An Interview with A Hype

Dami: What was your first introduction to music?

A Hype: My first introduction to music is quite unclear to me to this day, as I knew it existed for a while but never really paid it any attention until 2016 when I started listening to Tupac and got into him in a major way. From there in 2017, I started to get into rappers such as Big Pun and DMX and Canibus and etc. MF DOOM and others soon followed after.

Dami: What led to you making music professionally?

A Hype: Well, what led to me pursuing music professionally and wanting to in the first place was the thought of who I’m meant to be. Something I’ve struggled with for quite some time. Music gave me purpose and meaning I feel to this day and it’s something I can pick up and do, something I can share my tastes and beliefs with others, something that I keep feeling confident about within myself. The work ethic of artists like Tupac and DMX and Nas and Jay Z etc had me super invested and still do to this day.

Dami: Who were your biggest inspirations when you made this decision?

A Hype: Some names I’ve already mentioned such as Tupac and DMX and Nas and MF DOOM, others such as Rakim and Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap from the 80s as well, then you have names like AZ and Masta Ace and Mos Def and groups such as Wu-Tang and the whole No Limit Records label. There’s so many rappers I could say. Also, my mum who listened to me and allowed me to be myself.

Dami: Would you say these artists also shaped your sound?

A Hype: Without a doubt I would; to a great extent as well. Tupac shaped how I first thought of writing rhymes and pronouncing the end rhymes for emphasis. MF DOOM changed my whole rhyming world with rhyme schemes and uniqueness. Rakim is, to this day, still the internal rhyme king in my eyes as he’s the innovator and just is so great with it. DMX gave me the inspiration for more passion and aggression in my voice and delivery. I could keep going on for a while haha.

Dami: How would you describe your sound in general?

A Hype: I’d describe it as one of a kind honestly, and that’s not to brag at all. Rather, it’s because I truly don’t know how to compare it to someone else. Good or not is up to the listener. I, most of the time, hit very dense rhyme schemes and patterns while also going for a silly and unpredictable style. Random topics and switching from topic to topic seems to be a constant among my work if I had to list a constant. But really, my music is zany and quite out there.

Dami: How did you come up with your stage name?

A Hype: The first initial of my first name is A so that’s where I got the A from, and I am a very hyper person. I have autism and ADHD so that probably factors into that, but that’s how I came up with the name A Hype. Also as I was really getting into Tupac and his frequent collaborators as well, I liked how the name Big Syke sounded and wanted a two-word name that was simple and to the point like his name.

Dami: When making music, where do you grab inspiration from?

A Hype: Usually other rappers and/or past life experiences, and/or my imagination. Those are the big 3 factors as to where I grab inspiration from. I’m a spontaneous person so sometimes I throw ideas off the wall too, and see what sticks and how it sticks.

Dami: You just dropped a new single. Can you tell us more about it?

A Hype: Yes. I’m usually dropping music a lot each month. Some vary as to how much, but usually it’s a lot in my eyes at least. At the moment, my most recent single is called “Natti” and it’s produced by one of my many collaborators, Whirley. It’s a more melodic and simple song, lyrics and structure wise, and I feel really good about it. The song I dropped before that one was a single called “Dead Theory” produced by Mark Jones, and that’s about me dissing a group/collective called Shed Theory directly affiliated with and supported by Sam Hyde who’s a disgrace in my eyes at least.

Dami: What was the creative process for Natti like?

A Hype: I received the beat for Natti one day on my Discord- I usually receive my beats on there or my Gmail- from Whirley and from there, I listened to the beat and was hit with an idea right on the spot. I wrote the song just like that and then recorded the song just like that. It probably took less than an hour total on that one. When I’m in the zone, it all clicks for me usually and I’m able to make songs I love at a very quick pace. Sometimes, I write songs without the beat playing in the background, and just make the words and rhymes all fit within the beat. Sometimes, I try to be off beat on purpose. It really depends on how I’m feeling and where my energy is at.

Dami: What 3 words would you use to describe the single?

A Hype: Energetic, refreshing, and spectacular.

Dami: What’s next after Natti?

A Hype: Funny you ask that, because I have another single coming out very soon. Tomorrow actually at 4pm EST. It’s called “Go Play” and it features and is produced by DJ 20124, who I’m doing a full mixtape with. At this moment, I have a ton of albums/mixtapes I’m working on all at once and there are singles already out for some and for some there are not, but I have a lot of stuff in the works as well as my 700+ songs already out at this moment. Expect a lot of A Hype soon and in the long run too.

Dami: What else do you hope to achieve this year?

A Hype: I hope to achieve making more music, continuing to build up my collaborations, and networking within music all in process, along with bettering my mental health and focusing on doing more things outside of the house to enjoy life.

Dami: Is there a reason you drop so much?

A Hype: I feel like if I’m gonna collaborate with someone that I owe it to them to drop what we do. I also get immense joy out of putting myself out there, even though it’s been nerve racking in the past to a big extent and to this day, still can be at times. I make a lot of music with a lot of different people, so it’s also cool to get different viewership/listeners from those who may be introduced to me through others. Really it’s the love for the music and the love for the crafting of it, along with the “go big or go home” kind of mentality. That’s why I drop so much.

Dami: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

A Hype: I don’t have much of an idea at all to be quite honest with you. I hope I’m still making music and that I’m happy with where I’m at and more than just surviving; I’m thriving. It’s hard for me to think even just a week ahead of time. 5 years; I could be dead by then, who knows. If I do die, I want to go out for a cause I believe in, for speaking up, for not holding back. That’s how I want to at least if it were to come early. I hope in 5 years, we have amazing inventions and that people haven’t used AI for bad reasons.

Check out A Hype’s latest releases here