Future’s ties to Atlanta come from more than giving them street anthem after street anthem. It’s more than music or hustling—Nayvadius Wilburn’s relationship with the community there comes from generations of family, of blood. And though it’d taken him until his late 20s to really break into the game, it’s hard to say the wait wasn’t worth it if you look back at his output in 2015. But, as any well-read fan knows, Future’s been in the game for years, earning writing credits or grinding on the Altanta mixtape circuit before he achieved the mainstream success he has today. One of the oft-mentioned but least-explored part of that legacy is Future’s time spent with the Dungeon Family, the legendary recording studio and collective that launched the careers of groups like OutKast and Goodie Mob. In the dungeon, Organized Noize was the defacto production group-in-residence, with member Rico Wade, who owned the studio, also happening to be Future’s cousin.
This was all years ago, but the experiences he had living with Rico and watching the inner workings of the Dungeon shaped a young Future into the superstar he is today. During our recent trip to Atlanta, we stopped by the Organized Noize art exhibit with Future in tow for an impromptu meeting with his cousin. In the above clip, the two reminisce about an unreleased Future/André 3000 track (!), soaking up game from the greats, and Future’s humble nature, even as a youth. Revealing and honest (no pun intended), it’s rare insight into the usually interview-shy artist’s humble beginnings. Stay tuned for part two of the interview tomorrow, where Future and Rico delve into his slow rise to success in his early 20s.
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