RESPECT. Interview: Upcoming Seattle Rapper Cordell Kilcup Has His Vision Set on 2020 after Debut Mixtape ‘Luxury-Tax Vol.1’

Cordell Kilcup is an upcoming artist out of Seattle, WA who has his sights set on 2020 not only just the year but his vision as well. He couldn’t wait till the day that he could push a fly whip thru the city with his own mixtape being the soundtrack for the night. Growing up in Seattle, he saw a lot of musical influences from all over the map. He credits 8-Ball, Suga Free, Devin the Dude, Pimp C and Mac Dre as being a few of his musical influences based on their melodic hooks and personality bleeding through the track which is what he aims for.

Cordell Kilcup had his first real musical experience was with his uncle Timothy “Tangaray” Pleasent who let him attend a studio session with him and that made him fall in love with the process and creativity behind the music.

As he diligently searched for his own voice, Cordell Kilcup stopped at guitar center in Seattle and set up his own private studio in his basement by the end of the day and the rest was history. He continued to sharpen his skills and looked into a more professional studio setting which guided him into of Pacific Studios in Tacoma. Since then, Cordell Kilcup has put in the work in making consecutive drops of music on SoundCloud and recently dropping his first mixtape, Luxury-Tax Vol.1.

RESPECT.: How has music inspired you?

Cordell: I found inspiration in music because I was looking for something in life that could put my name in the concrete. I was done with sports and never wanted to be another person rollin thru life punching a clock doing something I hate. I feel like that’s a fate worse than death. Once music became a craft for me my competitive nature took over and I started moving like an artist and viewin life from a different perspective.

RESPECT.: When did you know it’ll be what you’ll be pursuing as passion?

Cordell: I’d say when I made this song called “Collectin a Profit”. It was the first song I made that really gave me a style and helped me find my footing. At that point, I knew I was onto something and I couldn’t let the opportunity pass me by without taking a serious shot at it. That was the moment for me where making music outweighed everything else to me.

RESPECT.: What’s the feeling of releasing your own music and debut project Luxury-Tax Vol. 1?

Cordell: It’s truly amazing ya know just from startin out freestylin wit my homies in the car to actually having an album for my people to ride to it’s still crazy.. I don’t get too caught up in it though I know in this game you can’t spend too much time reflecting on accomplishments or you falloff quick I’m already knee deep in my next project.

RESPECT.: How do you expect your fans to receive you as an artist, especially being from an independent hub such Seattle?

Cordell: I feel like with my style it’s gonna be easy for people to relate to me from all walks of life. I’m a class act so I expect a very diverse fan base a lot of love, I’m keepin shit player given good vibes and keeping it authentic I feel like the people will respect it. Seattle is a hype city so once you make a couple headlines people start to take notice and get behind you imma have to do my thang in other states first and they will catch up to me down the road.

RESPECT.: What makes the substance of a hit single?

Cordell: I feel like a real smash hit single first off has to appeal to the masses and that is what makes it a hit. After that I feel like you got to have that beat that gets people moving with a hook that’s the extraordinary something that keeps their head ringing and stays on the tip of their tongue.

RESPECT.: How important is finding the perfect melody for the right hook?

Cordell: It’s EVERYTHING that’s what gives it that Hook feel. The melody is what gets stuck in people’s head ya know. There’s a way to say things and in music you gotta know how to apply that because your energy, vibes, or whatever you want to call it bleeds through your music and I feel like the melodies are the direct connection to the soul.

RESPECT.: Who is on your Top-5 artist list?

Cordell: My personal top 5 in no particular order is 8-Ball, I feel like he’s one of the greatest MC and one of the originators of this player shit. Lost is one of my favorite albums to this day. Pimp C to me just had so much soul on a track and kept it so real the mans legacy is still standing strong to this day. Suga Free to me is one of the greats you always know when Free is on a track and he ain’t ever compromised his style. Another one of my favorites is Mac Dre being from Seattle, we got a heavy Bay Area influence and Dre had a lot of stuff I could relate too and was such an original artist that means a lot to me. To round it off I’d have to say Philthy Rich. I just respect the way bro really gets to work always dropping albums and videos consistently making waves while building his brand.

RESPECT.: Who are the Top-5 hook kings/queens? (Rap & R&B)

Cordell: Man you know a strong hook can carry a whole track and the best to ever do it in my opinion was Nate Dogg. I mean just look at the mans resume who can disagree? After that I’d have to say the great Sade she is my favorite non-hiphop artist and when you look around hip-hop today look at how many times she’s been sampled. Z-ro to me is definitely dope with the hooks. I like artists who can switch it up between singing and rapping. Next I’d have to say LL Cool J. I feel like LL made so many transitions with music and he had that RnB/Rap on lock for years. I think Future is definitely on this list, I personally think his sound set the standard for a lot of the music you are hearing today as far as the hooks being catchy and upbeat. I’d give the last spot to Devin the Dude he’s one of my favorite artist all time any hook he’s been on has been fire and I appreciate his confidence to try new shit and be different.

RESPECT.: What can we expect from you in 2020?

Cordell: You know i’ma keep it real, I plan to leave my footprints all over 20/20 definitely going to see an album, a couple EPs, and multiple singles. I also plan to reach out to some other camps and do some collaborations with some established artist I will be bringing my music to life with some next level visual work as well. I got a blueprint that I feel strong about as long as I stick to the script, keep working hard and apply that pressure i should be kicking down some doors for the next decade.

RESPECT.: What does RESPECT. mean to you?

Cordell: Man, RESPECT. to me is a Key fundamental of life it was something I was raised with, I was always taught to take pride in my last name and put on for my family so I can’t stress it enough. it’s one of the few things in life that takes forever to EARN but a second to LOSE so you gotta stand on what you say and always live up to your words with actions. I hope by the end of 20/20 I will have earned that from the people and be able to show them my appreciation with continued works of art.

You can stay connected with Cordell Kilcup below and on SoundCloud below and here.

#Cordell Kilcup #Luxury-Tax Vol.1

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