Erick the Architect is a founding member, and executive producer of the legendary Flatbush Zombies. He’s toured the world, performed on Kimmel and Fallon, played Coachella, and hung out with everyone from Joey Bada$$ and Rza to James Blake and the hardcore punk band Trash Talk. But perhaps the most unexpected collaboration was with Apple, when Erick showed up following Tim Cook’s final WWDC presentation to rap about apps. That was just the prelude to him dropping his new disco and reggae single, “No Doubt (I’m In Love).”
The new song, produced by Yeti Beats and Federico Vindver, changes tone from the dark, loud, boom-bap sound that Erick is known for. But that’s part of what makes it so compelling. Erick is still looking to experiment and expand his palette more deeply in his work. That sense of adventure doesn’t stop him from loving getting cell phone keyboards and a GameCube, though. It also emerged that Erick was one of the few unfortunate souls who spent their hard earned money on the Nokia N-Gage.
What is your most important tool?
Moleskine book and pen.
What’s the first app you install on a new phone or computer?
I usually go to Dropbox first so I can pull out the thousands of files I have floating around the internet somewhere.
What’s one thing you wish you could change about your phone?
I miss typing on my phone with the physical keyboard like I used to with my BlackBerry.
What sites have you pinned to your tab bar?
ESPN, Behance, MyFonts, Fanatics, Topps, eBay, Discord, UPS, FedEx, Whatnot, Plex
How many tabs do you have open right now?
What is your happiest place on the internet?
Uh… the “Your order has been placed” screen when you buy something online
What’s your favorite gadget you’ve ever owned?
Which was the most disappointing?
What game do you have the fondest memories of?
Resident Evil 4 for the GameCube. I played this game so many times until my eyes were red, and the thing I remember the most was the big TV I used to play on. TVs at that time were so big that they were actually pieces of furniture. When it came time to move it, you needed about four people to lift those big tube TVs. Anyway, I love that game, and I think I’m probably one of the best people at it!
What tech trend do you wish would end?
I’m not really a fan of virtual reality and I put things over my eyes to increase my reality… sorry to anyone who gets obsessed with that stuff!
What is one thing you wish you could create?
I wish I could have done the song “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It’s a funny song in a very sweet way. I wouldn’t compare it to any other kind of music. If I did, I would have to reference a ton of different songs to make this one. I think if I were the creator of it, people wouldn’t know what song to expect from me, and that’s great.
What creation are you proud of?
If I had a child, my answer would be this – but since I don’t, I’d have to say the project I released in 2011 called “Almost Remember Me.” It was the catalyst for all the music I eventually learned to compose, and it gave me the confidence to continue to pursue being a producer and artist. I considered myself a novice at the time, but it was the most creative I’ve ever been asked about trying new sounds.
Which one can you be proud of?
I don’t want anyone to google the name of something I’m proud of hahaha
What is the best advice you ever received?
My mom told me that everyone has a season, and even though it might not be your season now… You have to think that once it’s here, that season might last forever. Be patient and wait on it.
What is your current obsession?
What do you do when you need to focus?
Turn off my phone or pretend I don’t have it anymore.
What do you do when you feel stuck?
Also, turn off my phone or pretend I don’t have it anymore.
When was the last time you went somewhere without your phone?
I walk without my phone all the time, and I use my digital audio player which is not connected to the internet at all. I can focus completely on the music and not be distracted by incoming texts, emails, or social media.
What was the last piece of physical media you purchased?
I bought a bunch of records at VinylCon! a few months ago, and I’ve been collecting Absolute Batman again Invincible jokes.
What do you think you should spend on?
Food and anything you like to collect.
What would be the tagline of your biopic?
“A very sensible person.”
What was the last GIF or meme you used?
