RESPECT. Interview: Get Familiar With Koncept Too Cold

Hate is something most artists in the industry seem to endure on their rise to popularity; but upcoming artist Koncept Too Cold seems to not only enjoy but encourage the outlook towards him on his new single “Hate Me”. Koncept is a self proclaimed ‘famous rookie’ who moved from the midwest to Sacramento, California to pursue a career in the music industry. We have him here today to speak about his career beginnings, and where it’s taking him. Koncept has been hitting the industry hard with a release on the 11th of every month, and says he has no plan on letting up anytime soon!

Koncept’s newest track “Hate Me” touches on the animosity he’s felt by his peers, and how he uses it to propel himself to new heights- Listen to “Hate Me” below the interview and check out what he has to say about his debut into the industry, his first track to hit 100k, and more! Make sure to stay tuned for the next release by Koncept Too Cold “Starving” dropping July 11th!

RESPECT.: What first got you into music?

Koncept Too Cold: I got a Yamaha keyboard as a kid, the kind that makes beats, ya’know? I had always loved music, at that time specifically a lot of originals, we were listening to a lot of Eazy E’s solo shit, and Cube. I had a homeboy I was always with at that age and we just started writing once we made some usable beats off the keyboard and showing them to, like his older brothers and they friends and it just stuck with me from there. Homeboy is actually the one who gave me my name. I was Koncept and he was Unkut.

Who inspired you to make music?

Artist wise I grew up on the originals, Eazy E, Pac, Pun, Eminem+D12.. then there were artists that I think really formed me as a person when I found them, like SPM, Ace Hood and Don Trip. Music has always been different for me it’s so personal there’s always things I’m hearing that apply somehow in my real life literally or metaphorically, even when I was a kid.

Really though, my dad was a DJ and I never would have started making music at such a young age if it wasn’t for looking up to him and the encouragement he always gave me about doing it.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

It’s a vibe! You’re gonna be hearing a lot of different sounds out of me while I find myself and my groove in the industry. But it’s all me. I won’t ever talk about sumn I don’t know about. Sometimes on different songs I’m trying to reach different people but if you listen close there’s always value to pick up on and game in the words coming out of my mouth!

What is your creative process like?

Creative process? If it’s a song I’ve written on my own time, weed. Haha, I wake up hella early most days. 5-6 am I’m up and smoking, and that is the best time to sit down with a beat and write. Honestly though, I probably write almost half of my songs while I’m in the studio with my guys and they’re going crazy. Capture it while the vibe is there. I write down little one liners and things all day whenever I think of them, my notes are full of them.

If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be?

Anyone? Alive- I’d have to say a Drake feature is pretty much the highest honor a rookie rapper can receive right now, haha. If I could bring back the dead for a feature though, Mac Miller is one I’ve always wished could be possible.

What does your day to day routine look like?

I wake up early. I smoke, work out, and make money. I haven’t had much time for friends since I moved to Cali. I spend a lot of time flying and even more time driving.

What is one message you would give to your fans?

Nobody is obligated to be the same person they was yesterday. The world we live in so full of copies and people following other people, and that’s cool too jus don’t be afraid to say f**k the hand you got and restart from scratch your own way. That and get you some money. Don’t live below your means just live how you want to live and upgrade your life to sustain that. If you hear me you hear me!

Do you have a favorite verse from your songs we’ve heard so far?

It’d have to be the second verse of ‘Hate Me’ haha. There’s a few notable bars in that one, I definitely think it’s the hardest of the songs I’ve dropped so far!

How important are the titles of your songs?

Maybe they’re more important than I’ve been treating them to be honest. They’re the last thing I choose, a lot of the time during production and s**t, my engineer will ask ‘what’s this one called?’ And I won’t have any idea- so pretty much until like, pretty close to release, the songs will just be named whatever the producer named the beat and then I’ll listen to the finished product and pick a name. It is important though because it’s the first thing the listener knows about the song, before they even have any idea what it sounds like.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

If it wasn’t for music, I would be building up small businesses with the people around me and passing them off to them once they gain some traction. It’s always been my dream to help my friends create stable, sustainable businesses. I mean, I’d probably be doing that now if I didn’t put every single thing I have into music! Or I’d be in trouble. I wasn’t on the brightest path before moving out here to Cali.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

It’s been good overall! I mean, as someone who consumes music daily I love having my streaming services. As a rapper though, the internet has saturated the market with would-be rookie artists, because anyone can create and upload music. So because of that, and the sheer reach that the internet gives the average individual access to it’s easier AND harder than ever before to get seen in the music industry.

What is your favourite song to perform?

‘What’s on my mind’ is fun cause I can usually get the crowd chanting with me, but I also love to do ‘Trapping In Da Rain’ because people get used to the simple beat and cadence, and then the switch up really takes them by surprise!

Which rappers do you admire?

It’s got to be Gucci Mane because of the legendary run he’s had in the industry, and because he’s got the best jewels in the game hands down!

What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

When I was 18 or 19 I was set up for selling weed and sat a few months in county back in Wisconsin. Had to donate all of the bread I had saved up. I just got off of probation for that this last year actually. Now that I’ve moved to Cali though, that’s the least of my worries. Completely legal here, fools laugh when I tell them it was a felony back home.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

I’ve heard a lot of variations of the saying but I think it goes “Opportunity is 80% preparation and 20% luck” meaning this shit don’t just fall into your lap. You gotta be PLANNING to win. That and don’t ever settle because everytime you give up someone else wins. You just got to want it bad enough to do what other people won’t, and I do!

What’s next for you?

There’s a lot going on right now, things are definitely picking up speed. For now, we’re going to stick to the plan, drop one song and video a month while we prepare to announce the release of my debut album. Hopefully we can plan a USA tour late 2021 early 2022. What I do know is you’re all going to be hearing a lot more of me in the coming months!