THE KNOXVILLE RAP SCENE AND WHY NO ONE'S MADE IT FROM THE 865 (YET)
- ilyaonthefly
- Mar 29, 2018
- 4 min read
One of the most overlooked rap/hip hop cities - Knox; The Sunsphere City; the 865. With its music scene popping off more and more with emerging rappers and artists while still not having a full out break through into either the underground or mainstream hip hop industry - Knoxville is at a very interesting come up point.
How does a city with so much lyrical talent and overflowing rappers in every corner of town not experienced a break through yet? Everyone knows about the Chicago underground scene, the Atlanta underground scene, etc. but no one really knows the Knoxville scene... yet.
INTERVIEW WITH RAPPER BOOBIE CAMBRIDGE
What do you think about the current state of Knoxville rap? Who do you think are some of the city's best right now?
Boobie: Knoxville is definitely on the come up. I think Knoxville IS the new Atlanta. Lamont really be impressing me. To me he ain’t really missed yet.
Why do you think that it's so difficult to "make it" out of Knoxville as opposed to other big cities?
Boobie: If you don’t do anything that pertains to the University of Tennessee, you not gonna get the support you want. The 865 almost gears support I swear and as an entertainer, you’re nothing without fan support.
What's the biggest opportunity you've gotten so far as a Knoxville artist?
Boobie: Biggest opportunities I’ve gotten is performing at the Lil Uzi Vert show, Riff Raff, Tee Grizzley. I love to perform. And I can’t forget Blossom management for trusting my process. And this interview. It’s always a pleasure working with The Ilya who just so happens to be On The Fly.
INTERVIEW WITH RAPPER LIL DINK
What do you think about the current state of Knoxville rap? Who do you think are some of the city's best right now?
Lil Dink: Knoxville should be top 5 cities of rap music , it’s defining elevating. I feel like the Knoxville rap scene kind of blocks me out but that just makes me work harder. I listen to Lamont, his music is dope, of course there’s Eddie and the whole sauce crew and they’re nice too , socks is up there too his music is slept on along with mine.
Why do you think that it's so difficult to "make it" out of Knoxville as opposed to other big cities?
Lil Dink: It’s hard to make it out of Knoxville because people in Knoxville already marked who’s good and who’s not , the listeners in Knoxville just go with the clout to be honest so if you paying to open for big people you’re automatically “ the hottest in Knoxville “ and that’s not how it should be , some rappers have connections the others are working on it , doesn’t mean one is bigger or better than the other.
What's the biggest opportunity you've gotten so far as a Knoxville artist?
Lil Dink: Honestly I’ve opened for a couple big names like Guapo , Chanel west coast and baby E but those aren’t the biggest opportunities because the people are going there for them , not you. I would rather have a show of 20 people if those 20 people rock with me and came out because my name was on the flier.
INTERVIEW WITH RAPPER SKITTY
What do you think about the current state of Knoxville rap? Who do you think are some of the city's best right now?
Skitty: The music scene in Knoxville is very diverse and honestly never disappoints. I fux with all the artist tough and have no doubt that if we keep grinding we can turn Knoxville into the new Atlanta.
Why do you think that it's so difficult to "make it" out of Knoxville as opposed to other big cities?
Skitty: I feel as if it’s tough to get outta Knoxville music wise because it’s not really a big music city like Atlanta or Nashville. But like I said if all the Knox artist keep pushing and supplying the pressure we will be on the map in no time.
INTERVIEW WITH RAPPER TUGOOD
What do you think about the current state of Knoxville rap? Who do you think are some of the city's best right now?
Tugood: I think we all just got to work together I like where it’s heading just a lot of versatility and that hurts us because there’s not an official “sound” of the city. As far as the best artist I feel that are original and the best quality areThelo Que Replayy Trevann Lamont, Lil Bug and Ukamea everyone is good for different stuff and Knoxville has a complete music scene really.
Why do you think that it's so difficult to "make it" out of Knoxville as opposed to other big cities?
Tugood: it’s egos trust me I know just about everyone in the local game underground mainstream street indie all kinds of stuff if we didn’t worry about certain things bigger things would be done.
What's the biggest opportunity you've gotten so far as a Knoxville artist?
Tugood: I’ve gotten to ghostwrite 3 songs for an Atlanta artist who is fairly known and performing is always fun I’ll say this my opportunities keep growing I need to be more thankful and more driven to catch the ones I deserve.
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