Introducing R.I.P Thuggery

How old are you? I’m 30

Where did the name R.I.P Thuggery come from? The name R.I.P came from my team when I was younger and really involved in gang activities. I added Thuggery when I decided I wanted to rap. When I was young it was just a name but as I got older it meant Rest in Peace to my thuggish ways through music. Music is my solace so my name reflects what it has been for me.

Describe your sound in three words ? Creative, energetic, spontaneous

What would you like people to take away from your music? No complicated answer here, I just want them to enjoy it and not take everything literal. I will not do anything to you if you do not do anything to me.

Tell me about Go Crazy…

I wrote Go Crazy about a year ago and at the time I was feeling like I needed something that sounded nutty. Godbless my lead producer was skimming through tracks and played the beat by mistake. He wasn’t feeling it but I did instantly and I had him send it to me. I wrote the song in about 30 minutes starting with the simple hook.

What can we expect from your album? You can expect nothing to sound the same. Every song has its own life. Meaning every beat and rap style will differ thru out the album.

Why do you feel your move from St Louis to Chicago saved your life? Where I was from in St Louis in the 90’s young guys weren’t making it to or pass there teenage years. So I have to thank my mom’s for trusting my stepfather and allowing him to take us out of our comfort zone because we where use to it. I would’ve been dead for sure.

What do you think of the current state of Hip-Hop? I feel it’s heading in the right direction now because of guys like J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar and Big Krit.

What hurdles have you had to overcome as an emerging artist? Mostly staying motivated to continue, that’s why it’s important to have an support system.

Who are your musical influences? I have many but the main 2 for me are Tupac and Tech N9ne.

Who is your celebrity crush? I don’t have that anymore lol. But when I was younger it was Janet Jackson and Stacy Dash.

What is the best advice you have been given so far and who was it from? The industry is 90% business and 10% talent. Heard this from Forest Symms manager of Dennis Edwards of The Temptations who also managed me.

What is the top three things you could not live without? Family, music and support.  

When did you know you wanted to be an artist? I knew I wanted to be an artist around 16yrs old. It was the stereotypical basketball or music for me. Before that I wanted to be a gangsta because that’s what I was around and in my eyes they had everything.

What can we expect from yourself and your music in the near future? Hopefully a lot of success in business and music. I have a series on YouTube called “I Record Music” that’s allowing fans to communicate with me via email giving feedback and advice on the album. In the future I’m looking to involve other artist because I feel it’s a great way to communicate and have the fans feel involved with you and your projects. It’s in its infant stages right now but soon we will be streaming live with the fans during the album process. You can always expect the truth from me no matter the subject (I want hold back). For anybody who want to give me feedback or help during my album process check out my series on YouTube at www.youtube.com/ripthuggery.

You are clearly very driven, what are your motivations? My family, money and being the best.

Who is your least favourite Rapper? And why? I don’t like most of the rappers the same. I’m to competitive.

What was the first Album you ever bought? The D.O.C. “No One Can Do It Better“