What’s good everyone! I’ve been M.I.A. for so long, from a trip out to Washington state for two weeks, to school,

you name it! – So many things I coming your way (as always – Hey think of it like this, can’t stay I never owe you some sort

of cool post right?).  As always I like to interview artist when I have time. While I enjoy getting the chance to interview some

dope artist, I have to say that this one is truly one of my favorites. If you haven’t heard of the name Raspy Rawls, or

even if you’re familiar with the name, this is a interview you don’t want to miss.  I always believe connecting with fans, and

viewers is important when getting your music out there, but it also plays a huge role in keeping things alive as well.

With that being said, enjoy this interview, as I truly hope you take something positive from it. Also be sure to check out

Raspy Rawl’s music as well!

Interview with Raspy Rawls:

LS: Bait, Fisherman of Men without a doubt is proof of your mantra, “Truth With Real Music, Not Kill Music.” The album houses a lot of positivity, and puts forth some real topics. Can you talk a little about this project, and give us some insight to how it all came together?

RR: Let’s see, where should I start. Aite I got ya. In the beginning of 2011 I began actually working on my debut album. Blujai, who is my main producer, and I had just started working together. We were trying to get a feel for one another. At this point, he was in his beat making stage. He’s an artist also by the way. He started sending me these crazy beats that got my created juices flowing. Only problem we had was that he sent more than a few with samples in them. Being that this was going to be for an album and not a mixtape, I knew I did not have the funding to clear them all. All I knew was I had too many great concepts to let those beats go to waste. This is when I decided to put out the Bait mixtape.

LS: It’s safe to say you keep it old school, but weave the sound that it
can resonate with a younger audience, as it’s different from what is on the radio. What influenced that sound?

RR: When you find out, please tell me LOL! Compared to the rest of my team I’m old. Well at least that is what they tell the world every chance they get lol. This project felt more Old School mostly because of the samples that were used. My sound is different than what you hear on the radio because they are not talking about anything important in their music for one. For two, in rap it is a bunch of rap songs being made, instead of music. I can’t rap!!! I’ll be the first to admit it. People look at me funny when I say this, but there is a difference in being able to rap, and being able to write songs and make music. I am great at writing songs. Where the chorus goes into this verse, that verse ends falling into the chorus, and so on and so on to make a complete song. I hold any artist to the same standards I hold myself to. I do not understand how you have a chorus saying one thing, and the verses saying something else. I listen to lyrics, and you must make sense to me in your music. EVERY SINGLE WORD HAS TO MAKE SENSE TO ME!!! Not only does it has to make sense, but it has to be good music. I could give you all the positive lyrics in the world, but if I do not know how to make good music, it’s pointless.

LS: Word!

LS: For those new to hearing the name Raspy Rawls, where did it all begin?
Can you give us a little history of your music?

RR: I was released from incarceration in the fall of 2009. One night while at the barbershop/studio, a few artists were working on a compilation album for the studio. After getting my fresh cut, I told them I would write a verse for one of the songs. They thought I was joking. So they threw on a
beat and rapped the chorus to me. I grabbed a pen, and paper and said give me about 20 minutes. My oldest nephew, Gee, looked at me and said if it was garbage he would clown me. I wrote it, went in the booth to record it, and they pretended like the equipment was tripping. Go figure, LOL. They all left and I was still there, when a close friend of mine, and fellow artist J. Frank came through. I asked if he could record me. He recorded me, but I did not let them know until the next day. I played it for them and my cousin, AJ/owner, told me I had 24/7 access to the studio, and he wanted me in there every day. I chose the stage name, Somebody, at that time. It was because everybody was Somebody to someone. Move along to 2010, a female friend of mine started calling me Mr. Raspy. So I changed my name to Mr. Raspy before the release of my first project, Voice Recognition Street Album. That was June 2010, by October that same year, God woke me and showed me the mission that my life was created for. Once awakened, He started revealing things to me that was embedded in my mind for years. Things I use to wonder why I
even recognized, let alone remembered. I use to have this saying, “ I’m a rare species”. Still don’t know why I was thinking about this that day, but while doing it a name change came to mind. I dropped the Mr., took Rawls from Lou Rawls and his distinctive voice, and said I’m not a rare species. I am Rare Royalty. The official name is actually Raspy Rawls Rare Royalty.
I just use Raspy Rawls for the convenience of it, but my logo has the
complete name on it. That name change came in my mind in under a minute. God made it tailored made to fit!!!

LS: Got to appreciate that you take time to recognize self. I believe people sometimes forget their own greatness.

LS: On the Bait album, you dedicated a song to your upcoming album. What can we look forward to hearing on your next project?

RR: Lol, my lil brother T-Mav be saying he still can’t get over that concept. Let me clear this up, that song is dedicated to my next album, not mixtape. The album I referred to earlier in the interview that I was working on at the start of 2011. That is what that song is dedicated to. Now as far as my next project goes, Politics will be dropping in a few months. No release date as of yet. I don’t want to box myself in. You can expect growth from me as an all-around artist. More comfort in the booth, a totally different lane as far as production, and I slowed down the flow some so you can understand me better. Some of the knowledge was getting overlooked, because
I was rapping fast on some songs. I can’t wait to release Politics to the
world!!!

LS: If someone asked me what separates Raspy Rawls from other artist, I’d have to say your approach to music, and the content. You’re not afraid to be yourself on a track, and I think that is the key element, aside from your voice (hence the name!). What do you think is missing from music these days?

RR: A fight for humanity. I mean a real fight for it. We are letting this
popularity and money get to our heads. Artists walk around like they do not breath the same air as others in a lower tax bracket. Those others you look down on are the ones who probably scraped their money to go to one of your concerts. The gap between the have and the have not’s are widening. But you can’t put all the blame on the artists, because people are the ones who worship them. If you are reading this, I want you to listen to my next words clearly. I am a human like you. It does not matter how popular my
music becomes, do not run up on me with all that hollering and screaming. I am not famous, that would be Jesus!!! Want an autograph or a picture, walk up and ask like a human. You’ve been warned!!!

LS: Speaking of music, the production on the Bait has some very creative moments such as track 15, “Saw The Signs.” More so, it was unexpected. What would you say is your most favorite song from this project to perform?

RR: First let me go on the record about that song, Saw The Signs. That has to be the hardest song I have written to so far. I had to sink into that beat to find a way to come on it. Shout out to my super producer Blujai for always challenging me. My favorite song to perform has to be 1 Love. It is a fan favorite and mine also.

LS:  As mentioned, you did a song as a prelude to a future album. What do you hope that people will get from your next project?

RR: The next project is an empowering project. I am on a mission to empower the everyday human, the percentage of humans that are at the bottom of the barrel, yet it’s that same percentage of people that are the most on the planet. I have a serious problem with that. This makes me seek the knowledge I seek, and write the songs I write. It’s time to wake up the world, and shake up the system. We are at an info war. The less you know, the dumber you are. And I
would love to see a world full of smart people who think for themselves.

LS: I remember we were talking about concepts, which are far, and few from albums releases these days. Will the next project incorporate something
that goes beyond the normal creative process, rather than just the project being labeled as just as a new album?

RR: It wouldn’t be a Raspy Rawls project without it standing out. I’m Rare Royalty, it’s just in me. The concepts are crazy, but nothing I tell you can prepare you for Politics. You knowing the tracklist would not even benefit you, because my mind is in so many places. It is basically
impossible to detect which view point I will write from. As I am writing
this, I just came up with another concept LOL! #WICKED

LS: Nice!

LS: As always, I like to inform everyone of what’s happening with new
artist, or current. Do you have any shows coming up, or anything people should be on the look out for?

RR: First, thanks for interviewing me. It means a lot to my brand, my team, and myself. Thanks to you, the reader, if you are reading this it means you read the entire interview. Hope you enjoyed it and have a better feel for me, and my cause. I’ll be shooting my first video sometime in July. The date is not locked in yet, and I’m not telling which song lol. I am playing in and performing at the Positive Solutions 2nd Annual “Stop The Violence New Orleans” Celeb Basketball Game and Peace Feet. That will be held on July
21st at L B LANDRY HS, 1200 L B LANDRY AVENUE, NEW ORLEANS, LA. If you in the New Orleans area during that time, come out and show some support for something positive. We need to show others that someone really does care.
Thanks to everyone again, and MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL – RASPY

Be sure to check out these links for Raspy Rawl’s music!

Also follow him on Twitter, and stay updated!

http://www.datpiff.com/profile/RaspyRawls4Rs

http://www.youtube.com/Raspy4Rs

http://www.facebook.com/TeamRaspyRawls<https://www.facebook.com/TeamRaspyRawls>

http://www.reverbnation.com/raspyrawls

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