By: Todd “DG” Davis

Rapindustry.com

 

Fueled by a pair of lead singles; “New Cadillac” and “Ni Una Pala an Levantado,” rising Southside of San Antonio based rapper Hoodlum semi recently unleashed his impressive 21-track tour-de-force, Brown in America…

Let’s hop right into this latest LP, Brown in America — Although pretty self-explanatory, still tell me, conceptually, what this title represents both to and for you? 

It represents being a kid in America that comes from a Latin or Indigenous background. Not all of us have it perfect and we’re one of the many cultural groups that often are overlooked, but we don’t complain about the hardships because there’s more work to do. So on this project, it takes you inside what it’s like to be Brown in America. 

How then does Brown in America either differ and / or compare to previous Hoodlum entries? 

I think all of my projects tie together. My subject matter and flow is cohesive throughout all of my releases, but Brown In America shows a little more of my evolution as an artist. 

Brown in America is a StompDown project — What particular string of events actually led to this signing? 

That’s the homies; was supposed to do the project with StompDown after I did the Empire deal, I fuck wit them. 

As a lyricist, when you sit down to pen your rhymes where do you draw inspiration from? 

I always draw inspiration from my life experiences; the good, the bad, it all helped shape me to be the man and artist I am today…so it’s important for me to express that in my music. 

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Hoodlum?   

I’ve always loved rap. Being from Texas, I was surrounded by dope artists from the chopped and screwed era to new artists that continue putting Texas on the map. For me, it all started with freestyles that eventually gained attention and that’s when I started to take my career more seriously and release projects. 

Now you’re a native of San Antonio, TX, correct? So growing up in ‘Military City,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?    

Some of my biggest influences are OutKast Big Moe,  Z-Ro, Lil Wayne,  Jay-Z, Scarface, Future, Devin The Dude, and really all of the Texas artists that helped put our sound and style on the map. 

Having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?  

My sound and style is “trunk music.” Trunk music Is that heavy bass, energetic, hard rap. It’s the type of music that you want to blast through your car and ride around to. 

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music? 

I want people to be motivated after hearing my music. Motivated to go after what they want in life. Also, for them to just escape from their world into mine for a few songs.     

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why? 

I would choose Lil Wayne or Tupac. Both of them are GOATs in their own right, and always had crazy wordplay and delivery and stayed true to themselves.   

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?  

I would pick anywhere overseas again. Tapping into different cultures, but knowing y’all on the same vibe because of being connected through the music.     

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?  

Yeah, why not? I’m not one to overanalyze things. But from what I see, everybody has a lane to get their music out to fans and everybody’s eating one way or the other. 

What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity? 

Being able to provide for my family and friends off something that’s positive that doesn’t have to do with drugs or robbing. I never graduated HS, so to be able to come from where I’m from and make as much as I have off just words is amazing.      

What’s an average day like for you? 

Making music, spending time with my kid, smoking and taking time to myself. 

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps? 

Keep going; don’t be the person that gives up when you’re right there. 

As for the immediate, what’s next for Hoodlum? 

More music, more money and more programs and businesses to help my community and my people. 

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?   

Nah, I appreciate y’all time; appreciate everyone who ever made this dream I had since a kid, possible. 

Lastly, any “parting” words for our readers? 

Read this interview, and learn a little bit more about me.