INTERVIEWS - Top Notch

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Top Notch is one of the most persistant artists in the underground rap game today, and he is steady hustlin' trying to come up from the heart of the nation's most dangerous city. Recently he dropped his Mixtape entitled "King of The Lou" with the help of his friend and Midwest Mixtape Kingpin DJ Bishop. With the whole city behind him, Top Notch can not be stopped.

Underground Rap Scene:

First of all I want to thank you for doing the interview and let you know that your track “All I Do Is Count” is straight fire.

Top Notch:

Thanks mane that song is complety true

Underground Rap Scene:

What is it like coming up in Saint Louis and trying to make it in the Rap game? Could you touch on the advantages and disadvantages of trying to make it in one of the hottest rap scenes in the country? Also, what’s your favorite part about being from St. Louis?

Top Notch:

In the Lou, it's hard trying to come up, because once you try to do it, it's always something threre to try to bring you down, and alot of people could easily get discouraged. But to push on even threw all the adversity, especially being from the innnercity like where I'm from In one of the most dangerous cities in America you can prove something to yourself by doing something positive. I always loved my city though, even threw all the hatin, because it made me who I am

Underground Rap Scene:

Could you explain your journey in the rap game to this point, and how you got involved with DJ Bishop and the Hittmen DJ’s?

Top Notch:

I met up with him, when I was in High School, I was driving to school, I gave him some of my earielr music, and he gave me some good advice about music, and the music industry and I got back at him a couple months later and hit him with some heat

Underground Rap Scene:

I know you’ve worked with some local STL artists such as Ebony Eyez, P-Dub, and Spaide R.I.P.P.E.R. Could you share some of your experiences working with Saint Louis artists?

Top Notch:

Working with St. louisans be all good, becasue everybody here be on some different shit, So when we do a home town cloabo you know that song gone be straight fire

Underground Rap Scene:

Could you name a DJ or artist who helped you out on your way to the top of the rap game, if any, and explain how they helped you?

Top Notch:

Shit I have to give a special shot out to Dj Playboy mix. He Dj's at the Onxy one of the most popular clubs down here. I went up to the Dj Booth and handed him the record. He didn't know me, I didn't have a name for my self of anything, I came at him like I'm tryin to come up and here's my music he asked me "Is it clean" and I swear when I walked out the club he was playing it live on the air, and after the my song Bring Dat Mono Back rippled threw St. Louis

Underground Rap Scene:

What are you currently working on, and when you aren’t busy in the studio how are you spending your time?

Top Notch:

Right Now I just Finished up my Mixtape (King Of The Lou) and I'm working on another one called Top Notch University. Where I'm gone take these cats to school all over again. Because I feel like alot of rappers need to learn about the rules

Underground Rap Scene:

Who would you say is your biggest influence?

Top Notch:

Eazy-E, he was the first rapper I ever listen to. I used to get in trouble for listening to his C.D all the time. I used to have to sneak and listen

Underground Rap Scene:

Who are you listening to when you aren’t playing your own tracks?

Top Notch:

Some Ugk, Chammillionare, Rasaq, and Of Couse a Dj Bishop Mixtape

Underground Rap Scene:

I understand you recently released your King of The Lou mixtape, could you explain how you came up with the title of the mixtape? Also, what is your favorite track that you recorded for the album?

Top Notch:

Like I say all the time Like it or not I'm the King I'm here to stay,and I done put it down time after time. I handle my business in the booth and in the streets and What I say I mean, so when I said I got this rap shit in a missionary thats the on top position and I know that you niggas worried I meant it, Also that was a quote of one of my favorite songs Burner Hanging Out The Car

Underground Rap Scene:

Could you touch on what you’ve learned from hustling your music throughout the Lou, and give some advice to the up and coming rappers who are looking to get their music heard?

Top Notch:

Persintance, when you got a single you think is the one work that mutafucker. Even when you've been working it for a year keep on working it, because just because It's old to you dont mean that it's getting old. No matter when people hear it for the first time it's new to them, so that, and make sure you shit sound and look good, because sloppy demos get threw in the trash

Underground Rap Scene:

Thank you for your time.