INFLUENCED BY: “My influences are Kendrick Lamar, André 3000, Meek Mill, Future and Sade. I believe Kendrick Lamar is at a degree of his profession that I don’t suppose there’s any artist from the West Coast that isn’t influenced by him immediately as a result of he’s performed a lot. He’s coated a lot floor. His complete profession has been one thing to observe.

André 3000, it’s extra his lyrical capability and his tonality. If individuals take heed to my music, some songs, they are saying I remind them of André. I believe that’s as a result of the affect is there, for positive. Meek Mill together with his power and his aggression, for positive. I rap with that very same kind of fashion. I’ve had it ceaselessly. I really feel like as soon as he got here in, it gave me a greater solution to undertaking my voice for essentially the most half.

Future for the celebration songs and the uptempo vibes that get individuals going, and the melodies. He’s like one of many kings of melodies to me as a result of he simply does it so effortlessly. It doesn’t even sound like he’s making an attempt in any respect.

And Sade as a result of she’s so rattling easy. She has music which you can take heed to anytime, wherever, irrespective of the place you might be on the planet. In case you’re in a membership and so they activate Sade, you’re not mad at it. In case you’re on a seaside and so they activate Sade, you’re not mad at it. That’s what I aspire to be ultimately recreation.”

TRUTH ON BEING AN XXL FRESHMAN: “My complete life, I used to be like, I’m going to be a Freshman. I really feel like every part is simply timing. To maintain it 100, it took 1 / 4 century to get right here. I believe it was Meco who known as me first. He’s my supervisor, however he’s additionally considered one of my finest pals. So, we discuss every single day. My workforce had hit me and was like, ‘Did you hear? You’re going to be a Freshman.’ I used to be like, ‘Yay, I’m going again to highschool.’ I’m simply enjoying. I used to be like, ‘That’s dope. Let’s get it.’ I instructed my mama and my grandma. My mama was like, ‘XXL? I used to learn these.’ I used to be like, ‘Fireplace.’

I really feel like [being a Freshman] solidifies artists and lets the world know that they’re up-and-coming, for actual. I really feel prefer it stamps them. They could be the subsequent huge factor. Now, in the event that they fail after this, that’s on them. However it’s a highlight to validate them for positive.

[What I bring to the Freshman Class], plenty of human music. Numerous bars that individuals might really feel. Numerous music that’s going to maneuver individuals emotionally in a optimistic method. I really feel like I’m the material of the Kendricks, the Coles, the Drakes, the Meeks, and I really feel like we haven’t seen that displayed with XXL for a short while now, simply because the artists which were up-and-coming haven’t actually needed to take that on. However I’m the pioneer of making an attempt to take that on proper now.

That’s how we even bought right here, with human music. I really feel like we was based mostly off human music at first, the place individuals simply discuss their day, ‘One, two, three and to the 4.’ It was that kind of music. Now, it’s watered right down to the approach to life when it’s not even that. Half of those rappers don’t be doing what they are saying they’re doing or be residing what they are saying they’re residing. So, once you discover someone who’s relatable, as a result of they’re speaking about the identical issues that you simply’re residing via, then you may have a solution to cope. It’s therapeutic. It’s a type of remedy. I really feel like that’s essential.

Numerous these rappers, they make music and also you don’t know ’em. You don’t know something about them. I might take heed to a complete album by someone now and gained’t know something about you. All I do know is your block, however I nonetheless don’t know you. So, me, I really feel like that’s essential as a result of then individuals fall in love with the particular person, not simply the music.

[When my fans see me on this cover], I do know they’re going to be like, ‘Rattling, about time. We’ve been watching you grind for a very long time, and now the truth that you lastly getting the popularity a little bit bit…’ I really feel like they’re going to f**okay with it heavy. They’re going to be like, ‘Hell yeah. There he’s.’

[To the people being introduced to me for the first time], don’t f**okay with me. Shut up, sit again and pay attention, and permit your self to really feel.”—Joey Echevarria