Yelawolf: “There is something beautiful about controlled insanity”

US rapper Yelawolf talks his double album War Story, embracing the craziness, and the broken heart of an artist By Katharina Moser Rays of warm sunshine peak through the half-opened thick curtains and illuminate the mixing desk in soft light. On the dock, it says “Trunk Muzik Forever”, next to it a sign adorned withContinue reading “Yelawolf: “There is something beautiful about controlled insanity””

Two Lane James: From Anger to Energy, and Energy to Happiness

US artist Two Lane talks about fiddling with Yelawolf, the beauty in anger and the unique spirit of the American South By Katharina Moser Hip hop is arguably the most stereotyped genre in music history. This notwithstanding, countless hip hop artists have been swimming against the comforting current of the mainstream, crafting a lyricism thatContinue reading “Two Lane James: From Anger to Energy, and Energy to Happiness”

Caskey: “Tune out anything that doesn’t really resonate with your spirit”

Florida rapper Caskey about overcoming depression and addiction, learning to find happiness, and why he never listens to any tattoo advice. By Katharina Moser 808s blasting through the speakers of a shiny cadillac, polaroid-blue sky in the background, the leather-covered steering wheel in the tatted-up hands – that is how listeners might visualize the sceneContinue reading “Caskey: “Tune out anything that doesn’t really resonate with your spirit””

Taysty: “I love to start from nothing”

By Katharina Moser “In the kitchen and it´s taysty” – that´s the characteristic trademark words you might find when listening to songs produced by nobody else but Taysty himself, the notable producer and self-proclaimed tastemaker who has been shaking up the music industry for years. But taste is by far not the only thing thatContinue reading “Taysty: “I love to start from nothing””

“I represent those who have been counted out”

From prison bars to country melodies: Country singer and songwriter F1 of FMG speaks about urban country, music as a way of re-inventing yourself, and how cool it is to smile. By Katharina Moser Eight years is a hell of a long time, enough time to break you, or to make you. And what ofContinue reading ““I represent those who have been counted out””

Cowboy Killer: “I’m killing the cowboy to create a new one”

Tales of a Westerner: The rising rapper Cowboy Killer on a new generation of country rap, overcoming your past, and reconciling the West with the hood By Katharina Moser “It was a dangerous journey ahead for the Cowboy. Hard times hit, and by the time he reached out west, the wild country was on fire.Continue reading “Cowboy Killer: “I’m killing the cowboy to create a new one””

Killer Mike: “We are the voice of the proletariat that they are not allowed to have”

Ears up everybody – mid of June is approaching and it brings what might be the best hip hop album of the year, or at least one of the most precious pearls of sound you have heard for a long time. Killer Mike is the name that mightily covers a man who can call forContinue reading “Killer Mike: “We are the voice of the proletariat that they are not allowed to have””

Manager Charlie P speaks out about Young Buck and 50 Cent

Part of the history of G-Unit: We spoke to Nashville icon and influential manager Charlie P By Katharina Moser If you look into the hip hop history of the United States, from the Deep South up to the East Coast and the legendary legacy of G-Unit, there is one name that, no matter how youContinue reading “Manager Charlie P speaks out about Young Buck and 50 Cent”

Hecto: “I want to let people know where I’m from and what I represent”

Out of Cuba and out of prison: US-rapper Hecto unleashes a new style of hip hop with Cuban roots and shares a story of finding yourself By Katharina Moser Sometimes the one thing that helps you to find yourself is music – and there is hardly someone for who this is more true than forContinue reading “Hecto: “I want to let people know where I’m from and what I represent”

Baldacci the Beast: Fighting the odds

About gang culture and the freedom to choose – Baldacci the Beast in interview By Katharina Moser Even if you don’t get close, it is not hard to recognize Baldacci the Beast. Deep black tattoo ink covering nearly every inch of his face, it is no surprise he is being called “Face of LA” inContinue reading “Baldacci the Beast: Fighting the odds”