Up NeXt By DX: Paper Paulk

Former HipHopDX Features Editor Andre Grant said in his “Defense Of The Struggle Rapper” editorial, “Out of all the things the Hip Hop web has vilified, the “struggle rapper” might be the least deserving of all that ridicule.” Before Kendrick Lamar became big enough for Barack Obama to sing his praises or Drake found himself making deals with Apple, they were artists without a significantly large fanbase attempting what seemed like the impossible. Hitting the top of the charts became a distant goal to making past one hundred streams of a song possibly made within the confines of their bedroom walls and gaining likes, re-post or anything else that would reach someone. Providing a weekly outlet for those getting their feet wet in the sometimes brutal sport of Hip Hop, allow us to give readers a look into tomorrow’s possibilities through “Up NeXt.”

This 26-Year-Old Has A Story To Tell & Has A Pusha T Co-Sign

Inspiration For Career

“Just wanting a better life. I grew up in the system in poverty with a single mom alongside my brother and sister. I was hustling and grinding; just doing anything to make my situation better and get by because I had to. I started making music about four and a half years ago in Toledo. I was going to school, struggling and hustling. Still barely getting by, I just knew it wouldn’t be long till I was in jail or dead. Then, I really just outta nowhere up and made a choice to really try and become a musician and rap. I had always had a passion for music & I have a real story to tell. So I dropped out and started perfecting my craft and my business.”