OnetakeCarter Is “Cheating” His Way Into Hip-Hop History. Chuck Jigsaw Creekmur Talks Culture With A Future GOAT.

Some artists chase virality. OnetakeCarter is quietly constructing a multi-tiered empire. The Queens born, Long Island raised MC has been shaking up Hip-Hop and timelines alike. He’s obtained a cheat code because of his background in movie, style, DJing and even barbering.

But, a lot of his aesthetic got here from iconic representations like Fresh Prince and flicks like House Party. He idolized excessive prime fades and basic period Hip-Hop whereas Big L, Biggie and even West Coast legends formed his ear.

A backstage second with a then rising Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky pushed him to take rap severely. Since then he has survived the Netflix highlight on Rhythm + Flow, toured as Ashanti’s DJ and earned co indicators from Trinidad James, comedians like JB Smoove and Hip-Hop OGs who see him as one of many subsequent torch bearers. In this interview, OnetakeCarter talks legacy, strain and why he refuses to place numbers over his goal.

AllHipHop: You have been persistently shaking up the web along with your freestyles, each visually and lyrically. How did this journey start for you?

OnetakeCarter: I began freestyling in my room with my brothers, banging out drum patterns on the desk at like 5 years outdated. Years later I used to be recording with Johnny Juice from Public Enemy at an after faculty program in Union. I ended up skateboarding and taking part in soccer, stepped away a bit, then got here again towards the tip of highschool.

Meeting Kendrick and A$AP Rocky in twelfth grade flipped a change. I used to be backstage at Irving Plaza because of my aunt who labored with Foot Locker. I bumped into Kendrick, then Rocky, and one thing about that second made me say, I’m doing this for actual. I knew I may rap, however that night time made me take it severely.

AllHipHop: You rock a really old-fashioned look. Where does the excessive prime fade and retro fashion come from?

OnetakeCarter: I grew up proper subsequent to my older brother who’s seven years older. Whatever he watched I watched… Fresh Prince, Martin, Saved by the Bell, House Party. When the Retro Kids obtained scorching in New York, I felt linked to that wave although I used to be younger.

I’ve mainly had a excessive prime since sixth grade. I might minimize it for soccer season, then develop it again. I noticed it, mentioned I can do this, and that was that.

AllHipHop: In your opinion, who had the perfect excessive prime fade in Hip-Hop historical past?

OnetakeCarter: Kid had the craziest fade. The top was ridiculous.

AllHipHop: Big Daddy Kane may debate that.

OnetakeCarter: Kane is a superhero with the barber store poster shot, however Kid’s fade was outrageous.

AllHipHop: You clearly take lyricism severely. Who formed you as an MC?

OnetakeCarter: My pops and my brother are each large Hip-Hop heads. The first rapper that made me need to rap was Big L. Then Biggie. Ready to Die is my favourite album. Doggystyle is correct up there too.

I like West Coast Hip-Hop. The early movies, the entire aesthetic influenced me. And then watching Kendrick and TDE blow up, seeing Tyler, The Creator be himself… all that confirmed me lyrics by no means went out of favor. Not being lyrical simply grew to become a development. I’ve at all times felt like if I’m going to do that, I’m going to really be good.

AllHipHop: You rep Long Island heavy. How did it form you?

OnetakeCarter: Long Island made me chiller. If I stayed in Queens I might need been extra aggressive. But Long Island additionally gave me one thing to show as a result of folks sleep on us. When you actually have a look at it, a lot of Hip-Hop got here from there. Rakim. EPMD. Biz Markie. Public Enemy. Okay Solo. Prodigy early on. Busta Rhymes went to my highschool.

There is one thing in that water.

AllHipHop: You have been on Rhythm + Flow.

OnetakeCarter: It taught me so much. It confirmed me the sport. It taught me what I’m up towards and the way a lot I’ve to carry to the desk. It helped my profession for positive.

For some time afterward I stored speaking about it as a result of it was the final large factor I had carried out. Eventually I began hating that I stored bringing it up. I spotted I wanted to create new moments. Now folks know me for the freestyles and overlook I used to be even on the present. That feels higher.

AllHipHop: You have referred to as your talent set a “cheat code.” What makes it a cheat?

OnetakeCarter: I understand how to chop hair, so I at all times look digital camera prepared. I make my very own garments, so if I want a shirt earlier than I go away the home, I make it. I went to highschool half the day for movie. My brother Bam was in the identical class and we shoot every thing collectively. We can shoot an entire video quick and have it edited by the point we go away.

I file myself as a result of I went to highschool for audio too. I DJ. I produce. I actually poured every thing I’m into my music. That is why I say I’m dishonest.

AllHipHop: You DJ’d for Ashanti throughout the Millennium Tour. What was that like?

OnetakeCarter: Ashanti is wonderful. Great vitality. Super chill. One day I obtained a name at ten within the morning like, are you able to get to Tampa tonight, your flight is in an hour and a half. I threw garments in a bag and ran to the airport.

Next factor I do know I’m backstage with Ashanti, Bow Wow, Soulja Boy, Lloyd… all these folks I grew up watching. And I’m studying among the DJ tools backstage minutes earlier than occurring. It was loopy in one of the simplest ways.

AllHipHop: A number of OGs see you as somebody who can carry the torch for Hip-Hop. How do you take care of that?

OnetakeCarter: I do not likely give it some thought. I simply make music I like. You can’t please everyone. If I prefer it, another person will.

I respect the OG love although. It means extra as a result of they have been round when this began. They know the usual. But I don’t have a look at it as strain. That is all psychological.

AllHipHop: With the best way music strikes quick and numbers dominate every thing, how do you keep grounded?

OnetakeCarter: By creating alternatives for myself. I work on albums, movie tasks, I’m constructing a clothes model, and I’m elevating my son. Being dad issues greater than all of this.

If every thing disappeared tomorrow, I might nonetheless be creating. The numbers and followers are cool, however the actual win is taking an concept and making it actual. That reveals me I could make any concept actual if I put the work in.

AllHipHop: Do you need to signal with a label or keep unbiased?

OnetakeCarter: I might like to accomplice with a label if it is sensible. I might love to remain unbiased if I construct sufficient leverage. I’m centered on leverage proper now and constructing my very own infrastructure.

I’m not too large headed to say I can do it on their lonesome. Everybody wants assist. And typically the majors can take you someplace you can not go alone. Sometimes you are able to do it your self. I’m open to no matter makes actual sense.

AllHipHop: You have been working with Trinidad James. What have you ever discovered from him?

OnetakeCarter: A homie in Atlanta tagged him beneath considered one of my reels and Trinidad James mentioned he would purchase it. I despatched him a tune and he despatched it again fireplace. We shot a reel throughout Fashion Week and are lining up the video.

I requested him as soon as about assembly with a label and what I ought to know. First factor he mentioned was, you lack capital. That hit me laborious. But it was actual. Labels can see that. It pushed me to tighten up financially and presentation sensible. I respect him for maintaining it 100.

AllHipHop: How produce other artists handled you as you rise?

OnetakeCarter: Good and dangerous. Early on I opened up for Dave East, killed the present with a band, tried handy him my album backstage and he mentioned he had nowhere to place it. At first I used to be tight. Later I spotted that was a lesson. Nobody owes you something.

Then I bumped into him once more years later after I was filming an interview and instructed him straight up that he taught me one thing. On the opposite facet I’ve had Okay Camp acknowledge me, Waka Flocka DM me, Bizarre hit me up. And numerous comedians present love — Anthony Anderson, Rudy Rush, JB Smoove. It is wild however dope.

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