For Cashus King and Big O, Water to Wine is more than just a collaborative album—it’s a reflection of growth, resilience, and transformation. Built around the idea of turning something foundational into something greater, the project uses water as a symbol for renewal, struggle, and elevation. What started as a single collaboration quickly evolved into a full body of work, with both artists bringing their own strengths together to create something intentional and deeply personal. We sat down with Cashus King and Big O to discuss the origins of Water to Wine, their creative chemistry, the meaning behind the project, and the message they hope listeners carry with them.
How did you first connect, and what made you decide to create a full album together instead of just collaborating on a single track?
Cashus King: Big O reached out to me to work on a song called “Headnods & Apple Jacks” with P-Rawb and LOU. I liked the beat so much that I reached out for more production. He sent a really cohesive folder of beats, and one song turned into an album. I recorded one song (“Drippin”), and that song gave me an idea for a concept—an album with liquid as an underlying theme. So I asked Big O if he was down to work on something more expansive.
Big O: Yeah, that’s pretty much how it happened. Cashus hit me up and told me how dope my beats were after he laid down his verse on “Mornings Were Headnods & Apple Jacks” and asked me to send him a pack. I sent the pack, and later we agreed on doing an album together.
The title Water to Wine is a powerful metaphor for growth and transformation. What inspired that concept, and why did it feel like the right foundation for this project?
Cashus King: I got the concept from the idea of liquidation. The human body relies so much on hydration. Water is the element that enables life and the creation of life. That gave me the idea for one of my favorite stories from the New Testament, when Jesus turned water into wine and multiplied the fish and loaves of bread. We can take the base element of life and turn it into something more complex, hence the title Water to Wine. It represents renewal and rebirth, but it also represents elevation and improvement.
Big O: I pretty much followed Cashus’ lead on this when he mentioned the idea to me. After the first song we recorded together, “Drippin’ (Soakin’ Poems),” Cashus wanted this to be a liquid-themed album.
A lot of the album centers on reflection, resilience, and personal growth. How important is it for both of you to make music that comes from real-life experiences?
Cashus King: I think every rapper has a theme and a certain persona they want to convey through their music. For me, I want to be the rapper who uses my music as documentation of my real-life experiences. I want everything to be authentic and organic. It’s essential that my music reflects my actual lived experiences and personality. There may be a bit of exaggeration here and there, but for the most part, basing my music on my real-life experiences is the driving force of my creativity.
Big O: Something like this can’t be faked. Since I’m a producer and don’t rap, the music itself has to give me a feeling while I’m in my creative process. If I don’t like it, I can’t expect someone else to.
Your chemistry feels very natural throughout the album. What did your creative process look like, and how did you build off each other’s ideas while making the record?
Cashus King: Due to current-day technology, we can create albums without being in the same studio or even the same state or country. Big O allowed me to steer the ship creatively, while I stood back and gave Big O the space to arrange the album from a formatting standpoint. I think allowing each other to play our specific roles without getting in the way made the process organic and smooth. Big O was able to produce, and I was able to create conceptually. Big O chose the order of the songs and the song structure, while I oversaw the conceptualizing and songwriting.
Big O: Since we developed a strong friendship during the process of making this album, it was very easy for us. We talked every day about everything, to the point where it felt like we were in the same room with each other throughout the album’s creation.
Looking back at the finished album, is there one song that best captures what Water to Wine represents to each of you? Why does that track stand out?
Cashus King: I think it would be a tie between “HYDRATION” and “DROWNIN.” Both of those songs represent renewal and perseverance through hardship. “Hydration” is about restoring faith when all feels lost. “Drownin” is about continuing to push forward even when you feel like you’re being overcome by the adversity you’re facing. If I had to pick an honorable mention, it would definitely be “Holy Water” because that song details my struggles with addiction and my journey through the recovery process.
Big O: I fully agree with Cashus on this one. “Hydration (Reign)” is such a great and powerful song. Really sit down and listen to what Cash is saying on that track, and you’ll know why we both picked that one.
After finishing Water to Wine, what do you hope listeners take away from the project?
Cashus King: I hope this album can serve as a soundtrack for people’s struggles and as stress relief. I want athletes to play these songs before a competition. I want artists to be inspired to create their own art. I want folks to take away the message that they can overcome adversity and become something greater than what they think their base potential is.
Big O: No matter what situation you’re in, nothing lasts forever. You have to take what life has thrown at you and make the very best of it to get out of whatever situation you’re in. I hope the album inspires listeners to take accountability for their actions, not be afraid to apologize, and do the work to move forward in life.
What’s on the horizon for you in music?
Cashus King: I’m preparing to drop a multitude of albums with other producers, but as far as Big O and I, we have three projects we’ll be dropping next year. I don’t want to say too much about those projects specifically right now, but I’m very excited to bring the catalog of music that Big O and I are preparing to the masses.
Big O: We’ve got a new EP coming at the top of next year, with the lead single dropping in November, and a new collaboration album with Detroit’s own Dankery Harv dropping next year. In 2028, we have something even bigger coming, so be on the lookout for that.
Listen to Cashus King and Big O’s new album Water to Wine here now:
Get Water to Wine HERE on Bandcamp and support the artists directly.
Connect with Cashus King: Instagram
Connect with Big O: Instagram
