Tell us about yourself and your music
Peace! I’m Black Native. I’m from the South (Alabama) & I started rapping because I personally didn’t like what was being represented nationally for our region, so I decided to be the change I wanted to see. I’m here to represent what put the South on the map & that’s compelling storytelling, social commentary, lyrical wit & jamming music. Contribute to balance.
Talk to us more about your latest release
My latest release is entitled “Nom Noms.” Nom Noms is my personal nickname for edibles. This song tells my journey of exploration with edibles.
What inspired you to write this release?
It’s a song I never could’ve foreseen myself writing subject wise. I had contracted ulcerative colitis a few years back & edibles were what helped me get through managing the pain. Through that, I became a fan of them. Life experience plays a big role in what I choose to write about & this was a 1st-time experience writing about drugs being that I hadn’t used them before this.
Describe the writing and recording process
For me, it varies from song to song. For this one, I had heard the beat from the producer, Rafael “Anthem” Andres & just let it ride whether at home or in the whip. I came up with the hook 1st. Once I knew what direction I was going in, it took maybe two days to write the verses. After that, it was as simple as hitting up the engineer I work with & setting up a session to record.
Any plans to release a video?
Any plans to hit the road?
Naw but I would LOVE TO! I NEED A MANAGER! I did a couple of performances in D.C. last year close to where I currently reside in P.G. County, Maryland. I definitely want to hit the road, reach people & have them feel my music. Again I stress, I NEED A MANAGER!
As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?
Those familiar with my music know I bring bars, content & some humor. I rap for the everyman/woman who can enjoy this genre without the must of the street element. I’m not trying to sound like what’s trending flow wise, production-wise or content-wise. Originality & Authenticity.
Who have you been listening to lately?
I’ve been listening to a lot of R&B mostly. Emily King, Xavier Omär, Asiahn, Mahalia, Nao. Hip-Hop wise, Freddy Gibbs, Pusha T, Little Brother, Rapsody, Skyzoo, Black Thought, Jay Rock, Lupe, Nas.
Who are your biggest influences?
Scarface for his boldness & storytelling. We’re Scorpios so we tell our truths unapologetically. Also Ice Cube for the same reasons.
Outkast is my religion but the whole DF in general for their diversity & for making the East & West Coast take the South seriously.
Nas & Lupe Fiasco for their knack of storytelling & evolving lyricism after Rakim.
Big Pun, Eminem, Bone Thugs N Harmony & Black Thought for flows.
Little Brother, Nappy Roots & Cunninglinguist. They all represent southern states that weren’t synonymous with Hip-Hop, LB & Nappy Roots met in college, similar to how I started rapping, they’ve all had arguable classics in the early 2000s & they’re from the South but don’t sound atypically Southern.
Tell us about your passions
I’m passionate about my music. I really want to get it out to the masses so that folk can enjoy it. I’m passionate about Black people, it’s where my interests are. I’m passionate about Alabama & how bad we are as a state, I’d like to be a part of something good coming out of there besides college football.
What else is happening next in your world?
Alabama has yet to have a Rap artist that has an RIAA certified Gold or Platinum album. It’s my destiny to make that happen.
Thanks for an awesome interview, Black Native
Connect with Black Native
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/black.native12Instagram: http://instagram.com/wakandankingTwitter: https://twitter.com/WakandanKing?s=09Youtube: http://youtube.com/BlackNativeDSASoundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/black-native
