Watch the official music video for “idcicantbeherefortoolong” by student 1, now featured on RapStarVidz. Check out the visuals above, then scroll down to learn more about the release.
Minneapolis-based artist and producer student 1 puts a fun, groovy spin on vulnerability with experimental fourth album, truant, out now. Alongside its release is “idcicantbeherefortoolong” and its video. The latest work is an introspective, raw exploration of the difficult, messy parts–feeling absent, distracted and avoidant–while continuing the search for joy, freedom and hope.
Student 1 will embark on a U.S. tour this summer with Philadelphia-based rapper Ghais Guevara including Los Angeles, New York City, Nashville, three Texas dates and more. The official album release show is tonight at Chicago’s Bookclub with punk band Champions and support from hip-hop artist CRASHprez.
Entirely written, mixed and mastered by student 1, the twelve tracks on truant focus on personal, specific moments of aimlessness, feeling mentally absent, avoidance, and addiction, and how these moments inform who he’s become in both good and bad ways, while additionally feeling like the dysfunction these moments create is part of something bigger. Co-production credits include YUSF, LEEszn, and dog owner man.
It was during the making of the project that the artist dug himself out of a creative funk. Student 1 shares, “It’s inspired by the problems these moments create and have created (as well as the desire to solve them), the headspace I was in, drugs, and not being able to articulate important feelings and thoughts. There isn’t a substantial focus on this aspect outside of some subtle mentions, but I do mention the loss of a parent, as my father passed away during the making of the album.”
Out today with the album, “idcicantbeherefortoolong” is one of the artist’s favorite tracks on the project. Made with friends, it came together quickly, built around lines that were cheeky and unserious. Aiming to make one song a day without applying pressure to the challenge, student 1 adds, “It’s called ‘idcicantbeherefortoolong’ because this exercise was difficult for me, and I had to learn how to not care so much in order to complete the exercise.”
On the chaotic, color-changing video, student 1 says, “This is probably the video with the strongest narrative element, came up with it the day we started shooting. It’s basically a ‘day in the life’ style series of events, following me from morning until evening, with some shenanigans that happen by the end as a result of how I went about the day.” It includes a cameo from collaborator dog owner man, who plays his boss.
Director and editor Erik Astle adds, “Stu is so willing to do the craziest stuff for shots, and I try not to exploit that too much. Hanging him upside down (with the help of his manager) for the dangerous opening shot starts this chaotic video with a fall.”
With a frenetic yet controlled energy, student 1 glides through the track as he moves towards a more realized version of himself. The artist explains, “‘pissing myself’ is about taking a big step back to examine who I’ve become and where it’s led me, for a final evaluation of everything before I start working toward becoming a more mature person.” Recalling the recording process, he adds, “I made it while somebody came into the studio and pissed himself on my manager’s bean bag chair.”
Taking its name from Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, the album’s lead single “kevinkevinkevin” featuring Minneapolis artist Demon Marcus explores dissociation, disillusionment and being misunderstood. Over a bright, funky groove, the lyrics comment on judgement from others and wonder if things really are the way they seem.
POW Magazine wrote the track, “..glows and grooves across gossamer funk…“kevinkevinkevin” is music for tandem dissociation.” Music N Gear added, “There isn’t a note wrong in this from start to finish; this sits somewhere between blissful nostalgia and a summer evening daydream.”
Student 1 is an Ethiopian-Eritrean Minneapolis-based artist whose music blends melody and experimental production to explore his inner and outer worlds and profound topics like addiction, grief and mental health. Now, he’s gearing up to expand his sonic palette with his fourth project. In 2018, he shared his debut project, drag, and followed up the following year with his sophomore album, UPPRCLSSMN which features “YIN/YANG,” a trip-hop, chilled-out collaboration with critically acclaimed rapper and singer, Tierra Whack.
In 2022, he shared OFFTHEDUST!, mixed by collaborator, engineer and artist Alex Tumay (Drake, Travis Scott, Metro Boomin, 21 Savage), followed by an instrumental version. Known for his versatility, he has amassed millions of global streams and garnered attention from The Current, Star Tribune, and Lyrical Lemonade. Student 1 has performed hundreds of times on stages around the country, including SXSW, Soundset, Afropunk, and First Avenue’s 7th St Entry. Now, the musician has crafted a dynamic sonic world that services as an honest assessment of his life so far and captures his jovial spirit.
The artist’s fourth record truant is out now. Don’t miss student 1 live this summer with Ghais Guevara and connect via Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.