An Interview with Strat

A recent album release from Strat manages to bring together elements of classic, old school hip-hop, but with a refreshing approach in vibe, bringing together a little bit of grit and edginess, with tons of honesty and personality, which is one of the biggest attributes to this record.

The level of personality that comes through as the record unfolds is one of the main reasons why you get so attached to it.

Strat has a pretty uncanny ability for storytelling in general. The lyrics can be detailed and again, truthful, but they can also lean the other direction as well. His lyrics can also be classic hip-hop style, portraying a bit more brute force, while other times, it can be very conscious and reflective.

These are some of the many things that make the DVLPMNT record robust and lush. It's the character that it delivers that really wraps itself around you and keeps you right where it wants to.

There's also a lot of positivity that comes with that. This is an album that reaches into struggles and love. The very first track actually delivers a lot of that.

It's a very unique track in the sense that it has an outside-the-box kind of beat, slower pace lyrical phrasing and time signatures, but the lyrics themselves really let you know that this is an artist who gives pieces of himself in his music.

The track is simply called "Intro", and I think it's called this because it's a perfect opener for the album itself. It does showcase several of the greatest staples that the full release gives, but having said that, this is a record you don't want to skip around.

To me, listening to the full album isn't exactly a concept record, but it is like chapters in a book.

You wouldn't skip chapters in a book, so I would definitely not suggest skipping songs on this record either.

So in that first track, you're getting a lot of that character and personality just gleaming straight through. Straightforward lyrics get you hooked, and you feel like you know this person a little bit better just after that first song alone.

Songs like "Serpents" showcase more of an experimental side to the artist's songwriting and production style. Not just the production or beats, but also the lyrics and how they are performed.

He has such a unique and particular aesthetic to the way that he raps, so that you're paying attention to everything he's saying, and at times he even slows things down a little bit so you can soak it all in properly.

The beat on this track is particularly outside the box, which I really enjoyed, because it gives a bit of a trippiness to everything.

"Lonely Song" delves into relationships, giving more of that thick honesty that you end up grabbing on to. He really ends up sort of opening up and even being a little bit vulnerable on songs like this, just because he's questioning himself and reflecting on certain aspects of his life.

Again, this whole thing is just riddled and laced with tons of character.

No two tracks are super alike; they all have various styles and approaches in terms of the production and the beats, and they all have stories to tell or very personal perspectives that give off loads of inner thought that comes spilling out for all to soak in.

These are the kinds of things that get you hooked on a record.

"Intermission of Admission" has to be among my favorites on the record. This one is very open and portrayed with very few walls built around it. So much honesty and authenticity coming from the song really resonates. The song sort of sits with you long after it has ended.

It's tracks like this that you actually connect with.

"Moms" also gives a lot of that honest portrayal and showcases certain sides of his personality that really deliver some faith, uplifting spirit, and just a wonderful portrayal of how he can be giving.

I believe that certain things are meant to be a sort of consistent sentiment throughout some of the songs on the record, and this one is really capitalizing on that.

All in all, this was super impressive, simply because it's not just standard hip hop. It's conscious, honest, truthful, charismatic, colorful, but still can be edgy, and always delivers that persona that you want more and more of.

All of this certainly came from some real place, and he dropped this record with fewer boundaries than whatever you may be used to. I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect.

Upon listening to the album, I knew I wanted to ask a few questions just to find out more about where this came from and what might be coming up next.

So, while you listen to this record, have a read-through of our interview with Strat below.

Remember where you heard it first.

Let's talk about DVLPMNT! This record hit both classic and fresh approaches in hop-hop and rap but also had a lot of honesty to it!!  Where did this album come from? 

Thank you! It came from a lot of things good and bad, pain and release. More so personal development, hence the title. It’s the 2nd installment in a trilogy series of albums that started with Conception II. The whole thing is akin to a baby. In the beginning… a baby is conceived, then it develops in the womb, then it is born. I’m currently wrapping up the finishing touches on the 3rd and final installment entitled BRTH. 

I am hearing a few different styles here! Who are some of your biggest influences in music?

I’d say it’s a wide range of artists and genres. 

It could go anywhere from an OutKast to Kanye to Pink Floyd to Prince to Wu Tang to anyone really pushing boundaries. I’m all over the place. I’d say the main ones would be Michael Jackson, 2Pac, Biggie and Nas.

How did this all start for you as an artist?

It all started when I was 10. I grew up on Hip Hop culture and was enamored with it. What I saw on tv and what I heard prompted me to start freestyling. Got good at that on my own, started writing after that and then started recording. I didn’t have many friends growing up and was a bit of an outcast so I found joy and solace in music. Stuck with it and here we are. 

Did you record this at a home setup, or at a big studio?

DVLPMNT was recorded at both. Dallas, Texas was a big studio then the remainder was recorded at a home setup in Rapid City, SD. 

Are you performing live right now? 

Currently I’m not, however I am looking for opportunities. 

Now that this is out, what's next for you?

I just dropped a New Single called “WHEEL” then next up is another single, more after that as well, then we coming with the 3rd installment of the trilogy…BRTH the album.

Who's in your headphones right now?

Lots of Wu Tang, 21 savage, Nas, Ye and some gospel.

What would you tell people they can expect on this release?

I can say they can expect it ALL. There’s something for everyone on this album…pleasure, pain, adversity, defeat, victory, love, spirituality, expression, relatability, entertainment and real stories. It’s literally my human experience and story developing in front of you. It plays as a movie from front to back.

Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music? 

I would just like to say thank you for your time and checking me out. I know with so much to choose from these days, it’s difficult. So I’m grateful when you listen to my ART. I can’t do it without you. 

And if you’re going thru some tough times… don’t give up. Keep going and trust GOD. He’s got you and will make it better. I DO know this to be true.

You got this.

Stratland Entertainment is…expression, excellence, entertainment. A Style of life. 

REAL music for REAL people.

LOVE…

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