24: Introduce yourself to everyone that doesn’t already know who you are.
Just Rich Gates: I’m Just Rich Gates from Sumter, SC. Merk Star from Merk City CEO/Artist of JCE (Joint Committee Enterprise) #JCERecords.
24: Before we get into your music, can you describe your history about how you got into and what inspired you?
Just Rich Gates: Growing up in the 90s, I was inspired by my older cousins Uneke and Traci which lived hip hop 24-7 during their young years. Everyday they played new hip hop music watched mtv and bought the latest hottest fashion on a regularly. Later on in life it rubbed off on me and inspired me as a whole to rap.
24: What was the Hip-Hop scene like for you growing up where you’re from?
Just Rich Gates: Well I was born in 86, so like I said, I grew up in the 90s when Hip-Hop was growing into more things like TV shows and movies.A lot of people would argue and say
the 90s was the peek or best time for music.I grew up watchin Mtv, BET Rap City also watchin shows like Fresh Prince , New York Uncover and whatever else that was hip hop related even the movies like New Jack city,Boyz In Da Hood ,Juice,Above The Rim,Mo Money,House Party, Menace to society.
I didn’t have to look far for music because like i said my cousins had all the new tapes Kris Kross,2pac,Biggie Smalls,Mase,Camron,The Lox,DMX,Jay-Z,Pastor Troy,Three Six,OutCast,Big L,Big Pun,Snoop Dogg,Master P, even RnB like SWV,Brandy, Aaliyah so I absorbed all of that.
24: What makes you Unique as a artist and different from other rappers out now?
Just Rich Gates: Well, let’s see i started rappin in middle school playing around writing bored in church then later hittin the studio 9th then perfecting my flows which came a long way even back then me and my brother SirWalt Da Great stayed up all night for fun and just freestyled to get
our words out smooth like an exercise for the booth.Later I traveled all over down south, up north picked up on different rap styles eventually taking them all making it into 1 style for my myself.I got my own aura a lot of people say I’m like an up north, down south artist the way I ride beats, plus mix witty punchlines, but at the same time make songs in any gender it don’t matter.
24: Tell us about what you are working on.
Just Rich Gates: Well I just dropped my 1st mixtape for the summer call #HEAT (My Squad Deep) hosted by DJ Young JD and Trapsntrunks.com, which ft. Project Pat, A Mafia, Prospect Penz,
Bird Gang HardLuck, Slim Dunkin, Waka Flocka Flame, Mac Bre Z, JCE, and DirtGang. Then I just dropped Juug God no DJ tag for the streets and the loving it. As far as new I’m always working on a daily. I’m working on another solo mixtape title #REAL (Remember Everybody Ain’t Loyal) SOS (Shoot On Sight) with my brother Dae Dae Dinero (DG/BSM) hosted by DJ 5150, DJ Red Skull. I’m working on a couple group mixtape with a couple big people and JCE so just stay tuned.
24: What producers have you worked with and who would you like to work with in the future?
Just Rich Gates: I’ve worked with Trakdealaz, A Million, Lex Luger, SouthSide, Raac Kartel, Yello Tunes, Squidd Beatz, KE Beats, TM 88, YK Beats, 808 Mafia, DJ Cocaine, Hollywood J, MPC Cartel, Hollywood 1080, Midi Marc, Metro Beats, Nito Beats, Cryptonite Beats, Tay Beatz, and like everybody else you can think of. Lol. As far as the future I want some beats from Young Chops, Kanye West, Legendary Traxter, Just Blaze, The Rza, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Mannie Fresh, anybody hott mane. I want some
old Three Six Mafia, Pastor Troy beats baaaaaaaah.
24: Are you happy with the feedback you have been getting from people on material you have released?
Just Rich Gates: Hell yeah, everywhere I go somebody on twitter dumb hype about my music even up north, they be going ham to the next level like they got songs on repeat and all trappin in the hood.
24: In today’s free download age, what do you need to do to make yourself a household name?
Just Rich Gates: Let’s see, you need to be yourself, you need a brand, the streets, you need mixtape views, youtube views, and radio plays. If you got to put out those you doing something right
most important you need money $$$$$ and the right people and music.
24: How do you feel about the current state of the Hip-Hop scene?
Just Rich Gates: I don’t know man, a lot of people be scared to give the right answer and it can never be wrong because that’s how you feel you ya digg. So I ain’t gonna pump fake I’ma keep it real. It’s Fucked up!!! It’s Wild, it’s young and different. It’s Hip-Hop more or less though because the times we living in is messed up so we just living what we see.
24: Outside of the music, what else are you currently working on?
Just Rich Gates: I’m working on gettin’ rich anyway I can. I might try to star in some movies though, shoot videos, be a producer, make beats maybe, or be a manager later.
24: Where do you see yourself going in 2012 and how do you plan to separate yourself from the other artist out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?
Just Rich Gates: Hopefully I’m on top of the world with a good record deal helping those around me. I’ma just be me tho don’t worry bout nobody else keep pressure on these blogs DJs on a daily because ain’t nobody working like me other than a few. I’m on a mixtape everyday studio every week videos every month I AM HIP HOP IN THE FLESH.
24: How can fans go about contacting you?
Just Rich Gates: They can Google me on a daily “Just Rich Gates” hit my site JCEMusic.com, hit my twitter @JustRichGates and for Fts/Booking call 803-236-1698
24: Thank you for providing 24HourHipHop.com with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and future fans?
Just Rich Gates: Salute the whole JCE DirtGang Fettigang RIP Slim Dunkin shout out to Nick Bishop, TD Mr Fox 5,Jeremy Bryan,Vonte,Dae Dae Dinero, Merk City Sherewood Salute JCE North HH Spady, Dope Boy Fly,Prospect Penz,Shout out Dj 5150 thats my coach double salute Souf Kak Scotty,King Pres,SirWalt Da Great,DIP,Dj Red Skull,Dj Cannon Banyon,Dj Young JD,Shiest Bubbba,Smitty Rodgerz,Kshaun,Ray Dolla,216 Nino baaaaaaaaaaaaaah JCE Ova everything !!!!! We On Da Way if you an AnR Label reading this I’m ready no pump fakin, let’s go!! Gates #TEAMJRG #FreeMerkWhite #TeamBryan #JCERecords #NikeBoys.
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