Guapdad 4000

FOR ALL YOUR

DURAG NEEDSHEAD ON OVER TO GUAPDAD4000 !

PHOTOGRAPHER ALEX HARPER STYLIST MAZ STORY BY TYLER GREEN PODCAST BY NIKO

3132I recently had the opportunity to speak briefly with up-and-coming artist Guapdad 4000. While many people recognize his name from headlines (no pun intended) alongside Drake, or perhaps even the champagnepapi Instagram page, Guapdad 4000 is an established, talented artist whose catalog of good records continues to grow. Although he utilizes autotune, I would be very cautious to lump Guapdad in with the growing group of similar sounding “mumble rappers” that have

seemed to be coming and going.

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In fact, his ear for beats, versatility of flows, and captivating personality all rival that of the hottest rising stars in the rap game. And to Guapdad’s credit this is certainly not going unnoticed by his peers. He’s already garnered Drake’s support, no easy feat, not to mention that of other top tier lyricists such as Wale or J. Cole, the latter of which invited him to take part in the exclusive ROTD3 album sessions back in January. When talking with Guapdad 4000 I inquired what, if anything, these cosigns meant to him. He responded, “They’ve removed the chip from my shoulder. I feel creatively liberatedthe only thing i want to do is grow as brand. As a creative you just want recognition. Idc how humble / cocky, as artists we all want people to appreciate the art we make. All my idols already think I’m amazing which in my head means potentially

I can be even better than them!

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Oakl and Oakl and BaY YYY

I don’t have any limits now. I can send a song to all the biggest rappers in the world except for Ye damn near and they’ll fucking listen and give feedback... that’s wild to me”. Guapdad is seeking to capitalize on this support, as he just recently dropped his catchy new single, “Flossin”. What struck me first about this joint was the video he dropped to accompany it, in which the Oakland rapper was getting head from a couple women outside the driver’s door of his Range Rover. When I asked him where he came up with the audacious video concept, Guapdad replied in his typical laid-back, joking fashion saying, “I was just drunk on Twitter and wanted some head. My brand and identity as an artist often teeters in between a diary and the Truman Show lol. Whatever I can do to fuck up how people feel I should be acting, rapping, or anything else I’m down. Idc how out of pocket, I really don’t”.

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Drunk on twanted so

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witter andme head .

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I can confidently say I’ve never seen anything like that from an artist since maybe Ray J! In all seriousness though, if “Flossin” is any indication, Guapdad 4000 is at the top of his game when it comes to unique flows mixed with clever lyrics. It’s a short song that seems strategic in that it leaves listeners wanting to hear more. That’s why I asked him how long he’s been crafting this upcoming project, and what we should expect. He’s clearly excited for us to hear this, telling me “Man it’s been a long time coming, I’ve been working toward this for the sum of two years now... it’s crazy because ‘Flossin’ is doing better than anything I’ve ever done and that’s only THE WARM UP SONG”. To his

fans the prospect that he’s ramping it up a notch is an exciting one, as he’s already been consistently delivering heat.

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As his catalog has grown, its become clear that there’s no singular artist to pinpoint as a comparable for Guapdad. This is perhaps reflected in the artists he says

have, and continue to, inspired his music. “Hell

yeah, I’m influenced by everything I like,” Guapdad states, “I

actively go back and see what else I can steal lmao Mac Dre, Dom K,

Kanye, FUTURE, Thug don’t even get me started on Frank Ocean lord Jesus that man ....” he says with a smile. The sheer variety of artists he’s inspired by is apparent in his music, and he doesn’t fit into one box as many rappers do now and days. In fact, his diversity extends

beyond his musical genre and into completely other areas of

entertainment.

. He’s already gotten some attention with a vlog he created, but he

had some other very interesting ideas for his future when I inquired about his talent at content creation. I asked him whether he wanted to do more things in the content game and he told me, “Of course, I want to45 do more scripted content, movies, and a TV show. I think the end goal is Anime. It always was. I WANT TO WRITE AN ANIME SO OF YOUR READING THIS AND CAN

HELP, DO IT!”

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FI

BIGNNAM49BABY

See what I mean about not being able to put this man in a box? knowledge, please contact Guapdad! In addition to having a foo the retail business a little bit as well. If you’ve seen Guapdad 40 In fact, he actually created his own and is selling them for those him about where this business ingenuity stems from he simply to a dollar and make as many as you can black man.” And, of cour dollar here so he included “FOR ALL YOUR DURAG NEEDS HE hustler at heart, so don’t be surprised when you see more Guap chance to ask him what he sees on the horizon for Guapdad 400

confident swagger saying, “I’m coming for everything!

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So please, if you have any advanced anime creation t in the content and music business, he’s already dabbling in 00 before he was likely donning his signature shiny silk DuRag. who also equally value their waves and their fits. When I asked ld me, “Oakland. My motto’s always been find a way to make se, he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to possibly make a AD ON OVER TO GUAPDAD4000.COM !”. He’s clearly a dad 4000 products hit the market down the road. I also got the 0, and what goals he had if any. He responded with a

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BIG FINNAM BABY”. Confidence is certainly not something he’s lacking, but he’s quick to inform me this doesn’t mean he’s stubborn, as some supremely confident artists are. When discussing why he thinks he’ll have longevity he’s introspective, saying, “I’m original and talented but versatile and not stubborn. These traits merit me the level of flexibility you need for longevity.. well at least I think. Shit we’ll see”. And see we shall, as Guapdad 4000 is slated to drop a full-length project later this year which I’m sure will be preceded by another hit single. He’s equipped with all he needs and more to have success in this game, and something tells me he’s not going to let any opportunity slip by him- it’s just

not the Oakland way.