Bankie Travolta - Interview
I kind of feel like you are part of a big up and coming scene in Cleveland (Similar to the breakout Chicago scene of a couple years ago). You are kind of leading the pack for being an up and coming artist. What are your thoughts on your scene and why do you think so many people gravitate towards you as an artist?
Bankie: I really think people respond to my sound and versatility. I'm trying to stay away from being called a certain kind of rapper, so I try different things to stand out. I think people like the risk I take.
You just released your first music video (teaser) for your new mixtape. What inspired the video and what are your future video plans for the mixtape?
Well I guess you could say I'm somewhat of a stoner lol lol I do enjoy the "green". The video for Magikal Dreamz was really kinda spur of the moment my label head Truth hit me up said "get some weed and lets make a video". We do shit like that all the time foreal.
You released Cloud Amillion and it did really well. The majority of that mixtape is you rapping over industry beats. Will this up-and-coming mixtape feature that same format or are you going to be slipping more original tracks into the mix?
The new mixtape is all original production and concepts. It’s a lot more personal. On Cloud Amillion we kinda thru that together just to show people I could spit and that I was with Playground Bully Muzik it was just promo but I killed it though.
You’ve stated in numerous places that you are the best in MC in Cleveland. Can you tell me what you mean by this statement?
I mean Chip & Cudi are "out" of Cleveland doing shows etc., but I'm still here in Cleveland puttin in work branding myself. Cleveland is a tough place to come up when you trying to do music here. There's no real industry here but it is a lot of talent. Making a bold statement draws attention especially when it's true!
Two of the biggest acts that are really blowing up out of Cleveland right now are Kid Cudi and Chip Tha Ripper. How have those groups getting so big impacted the Cleveland hip hop scene over the last couple of years?
I think Cudi and Chip doin they're 1-2 right now showing n*ggas like me it ain't impossible I know people say shit like that all the time but that's just what it is. They doin that shit for me foreal.
You have quite a few tattoos. What was your first tattoo? What is your favorite? And how did you get into tattoos?
You know I was hilly baked when I got my first tattoo and I think I may have gotten more than one that day. I'm a king at heart so my favorite I gotta say it's my King Tut chest piece. I mean I've always like tattoos some people put there feelings in books I ink my body.
You are kind of pushing this new hippie movement with your music. Can you tell me a little about the idea and kind of what this new hippie vibe is all about?
I'm not trying to be handing out flowers and throwing anti-war rally’s and shit lol…but I agree with a lot of hippie principles. The whole lets get high, have sex and make good music is my thing. I'm in my own world and not trying to wreck anybody else’s. My approach to music has no boundaries kinda like the hippie culture. "I play by my own rules".
You seem to draw inspiration from many different genres of music. What are some of your biggest influences and what type of impression do you think you make on a listener when they listen to a Bankie Travolta song?
There's no one person I draw from, but many. Honestly too many to mention and there not all rappers. I listen to everything and I mean everything!!!! Of course people have compared me to Wiz, Cudi, Wayne, Lupe, and I don't mind they're all greats you feel me? It's nice to be in that bracket. Anybody who listens to my music and really "listens" can tell I'm a cool as n*gga. I make feel good music and I tell my story.
What do you have lined up for the rest of the year? Will we see an official album or EP release this year?
Neither me nor my label Playground Bully Muzik have any interest in releasing an EP right now. My "Walking On Water" mixtape will be dropping in September it's a banger.
I guess that about wraps it up. Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have any closing comments you’d like to make?
To all my fans get some trees and smoke one withcha boy Bankie Travolta out!!!!
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