I feel like I've got the skills to be at the top, I feel like I've got the mind-state, so basically what I'm saying is there's people all around me, there's artists all around me that are in my zone, but I still feel alone. I feel like I can't relate to them as much as I can related to maybe somebody that was a little bit higher up.
People know who I am, but I'm feeling so lonely in the middle area, because I feel like I should be at the top.
My struggle and my story is very much so somebody that was just kind of [an] underdog. I didn't have any cosigns, I wasn't even really good at rap, I'm one of those dudes that was never just crazy and amazing, I had to work my f***ing ass off to get good at this stuff.
I'm more motivated, and I'm just working harder every single day, so it shows in the music, and it shows in the fan base, it shows in all areas when you're bringing it like that.
I just know that there's a spot for me in the industry.
I'm working on a mixtape called I Made Hip-Hop Smile. It's going to be a free online mixtape. I think it's going to get some crazy buzz. We have a few marketing campaigns, that I think are going to make it pull through.
I work with a lot of production that's really positive and contains a lot of soul stuff. Those instrumentals project the happiness out of me. But, sometimes I get a darker beat, with some dark piano or something... and then I'll do darker tracks.
When I wake up in the morning, I've got a coffee and I'm in my own home studio just chilling... I make happy music.
Me, personally, I'm just happy. I have a great mother. I have two great sisters. I couldn't ask for more. I'm healthy. I do what I love.
This album [Stroll] and all my songs that break barriers are more reflective of my personality.
It's basically me saying to the industry that I won't work within the walls in hip-hop. I want to put a twist on things, and that's what that song is all about. It's about putting a twist on stereotypes.
Throughout the whole Stroll album, I'm breaking barriers. Whether I'm doing acoustic hip-hop, singing my own hooks or singing my own verses... There's always going to be people who don't like it, cause they're stuck in their ways, or they just don't like you in general... but it's been good.
I'm from a middle class family. I didn't grow-up rich, but I didn't grow-up poor. Each guy has to stick to his own story.
A couple years ago it was really hard for me to sing, because there's so much pressure in hip-hop to be a certain way. My biggest thing right now is doing me, because I'm not like other rappers.
I think the new school is dope. Artists like Kid Cudi, The Cool Kids, Drake and Wale can come out of middle class homes and be on tracks with people like Jay-Z, who's from the hood and the street.
That's one of my struggles as a hip-hop artist. If I feel like doing a super conscious song where I don't even rap.
My good friend Josh Bibby happens to be a pro skier and has used my music in 2 international ski films.
I've also worked with various producers and artists around the world, which has helped with my international recognition. We've sold a lot of albums online in places like Norway and France. Sometimes we track my hits online daily and we are getting regular hits from people all over the place.
I'm really just tryna bring it home for my city, I'm trying so hard to be the best I can be on every record I do, every feature I do and every different city I go to.
I'm just starting to take some more voice lessons but hell no, I'll always stick into the hip-hop genre.
Who knows what the future holds but I think I'll always be that dude that can run hooks, and do hooks for other artists, and really know how to make a catchy hook.
I think every rapper should know how to sing, like a little bit. I mean common man it'll make your rapping better straight up.
Even if you don't sing on your tracks, if you know how to sing, it'll probably help you out.
I think my music has a big message, and I think when people really get into it, it does help their life sometimes. It inspires me; it's my favorite part about my job.
I'm always gonna rap. Rapping's what I started doing, I even sang when I first started rapping, when I couldn't really sing at all but I always tried.
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