When it comes to ingenuity, creativity and lyricism, R Locko is a someone who epitomizes these things and embodies the definition of a true artist. This week we got a chance to hear more from him on his inspirations, his influences and his ideas on the underground culture.

 

Q: Where are you from?

A: I’m from Virginia Beach, VA! Where we skate, create, and most importantly, SHOW LOVE!

 

Q: When and How did you discover that you had a passion for music?

A: CRAZY STORY! It was game 5 2014 NBA championship Heat vs. Spurs. My uncle and I had a freestyle battle over text during commercial and I guess I bodied my stanzas, because he came to me in person and told me I need to start recording what I’m writing. 3 months later, a week after I turned 16, I created my first song in a studio one of his homies from college owned. I always wrote since about 6th grade, but I never took action and really realized my passion until I released my first track in October of that year. (2014)

 

Q: . Who do you consider to be your biggest influences?

A: Definitely 3 artists musically, they’ve always influenced me and my life substantially from the physical to the metaphysical. In this order, ASAP ROCKY, TYLER, THE CREATOR, CHILDISH GAMBINO. Live Love ASAP, Bastard, Because the Internet. CLASSICS. Skateboarding really fuels the way in which I create as well, before music I was trying to go pro skateboarding.

 

Q: What has been the hardest thing for you to overcome as a creative?

A: The feeling of complacency. There are times where Ill create and create and create, and not feel as though I’m evolving in the ways that I should. My brain is like a movie reel with no cut. I’m always getting new ideas for songs, but its the boundaries and limits of those songs that make me feel boxed within my own confines of imagination. I haven’t figured out how to stimulate all the senses with the sound yet.

 

Q: . What do you think is your biggest accomplishment thus far?

A: Being able to meet the new faces, and just seeing the journey’s folds. You know, new energies, new inspiration, new places and ideals! A lotta people get caught up in the milestones and whatnot but for me, its about the distanced traveled towards those milestones that make me feel sedimented. The failures, the in-betweens, behind the scenes are always cooler than the curtain call.

 

Q: What upcoming projects do you have in store for this year?

A: I have a project called “T.A.S.T.E.” coming out this summer. Its sort of an idiom on the wave of short-term music coming out since the Soundcloud wave came and went. Whole lotta autotune, pretty much parody on how easy it is to harmonize and create without meaning, LOL. My next project is called, “BODY EVERYTHING 19” an annual installment of LOCK. Straight heat, heavy hitter project. Then I have, “Autotune Blues” coming for the winter. I have ALOT in store this year, execution is key. 

 

Q: How do you feel about the underground scene? Do you feel as if it is too oversaturated and unoriginal?

A:  VERY UNORIGINAL. Oversaturated? Maybe.. Nowadays, I’m a lot more focused on who actually has something to show and say, than those who have something to gain from this shit. Clout isn’t currency to me, nor is currency consistency. Its so easy to sellout and lose your image and your reality as a human being. To me, an artist is the most human you can be, and how that humanity can be portrayed sonically. The vibe shit coo though, FOR THE PIONEERS THO (that was their original style)

 

Q: What qualities about yourself do you feel separates you from other artists?

A: My versatility, I can basically do anything with my own twist. I also do it all myself! STUDIO TIME??!?!? I have something to say to. Every song portrays a state of consciousness, within its field of energy. There’s only ONE LION in this jungle. 

 

Q: What was your biggest failure as an artist and how did you overcome it?

A: My biggest failure as an artist was and still is not believing in myself. It sucks being discouraged from time to time with my talents fighting the battle with real life at the same time. To overcome that, I must physically instill my ability into myself through banging my own shit and rapping to myself. I look at the DMs and love shown over the years from time to time to reassure myself that I’m touching people with what I express. Its sucks when you feel unimpressive, but for all my artists out here; FUCK THAT SHIT. YOU GOT THIS. YOU FEEL IT. SOMEBODY GOTTA FEEL IT TOO.

 

Q: What advice do you have to upcoming artists who want to make a name for themselves?

A: TAKE. YOUR. TIME. Only work with who YOURE INTERESTED IN. REMEMBER WHY YOU STARTED. I’d also say, don’t believe what you see online. Overnight success took at least 7 years.. think about that. LOC FROM DA V YALL. BLACKHEARTSCLUB IS THE BEST PLATFORM FOR YOU; REAL ASPIRING ARTISTS.

 

Stay connected with R Locko on social media as well as his streaming platforms.

IG: R.LOCKO

TWITTER: RLOCKO47

SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/r-locko-1

ITUNES: Apple Music

SPOTIFY: Spotify

 

“ON GOD” Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?