Back2Pluto Presents: One-On-One with Cal Rips
Earlier in the week, I got a chance to catch up with 23 year old emcee Cal Rips from Maryland. Cal is a member of Kool Klux Klan, a well known & heavily talented hip-hop collective based in The DMV region, which consists of artists such as SiR E.U, King Rose’, CRASHPrez, and Hymn. He is also the older brother of the late Avionadramida. We know Cal as a hard working B2P veteran who is passionate about his squad, showing support, recording captivating music and everything that follows;
For those who don’t know Cal, who are you and what do you rep?
Yo, this is Cal Rips and I’m an artist from the DMV area and I represent the Klan (kool klux) After F and Avionadramida
Which artists do you listen to the most?
I really only listen to the Klan, Kanye and Chance the Rapper. Yup that’s about it for right now I study rappers I fuck with so it’s always changing.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the hip-hop? What do you like/dislike? What would you change?
I like it because the production is crazy but I kinda hate some of the music coming out. I wouldn’t change anything because I feel like if you work hard enough it pays off and artists are getting PAID these days. Ya feel me.
Who influenced your style the most?
Kanye for sure, and my aunt (Nonchalant) they are perfectionist and have a very unique style Kid Cudi, Wiz, and Lil Wayne. I can take something from any of them anyday because they’re so talented and creative in their use of sound. Sound is a weapon and they’re all assassins.
How do you separate yourself from other artists?
I think it’s the mindset I have. I know I’m talented and I’m confident in every situation so it’s easy for me to try new things and excel in them.
What is your creative process for making music?
Ummm I freestyle a lot and usually when we hear the right beat it’s automatic. The flow I want and the first line usually just come to me. After that I start writing and I’m a slow writer. I like using different rhyme schemes and taking my time but once I get that one line everything else falls in place. I finish off by adding any melodies or adlibs and really try to make the track as big as possible. I get that from my aunt.
Which project of yours was the most fun to record? Why?
The most fun….I’d have to say “Thumbs Up” because I was really coming into my own as an artist. I really stepped out of my box and went for a more chill sound overall almost somber. I like it the most because I really went against what everyone thought I sounded like and what they wanted me to sound like and began the process of making my own sound and sounding g how I wanted to sound.
Describe your last project “Believe”
Believe was really me getting the last of this “Cal Rips” out and in the past. I really don’t give a fuck anymore about anything except what I have and want to do. That project had a lot of outside influence and how I should make my art, and after it dropped I knew that that wasn’t me. It was dope because I’m dope but my heart wasn’t 100% into it. I don’t regret it at all because without it I would’ve never came to the point I’m at now but everything after “Believe” is going to be all me.
Describe your last singles “TD Jakes” and “Hilary Swank”
Ok the TD Jakes joint was sorta spur of the moment. I heard the beat and it was crazy and Crash (CrashPrez) was home from school and it was rare for all three of us to be in the studio so I put the beat on and we didn’t even have to say anything. Loui (King Rose’) and Crash pulled out there phones and I pulled out my rhyme book and the rest is history. As for Swank I really fucked with Joey Badass’ song and I was really high in the studio just listening to the beat and I remembered the story that my aunt always used to tell me. So I wrote what I remembered about her story and put a couple of my gems in there to finish it all. The song means a lot to me because without that story I probably would never have picked the pen back up and really pursued rapping
Who do you want to work with in the future?
Kanye, Chance and Cudi when the time comes. But now Fat Trel, Al Hostile, Sugg Savage and Gold Link he’s dope.
Describe your next project. Who is involved?
My next project is an EP coming this Monday and really it’s just a couple dope tracks I think the world needs to hear before the big project “Phor You” As for Phor You it’s a project completely produced by Suede Moccasins and it’s me getting back to that “Thumbs Up” sound. The difference is that I’ve been spending the last 3 years perfecting it and I feel like this project from the production, lyrics, to the quality everything has grown and gotton so much better. This is going to be my introduction to the world and I’m truly proud of it.
What’s next for Cal Rips?
Promoting “After F” KoolKluxKlan was amazing but we’ve grown up and that name doesn’t reprent me as an adult. It’s going to live forever through me and the rest of the klan but we’re all individual artist and “After F” is it. Besides that tours, millions, more female problems, shit fun man so much is ahead and I plan to take advantage of all the blessings I have been given *rubs hands like Birdman* buleeedat
Any Shoutouts?
Hell yea shout out to B2P for even giving me this opportunity i truly appreciate it. S/O to Avionadramida, King Rose’, Sir EU, Hymn, Crash Prez, ClaytDaGreat, Helena Bank$, DJ Marauder, and everybody who supports me and my art.
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