The name on Everyone's Playlist Right Now
She's All That: Charming, skilled and beautiful, Steph G is a potential game-changer in a crowed playing field of rappers. In this interview we discuss her humble beginnings, where to get the best chop cheese, and how she plans on leaving her mark in Hip-Hop for the ladies.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY @ANTHOSPHOTOS_
EDITED BY @SHOTBYCV
STYLIST @DORIANJIHAD
HAIR @TASHADOESMYHAIRBX
MAKEUP @X0.CELEB
INTERVIEW BY ANGEL NEAL @ANGEL_STYLISTBEHAVIOR
PR @LAMARRARICE /@GLOBALPARTNERSPR
So let’s start with the beginning. Growing up in Brownsville, was it inspiring to see the rich legacy of Hip-Hop in the borough? Who did you listen to growing up?
Of course it was. I mean, you know, Brooklyn plays a big part in Hip-Hop. So growing up, I listened to a lot of 50 Cent and Lauryn Hill. Of course, I love Biggie, Tupac, Foxy Brown and Lil Kim. And then once Nicki Minaj came in the game, there's always a lot of Nicki on my playlist.
So you got your start as a choreographer, then became a bartender at a strip club. Fast forward to the moment you find yourself in a recording studio. When did you decide you wanted to take music seriously?
It was from the first day I got in the studio, believe it or not. I recorded my first verse. And you know, it was a little wack or whatever. But I felt like everybody in the room saw the vision, even though the music probably wasn’t where it was supposed to be at, because it was my first time. You know what, I want to go hard. I just felt like this is where I belonged, if that makes sense.
So a lot of artists, when they start out, they don’t really know who they are. As an artist, it takes a little bit of time to find their sound. As an artist, are you comfortable with who you are right now in your creative process, or you’re like, it’s more levels to Steph G?
To be honest, I’m never comfortable. But I do feel like I am authentic and I’m being myself. So I’m comfortable in that aspect. But there’s so much more to study, I have so much other stuff, other genres that I want to explore. I’m working on a lot of music right now that eventually the world’s gonna hear when the time is right.
You’re currently independent, are you trying to find a musical home or taking your time?
You know we have spoken to a couple of labels. I’m just waiting for the right situation. Honestly, I’m not in a rush to get signed. I have a really great team shout out to Smooth Sounds, they’re doing an amazing job. I feel if there’s not going to be a label that’s going to come and really put in the hard work that we’ve been putting in already it's not necessary right now. I just want a team that focuses on me right now. Everything has to be right, especially the publishing, there’s a lot of business aspects that, you know, just have to be in place for that to happen.
These days an artistic team is just as important as the artists. The stylist, the publicist, glam team down to the security all play a key role. What would you tell upcoming artists that are still trying to find their people, their dream team?
The best advice I could give is make sure you look at people’s character, because I feel like that’s a major part. I always end up going with the person that I feel is a good person. It’s not always about what they do, they also have to be a good person that will have the best intentions for my brand. Sometimes there will be people around you that's not in it for the money but they're putting in the work because they want to see you win. That’s somebody that you should want on your team, because they understand your vision and are willing to do the work. Everybody has to be on the same page. A lot of people think it's the top person that's going to get you where you want to go but sometimes that's not always the case. Pay attention to that one person that’s gonna put in 10 times more work than the top person and that really wants to see you win. The best advice I could ever give is find loyal people, that’s gonna rise to the top with you.
So you’ve mentioned before Drake is a dream feature for you, why? Drake is a gifted musician, I love his music. I just love the way that he could literally jump on any beat or any style and make it go crazy. I’m really inspired by that. I feel like I look at myself as Drake. I could jump on anything and make it great. Like I said, I have a whole bunch of stuff I haven’t released yet, because I’m trusting God’s timing. I’m actually taking singing lessons because I do want to sing more on my tracks. I want to branch out a little bit more so I can monetize right now.
In Brooklyn culture and imagery there’s an emergence for hardcore and drill rap, even from females. Do you see yourself shying away from that and kind of showing a softer side in your music? I jump on anything. But when I jump on drill, they start calling me a drill rapper and I’m like, I’m not a drill rapper. I don’t just drill. Drill rappers really have their own world. I’ll jump on trap or some melodic beats, pop and even Afro-beats if the opportunity presents itself. I’m versatile.
The Source magazine named you one of the most powerful female artists bouncing on the Hip-Hop scene in 2022. What makes your sound different?
I’m authentic. I feel like there’s nobody out here like me. I’m not really scared to say how I feel or in my songs. I don’t cap in my raps. I have good energy, I feel people just love that in general. I’m gaining a lot of fans and support from the industry because overall I’m a good person. I’m not one of those mean girls that come in the industry and feel like it can only be one female rapper dominating, no we all can eat. It’s not only the music, the music is a percentage of it. But at the end of the day, I’m a whole brand and I feel like my brand really helps the people want to fuck with me.
Read the full interview in the Fall issue of Disrupshion Magazine, available to purchase here Magcloud.
Where can we follow you?
You can find me on all platforms @stephg.