never settle for no one.”
With his commercial success, eagerly awaited sophomore album, upcoming nuptials to his famous fiancée and a new baby on the way, some fans have wondered if Future has any Jay Z-like aspirations. While he doesn’t deny wanting to climb to greater heights, Future is quick to point out that he walks in no one’s shadow and follows no one’s lead. He believes everyone has to find their own way.
“I feel like your blueprint is your own success story [and] everybody’s story is different,” says Future. “When you know where you’re headed, you know the steps to take and what you have to put in. Somebody else’s work may be different from yours. Everybody’s story is different.
“I’m not into [any other star’s] personal life,” he adds. “I don’t know the ins and outs. I see what I see. I’m not searching for information on how they did it or how they’re doing it. I know success. With success, it’s good and bad. You gotta just be able to put the music out. As long as your music stays consistent and you don’t burn any bridges, it’s about staying consistent and having people pulling behind you.
“I love being able to change lives through music. The other day this dude said to me ‘I’ve never even bought a CD. Your CD was the first CD I ever bought.’ He pre-ordered my album. To change the way somebody feels about CDs or the way they feel about purchasing music, one life at a time. Or this guy telling me that a song on my mixtape called ‘If You Knew What It Took’ inspired him to get a second job so that he could work for things that he wanted. Instead of saying ‘I want to be average.’
“You want to create a path for yourself,” Future says. “And [know that] the best in life — you gave yourself a fair chance to get it.”
