24: Introduce yourself to everyone that doesn’t already know who you are.
Gwalla: I Go by Holla Atcha Gwalla and I am an Independent Hip Hop/Rap Artist From South Eastern Connecticut. Music is My Passion an Its a way of expressing what I Feel and See thru day to day life. It Keeps Me Sane, Lol.
24: Before we get into your music, can you describe your history about how you got into and what inspired you?
Gwalla: Music Has been in my life as far as I could think back. Since I was a little Gwalla I’ve had an Ear for all type of music like Salsa, Merengue, Reggae, Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll, Metal, Hip-Hop & Rap. I was Mainly inspired by Rakim, Lost Boyz, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang and Mainly Most Artist from the Early 90’s. I started in Home Town Groups and escalated further from there thru years of just Preforming, Battling, and dropping mixtapes with-in the New England area.
24: What was the Hip-Hop scene like for you growing up where you’re from?
Gwalla: Where I grew up it was mainly a lot of underground parties where ppl would showcase their skills since mainly the area was more focused on Mainstream Music Only. House Parties and Local shows would usually be the only place to actually spread the word and let people know who you where. We used to go hard with home made mixtapes and spread copy after copy just to get a name but even then it was damn near impossible to get a following going. Things changed more when I started moving state to state with my music. It gave more people a chance to hear my work and passion for music.
24: What makes you Unique as an artist and different from other rappers out now?
Gwalla: I tend to set a Vibe as most people say when they discribe me. Im Xtra Smooth with my Hooks/Chorus’ but very Hard Hitting with my Verses/Bars. I like to paint pictures with my Music instead of brag about what I Have or Want. I feel like I bring actual Real Life Moments to my Fans so they can Relate instead of Look Up to. Too Many Artist now a days Talking about things they dont have and its immpossible to relate to Benz’ & Maybachs when you still Live in a Harsh Real Life every day Struggle.
24: Tell us about what you are working on?
Gwalla: I just Released my Latest Mixtape titled “GWALLA TALK Vol.1” on DatPiff.com, but Currently Im working on my Newest Mixtape titled “SMOOTH MAYHEM” set for release on DatPiff.com also by Late August, or Early September, while dropping a slue of Videos on Youtube to give my fans and new listeners more to see and hear from me.
24: What producers have you worked with and who would you like to work with in the future?
Gwalla: I’ve Worked with mainly UnderGround producers from Overseas such as Djsocial Nick, Juhu Beats, Roy Montana and many more from Finland & the UK. Ive always wanted to work with Doctor Dre, Dame Grease, Havoc of Mobb Deep, and ShaMoney XL. They’ve always kept my interest and have always produced beats I’ve wanted to be on. They fit my M.O. actually and they are all hit makers that Ive looked up to thru-out the years.
24: Are you happy with the feedback you have been getting from people on material you have released?
Gwalla: I’ve been Xtra Happy with it actually. The people who actually Listen and Follow my music keep it 100 with me and let me know what they like from me and what they dont, which is why I am where I am Today. They keep me Grounded also and keep me from conforming to what the Mainstream Labels push. I stay true to the Art of Real Life substance in My music and they make sure of it. Fans and Feedback keep me challanging myself with my craft and keep me pushing forward with every Project I release.
24: In today’s free download age, what do you need to do to make yourself a household name?
Gwalla: Now a Days is who you know, or who you can get to put the actual “Record Label” financial backing behind your music to get you the Exposure you need to break into the Mainstream as a relative artist. Its also about a lot of Politicing, Hard Work an believing in the sound you create. You can only do so much as a so-called starving artist that does it, for the Art of it, before the Fame or Money that comes with it.
24: How do you feel about the current state of the Hip-Hop scene?
Gwalla: Too Many damn fairytales being sold, Period. I personally cant relate to most of the music out today and I highly doubt many other fans can either. To make a club banger is one thing but dancing and finding relief in a song from your favorite Artist is two different things.
24: Outside of the music, what else are you currently working on?
Gwalla: Most of my Xtra Time goes into my Video Production Company “GWALLA VISION” where we take Local artist from all different areas and give them a chance to put Visuals to the music they produce so they can gain more exposure, so I stay in the music scene Loop Heavy. Mainly I started GWALLA VISION because of lack of people who would actually Shoot and Edit Videos for me, so in turn I provided the Outlet for myself and others in my position.
24: Where do you see yourself going in 2013 and how do you plan to separate yourself from the other artist out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?
Gwalla: I see myself being in total control of my movement by doing it all with my own Team until I reach the Masses and God Willing either that or on a Major Label with the same Vision as me. Im going to stay in my own lane and not jump into a Label with a bunch of “Coat Tail” riders who aren’t relevent by their self. Either way its Forward Motion until the wheels fall off.
24: How can fans go about contacting you?
Gwalla: Fans can Find/Contact me on facebook.com/
24: Thank you for providing 24HourHipHop.com with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and future fans?
Gwalla: I actually want to thank all my Followers, Fans, and Real Supporters of my Movement because without them I wouldnt be here, Plus, all the people thru-out the years that have believed in me and kept me on the Right Path with the right Motivation. Without any of these people I would just be another Rapper with another Dream. Thanks to 24HourHipHop.com for finding a Gwalla and taking interest in My Music and Movement also. SALUTE!
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