Today’s successful rapper is far more than a stage name and fresh freestyler. They have to possess a certain level of business acumen, media savvy, and most importantly be a master networker. Who you know is how you grow. BLOW, a St. Petersburg native - former hooper and current hustler - is Independently Major CEO Thomas Jones’ top draft pick. The dude with the signature beard, drophead Bent Coupe, and strip club base music spent a day in the life with DOPE MAG.
Read an Excerpt from the Full Length Feature
(Tone Swep: TS) Let’s start off with a conversation about those Florida streets of St. Pete, man. What part did you play in the mischief and mayhem?
(BLOW: BLOW) Coming up in St. Pete man I had to adapt quick. It’s a go-getter city. A lotta people running all over to get money how they get it. Basketball was a big part of my life. I played high school basketball, played JC (junior college) ball. And then I was using my skills being a hustler and learned how to make my own money my own way.
(TS) I interviewed Yo Gotti recently and he was expressing that it’s hard to be around entertainment types now after being in the streets with real muphukas his whole life. How has the transition to the industry been for you?
(BLOW) Well, I’m blessed to be in the situation I’m in because Thomas Jones is so official. So I’m in the industry dealing with industry people, but he keeps reps in place to deal with most of it. You can tell the people trying too hard to rock with you are doing it for one selfish reason or another. You never want to let your guard down until you know somebody personally. A real hustler can adapt to any situation they are put in, because there are mainstream corporate type hustlers who will hustle you too.
(TS) You were out in Cali recently. How did LA treat you?
(BLOW) LA was a good look man. I’ve always wanted to go out there and chill, work. But my cousin was always living there and he died two years ago so it was sort of a bitter sweet trip. I was out there to perform for an HBO boxing event, so I met Don King. I went to In-N-Out Burger (Laughs!). I was handing out CD’s. They put me on to YG. He’s big out there and his music is always on blast. I seen he was on ya’ll’s cover earlier this year too.
(TS) Every city has its own signature style, you know. You’re from St. Petersburg. How could you see a dude or a chick out and about and instantly know they are from St. Pete? What would immediately give it away?
(BLOW) Cars, clothes and tattoos! I have to get my wheels sprayed, you know, painted. Gotta charge up the 28’s. I have to get the newest shoes before they come out and anyone else gets a chance to buy them. Cats from Tampa and St. Petersburg show out. We’re really flashy. And people come there from other places and say “aren’t ya’ll going to get robbed with all that on?” But they don’t realize everyone is like that, so no, you‘re probably not going to get robbed.
(TS) On “Done It All” you sound like you had to let the haters and hypocrites know you’ve been in the game, making money, partying, and actually living the life they are lying about.
(BLOW) That “Done It All” freestyle was just an answer. When you’re on top of your game and you’re eating, people feel like you don’t deserve everything that you’re getting. I’m not a character. This is my life. That song is pretty much just for anyone who wants to get at me. But I would be wondering about how good my career was going if I didn’t have haters. You’re walking around with nice clothes on, driving nice cars, rolling with a major team, and it brings haters. I’m not saying no one’s name but they know who it’s for.
(TS) How was it getting in the studio with French Montana for the “All I Do Is Ball” track? That’s a big record. It could go more commercial. Did you feel selfish about that joint though, like maybe it was too big for the mixtape? Possibly reserve it for the album?
(BLOW) It keeps getting bigger and bigger as I become more relevant. That record could be played at sports games, on video games. It’s a blessing to even be speaking about albums. It’s hard to sell an album today, so everyone is working these singles. “Watch Me Work” is my next single. I’ve been working with some established producers in other cities on more records like that. But for “All I Do is Ball”, I mean, you’re talking about Kobe and LeBron and Jordan. So when you go to a state like Indiana and perform it (Laughs!)… they felt some way about it. But I have different types of songs. I have strip club music for the clubs, but if I’m at a high school I have crossover songs that are cleaner for the kids. I want to do songs with Good Charlotte and Maroon 5. I want to hit markets in other countries.
Follow BLOW on Twitter
Listen to BLOW‘s Hot Single “ALL I DO IS BALL” f/ French Montana
Check out BLOW Performing “ALL I DO IS BALL” in ATL
Check out BLOW‘s “LEVELS” Freestyle
Check out BLOW‘s “RUNNIN’ THRU DA CHECK” Check
Visit Indendently Major Entertainment’s Official Site
Purchase the “NOW” Issue of DOPE Magazine on September, 24th