CREDIBILITY - Rebstar
 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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