A new album from Strat brings on a combination of classic hip hop and rap along with a newer tone and a set of stories and honesty that all have hard hitting beats and fresh flows that all light up and make you think and picture vivid imagery in your head as they take mainstream and lo-fi and mend them together to create something unique and impactful.
The Stratosphere album is heavy handed in terms of music and beats and they all have such great ways of flowing into each other Strat gets experimental and hits like whiplash with a fiery attitude and a barrage of straight forward words and raps that have a way of grabbing at you.
Each song has something a little new and different to bring to the table, but the staple Strat sound is in the vocals, and it works like a charm.
The album is packed with massive sounds and tracks that feel like you've been listening to them for years. They incorporate vintage textures, keys, and tones to go along with that genuine swagger making the record have that aesthetic that feels nostalgic.
One of the singles is called "Slappers and Bars" (which features Santone) and it's got one of the most classic beats and flows that gives Strat the presence he portrays such an authentic style.
The album is brimming with gems and there is something for everyone, but this is really for the old school cats. The people that love the 90's hip hop sounds.
Believe me, it's nailed, and props to Strat for doing it right.
With the release of this badass album, we wanted to have a talk with Strat to fidn out where this actually came from.
Here's what went down.
RAG: Okay so let's start with "Slappers and Bars" This single has super classic feel to it! Where did this track come from?
Thank you! So the track is produced by Grab Beats TV and features Santone. I’ve collaborated with Santone in the past(a few years back) on one of his singles and knew I wanted to get him for one of my songs in the future. Once I heard this beat…I knew instantly that he would be a perfect fit, with his laid back, smooth yet decisively lyrical style. Once I had that in mind, I wrote my verses and the hook and reached out. Sent him the song and it was a done deal. He got it back to me quick. From the jump…I wanted to have that classic hip hop style in the form of a duo. I feel we’ve achieved that.
RAG: So how did this all begin for you? When did you fall in love with music really?
It all began when I was a child. Moms used to always play music around the apartment, in the car, everywhere. So it was always around me. I also had some of my Pops(whom I didn’t grow up with) old school soul, r&b and rap records left behind and I got into those. Plus I started coming home alone after school when I was 10 and I’d always watch music videos. I was mesmerized by hip hop culture and fell in love. I didn’t have a lot of friends growing up and was sort of an outcast in my town, so music was an escape and my best friend. It became how I could best express myself and be my true self. Thus began the writing, freestyling and eventually recording.
RAG: Who is in your headphones right now?
All types of stuff, a mix of current and old school. My new stuff I’m working on. The most recent full album I listened to was the New Lloyd Banks…Course of the Inevitable 2.
RAG: What inspires you to write a song?
Sometimes I just go with what the music(beat) speaks to me as I’m listening. Other times I’ll have an idea or ideas and already have the basis of that wrote before I choose the beat. Ultimately it’s whatever I’m feeling/going thru at that particular time in my life. Dreams, goals, aspirations, positivity, females, relationships, darkness, depression, anger, love…all things life.
RAG: I'm hearing some great styles on this song. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
Biggest musical influences have to be Pac, Nas, Biggie, Griselda Records, J Cole, Prince, Michael Jackson, and really anyone who I can relate to. Anyone who came from nothing and made something. Anyone who defied the odds with their back pinned to the wall. Of course they must be dope…to me. Haha…
RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
When not working on music…I’m probably out and about enjoying nature(weather permitting), chillin watching sports and wrestling. Huge fan of both.
RAG: Would you say live performances are a big part of what you do?
At the moment, unfortunately they are not. However I’ve done many shows in the past and plan to get back to that very soon.
RAG: This song feels like a big undertaking, is there any advice you'd give to other up and coming artists out there?
I would say don’t overthink anything and/or second guess yourself. Have confidence. Be yourself always and be original. Have some individuality about yourself and just go for it. Anything you want…you can do…with faith, hard work, dedication, patience, determination, confidence and hustle. It’s yours.
RAG: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
They can expect things to only get bigger and better, musically, visually and for the brand. Every release…we grow more and more. There is no stopping.
RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
I would like to say that I love you all. I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart and it means the world to me when you check me out. Without you all…I cannot do any of this. I will continue to give you that honest, different, original and one-of-a-kind music that you love.
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