Luckily, RESPECT. was able to connect with the “Love Blast” rising star, and he spoke on everything from idols to family, as well as what fans can expect from him moving forward. If you haven’t heard about Skinnyfromthe9, don’t fret: you will soon enough…check it out below.

Image credit: HITCO

What’s the origin of your name?
Back in high school, people called me Skinny, but I thought that there would be other Skinnys out there so I wanted to be original. My hometowns area code is 908, so I just put the ‘fromthe9’ at the end of the name to differentiate myself from other artists and represent my hometown.

In earlier interviews, you said you listened to a lot of Eminem. What drew you to his music specifically? Would you say that – despite the differences in style – you were musically influenced by him in any way?
When Eminem came out, I was at the point in my life where I connected to everything he was talking about. The constant moving, changing schools and dealing with an unstable household were things I really dealt with, and seeing someone who made it out of that situation inspired me. I put my heart into my music the way Em did, I think that’s why a lot of people are attracted to my music: it’s real and it’s relatable for a lot of kids out there. I want to show people anything is possible, regardless of where you come from.

Given everything that you’ve been through growing up, what was the moment where you decided that you would commit to Hip-Hop as an artist?
Music was always an outlet for me and a way for me to express what was going through my mind. When I moved in with my dad he bought me my first microphone, and I fell in love from there and never looked back.

How do your parents and family feel about your growing success now?
Everyone is happy and everyone is living good now. They saw the hard work I put in so they are all proud that I put my mind to something and really stuck with it through good and bad.

With “Love Blast,” you expressed how women began to act different due to your rising stardom. How hard is it to develop relationships in the industry (in regards to women/love and people in general)?
It’s definitely not easy. I’m still getting used to all of this and the change in moving from New Jersey to Los Angeles. I don’t know whether people are really there for me or for what I can provide for them. I am just trying to have fun and enjoy life right now.

Since “Love Blast,” you’ve kept the consistency on tracks like “Back When I Was Broke” (my personal favorite) and “Space.” With all of these making noise, what can fans expect from you album-wise?
I have a lot of crazy records stashed right now, I’ve been working everyday with a lot of dope artists and producers. I want to make sure the first project I put out is perfect for my fans, it’s coming and I can’t wait to show the world what I’ve been working on.

We know you’ll be joining 24hrs on tour. Have you guys been cooking any music up? Any other collaborations in the works we can look out for?
For sure, me and [24hrs] got some heat together; we’re about to have the country on fire with this tour. I have a lot of dope collaborations coming. I have records with PnB Rock and Fetty Wap coming in the near future so definitely be on the lookout for those.

Even as you’re in the relative beginnings of your career, is there any advice that you can give other upcoming artists looking to make it in music?
The biggest piece of advice I can give upcoming artists would be to not listen to outside opinions and negativity and stay focused on your goal. People will always have something to say, but if you know where you’re going, that’s all that matters.

A post shared by LIL SKINZO IN THIS BIHHH (@skinnyfromthe9) on May 5, 2018 at 4:30pm PDT

So much can change for an artist musically and career-wise nowadays. Where do you see yourself next year?
In a year, I see myself being one of the biggest artists in the world. I see myself on the billboard charts and headlining my own tour. I try not to think ahead much and continue to work hard everyday, I think that my work is going to speak for itself.

CHECK OUT MORE FROM SKINNYFROMTHE9 HERE.

The post RESPECT. Interview: Skinnyfromthe9 appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: HITCO

Viral hitmaker Skinnyfromthe9 is back at it again with a dope visual to go with his new track, “Space.” The outer space-styled video stays consistent with previously-directed Upstate Groove visuals, including hints of anime-inspired transformations. Said the artist about the clip:

“‘Space’ is a flex, feel good song… The video is about me just having fun. I say some real stuff in the song that I feel like people can relate to, but I also have a good time. This shows another side of me and I’m excited for the world to hear [it]!”

Added to that: Skinnyfromthe9 also liberated (and spoke on) a new track titled “I Drip”:

“‘I Drip’ is a street song to keep my fans satisfied ‘cause they always want more music from me… I love feeling good and making music reflecting that. You’re feeling good about yourself, you’re dripped up in the latest fashion, dripping from head to [toe] — who doesn’t like that feeling?”

You can check out both “Space” and “I Drip” below. Skinnyfromthe9 is also supporting Atlanta’s 24hrs on his 3200 Lenox Rd. tour; those dates can be seen as well.

Upcoming Tour Dates
6/28: Phoenix, AZ – Pub Rock
6/30: Santa Barbara, CA – Velvet Jones
7/3: Oakland, CA – Complex
7/5: Sacramento, CA – Holy Diver
7/10: Billings, MT – Bones
7/13: Denver, CO – Cervantes
7/14: Kansas City, MO – Riot Room
7/16: Springfield, MO – Complex
7/18: Indianapolis, IN – Emerson
7/19: Chicago, IL – Sub T
7/20: Philadelphia, PA – Troc Balcony
7/22: New York, NY – SOBs
7/23: Pittsburgh, PA – Insomnia
7/25: Washington, DC – Tropicalia
7/27: Jacksonville, NC – Hooligans
7/28: Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
7/29: Tampa, FL – Orpheum
7/30: Miami, FL – The Ground
7/31: Orlando, FL – Sound Bar
8/3: Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
8/4: San Antonio, TX – Jack Rabbit
8/5: Dallas, TX – Prophet Bar
8/7: Tyler, TX – Cross Roads
8/11: Los Angeles, CA – Regent

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#PeepTheVisual: Skinnyfromthe9 – “Pink Choppas”

The post Skinnyfromthe9 Kicks Off the Holiday Weekend with “I Drip,” New Visual for “Space” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Said the artist on the new single:

“This song is motivation for everybody. You can do anything you set your mind to… If you dream it you can do it. I’ve been through it all in my childhood. My life gradually got better starting in middle school. Before that I was broke, homeless, poor you name it. Once I started getting fame and money anyone whoever laughed at me or doubted me, wanted to be my friend. I told them what was gonna happen and it’s happening. I freestyled this song and it was made an hour.”

Fellow rapper Wiz Khalifa and Russ appear in this carefree, in your face video directed by Upstate Groove Productions. It’s also a follow up to the highly-successful video drop for “Love Blast,” which amassed over 400K YouTube views in a matter of days (and currently has over 5 million SoundCloud plays and 2 million Spotify streams).

Enjoy “Back When I Was Broke” above and pick up the single here.

Image credit: HITCO

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#PeepTheVisual: Skinnyfromthe9 – “Pink Choppas”

Skinnyfromthe9 Delivers New Visual for “Love Blast”

The post Skinnyfromthe9 Drops New Visual for “Back When I Was Broke” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Wielding melodies as bright as his multi-colored braids in between spitting energized bars, Skinnyfromthe9 aspires to animate hip-hop like never before. Saving up money from a handful of jobs, he began recording in professional studios and uploading music to Soundcloud in 2016 as he collaborated with everyone from Jay Critch (Cash Money AP, Rich The Kid, Famous Dex) to Stitches (NBA Youngboy, Kevin Gates.)

After a brutal breakup, the MC put his head down and crafted the breakout single “Love Blast.” Tempering airy production, a wonderfully woozy and wavy hook, and airtight wordplay, “Love Blast” immediately lit up the internet. Within a few months, it amassed over 4 million Soundcloud plays and 1.9 million Spotify streams.

He continues that hot streak in 2018 with the hypnotic and high energy “Back When I Was Broke” and his latest visual “Pink Choppas,” debuted on WorldstarHipHop. As his profile rises, Skinnyfromthe9 might just be the disruptor hip-hop needs.

Peep the visual at the top of the post and be sure to drop us your thoughts in the comments section.

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The post #PeepTheVisual: Skinnyfromthe9 – “Pink Choppas” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

I wanted something crazy. So people can rewatch it. We freestyled the whole video — no treatment… I’m going to be the next artist, legend — whatever you wanna call it — to show people that dreams come true when you really try your hardest and don’t give up. I’ll be dropping ‘Back When I Was Broke’ since my fans are dying for it. I’m about to show the world who Skinnyfromthe9 is by dropping hit after hit with crazy visuals.

Check out the video for “Love Blast” (produced by James Frank) above (out now via iTunes).

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The post Skinnyfromthe9 Delivers New Visual for “Love Blast” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.