Let’s start off this interview with a straight forward question. What inspires you the most about being a rapper?
I'd say the effect that I have on somebody that listens to it. Like this girl told me that "Blackk Friday" was pivotal in her spiritual growth. That type of shit shows me I'm doing the right thing, that's the most inspiring thing about being a "rapper" for real.
Yeah, I could see how that would make a big difference in your career. If you’re able to change someone’s life with just a few sentences, that’s strong. Along with rapping, you have to have a top five favorite rapper list (dead or alive) who would it be?
Jay-Z, Black Thought, Lupe Fiasco, Nas, Ice Cube. That's not my top 5 exactly but those are the ones that first came to mind.
Yeah those are all great rappers. I’m glad you put Ice Cube in that list. He’s super underrated and made such a big difference in West Coast Hip-Hop in the 90s. This may be a random question but growing up what was your favorite cartoon and why?
My favorite cartoon is definitely The Weekenders. It was a show about nothing, like the cartoon version of Seinfeld, just kids chilling looking for shit to do on the weekend. That's so dope to me. I'm so interested in the mundane. Also there was a foreign kid, a black kid, and 2 white kids. It was a progressive cartoon, showing that to kids.
I have never heard of that show. But I’ll have to check it out, it just sounds like a dope show. Making music requires some sort of inspiration you gave me a list of your favorite rappers, but even though some artists are more favorable than others. Do you have any particular artists whom influenced your style or rap?
Yeah, most definitely. Kanye, Jay-Z, Lupe, Nas. I have to say Kanye does heavily influence me the most because it's not always what he says but how he says it, you almost have to like some lines, he has a lot of charisma.
Yeah, especially with the drop of his last two albums (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Yeezus). Those albums have had a huge impact on his musical abilities and talent from his ego. Another random question but, if you were on a deserted island and could only bring one item with you what would it be?
A pencil and sketchbook for sure. I know that's two things but yeesh! I can't just be stranded with just a pencil or just a sketchbook though.
Yeah! Especially as a musician, you always have to be writing. Even though you’re on a deserted island you must think of some type of new raps. When creating a new song or concept, does it come to you or do you have inspiration then think it through?
It's seriously a perfect mixture of both, cause sometimes I'll have a concept in mind before I hear anything and then sometimes a concept will come to me after I hear a beat.
Yeah. I can understand why it could be really flip-flop between coming to you and then after hearing it. With being an artist you must have some type of collab ideas. Do you have any artists who you would really like to work with? (Doesn't even have to be rappers or artists in general)
There are too many musicians I'd like to work with so I'll say artists I think are dope. I'd like to work under Pete De Seve, just to take advice from him, anything! Trills, YOUR dope. I'd like collab on something in the future. There's this kid from Toronto, Gyimah Gariba, he's sick. That's all I got off top though.
That’s good and nice shout out to our owner (Trills). He’s doing some dope things that people need to watch out for. There are a lot of problems that are unexpected with creating a masterpiece. What are some of the problems that you encounter when you create a song and try to share it with everyone else?
Man, people sometimes focus and are drawn to the simpler things. That shit is frustrating. But I know when I'm playing something new for one of my peoples; the absolute worst shit is when they talk, while it's still playing. You're not listening when you do that! You know? Wait till it's done to ask me who made the beat, or what line you liked. That shit is thee worst.
Yeah, I think that goes in general. People need to at least let someone finish before you put your opinion forward on it. If you can describe the work environment you deal with. What do you love about it? What do you wish to change?
Ummmm, I don't have a work environment exactly, with art I used to work in my room, now I work in the living room. Sometimes I'll take my sketchbook to the park and sketch. With music I can write every and anywhere, piece a verse together throughout the day, week, month, whatever. But when I sit down and work-WORK I'll go to my studio. Which just has a table for speakers and equipment, mpc, keyboard, microphone, calendar, nothing-cool haha. I wouldn't change anything about it.
As a rapper it seems you have to be relaxed and in a state of mind to just record. Similar to what you said earlier about a girl having “spiritual growth” off of your song. If you could describe your music in one word, what would it be?
Authentic. It's me. Contradictions and all, it's me in my truest form.
It most definitely sounds different from all of these other rappers out here too. With you being authentic and original, do you notice any trends in rap right now?
Truthfully, that shit is starting to get really boring… fast. To all those local rappers or anyone reading this that likes music what advice can you offer to someone very interested in rap and wants to get involved?
Find out what your calling is before you try to make something your calling, you know? Everyone isn't meant to be the star. Some people are meant to be behind the scenes, management, A&R's, promotion, etc.
Yeah man, that’s about it. Thanks for doing the interview with us, really appreciate your time. Do you have any people you would like to shout-out?
![Mr. Cool (Feat. P Blackk, Jean P & Driskill) [Prod. Kev Brown]](https://64.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ngpccsClX11rcz4rao1_1418778316_cover.jpg)