Does it bother you when people say that you sound similar to Chance?
Honestly, I’ve literally been told that I sound like him only twice. I don’t think I sound like Chance at all, but at the same time when people tell me that I always take it as a compliment. Definitely doesn’t bother me. I feel like right now, every young rapper in Chicago is taking some traits of Chance when they rap. Which is a great thing because people are starting to sound different and new. Chance is all about being an individual and he marked the books with giving Chicago a new and different sound.
On your first project The Taylor Bennett Show, I noticed lots of Kanye references. Is he a bit of an influence on your style too?
Yeah, Kanye is not my favorite rapper, but he is one of the top and he’s put on so much for the city musically. Chance had a super deep passion for Kanye’s music when we were growing up so he had all the albums. I was just forced to hear Kanye in the car as a kid with my brother when I just wanted to turn on some Luda. [Laughs]
I saw you performing at Caleb James’ show at Reggie’s over the summer. Were you a little nervous?
Here’s the thing, knowing that I have this brother who obviously electrifies the stage every time he touches it, I knew that performing is something you have to be good at, too. There are lots of rappers who don’t practice breathing and choreography. My hype man, my DJ and I will practice as much as possible. I think Caleb’s show was the first time I performed without a hype man. I always prefer to practice a good 6-7 times before a set. I practice enough until I feel like I’m good. I’ve gotten better since then too, for me to be 17 and doing 15-20 minute sets is no easy thing to do, but I rehearse enough to pull it off.
Do you feel a little pressure at times because Chance is such an explosive performer?
Yes. I would say that without a doubt Chance and Kendrick are the best rap performers I’ve seen. I’ve seen a lot of people perform from being in the crowd or being backstage. I’ve learned that if you don’t practice you won’t be as good. It’s so much that comes with being an artist besides just rapping. You must look good, you must have personality and you have to be easy to get along with. This all ties in to performing, you can’t just be the studio rapper who just writes shit down and gets all dull on stage.
Sounds like you were freestyling a little on your song “Finesse.” Do you prefer to freestyle or write?
I was freestyling on the second part of the song. I think there should be some freestyling in songs to show your abilities. As a kid the only thing I did was freestyle. My friends would want me to battle at school all the time. There’s a video on YouTube of me freestyling for like twenty minutes back when I was like 14. What I learned from freestyling is that it’s technically writing mentally. It’s like once you say some hot shit you want to have it stored in your mind. I think they’re one in the same. Some people like me freestyling better, but I think I like writing.
What’s next for you?
My next tape is titled Mainstream Music. More original beats and it’s just super funky, 70’s-style type music. It’s something totally different. It’s something new. The thing about me is I’m 17 and I’m still trying to find my voice, so I’m always open to trying different sounds and style. I recently discovered that I want to put a little bit of singing in my music too.
What was it like working on your last project The Taylor Bennett Show and balancing high school with studio sessions?
It’s tough because most of the kids in my age group who are rapping are either not in school, dropped out or getting their GED now. Kids at school expect me to stop going because Chance is so major now. People have the idea that once you or a family member gets famous that education doesn’t matter because you’re in that world you dream of already. I’m still an individual and I make the decisions especially when it comes to if I want to attend college or not. I’m balancing finishing a paper and finishing a song. It’s hard, but it’s something you have to do.
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I’m so elated with this article. Fantastic interview! I learned so much about the artist, Taylor Bennett, through the interview! Just outstanding!