On Monday I had the opportunity to sit down rising hip-hop artist, J. Spitta. The 29-year-old West Bankhead, Atlanta native is a rapper who is on his way to taking over Atlanta. The difference between J. Spitta and other newcomers from Atlanta? His approach to the rap game is completely different. As cliche as it may sound, it's true!
It was a rainy Monday afternoon and my biggest fear was that the rapper cancelled and we had to reschedule the interview. As I was setting up for the interview, J. Spitta saunters into the room in an all black attire and shades, we shook hands, he flashed a charming smile and sat down across from me. Before things could get awkward he began to ask me questions and even crack a few jokes, which made the entire interview so fun and easier to conduct. In between laughs I realized I wasn't recording, stopped him and we officially got down to business.
There's a lot of new rappers from Atlanta and it's looking like Atlanta is about to take over the radio waves, what separates you from any other artist?
In terms of who I am and my music, I’m different; and I know that sounds super cliché. I'm different because I’m me. The typical Atlanta sound is very melodic; you know autotune-ish, uppity hooks, 'stunt-stunt-stunt', 'ball-ball-ball' music. A lot of dope boys, a lot of gangsters. For me I come at a different angle, it’s like that Andre 3000 line “I came up in the hood, but I’m not a hood dude.” I came up in a very crazy environment, but I never let that dictate what I wanted to be. I don’t have records talking about me being a dope boy. I’m not running in ya house, I don’t have a choppa, I don’t have it coming in off the boat. I have records that talk about real life scenarios, where I mildly boast, but my boasting isn’t about having a yacht or a Bentley. I don't have any of those things! I might talk about my shoe collection, different women, or traveling the world. I may talk about being the best lyricist or the best in the game. Mostly, I tend to talk about me being different.
So for me its just giving that content of my life and the insight of what I’ve been through. It's a mixture of content, being in the club having fun, and something you can really vibe two. I don’t curse, drink, I’m drug free. I have a lot of radio ready songs. The content may be explicit, but for the most part, I try to differentiate myself from the common modern day Atlanta artist or hip hop artist.
Who has influenced you to rap and how did you get your start?
My brother first introduced me to rap and I started rapping when I was 12. Outkast, MJG & 8Ball, artists like them have inspired me the most. I think of metaphors, similes, punchlines, as pretty creative. The mixture of lyricism and a dose of content. I like listening to J.Cole, Wale, Schoolboy Q, Big Krit, Ab-Soul, Kendrick, Kevin Gates, all I've been bumping heavy. I like an array of different artists.I've heard a few of your songs from your mix tapes and I like a lot of the beats. What are you currently working on?
My first EP, Going for Broke, is out on iTunes. My last project was No Doz and Weed Smoke Vol 2.0 that dropped on Father’s Day on Live Mixtapes. I'm working on my new EP titled, Bankhead: The Story of the Underdog. This is what I guess would say is my baby. On this EP, it's me going back in and really being more hands on with my music. More composing. No more hook-verse-hook verse-song ends. If I go in listen to it, it’s more of but a bridge here or drop the bass right here. I’m going into it with the whole "sha-bang," with features and videos. So hopefully this will be dropping in August or so, possibly before then.
Nice! Are there going to be any Features? Something for the ladies?
I have a record by the name 'Carlos Slim'. It’s a party record. I've been trying to get in touch with Cyhi the Prince. He’s a really good, raw artist signed with GOOD Music. He's out of Atlanta also, so I’ve been in talks with his management. Another feature would be with Rich Homie Quan, and another with a local singer-rapper-producer: Actual. I would definitely make a song for the ladies.
Are you on anyone's track now? Working with someone from TDE, J.Cole, Wale?
-Shakes head no, then holds head down- No! I wish! God make it happen for me!
-Laughter-
Nah, but forreal, if I could I would like to work with all of them. J. Cole, TDE, Wale. Especially people I look up to – Drake, peole I look up to. These are still people in my same profession, but I enjoy what they do. Whenever I see an artist that I look up to or inspires what I do, I would LOVE to get on a track with them. I’d love to to do a lightskin track with J. Cole or Drake, we’d probably call it Lightskin Takeover.
I'm willing to work with pretty much anyone that’s out there. From Country to Neo-soul; doesn’t matter. I'm open. If it’s a good look, a good record or a good fit, I’ll do it because even within hip-hop it’s only so far you can go. If you do a collab with Blink 182 or Travis Barker, anybody, they have a much broader fan base and you can captivate their fans and bring them into your world. [For example] You can listen to me on a Luke James track and his fans could be like, 'hey I wanna listen to J. Spitta' and vice versa. I’m always open to working with any types of artists, it’s not just narrowed down to Hip-hop and R&B.
I opposed to the notion before, but I would ghost write for other artists. At this point it wouldn’t matter. I used to want to be the headlight, as I'm getting older and maturing, the idea has popped in my head a few times. I'm open to it. I'll still be getting the plaque, credits, and money. -He laughs- I think it would be pretty cool.
And one thing I’m great at is beat making. In particularly the hand to wood beats! I’m cold with the cafeteria table –Laughter- with the pencils? What? Don’t get me started. -More laughs- No, but I used to produce, but I stopped for some reason. I used to make beats for myself in my early, sampling days. My friends keep telling me I need to get back into it, so I’ll probably be making beats soon.
'All I Ever Wanted' off the Going For Broke EP. It's all about being in the game, getting my name out there and just wanting to be known. I was so hungry for attention and to be noticed and taken seriously as a rapper. Another song I have, which hasn't been released is B.C. (Before Crack). It was actually inspired by a video I saw of Tupac on WorldStar Hip Hop. Tupac was talking about life before crack hit the streets. I did my research and talked about it in that song. It hits home because my family was affected by drugs and it almost broke my home apart.
He even went on to spit a few bars from the track, exclusively for me.
You've came a long way and you are really mature, which is refreshing to see from a rapper. Is there any advice you would give your younger self?
Shoot and rob a lot of people. -head nod and silence, then he laughs-
I would say 'Get more focused, and put business first.' Make sure you have your business in line, have some type of savings or some type of budget in or order first before you make moves. I would tell myself also to maybe attack different avenues early on. I used to kill open-mics, back then I was really thinking I would get signed off of open-mic shows. Salute to the open mics, but I would’ve told myself to at that age to go out and get more connects than focus on one focal point. Don’t be afraid to travel outside of your city. Don’t be scared to to experiment with yourself. Surround yourself in different cultures.
You see when I was younger I had record when I was flexing. And I didn’t have none of that. It really took someone sitting me down and saying, this ain’t you, be you. I told myself then, don’t try to be anyone else be yourself. Understand you have to have certain rules and guidelines in place. You have to have a plan. Back then I didn’t have a plan.
Where do you see your career in the next 3-5 years?
3-5 years? Probably McDonald’s. -Nods head- Yeah, McDonald’s –Laughter- Probably a nice, –Deep sigh- Supervision position. –More laughs-
Nah, but in 3-5 years I see myself being a staple in the industry. I feel like it’s getting to that point, where the artists that are on, have content. So we’ve been throwing J.cole’s name around a lot but, J.cole, Kendrick, Big Krit, a lot of these rappers have a lot to talk about rather than 'Hey let’s pop mollies, sip lean, sell dope or have a party.' I feel like what I do falls right into the mix of those people. They can make all different types of records. I could see myself on some raw stuff, Jay-Z stuff. Signing people, allowing people to get some shine, not just doing something for myself. You know, being a staple, putting people on, making executive decisions and moves.
Overall, the interview with J. Spitta was enlightening and fun. From the hilarious interruptions and laughs to sitting down and getting to know him better. Now unlike many of the rap stars in Atlanta, you won't catch J. Spitta in the club or "whyling out" with any groupies. He's a man about his business and is focused on leaving a legacy behind to encourage others to be more than a product of their environment. After the tape stopped recording, J. Spitta gave some candid advice. "Whatever it is that you do, make sure you're doing something that you love. Take the steps in that direction and remained focused." Be sure to check out his mix tapes and even watch a few of his music videos on YouTube.
CONVERSATION