By: Todd “DG” Davis
Rapindustry.com
We recently caught up with Elcamino to talk about new projects & more.
Having already built long-standing relationships with both the Black Soprano Family and Griselda, it was a no-brainer that Elcamino would eventually wind up signed to one of these entities. Following the release of the Long Live DJ Shay project, Benny The Butcher would announce that Camino was his new acquisition having inked him to The Butcher’s BSF imprint.
They Spit On Jesus is Elcamino’s official BSF solo body of work. The 13-track collection features collaborations with Benny The Butcher, Inspectah Deck, Havoc (of Mobb Deep), Armani Caesar, Jansport J and his fellow BSF brethren Loveboat Luciano and Fuego Base.
Now let’s hop right into this single / video, “Neva Gon Change” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?
Of course “Neva Gon Change” comes courtesy of your brand new LP, THEY SPIT ON JESUS— Conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you?
How then does THEY SPIT ON JESUS either differ and / or compare to previous Elcamino efforts?
It’s probably better because I stepped it up a notch with the flows; a lot of my stuff before was just like snippets I would make on loops probably 1 to 2 minutes long…now I make full songs. I might even sing on the hook; if you pay attention, you would notice I’m known for doing choruses but I never really put them on my songs- laugh out loud! – I don’t know, if I got into detail we would be here until Christmas!
As an emcee, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw inspiration from?
Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Elcamino?
Now you’re a native of where exactly? And growing up there, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?
Where does your moniker originally derive from?
The car.
What particular string of events led to your initial linking up with Benny The Butcher and ultimately inking with his BSF imprint?
What particular string of events led to your initial linking up with Benny The Butcher and ultimately inking with his BSF imprint?We started in Griselda together really; at one point, it was just me and him…but I always followed bro lead with this music shit. I learned how to hustle in this rap shit just watching bruh work; watching how he move around different people in the industry. I always planned on teaming up with bro, just was more about timing and me having myself more together as an artist because, man, it’s discouraging rapping with that man, especially if you ain’t really got yo sauce all the way together. Lol! But, nah, that’s my brother; it was only right I brought it back home and inked that deal with BSF…that’s what they wanted, the fans loved it!
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
I just want people to listen to this shit. I get a good amount of streams. I ain’t try’na leave no message in particular, I just want people to listen to this shit and see how good I am…really, that’s all.
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Beyoncé, and it would have to be one of those songs that breaks me down, too. I love to cry alone in the house listening to Beyoncé; it’s one of my favorite things to do when I’m Dolo!
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Madison Square Garden; not try’na be like everybody else, but I hear that’s one of the best places you can perform. I also heard they said when you make it to MSG, you made it, so that’s what i’mma go with, MSG.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?
I feel like we could use more rap songs being played on the radio, then maybe it would help people realize, “oh shoot, bars ain’t that wack after all,” but I don’t wanna be that guy, I feel like Hip Hop is in good hands.
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
Staying healthy, staying alive, staying free, keep learning…for longevity, you gotta live beyond the best of your ability; meaning you gotta go a little harder, but at the same time find time to take care of yourself. You gotta have balance; people ask me how I can go from just rapping to singing to making a trap song…it’s really just balance; gotta spend time with your family, gotta rest, gotta exercise and you gotta eat…but you have to lock in with yourself.
Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
I just wanna own a lot of businesses and workout and raise children…at some point, I want to invest in businesses, make smart investments, everything else is extra work. I rather just let my money work for me at a larger scale at some point. I always watch billionaires talking about they just letting they money work for them; I’m try’na get more into that, but on a larger scale, you feel me? And, still be able to get in the booth at 50, like Jay-Z and throw darts.
To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
I really don’t know honestly.
What’s an average day like for you?
I workout, I play basketball, I go to the studio and I’m in the house…literally I don’t go anywhere in the town. I online shop. Lol! And, I manufacture all of my clothing so I’m really to myself for the most part unless I’m with the guys., I be with my other half a lot, but that’s my personal life…but long as she happy, I’m happy.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…
I love them, but we don’t speak very often, kinda like my 1 cousin. Lol! I’mma be more vocal moving forward; like next year though. I literally can’t speak right now, I’m too busy.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
I love making the music, but I hate shooting the videos …why, because my team never wants to shoot videos when I’ve been in the gym for 2 months every day straight; they wait till I put on a little weight to always shoot. Lol!
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Stay patient, but at the same time have a sense of urgency…you gotta work and be consistent, and you gotta live right; that helps the process.
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
Lord says the same on the billboard.
As for the immediate, what’s next for Elcamino?
You never know.
Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
We covered everything. I feel like king I’mma crown you ’cause you’re a king.
