“Somewhere in the back of my mind
I think I’ll always hear that voice
Talking to me, it’s just my drug of choice.”
Red is a rapper from Madison, Wisconsin, a midwestern city that surprises me with the amount of hip hop talent in residence there. Red links with two of Madison’s most exciting emcees, Trapo and Ra’Shaun for his new single, “Drug Of Choice.” Red starts the track off and handles the hook, he contemplates hard times, survival and escape, with a variety of flows, saying “Feeling like I’m losing myself, I don’t want to fade away.” Trapo comes in next with his impactful voice, RaShaun finishes with thoughtful and hard hitting bars. The three compliment each other very well and have created a cohesive, introspective piece with “Drug Of Choice.” Today is Red’s 19th birthday, he’s starting his new year off strong with this release. We at 1833 wish him a very happy day and a big new year. :balloon:
This is Red’s 1833 debut, he kindly answered some of my questions.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
My name is Red, I live in Madison, Wisconsin, on the east side of town. I was born in Chicago, but my family moved me and my older sister out of the city because of the death of my uncle Ali. My mom knew it would be better for us in Wisconsin, and ever since 1999 I’ve been here.
How did the song “Drug Of Choice” come to be?
I was beat searching on soundcloud and I stumbled across this crazy beat by this guy named Dixie Hype. I started writing to it and got something going after like a day, then I laid it down, I was like ‘yo, you know who would kill this?’ I instantly hit up Ra’Shaun, then asked him if he could get in touch with Trapo for a feature? Ra’Shaun is my homie from hanging out, to past shows, or doing features. I don’t know Trapo well, but he cool people’s. Seen him perform hella times and that boy go crazy. So I got them both in the studio, and I recorded and mixed it right then and there. The song has a concept about drugs of course, but not just any drug in particular. It could range from an addiction to women, to shopping, to aggression, to anything!
Where was it recorded?
At B.A.M.N. INC. Studios
How long have you been rapping?
I’ve been rapping for about 8-9 years.
What made you start making music?
My uncle Mario is dope at freestyling, one day he was rapping to a beat with his friend, then they told me to go, and something clicked and I spit out like 6 bars. (laughs)
Have you performed much?
Yeah, I’ve been performing in venues and bars since I was 14.
What are you listening to these days?
I listen to mostly local artists, other than my city, it’s Kendrick, Cole, Chance, Childish Gambino, Ab Soul, School Boy…
What’s in the water in Madison, a lot of heat coming from your neighborhood!
Since that cop killed our homie Tony Robinson, shit ain’t been the same. It’s got a weird vibe here. But I love it here. Just no love for how they handled that situation.
Is there a supportive hip hop community?
Kinda sorta, there’s people fighting to keep it alive and then there are those evil beings that want to ban it. It’s pretty balanced I’d say. It sucks there’s not larger support though.
Would you give me a few words to describe what your music sounds like?
Crazy, soulful, enlightening, powerful, raw.
What is something the world does not know about you?
I have a dream that I can change people’s lives. One song at a time. I put a lot of passion and meaning into the words I say, and I plan to rap until I can’t speak anymore. That’s all you need to know.
Any plans to visit Chicago?
I’d love to come down there and visit my fam and perform! I love that city, I just hope that one day all those murders slow down, it’s crazy out there yo.
Favorite quote or song lyric?
Kendrick Lamar: “Can’t detour when you at war with yo city, why run for, just ride with me, just die with me, that gun store, right there, when you fight, don’t fight fair, cuz you’ll never win.”
Red has released just a handful of songs, my fav before hearing “Drug Of Choice” was “Face Expressions,” also peep his recent visual, “Spartans.” He shows a lot of promise and I’ll enjoy following his progress. I hope Red’s “Drug of Choice” is success!
