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Project:
CRED International
Subject: Rebstar
Location:
Sweden
Occupation:
CEO/Artist
interview by
Ray C.
CRED: Tell me
about the hip hop culture where you are at; are you out of
the U.K. or Sweeden?
Rebstar: We are in Sweden. We listen to everything but we
mostly follow the mainstream in the States. We may not be
heavy with the Jeezy’s Gucci Mane’s but acts like Drake, Kid
Cudi and other XXL Freshmen get love. A lot of people don’t
know that we have a strong hip hop culture in Europe as
well. We got some dope artists, it’s just time for the
Americans to realize that
CRED: When did you decide that this music was what I am
going to do now?
Rebstar: I have always been a fan of hip hop since a kid. I
am 20 turning 21 so I listened to a lot of Wu-Tang, Fresh
Prince, Redman. Growing up I was always involved with music
it was a big part of my life I played classical piano and I
recited other people’s lyrics because I went to an
international school. It wasn’t until my mid-teens when my
friends recorded a track when I heard it I got envious. I
knew if they could do it I could do it too. I hooked up with
a couple of friends and I started rapping and it was just
for fun. I did not take it seriously until I turned 18 and I
moved to the U.K. and I was in law school when things
started popping when I hooked up with an artist named Drake.
At that time he wasn’t established, in Europe at least. But
I had seen his music video and heard his mixtape and he had
heat on deck. I linked up with him and started talking to
these other producers in Canada and the States so I had a
choice to make it was either law school or music. Law School
and music are both full time jobs with a lot of overtime. I
decided to move back to Sweden and now I have a label called
2Fresh Records.
CRED:, On the label are you the CEO on that?
Rebstar: I have a team that helps me out with that. I am the
President. The thing is I got this cat called Emilio who has
a single featuring Bobby Valentino. I got this cat named
Leslie that is a Swedish Grammy winning producer that has
just dropped his debut single as a rapper the funny thing is
we all got things popping but we are still an indy label so
we have to put that extra work in.
CRED: How important is it for people to learn the business?
Rebstar: It is real important especially in these days
especially with these 360 deals. 360 deals means the label
is trying to get merchandising, touring they try to make you
a brand. I think it is real important that people have
knowledge of what is going on because a lot of rappers run
the game. Jay-Z has a label, Kanye, T.I and Wayne has Young
Money; you have to know how to promote yourself and how to
make your brand. You need to know what you are getting
yourself into.
CRED: Switching gears, how did your collaboration with Trey
Songs come about?
Rebstar: Well Trey and I have been running in the same
circles for a long time we have been working with the same
producers. My manager just went and spoke to his manager. I
got the song called “Without You” all I had was one verse
Trey heard the record and he was ready to chop it up and lay
the hook. After he did the hook I did the second verse and
he did the bridge. I really appreciated how he gave me the
opportunity because there is not a lot of cats that is going
to put on a cat all the way over in Sweden. I appreciate him
coming all the way over here for the video shoot.
CRED: Tell me where people can hear the song “Without You”
with Trey Songz.
Rebstar: You can go to World Star Hip Hop we are up to 2.3
million views. It is also on You Tube.
CRED: I have spoken to a lot of artists that have gone to
Europe and then they come back over here and they all say it
was so much love. I wanted to know do you feel like that you
feel that same type of love or is it different.
Rebstar: I remember Redman at a show saying that people in
Europe love hip hop. I do not think that he met that as a
diss to the states. I think that people in the States are so
privileged with a lot of shows, festivals, and Summer Jams
there is always somebody headlining that we do not have
that. We may see a Redman once every three years or Kanye
once every five years so when these people step out we try
to come out and show our love because we want them to come
back. When I go out I am used to the European culture in
Europe it is all the same. I have never performed in the
States but I am hoping that they give this European cat some
love.
CRED: What would you tell someone that would want to step
their game up and get in the industry?
Rebstar: I would say to be blunt be comfortable with your
own sound. When you hear people say do you all the time
because it is true no one can do you better than you. I
think you have to find your sound. You need to prove that
you believe in what you do, be patient and believe in
yourself before you expect someone to believe in you.
CRED: Is there anything that you want to say to anybody?
Rebstar: I am working on a mixtape called Rebstar’s Arrival.
It should be out in November. Check my MySpace at
www.myspace.com/rebstar1. Thank you for the opportunity I am
glad you guys are giving me the look. I also have a song
with Ray J dropping around November so look out.
CRED: Before we get out of here can you talk about some of
the producers you worked with?
Rebstar: T –Minus worked with Ludacris’ upcoming album,
Boi-1Da Canada’s hottest producer he did Drake’s “Best I
Ever Had” he worked with Kardinal, Wayne and G-Unit he is on
Detox. I am privileged to be working with such great
producers. REO from Soundkillers he has worked with Beyonce
and Keisha Cole he is definitely on the mixtape.
CRED: Are you going to have label mates on the tape or is it
mostly a solo effort.
Rebstar: Emilio has got some crazy stuff. We are going to
push him out there as soon as I am done he has a tape called
White Men Can Rap.
CRED: Well I am looking forward to hearing the new music.
REB: Thank You
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