I’ma show you how to do this, son
If you listen to your local radio station, then you know that the airwaves are flooded with Atlanta rappers. For instance, 2 Chainz has had a string hits like 2013’s “Feds Is Watching” and the Juvenile-inspired “Used To.” He’s also been busy in 2014 by appearing on songs with Kevin Gates and Cap 1. Plus, he recently released his Freebase EP. Fellow Atlanta rapper, Future, who just welcomed a healthy baby boy to the world, is riding the wave of his sophomore album, Honest and getting his swag on with singles like “Move That Dope” and the Kanye West-assisted, “I Won.”
But, Future and 2 Chainz aren’t the only two Atliens moving units. Young hit-makers like Migos, Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug are making big boy noise with their club and street anthems. Then there’s K.Camp, who just released the 2 Chainz-assisted visual for “Cut Her Off.” Camp has been putting in work for a few years now and he’s got college girls and radio stations going crazy over his hip-hop melodies. His recent deal with Interscope Records is proof of his die-hard grind.
K.Camp got his start in 2009 on in the open mic scene with fellow AtLien, Waka Flocka and Decatur native Travis Porter. Not long after making a name for himself, Camp penned a local hit, “All Night.” It was a favorite among college students and Atlanta’s club scene. But, because of inexperience, on the business side, the song didn’t reach outside of the ATL. Then in 2012, Camp was part of another local hit, with Myko Montana’s “Do It.” But, again, his inexperience as a businessman put him on the losing side of bad business.
But, scripts are written to make it seem like the main character is on the verge of defeat. When naysayers thought Camp was done, he surprised the haters again with the catchy and radio friendly, “Money Baby,” and his recent song, “Turn Up For A Check,” featuring Yo Gotti. His 2013 mix-tape, In Due Time was so successful that it was re-released on Livemixtapes.com.
Despite the national attention he’s been receiving lately, K. Camp hasn’t forgotten his core fans. Tonight, The Source caught up with the Interscope artist in the college town of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to discuss his career, obstacles and why college students love his music.
Congratulations on your deal with Interscope Records.
Putting in that footwork. That independent grind and really they just seen the vision that we had and they wanted to partner-up, so we made that move.
Have you started recording new material yet?
Nah, I haven’t gotten a chance to get in there yet.
Any features on the album?
We got a couple features on there, I don’t want to give them out. But, it’s going to be nice. It’s basically, In Due Time revamped. It’s to a broader audience. They [Interscop] push buttons to the world. When I drop the tape it hit a certain region. But, with Interscope it’s going to blast if off even bigger. Then we gon’ fuck the streets up with a tape.
When you started out you did a lot of crunk music. What made you switch your style up?
I wouldn’t say I did a lot of party shit, that’s what I put out. I been had the material, the good music, but that’s what I thought people wanted to hear from me until I got older and started maturing with my music and figured out the art of it and telling my story on the beats.
Why do think “All Night” didn’t blow up outside of Atlanta?
We was young n**** and didn’t know what to do next, that next step as far as the radio. We had the clubs on smash, but when it came to politics and next level and funding on radio, we didn’t have that. We was in the clubs getting drunk, just breaking a record, ya feel me. It didn’t get the proper push that it deserved.
How long have you been rapping?
I been writing lyrics for a minute. But, I didn’t take it serious until like 11th grade.
What made you get serious?
I just like the way I sounded on tracks and I just kept doing the shit.
Can you explain the situation with Myko?
We ain’t going to get into that too much, but we recorded that record in my momma basement. I orchestrated the whole record, how the beat was cut out, the whole shit about that record. But, when the song came out, both parties didn’t see the same, people didn’t see eye-to-eye, people changed, I didn’t get the recognition I deserved for that record. But, we pass that.
How did you and French Montana hook up?
Rich The Kid shot me a text saying that French wanted to get on the “Money Baby” remix. Rich The Kid be out there working. Salute to Rich The Kid. He sent me a text video with French and I heard the verse. And, I was like, ‘this nigga not bullshitting, tell him to send me a session.” They sent the session and we had the French verse.
So, you wasn’t in the studio with French nor Ty Dolla $ign?
Nope. It was just through good connections. I sent it to Ty and he knocked it out.
When your mom was your manager did she go to clubs with you?
She did. She went to like networking events, like the open mic, she didn’t go to like the club, clubs. She can’t do that, she can’t hang.
What does she think about “Cut Her Off?”
That’s her favorite song.
Really, why does she like that song?
Cause she want to cut a b**** off, too. She ain’t no bird brain, she want to cut a b**** off, too.
When did you know that you could make it in the rap game?
When I dropped “All Night.” When I seen the reaction I got from that record, I was just playing around with it and it took off like that. I was like, ‘Ok.’ I just had to keep going, get in the studio, perfect my craft. I had to find my sound. Once I found my sound it was over with.
Who do you want to work with?
Andre [3000]. That’s going to be tough. Once I get Bun B on a record I know I made it. Drake, [LIl’]Wayne, all the greats, man. Everybody out there that’s big, that’s killing shit. I want to compete with the best of them.
What are you listening to and who influenced you?
I’m influenced by B.I.G., Tupac, Bone Thugs & Harmony, Hot Boyz, The Temptations, Sam Cooke. Everybody. I’m real musically inclined.
We bump a lot of underground Atlanta music, but mainly I’m listening to myself. I critique myself all day.
You’re a perfectionist?
Got to be. You can look at my phone, I bump K. Camp all day.
Do you listen to other genres?
Yeah, I don’ just listen to R&B and Hip-hop. I listen to rock, country. I put it on my Pandora, I don’t know the name of the artist, but when the song comes on I’ll know it. Jamaican, Regaee, all that.
A lot of college students love your stuff.
I’ve just been fucking up the college scene. A majority of my shows were at colleges, especially when I first started. College students relate, that’s my age group, and the grown folks and the teenagers. I got big teenager fan base.
You were a college student at one point, right?
I went to West Georgia. (University of West Georgia).
What were you studying?
I was studying nothing. I was there for two months and got the hell on. I was studying the f****** Chick fil-A sandwiches in the morning.
Five years from now K. Camp will be….?
Running the game, on top of the game, businessman, making hell of money. On the Forbes list, have a couple artist, producers, just getting all the money.
As told to Darryl Robertson (darryl_robertson)
Putting in that footwork. That independent grind and really they just seen the vision that we had and they wanted to partner-up, so we made that move.
Have you started recording new material yet?
Nah, I haven’t gotten a chance to get in there yet.
Any features on the album?
We got a couple features on there, I don’t want to give them out. But, it’s going to be nice. It’s basically, In Due Time revamped. It’s to a broader audience. They [Interscop] push buttons to the world. When I drop the tape it hit a certain region. But, with Interscope it’s going to blast if off even bigger. Then we gon’ fuck the streets up with a tape.
When you started out you did a lot of did lot crunk music. What made you switch your style up?
I wouldn’t say I did a lot of party shit, that’s what I put out. I been had the material, the good music, but that’s what I thought people wanted to hear from me until I got older and started maturing with my music and figured out the art of it and telling my story on the beats.
Why do think “All Night” didn’t blow up outside of Atlanta?
We was young niggas and didn’t know what to do next, that next step as far as the radio. We had the clubs on smash, but when it came to politics and next level and funding on radio, we didn’t have that. We was in the clubs getting drunk, just breaking a record, ya feel me. It didn’t get the proper push that it deserved.
When did you get start rapping?
I been writing lyrics for a minute. But, I didn’t take it serious until like 11th grade.
What made you get serious?
I just like the way I sounded on tracks and I just kept doing the shit.
Can you explain the situation with Myko?
We ain’t going to get into that too much, but we recorded that record in my momma basement. I orchestrated the whole record, how the beat was cut out, the whole shit about that record. But, when the song came out, both parties didn’t see the same, people didn’t see eye-to-eye, people changed, I didn’t get the recognition I deserved for that record. But, we pass that.
How did you and French Montana hook up?
Rich The Kid shot me a text saying that French wanted to get on the “Money Baby” remix. Rich The Kid be out there working. Salute to Rich The Kid. He sent me a text video with French and I heard the verse. And, I was like, ‘this nigga not bullshitting, tell him to send me a session.” They sent the session and we had the French verse.
So, you wasn’t in the studio with nor Ty Dolla $ign?
Nope. It was just through good connections. I sent it to Ty and he knocked it out.
Do you feel that some New York rappers are stealing southern artist style?
I don’t pay attention to none of that. I just do K.Camp. I ain’t worried about anything anybody else got going on. I’m focused my team, my brand, my vision. I do K. Camp.
When your mom was your manager did she go to clubs with you?
She did. She went to like networking events, like the open mic, she didn’t go to like the club, clubs. She can’t do that, she can’t hang.
What does she think about “Cut Her Off?”
That’s her favorite song.
Really, why does she like that song?
Cause she want to cut a bitch off, too. She ain’t no bird brain, she want to cut a bitch off, too.
When did you know that you could make it in the rap game?
When I dropped “All Night.” When I seen the reaction I got from that record, I was just playing around with it and it took off like that, I was like, ‘ok.’ I just had to keep going, get in the studio, perfect my craft. I had to find my sound. Once I found my sound it was over with.
Who do you want to work with?
Andre [3000]. That’s going to be tough. Once I get Bun B on a record I know I made it. Drake, Wayne, all the greats, man. Everybody out there that’s big, that’s killing shit. I want to compete with the best of them.
What are you listening to?
We bump a lot of underground Atlanta music, but mainly I’m listening to myself. I critique myself all day.
You’re a perfectionist?
Got to be. You can look at my phone, I bump K. Camp all day.
You say you bump underground Atlanta music, do your rock with Scotty ATL?
I got a record with him, he said he was going to put it on his mix-tape, but he didn’t.
What will K. Camp add to the game that Atlanta artist hasn’t already brought to the table?
I’m just keeping the city alive. I’m just telling my story. Everybody don’t get a chance to tell their story and I’m getting a chance to do me, so I’m keep this shit moving. We killing shit right now.
A lot of college students love your stuff.
I’ve just been fucking up the college scene. A majority of my shows were at colleges, especially when I first started. College students relate, that’s my age group, and the grown folks and the teenagers. I got big teenager fan base.
You were a college student at one point?
I went to West Georgia. (University of West Georgia).
What were you studying?
I was studying nothing. I was there for two months and got the hell on. I was studying the fucking Chick fil-A sandwiches in the morning.
What rappers influenced you?
B.I.G., Tupac, Bone Thugs & Harmony, Hot Boyz, The Temptations, Sam Cooke. Everybody. I’m real musically inclined.
Do you listen to other genres?
Yeah, I don’ just listen to R&B and Hip-hop. I listen to rock, country. I put it on my Pandora, I don’t know the name of the artist, but when the song comes on I’ll know it. If I like it, Jamaican, Regaee, all that.
Five years from now K. Camp will be….?
Running the game, on top of the game, businessman, making hell of money. On the Forbes list, have a couple artist, producers, just getting all the money.
