Marking a bold new direction in his genre-blending career, Brooklyn-based rapper, singer, and songwriter GASHI is ushering in a revelatory musical chapter with the release of his fifth full-length album, Brooklyn Cowboy.

Drawing inspiration from his upbringing as the son of Kosovo refugees, his nomadic childhood across 24 countries, and his deep connection to Brooklyn, the body of work took influence from outlaw-country legends like Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash to create a blend of soulful, gritty soundscapes with GASHI’s signature eclectic style. The 18-track album, partly recorded at the iconic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, showcases his intense emotionality and powerful vocals, from the moody title track to uplifting anthems like “Better,” featuring Wiz Khalifa. With this release comes the launch of his own label, Orca Sound Records, further solidifying his commitment to independent artistry. As GASHI prepares for his upcoming U.S. tour, Brooklyn Cowboy represents a significant moment in his musical journey, blending his past experiences with a renewed sense of self.

Below, VMAN caught up with the musician to discuss how the album came to be.

VMAN: Let’s talk about the beginning stages of the album—when did you start the ideation for this project? How long from start to finish did the whole album take?

GASHI: The spark was ignited back in 2019 when I covered Johnny Cash’s rendition of “Hurt” for Spotify and I’ve been working on it, wrestling with it, ever since. The world has been through seismic shifts—crises that reshaped everything around us. Through it all though, I held onto it and fought to take it with me when I parted ways with my label. Nearly five years later now, in 2024, I finally released it; a testament to resilience and a reminder that even in the chaos, some things are worth holding onto. 

VMAN: Was it always supposed to be country-esque or was there a whole different musical approach that got swapped?

G: It was always meant to have a country flair. I was just ahead of the curve. I’ve never been a die-hard country fan, but I’ve got a soft spot for the legends: Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, Leon Payne. It’s less about the genre and more about hearing my voice slide into that sound. So, I did it, simply because it felt right. But I wasn’t about to pack my bags for Nashville and pretend to be one of those artists and stack my album with every feature in town just to get a boost. I just did me and never reached out for some help.

V: Being a boy from Brooklyn, how often did the genre and world of country find its way into your upbringing? Who were some of your favorite country artists to listen to as a kid compared to an adult?

G: As a kid, it was all about cowboy movies for me—the horses, the hats, the wild frontier. Country music? Not so much. The closest I really got to it was listening to Everlast, though I did have a bit of a thing for “Big Iron” by Marty Robbins. But as I grew older, I found myself drawn to the raw, rugged sounds of Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. They became my favorites, and suddenly, the music felt as cinematic as those old films I used to love.

V: The album not only marks a creative turn in your sonic direction, but it also marks the first release under your own label. How did the energy of creating your own label inform the creative process of the new album?

G: Orca Sound Records came about during the pandemic. By February 2023, I’d broken free from my old label and went on the hunt for a partner, landing on my brother, Matt. Together, we crafted the logo—which I love so much, I got it tattooed. Having my own label means freedom, pure and simple. I used to hate waiting months for a song to finally drop. By the time it did, I was already tired of it, too drained to even promote it. Now, I don’t have to play that game. The fans get to hear it as soon as I’m excited about it. Like flipping on the ‘hot’ sign at Krispy Kreme or taking a pizza straight out of the oven, it’s just fresher, hotter, and way more satisfying.

V: How would you say the energy of this album differs to the previous body of work you’ve released? Do you think the album captures who you are as a person today, unbounded creative freedom?

G: I’ve never been one to drop the same-sounding album twice. That’s why I admire artists like Kanye, Madonna, David Bowie and Tyler, the Creator. They’re fearless and constantly evolving. Brooklyn Cowboy is my most mature work to date. While every track has its own vibe, they’re all bound together by my voice. It’s the genre. Listen, I’m in my all-grown-up-and-sexy era. I feel cooler and more stylish than ever, but I’m also feel more vulnerable, which I think comes out in the lyrics. Every song is a very real snapshot of my life, even if I’m not that person anymore. I truly believe that Brooklyn Cowboy is one of those records that’ll still be heard, appreciated, and loved years down the line. Thirty years from now, “Good Old Days” will be playing in a supermarket in the middle of the night, while a kid and his parents go late-night shopping for dinner after a long shift at work. The songs are timeless.