Hip-Hop music has become synonymous for story telling. What was once a narrow genre is now that, that houses tales of trial, triumph, love, heartbreak, pleasure and pain -but the one aspect that has yet to shift is the story of the hustler. Just as onlookers enjoy watching films that encompass aspects of life that they aspire to attain, Hip-Hop has those listeners that consider flashy tales of currency, luxury cars and high fashion theme music for a quest to self-made success.
Music/Video:Troy Ave My Biggie Duets Mixtape [Download]Troy Ave – “Ready Rock”Troy Ave | Live at SOB’s NYC. from By Any Means T.V. on Vimeo.
AllHipHop.com: The name Troy Ave comes from a block in Brooklyn, correct?
Troy Ave: You’re absolutely right, how did you know that?
AllHipHop.com: [Laughs] I did my homework.
Troy Ave: I never used to d my homework, I’m glad somebody’s doing it.
AllHipHop.com: What are some of the things one might see if they took a trip to Brooklyn and went to Troy Ave?
Troy Ave: You would see a wonderful ambience of peacefulness among humanity [laughter].
AllHipHop.com:Word?
Troy Ave: Nah, I’m bullshitting, Troy Ave is mad long, pause. It extends from Flatbush all the way down to Bedstuy and turns into Lewis Ave. You may see townhouses, a lot of buildings. You’re gonna see crack heads, hood chicks, gang members, definitely not a lot of success coming out of that particular area. The side streets are a lot better, a lot less active.
AllHipHop.com: You started rapping at what age?
Troy Ave: It was around the time 50 Cent dropped his first few mixtapes, that served as huge source of inspiration. I was close to 19.
AllHipHop.com: That’s a lot difference from the norm. We usually hear about people with rap dreams in grade school, what did you want to be when you were younger?
Troy Ave: Nothing, I was chilling running the streets basically. I worked for a period of time but I was too young to be on staff permanently so they ended up laying me off. I just wanted to do something that would generate enough money for me to be able to do what I wanted, when I wanted.
AllHipHop.com: Who are some of the individuals you drew inspiration from?
Troy Ave: Lil Flip, I know that sounds crazy. Cam, when he came back with the whole Dip-Set movement, Biggie of course, n##### like Master P., Young Jeezy was dope, Jay-Z too.
AllHipHop.com: Reading your story has some interesting points, what was your upbringing like?
Troy Ave: I grew up in a one-parent house, but I had my step-dad around once my mom got re-married. My real father was in my life as well.
AllHipHop.com: So you ran the streets because of an obligation or simply because you felt like it?
Troy Ave: [Laughs] I was just a bad ass kid.
AllHipHop.com: Considering the fact that you’ve been rapping a lot less years then your peers what do you think is the reasoning behing the notoriety you’ve received thus far?
Troy Ave: My work ethic; I never approach things blindly, I had marketing schemes for all of my projects prior to them releasing. If you’re real and genuine people gravitate to that, then they pass it on to others. That’s how movements begin.Visit Troy Ave on Twitter @TroyAve