Hard In The Paint

300 Entertainment‘s Young Hustle Tour hit Boston last month and saw budding talents like Rich The Kid, T-Wayne, TK-N-Cash, Rejjie Snow, and Tate Kobang hit the Middle East stage. With the expection of Snow, we had the opportunity to chop it up with the talented risers to talk about the tour, their background, music, and more. Following our interviews with Rich, T-Wayne, TK-N-Cash, we wrap it up with an exclusive with Baltimore’s Tate Kobang. Despite not feeling well after his strong outting on the stage, the “Bank Rolls” rapper sat down with me in the restaurant of Middle East to talk about the tour, signing to 300, the success of “Bank Rolls,” new music, Baltimore, and what he wants his legacy to be.

HITP: Right now you’re on the Young Hustle Tour, how’s it been?

Tate Kobang: It’s been crazy. I miss home, but you have to get out there and work. You know what I’m saying?

For sure, its important to get out there and touch the people especially in a place like Boston. The tour is presented by 300 Entertainment, the label that signed you. What made you sign with them versus other labels that were reaching out?

It’s a good place. They care about you. I get a text from Lyor Cohen asking how my morning was. You’re not dealing with a bunch of interns and all that bullshit. You’re talking directly to the people. Plus, we have our visual team and stuff like that.

HITP: You signed the deal a little bit after “Banks Rolls” took off. Talk about that song a little. Its actually a remix, right? 

Tate Kobang: It was originally by Tim Trees from back home. Its like a 16 year old track. I just really freestyled on it and it did a lot better than we expected. Well, actually alot faster.

HITP: That’s dope because hit records in 2016 aren’t what you think. They aren’t formatted the way they use to be. A song like “Bank Roll” and your labelmate T-Wayne’s “Nasty” are very different than what hit records were a decade or so ago. There’s been a fair share of artists that have come and gone after having a breakout record. How do you plan to not be a one hit wonder?

Tate Kobang: You can’t be afraid to jump out. Sometimes you have to take that dive and experiment with your music and see what works.

HITP: I enjoyed your performance tonight. You have a nice catalog of music that hasn’t come out yet. When can we expect a full-length project? 

Tate Kobang: Late February or early March. We’re about to drop a new single. Actually, we’re going to drop two tracks. They are really strong records. One is produced by Honorable C-Note and the other is produced by Swizz Beatz.

HITP: That’s whats up. You have one of Gucci Mane’s go to producers.

Tate Kobang: Man, everybody is Gucci’s producer. Free Gucci!

HITP: That’s one of my favorite rappers. But, let’s talk a bit about Baltimore. I was actually there a year ago. To outsiders, Baltimore is mostly known for the Ravens, violence, and of course now, the unfortunate situation with Freddie Grey. Whats the hip-hop scene like there?

Tate Kobang: Right now, there’s a lot of talent. Like I said, you have to take those chances. A lot of people don’t understand that there’s life outside the trenches. That’s why we document everything we do. It’s not to boost but its to show people that there’s more out there. Last year I had to say goodbye to some people. I’m good now. I’m providing for my kids. There’s a lot of talented mothafuckas back home. Theres a lot of entrepreneurs. Everybody is making the transition from the trap to the art. Its getting real good.

HITP: What kind of legacy do you want to leave? At the end of the day, what do you want to accomplish as an artist? 

Tate Kobang: I want to be the one that they say was someone who made it out of Baltimore a, came back, and helped bring people out of Balitmore. A lot of mothafuckas leave and wash their hands and then try to reach back to the cats are are popping. They try to build that lane back again. You can’t do that. I just want to be one of the first ones that make it out and make something of myself.

HITP: Well, thats it. I appreciate you taking the time out. Good luck with everything.

Atlanta rapper Rich The Kid’s current success is a true testament of hard work and grind. The Quality Control representative’s profile has risen significantly over the last year. Much of it can be attributed to his steady output of quality material that has been released through both solo mixtapes and collaborative efforts with frequent collaborators the Migos and iLoveMakonnen. The ATLien has gone from being known as the guy rapping with the Migos to being able to stand on his own as one of hip-hop’s budding stars. With the innovative 300 Entertainment in his corner, 2016 looks to be Rich’s biggest year yet, one that we’re predicting will see him continue his output of quality music, dive into the mainstream, and a spot on the controversial yet influential XXL Freshman cover.

Rich and a stable of other talent signed to 300 hit the Boston area last night as part as the East Coast leg of the Young Hustle Tour. Following performances from local acts and label mates Tate Kobang, TK-N-Cash, the 23-year-old rapper hit the stage to cheers. In front of the young energetic crowd, he performed a mix of new and old material including standouts like “Plug,” DJ Carnage‘s “WDYW,” “Trap” and “Trap House Jumpin Like Jordan.”

Shortly after his short but sweet set, I sat down with Rich for a few minutes in the restaurant section of Middle. In our short conversation, he gave insight on why he signed to 300, kept hush on his highly anticipated Frank Ocean collaboration, revealed that he did a song with Justin Bieber, and what he wants to do in 2016.

HITP: I’ve been a fan for the last couple of years. We don’t really get alot of Atlanta talent up here so its really dope to see you perform. Right now you’re on for the Young Hustle Tour. Hows the tour been so far? 

Rich The Kid: It’s going well. 

HITP: Thats good. It’s presented by 300 Entertainment, who you’re signed to. What made you sign with them? 

Rich The Kid: It was just the right timing and the support. They’re good people. 

HITP:  Definitely. They have some of the best music executives in the business. You’re big thing has really been consistency putting out quality music. Do you ever think you’re over saturating the marketing?

Rich The Kid: No, not really because the music is good. 

HITP: You’ve been able to be part of some big time collaborations with guys like Wiz Khalifa, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and Ty Dolla $ign. What do you attribute you being able to collaborate with these guys whether its been them reaching out to you or you reaching out to them?

Rich The Kid: I think it’s just about grinding and getting to it with everybody.

HITP: You have an upcoming collaboration with Frank Ocean. To some, it may seem like an unlikely collaboration lanes. What can we expect between you? 

Rich The Kid: I can’t say too much about it, but it’s coming.

HITP: 2015 was a big year for you. You put out a bunch of mixtapes including the joint with Makonnen. What can we expect from you in 2016?

Rich The Kid: I did a song with Justin Bieber. I’m probably going to do a song with Kanye soon. That’s pretty much it. I’ve had the opportunity, but I just want to make sure its right.

HITP: I mean, the way you’re going. That wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if that happened. Of course, everyone wants to be the biggest artist and make alot of money, but what else do you want to do when it’s all said and done?

Rich The Kid: I want to veer off into fashion. Definitely do some fashion stuff like design clothes. 

HITP: Well, thats it. Appreciate it. Good luck on the rest of the tour. 

While in Boston for the Young Hustle Tour, TK-N-Cash took a few minutes out to speak to us before they took the stage at Middle East. The Atlanta rappers are only in their early 20s but have an impressive resume that includes writing for stars like Trey Songz, Juicy J, Meek Mill, and Kevin Gates. While their work with the pen has earned them the respect of their peers, the talented duo has also made noise crafting their own songs like “Mind Right” and “3X In A Row,” two cuts that have had success on the radio.

In my sit down interview the duo, they give insight on why they signed with 300 Entertainment, their musical background, the process of writing “3X In A Row,” their new single “Money on Money” with Young Thug, and much more.

Two weeks ago, we held the last show in our showcase series The Plug of the year. Headlining the December edition was Chicago’s Add-2, a skilled lyricist signed to the 9th Wonder lead Jamla Records, who has also been co-signed by artists such as Common and Kendrick Lamar. After the show and a few hours at Kings Boston in the Back Bay area, I spoke to the Windy City talent.

In our 12 minute conversation, we discussed Chicago, Spike Lee‘s controversial Chi-Raq movie, his latest album Prey For The Poor, the time he missed a Jamla Records studio session with Janet Jackson, and more.

Last weekend, Chicago’s Max Wonders visited Boston for the first time. After checking out some of the city’s notable attractions like Fenway Park, I sat down with him at Mass Apparel for an in-depth interview. During our conversation, the 18-year-old artist discussed the Chicago hip-hop scene, his recently released You Will Never Find EP, his forthcoming album, working with Trapo, where he sees himself in five years, and much more.

With our live showcase The Plug almost a week away, it’s a great time to get familiar with one of the acts that will be performing, Sechion. The Lowell, MA representative might not be on your radar yet, but he’s an artist to keep your eye on.

Thanks to his hometown ode “Mill Side”and his own curated City Love Tour 2, he’s taking the right steps and building fans organically. With a great deal of support from his hometown, he’s looking to use some of that momentum and further insert himself into the Boston hip-hop community. There’s no doubt that he will do that on September 24th, when he hits the stage at Lily Pad in Cambridge, MA with Merk, Tashawn Taylor, and Hil Holla.

I recently sat down with Sechion at Mass Apparel and talked to him about “Mill Side,” his summer tour, building Lowell’s hip-hop scene, his upcoming project, and much more.

Last month, Deon Chase released a quality project in Broken Details. The 11 track release showcased the young artist’s sharp pen game and silky crooning, a combination that results in an easy on the ears listening experience.

I recently sat down with the Summer Of 91 representative at Mass Apparel to get some insight on the project. In our conversation, he discusses the recording process, singing, songs that mean the most to him, putting his life in his music, upcoming videos, and a follow-up EP.. In addition, he talks about working with  Avenue and learning from him. On the question of whether he feels overshadowed by The Chandelier View rapper, he compares his situation to TDE‘s Jay Rock and Kendrick Lamar.