RESPECT. Interview: Cam Carter Talks About Memphis, Legacy, and His Debut Album ‘Halo into Hell’

Cam Carter: I grew up in Southeast Memphis and I’d always hear it in the neighborhood. Memphis rap is all we cared about. Three Six Mafia pretty much ran the city then, and it was impossible to not hear it. I remember songs like Coolio “Gangsta’s Paradise”, 2 Pac “Changes”, and Master P “Bourbon and Lacs” always being near by. I was introduced to Hip Hop way earlier than that, but it wasn’t until I started reading poetry books that I started to gravitate towards it more. Then I was downloading music from anywhere I could, no matter how long it took to download. As I got older, I was able to understand the emotions behind the music and I’d dive into everything I missed before. Then when Lil Wayne hit the scene hard with the Carter albums, I found my calling and I’ve been into Hiphop ever since.

Cam Carter: My music speaks for that kid that has ever said, “I’m not big enough to play football”. “I’m not smart enough to go college”. “My family will never get it”. “There’s no point in trying, I’ll never make it”.

In other words, my music represents hope. If I can do it, you can too. If I can take setbacks and crazy obstacles, so can you. If I can overcome self doubt and get out of my comfort zone, why can’t you?

My music speaks to all walks of life and my goal is to shake the world and grow my audience.

Cam Carter: No. I think the culture of Hiphop went from telling the truths in the streets, capturing vibes and empowering people to everybody trend tripping in their attempt to be famous.

Some artists do a great job of resurrecting the culture, but now everything is so saturated it takes going viral to be viewed as successful.

With this, it allows artists to be famous for the wrong reasons and they have to maintain the bullshit in order to stay what they believe to be relevant.

Every now and then a Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Joyner Lucas or a Logic pops up and flips the script. So the culture is still there. We just need a new wave of pioneers to wake it up.

Cam Carter: I’ve worked with Kingpin Skinny Pimp, which is one of my mentors, and we have a song titled “Pink Panther” that will be released soon. That’ll be a fun song to bounce to. It’s themed well and I had fun with that one.

I had Mike Gonsolin mix and oversea two projects “Shadows” and “Spaceships”. I have to say he is a pioneer in this industry, and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. The time he takes to put into his craft is almost unprecedented. Any struggling engineer might want to look into his work ethics because he’s by far one of the best.

I’ve worked with Ray K as well and we’ve knocked out a handful together and he’ll be producing a few of my other projects.  We’ve became pretty close so I’m excited what will stem from our collaborations. We have one called “Fake Sunsets” that I’m definitely looking forward to.

I’ve also worked with Ghostwriter LA. He’s dope.  I just released a single titled “Anything for That Body” that has been getting positive reviews from blogs. His beats are an uplifting curve ball and I like where my pen goes when one of his beats hit my ears. We’ll have more on the way in the near future.

Everywhere I go, I learn along the way. Phillip “Big Phil” Hudson and Chase Van Leeuwen taught me the most in the beginning. They taught me the process and the basics to get all bases covered. If an artist needs help learning the basics when it comes to collaborations, I’d tell them to start with a spilt sheet. This game is not a lady.

Cam Carter: Game. How to maneuver through the puzzles of life. How to embrace yourself and have fun.

How to not be afraid of things one doesn’t understand. I want to leave behind a legacy that resonates for centuries. I have a lot of work to do.

Cam Carter: Yes. I also felt like I wasted a lot of time. But with each song I release into the universe, I feel a small piece of the world falls off my shoulders. Things are beginning to fall into place, and I envisioned a lot of them at an early age. I always knew I was meant for something big, but had no clue how to get it. I had to learn many things the hard way because I’m stubborn and don’t listen. I been around evil people that steer others in the wrong directions so I always am skeptical of everything. So, I didn’t know when to listen or when not to. I had to learn to accept that, focus on what I can control, and keep it moving.

Cam Carter: I’m the future I have to warn ya, hurry up to California. Now here’s a letter for your agent and your lawyer. Ethically it’s moral, but physically it’s harder. I thought I told you Mr. Carter, keep your skepticism bottle. I see you’re rot weiling and your stomach not growling, but remember vacations not smiling and confused? That used to be you. And this letter from the better me in history is you. So stay hungry fool. You know what to do. Don’t stress and second guess and get played like chess and lose. Be the best you in everything you do. Sincerely, you.

Cam Carter: I am hip-hop. I eat it. Breathe it. And will die hip-hop. Simple as that.

Cam Carter: “Halo into Hell” the album. That’s a big project so that’s the primary focus. Also expanding my network and my team is important and growing my catalog so it’s ready for a tour.

With all the Corona Virus stuff that’s happening it makes it difficult to forecast what will happen next, but my show at The Whisky A Go Go got moved to August 13 so I’ll add to that and start working on putting more content and visuals out. Some of my concepts are expensive so I might have to Avatar some ideas. I’d rather do things right the first time. So If that halts my process so be it. What frustrates me in the music industry is having to wait on others to clear this or that. So anything I can make happen myself will get done. From there it’s only a matter of time.