What is your name?
TOPE
What is your genre of music?
Rap/Hip Hop
Give us a little bio about you.
Underground producer/rapper originally from Portland currently located in The Bay. Some of the bigger artists I’ve worked with include, Blu, Abstract Rude, Cool Nutz & Slum Village, TiRon, Scarub of Living Legends, and more.
Are you a signed?
Nope!
Your set to release a brand new EP ‘ Some Things Gotta Change’ tell us the meaning behind the title.
The title SOME THINGS GOTTA CHANGE just refers to that point in your life when you wake up and make a decision to stop what you’re doing and make a change. And also the fact that some things have to change in order for them to get better. It might not make sense at first, but there’s always a reason for the way things work. (Available now actually via iTunes, Spotify, and more!)
Describe each track in two words.
HOW I KNOW – California Summer
THE MAN – God Damn!
GLO’D UP – Bass Slapping
LET US PRAY – Black Lives Matter (did 3 because they were important)
TRYING TO FORGET – Fresh Start
THANK YOU – Overdue Letter
BETTER PLACE – Intro / Outro
what was the writing process like?
My writing process was weird because I wrote the EP in 3 different chunks, and I was in such a different place in my life at those different times. HOW I KNOW I wrote right before I finished the EP. I think that song kind of motivated me to actually release the EP. TRYING TO FORGET and LET US PRAY I wrote right when I moved back to The Bay at the start of 2017. The rest of the songs were almost 2 years old. I wrote a lot of those when I first moved down to Oakland.
what was the recording process like?
A mess lol. I think I recorded in 4 different studios for this album. I just never really got comfortable with myself and the studios. I’m working on that though, hopefully the quality on this next project will be back up.
Are you heading out on tour or have any shows coming up with the EP release?
I’m doing a short run of shows next month, and working on something for Europe but that’s not officially confirmed yet.
If so which cities will you be going?
9/3 Los Angeles, 9/11 Eugene, 9/12 Portland, 9/13 San Francisco, 9/15 San Jose http://itstope.com/shows
What has the response been like so far?
The response has been really surprising. I didn’t really have any expectations with this project and after not releasing music from almost 3 years I was a little nervous, but the response from the HOW I KNOW video was really dope and the EP has been a little slower but he blogs have been showing a lot of love.
Who was the first person you showed the new EP?
Honestly, I didn’t show anyone this project and that was the first time I’ve ever done that. I didn’t even listen to the whole thing myself until the other day to keep it real lol. I woke up early put in on and did some work, it wasn’t bad lol.
What made you go in to music?
I think it’s my genes because everyone in my family plays multiple instruments, except me and my sister because we never took lessons. I always just obsessed with music growing up – listening, watching videos, studying linear notes. I was just a nerd. Then in high school when I saw some of my friends rap, I knew I really wanted to do it too. After my Mom passed away I just started to take my music more and more serious.
Do you play any instruments?
Piano I guess? I’m teaching myself. I used to be super trash and now I’m just kinda trash.
Who are your influences?
15. Musically? Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, 2Pac, JDilla, Dom Kennedy, Bryson Tiller, Erykah Badu
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
it’s a combination of things really, it’s like when everything lines up right. Mainly starts with the beat so either someone has to send me some fire or I make something I like. Once I get an idea it doesn’t take long but it’s all about getting started. The perfect combination of energy, mood, weed, production, space, all help.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Let me get back to you on that lol
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Trolling people
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
I don’t know if there was a specific song but the just the entire underground movement of let’s say 98-2005? There were a lot of artists I was listening to at that time that made me feel like I could rap too. I remember just going to shows back in the day in Portland and just staring at the performers on stage looking at them like “I can do that.”
If your music got played on a TV show or Film/ which one would you want it to be?
My music has been placed on Oxygen for Bad Girls Club, I was supposed to be on The Real World but that didn’t happen. If I could choose a show though I would love to get some music on Insecure, that’s my show and they also pick the dopest music.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Don’t burn your bridges
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Love yourself and save your money.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Don’t let your success be the reason for your failure”
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Can’t forget my laptop! Can’t forget to kill it. Can’t forget to shout out the ladies. Can’t forget to get my money. Can’t forget to thank eveyone for coming out.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
