FSD: Usually I would take this time to ask if there are any shows or performances to look forward to, but I know you’re dropping “Blunts and Ballads” on Friday! Tell me a little about it.
Tink: Yeeeeah. B.A.B – Blunts and Ballads. It came about because I wanted to put a tape out of me rapping and singing equally. I needed something soft, yet hardcore. You have to be on a higher level of thinking to get this project. It’s short and sweet – 9 songs. A ballad is a love song, so that’s the sweet side, but I put a lot of real stuff into this tape – that’s where the blunt comes in.
FSD: You’ve got some pretty good features, right?
Tink: Yeah, Lil Durk is on it. Edai. And Seven.
FSD: What is your favorite song on Blunts and Ballads?
Tink: “Molly Love”. It’s a true story, actually. I told a story about how, in our generation, we have that temporary love. We want love but we let it go so easily. It’s Molly Love; it’s temporary
FSD: Is “Rarris and Rovers” your next single?
Tink: No, I leaked “Rarris and Rovers” because I was listening to it and thought – they need to hear this! But it won’t be the single. We’re choosing the single once the project is dropped and we get the people’s reactions. I’m releasing a video for a freestyle, though, called “No Competition”.
FSD: Dope, we look forward to all of that. My last question for you is actually a question I got asked when I got interviewed. I taught high school for two years, and for International Women’s Day the students were interviewing teachers or someone they felt was a powerful community leader. One of my students Krystal asked me this question, and every time I interview an artist I ask them it. Miss Tink – What do you do to contribute beauty to this world?
Tink: To create beauty in this world I just… I stay true to myself. Everybody is different and when people just act themselves that’s beautiful right there. When people act their born self, that’s beautiful. You didn’t have to imitate or try so hard.
FSD: That’s what’s up. Thank you so much for your time, and keep doing what you’re doing. Speaking of being yourself, you’re now officially a Puerto Rican.
Tink: That’s what’s up! Does that mean I get to be in yawl’s parade?
Though upbeat in disposition, quick with humor and modest in responses, it is clear this young female rapper (who has yet to graduate high school) is existing in the uneven playing field that is Hip Hop. She recounted that she got into rap to prove the point that she could do it just like the guys, and it seems this has been the common thread that weaves all Windy City Women together with myself. I wonder, though – when will we not have to prove points anymore? With over 100,000 views on “Fingers Up”, making it on FSD’s 100 Great Chicago Rap Songs, having King Louie and SD from GBE show up to her video shoot, dropping a mixtape on Friday and having a drive to succeed that she swears by, I cannot imagine Tink without a deal for long. The first step in female rap recognition is the highlighting of those acts, and that’s what I intend to do. If you’re a female rapper, or woman period – lets support this talented young lady! Everyone else – be on the lookout for this youthful and wise-beyond-her-years Windy City Woman who has so much growing to do in life and in music that I can only consider us blessed to be on that ride so early, and indebted to making sure her success is imminent.