At only twenty-three years old, rapper, songwriter, and producer Smokepurpp has become the face of the Florida rap scene alongside best friend Lil Pump. Starting out as a producer, Purpp would make beats during his high school years but switched to rapping after getting multiple successful hits on the popular streaming service SoundCloud, dropping out of his high school to pursue his dream of making music. Two years later, Purpp signed a deal with Alamo and Interscope records, making smash after smash and working with some of the biggest names in the hip-hop industry, from Travis Scott to Murda Beatz. Two mixtapes, two EP's and one studio album later, Purpp is set to release his newest anticipated album Florida Jit alongside producer Ronnie J in mid June. I talked to Purpp about his favorite track on the album, his Florida upbringing, and much more:
James: How are you doing? How is your quarantine going and how have you been keeping busy during these crazy times?
Purpp: I normally just stay at home anyways to be honest. I have a studio, pool, and basketball court all at my house so I really just send people out to get food and what not. We just stay at the house and hang out. I've been watching Netflix and playing 2K.
James: Your new album is titled Florida Jit. Can you tell us a little bit about the project?
Purpp: Yea Florida Jit I just really wanted to give back to my core fans from when I first started coming up back when I was a "Florida Jit". It's lots of hard hitting Ronny J bass and classic Purpp flows. Most of the project is going to feel like the "It's Whatever" single that dropped last week.
James: What's your favorite track on the album and why?
Purpp: Hmm, I would say Not Code. It's just exactly how I like to make music. It was fun to record and we just blast it in the car.
James: What was growing up in Florida like? In what ways has your Florida upbringing influenced your music?
Purpp: Florida was lit man, we had everything there. Beaches, pools, clubs, restaurants, everything you can imagine. I'm from Miami like twenty minutes from South Beach and twenty minutes from Fort Lauderdale. My area is called Carol City, same spot Rick Ross is from so that's the OG. It influenced everything honestly. from my taste in artists to the beats that I like, to the artists that I collaborate with.
James: In what ways does Florida Jit differ from past projects?
Purpp: The whole sound is different. My last projects were more melodic. This one is mainly just crazy beats and fire flows.
James: How did you meet Lil Pump and how would you describe your relationship with each
other? What's a crazy story you have with Pump?
Purpp: We met through some mutual friends but we've always just been family since the beginning. We have so many crazy stories man but one of the best has got to be when I flew from Seattle to Miami for his Birthday and then we recorded I Love It. Then I have to fly to LA for a show at 6am so I was only there for like 6 hours and we knocked out a huge hit song. OFF MY CHEST ft. Pump out now!
James: What was the first big moment in your career? What did you spend
your first check on?
Purpp: When I signed with Alamo and Audi went crazy. I spent my first check on a chain probably I barely remember. Spent too many checks.
James: What was the process like in creating the project?
Purpp: I made most of it with Ronny in Miami and then we came out to LA to finish it up. Then we got some features in like Jack Harlow, Rick Ross, Nudy, Denzel, and Pump.
James: You've been open about dealing with anxiety and mental health. How has that been going?
Purpp: It's been great. I feel great, I'm way healthier, my mind is clear. I get so much more done in my day. Everything is better man.
James: Why did you decide to quit using Xanax and Lean? What has that recovery process been
like?
Purpp: I had to go to rehab. My team had to sit down with me and really get me to believe that shit was kind of getting out of hand. I'm just thankful that I have those kinds of people in my life that were here to help me.
James: What's one thing about you that you wish people knew?
Purpp: I just wish that all of the fans knew how much really goes into this rap shit. It's so much more than just making music and putting it out. You have to deal with so much more and then people leak your music and ruin everything.
James: Anything else you want to say?
Purpp: Florida Jit out June 12th, go run up the streams and videos. Love all of my fans and so thankful that they've been rocking with me since day 1. Follow @smokepurpp on IG and hopefully we can get back on the road doing shows very soon. Shout out to the fans, I miss them.
