Gashi’s ‘Brooklyn Cowboy’: A Genre-Bending Journey Through Identity and Sound

Gashi has once again pushed musical boundaries with his latest album, Brooklyn Cowboy.

Known for blending genres and defying labels, the rapper and singer delivered a project that feels like a bold reflection of both his multicultural identity and personal evolution as an artist.

The album was created at the legendary Muscle Shoals Studio in Alabama, where the likes of Bob Dylan, George Michael and Aretha Franklin have also recorded. Newsweek got the chance to speak to Gashi as he was preparing for his album release party in early October.

On recording the album, the musical artist said, “I watched this documentary and instantly fell in love — it blew my mind to realize that nearly every song I’ve ever adored was recorded in that very place in Muscle Shoals.” He continued about other legends who have graced the studio, saying, “There was a time when legends like the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon and many more would flock there, but it’s been quiet for a while. So, naturally, I thought, ‘Why not go make some noise of my own?’ When I arrived, to my surprise, it was just me and Lana Del Rey laying down records in the same rooms.”

Brooklyn Cowboy is a genre-defying fusion of country, pop, and hip hop influences, drawing from Gashi’s upbringing in Brooklyn as well as his Albanian roots. The album feels like a love letter to the diverse, gritty streets of New York, where different cultures intersect and shape each other. Tracks like “Incinerate” and “Silent Depression” seamlessly overflow with emotion with country-inspired melodies.

While the album has happy moments, the sadness is heavy. “I don’t think my sadness will ever truly leave me,” he told Newsweek. “I pray it does, but there’s always this lingering feeling that I am the prince of melancholy.” He continued to mention the irony of the album, saying, “I’m this smiling, upbeat person — I’ve had to be. Growing up with a father who battled depression, I took on the role of the comedian, using humor to survive the tension in my home. I confuse people. I have a happy personality, but a soul soaked in sadness.”

Gashi continued about his inner feelings. “On the surface, I seem confident and fearless, yet I retreat inward when no one’s watching. I love deeply, with everything I am, but there are days when my heart feels numb, as if I’ve run out of emotion altogether. I’m healing and hurting simultaneously, constantly balancing the weight of joy and pain,” the musical artist stated.

Lyrically, Brooklyn Cowboy is introspective and authentic. Gashi explores themes of identity, resilience, and heartbreak. His lyrics reflect both the struggles and triumphs of carving out space in the music industry, as well as with himself. On tracks like “Better,” Gashi opens up about his journey of self-discovery, pushing himself, giving listeners a glimpse into the inner conflicts he faced while embracing his dual identity. “Incinerate” is another beautiful track where Gashi’s vocals really shine. Gashi said of the song, “I made the record down in Muscle Shoals with my buddy Charles. It’s a sad song, and honestly, the process was wild. We jammed for hours, just letting the music take us wherever it wanted. The craziest part? I’ve never sung like that before — it was like something broke open inside of me. This one really came from a deep place.”

After struggling to make it work in the traditional label system, Gashi is now an independent artist who is starting his own record label – A move which he says was a game changer. “It feels pretty great not having to deal with a bunch of A&Rs — aka failed artists trying to make others fail just to feel better about themselves. So, I started my own label, Orca Sound Records, because this Willy needed to be free. And honestly, since then, my music has gotten so much better!”

Gashi’s charismatic delivery, coupled with his ability to craft catchy hooks, makes Brooklyn Cowboy an intriguing listen from start to finish. The album is filled with anthems that balance introspection with radio-ready beats, showcasing his growth as an artist who is unafraid to experiment and evolve. It shows Gashi’s versatility and refusal to be boxed into any single genre, referring to himself as a “genre-less artist.” “I guess I just feel like I’m a genre-less artist. My voice is the genre, you know? So I can pretty much do whatever I want with it and have fun. The moment it stops being fun, that’s when I’ll be done. Simple as that,” he stated.