RESPECT. Interview: Rittz Talks New Album ‘Top of the Line’

The Atlanta based rapper, Rittz is dropping his new album, Top of The Line under the Strange Music record label. The album is set to be released two weeks from today, May 6th, and will include features from Tech N9ne, E-40, Mike Posner, Devin the Dude, and MJG to name a few. The production has a strong 70’s soul vibe to it with work by Michael “Seven” Summers, Florian “Heartbeatz” Wiesner, and Kato. We got a chance to talk to Rittz to see how he was feeling about his new work.

RESPECT.: How do you feel about your new album, Top of the Line?

Good, I have a very positive feeling about the album and the future road life. I’m in tour mode now, working with Yelawolf and Strange Music but I’m really happy about the album and am ready for fans to hear it. I’m in a very good space musically and am pleased with where my career is headed.

RESPECT.: What is the concept behind Top of the Line?

This is one of the more “chill” albums I’ve done in a while, normally my music is pretty deep and serious. Top of the Line does have a few serious songs but most of them are songs you can ride to and chill to. I wanted the album to have a Bruce Lee, Enter the Dragon theme, so it has a good 70’s soul feel to it.

RESPECT.: You have a good variety of production on this album, how was it like working with these producers?

When I began thinking of this new album, Heartbeatz helped me figure out the concept of the 70’s feel. Once we got the concept down I got in contact with Summers and he came in strong with the 70’s tracks. He (Summers) is a very versatile and skilled producer and I honestly didn’t want him to stop once he started making them. There were only two tracks I didn’t use from the eight he sent me.

RESPECT.: How involved are you in your production?

I don’t sit in the booth with them but I will tell them ideas or certain examples of what I want, and listen to them. I am very picky about what I want, so we will talk on the phone about what is working and what isn’t and I will choose.

RESPECT.: Are you preparing any tour dates for Top of the Line?

Yes, right now I’m touring with the whole Strange Music Group, but after this we will be planning the tour I’ll be headlining. Right now we were thinking Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This would be my first time going to any of those places, and my first run. It will be a fall tour most likely.

RESPECT.: What do you want your fans to get out of your music?

I want my fans to relate to the emotions of the songs. I want them to feel the music and pain in the more deeper tracks. Everybody goes through different rough times in their life and I want them to be able to get through them with my music. With the less deeper songs I want them to enjoy the creative sounds and appreciate the effort of my rhymes, lyrics, and wordplay. I want them to appreciate the music and artwork of the album together.

RESPECT.: Do you have any favorite songs on Top of the Line?

My favorite song is the introduction, Top of the Line personally. It introduces the title of the album, the theme of the album and just sets the album off as a whole. But my favorite among the other tracks change by the week. This week I’m feeling “My Window” and “Back to Yesterday.”

RESPECT.: Do you have any predicted singles besides “Inside the Groove?”

I was just talking about that but I’m just going to wait and see what people gravitate to. My mind doesn’t really think about singles the way others do. I want to see how the fans react and then go from there. I think “All Night” could be a potential single, but for this album we’re going to get out as many visuals as possible.

RESPECT.: What are your top 3 works out of your previous albums and mixtapes?

Top of the Line
White Jesus Revival
The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant

RESPECT.: Lastly, because we are RESPECT. what does respect mean to you?

Respect means letting someone be themselves. If you can’t let an individual be themselves then that is the ultimate disrespect of a person and their potential.

If you haven’t already, go check out Rittz’s new album, Top of the Line, out on iTunes now!