HIP HOP VIP: Future

FUTURE: The Rising Star

It's hard to get a grasp on Future. He's a man of little conversation and instead let's his rhymes do the talking. People say he's cocky, he says he's got a good head on his shoulders. After honing in on his talent as a teenager, he hooked up with local act Dem ATM Boyz, considered one of the Valley's hip-hop heavyweights. (He is managed by Street Signs, the same management as Chingo Bling). Right now, he's looking to the ‘future' and has since launched a solo project. His album The Legacy Begins is due out later this year.

Real name: Adrian Garza
Hometown: San Juan
Listen to: "Back When I Was Young" a swift track which really showcases Future's admiration for Tupac Shakur. The song definitely has a "Dear Mama" kick.  

Interesting tidbit?

He's a pitcher for the University of Texas Pan American Broncs Baseball team and named 2008 All Tournament Pitcher.

Describe your flow?

My style I would say, is a little more West Coast and Dirty South style. Mainly I try to be more lyrical. I don't try to do "oh youdre eyes are blue I really wanna talk to you" stuff. I brainstorm a lot more.

Describe the hip hop scene in the Valley?

It's kind of underlooked. At the same it is because there are a lot of artists who say they're rappers who haven't been through the struggles. In other cities there are a lot of good rappers. Everybody's trying to be a rapper here. Music down here is growing. Soon to be a Houston. One or two artists break from here the Valley will be the next Houston. There are a lot of loyal fans, a lot of people down here have the most loyal fans. They'll buy the album and t-shirt and go to your shows.

Is hip hop dead? Why or why not?

There's a lot of artists that you hear from them again. Hip-hop started hitting in the late 90s and now it's at an even point. Everything has to meet its time where it stays still. Not just hip hop but music overall, but it's gotten to the point where it stands still.

You're signed to JZJ Records but say you land an even bigger record deal...what's the first thing you do with the money?

Start thinking of what other business or clothing line I could make up. Reinvesting to bring in more money.

Essential threads and kicks?

It's not so much what you have to wear. As long as when you go on stage you stand out. You don't have to wear the biggest chain, as long as you go up there and people say that's somebody else. You can tell that guy is something else.

Hip hop idol?

Tupac and presently the way they handle their business; Lil Wayne and 50 Cent.

Biggest beef past or present?

I've had several beef. Everybody's out to get me. I hate to say names because I don't want to give popularity on my name. Most recent it got personal. But I'm not gonna let ‘em steal my shine. (Note: Future asked not to be included in the group photo).

What's the biggest stereotype about rappers?

When someone is rapping people in the audience might think everybody's gotta be a thug. A lot of people see it as ‘what do you do?' I'm a rapper, but "what do you do?" They don't see it as hardworking. Some don't make money off of shows. But I'm at that level where I make money, it is my job.

Most overrated rapper?

Jay-Z

Brush with the law?

Nothin' with that. But if I did I wouldn't be talkin' about it.

Everf wrecked a car?

My car has been wrecked whefn someone hit it when it was parked.

Fight or walk away?

It depends. The smart thing to do is walk away. I have a hot temper sometimes so it's hard to walk away. If it's something important to you sometimes you have to stand up and do what you gotta do.

Strip club or Hooters?

Neither

Best rumor you've heard about yourself?

I've had a lot of good and bad. More bad, though. One was fthat I was getting looked at by Bad Boy Records or Universal. I wouldn't mind that but it's not true.

Guilty listening pleasure?

I listen to the radio on and off just to see what's being sold. Don't really listen to anything except my music and my girl's music.

Who would you collab with outside of the genre?

Justin Timberlake

When you walk into a room full of strangers, what song would you want playing?

"I'm Fly" by Future