By La'Juanda Knight
There are not many things that
Sonny Rich hasn’t been through. From hustling on the streets, to working a nine to five, to spending time in the army to fighting in Iraq, these are the experiences that he claims makes him the man he is today. Feeling like he can now accomplish anything, rap is next on his list and he plans on doing all of this with a North Carolina swagger.
However, Sonny’s style of rap will not be watered down with the usual bubble gum tracks that some might be accustomed to, it's easy to see he has his own swagger when you listen to has songs like
"Dreamin'" and
"Stunners." Sonny's new album, The V.I.R.U.S., is a complete album and that he “wanted to show people that I can make the club records, the street records, and conscious records. It ain't a lane that I can’t travel.” After fighting in a war, traveling the world, and hitting the block, it appears that there is not a lane that Sonny Rick can’t travel in and conquer.
AllHipHop.com: I have a quote from you where you state, “I listen to music and can’t relate to what I hear.” Can you explain that quote? Also, what do you do to avoid that in your rap?
Sonny Rich: Stuff that I have been through, I can’t relate to others. Whether you are a track star or wanna be, I have had regular nine to fives. I tried to go to school. That’s what I mean by I can’t relate to a lot of the stuff that is out there. A lot of the stuff is the same, I try to branch out on other topics. Like being a regular dude. Everybody is not a big time drug dealer. I try to incorporate everything in my music so that I can touch everybody.
AllHipHop.com: Who inspired you to rap?
Sonny Rich: Jay-Z, Scarface, 8 Ball and MJG. I feel like they were honest in their raps.
AllHipHop.com: Did that help to inspire you to rap?
Sonny Rich: Yeah it did also, everyone around me telling me I should rap. I felt like if it was my calling I would feel it. I finally did.
AllHipHop.com: How did you first get involved in rap?
Sonny Rich: I been rapping since I was in seventh grade. Last March, one of my friend from St. Louis who made beats told me I should put out a mixtape. I ended up doing one with him and a couple of homeboys and he shopped it around. It ended up getting in my managers hands. He ended up getting the mix tape. He got me a recording contract. Everything felt right, I tried everything else but music, why not try this.
AllHipHop.com: What is it about your music that will assist you in standing out among other rap artist?
Sonny Rich: I’m big on lyrics and talking about something. When people really pay attention to my music they will realize I am really good at what I do and I am a good storyteller. I grew up listening to a lot of storytellers so that is where I adapted my style from. I am one of the best out there at what I do.
AllHipHop.com: You were in the army for a while and also in Iraq. How do you think that experience assisted you in your music?
Sonny Rich: Before I didn’t know so much about the world, period. Being in the Army, I got a chance to move around and see how other people live in different parts of the world. It really opened my eyes to what is going on in different societies. I try to incorporate that into my music.
AllHipHop.com: What was it like being in Iraq and under so much pressure, yet still having the support from your fellow soldiers towards your music?
Sonny Rich: It was a way for me to meet friends and people. I used to meet them from all over the U.S. No matter where they were from they felt my music. It was a good icebreaker.
AllHipHop.com: Is there anything in particular from your experience in the Army that you apply now in the Hip-Hop game?
Sonny Rich: It gave me the will and the drive that I can accomplish anything. I was through a lot, I was in Iraq, and Afghanistan. I survived. When I started messing with rap I figured if I can succeed in the army then I can do anything. That gives me the drive to be persistent with it.
AllHipHop.com: Tell me about your album The V.I.R.U.S., which stands for the Voice Inside Rebellion Urban Soldier?
Sonny Rich: The album is an introduction to what I can do. I really wanted to give the people a little bit of everything. I wanted to show people that I can make the club records, the street records, and conscious records. It ain't a lane that I can’t travel on, I want to give the people a piece of everything. It is already in stores.
AllHipHop.com: I want you to elaborate. What can a buyer who has never heard of you expect from your album?
Sonny Rich: A complete album, I strive on putting out good music. I go hard whether it’s a mixtape or an album. I try to pick it up a notch every time. I have no features or skits. The album speaks for itself.