On The Come Up: SSGKobe
By Jennifer Wilson Walker, Membership Coordinator, ASCAP Rhythm & Soul • May 4, 2022
Louisiana-born rapper SSGKobe is blowing up in the hip-hop scene at 18 years old. Since releasing his first song on SoundCloud in 2018, he's racked up hundreds of thousands of streams, garnered a loyal fanbase and collaborated with exciting artists like Trippie Redd, BROCKHAMPTON and KA$HDAMI. With an album project, creative partnerships and more exciting work on the horizon, SSGKobe has nowhere to go but way up. We caught up with him for a conversation about his craft, his career and his community.
Let’s jump right in. You’re 18 years old, living the dream. Do you feel like you’re living the dream right now?
I think so. Yeah.
You’re touring, doing shows as a musical artist. How does it feel?
It feels pretty good. I mean, just being able to go out and sing my own music and people like it, and they know the lyrics. That’s a good feeling.
How’d you get started in music? Was it a hobby of yours or was this something that you knew for sure you wanted to do as a career?
It kind of just came naturally. I kind of just found it and found out I was good at it, and I just kept working on it, because it was interesting and fun to me.
And you’re from Louisiana. How was it growing up in a smaller town and doing music?
It was good. It was good, because I could keep it kind of [a] secret, because I wasn’t that big. But when people started to find out, that’s when I would say it became kind of hectic… It’s a small town, and everyone knows each other. So it’s like… as soon as they figure out something they sent it to the next person, and that person sent it to the next person. But overall I would say it was good… growing up in a small town doing music.
I know you started dropping music on SoundCloud. Was this something you would do privately? Were you doing any performing in your city?
I haven’t performed in my city yet.
So back then, you were just kind of doing it on the low, and you just had your own persona. The internet was where you were putting the music out, and people just started finding out about it in the city?
Yeah, that’s pretty much it.
So what made you choose SoundCloud as your platform?
I think it was the easiest platform to work at the time. It was pretty simple to upload a song on SoundCloud, because it was free. You didn’t have to sign up and pay anything to post.
And then the music started catching on like wildfire, and you started racking up millions of streams. How’d you feel when you saw those numbers?
I mean, it still feels surreal to me. It still feels like it’s not real, but it makes me excited. I’m happy and excited that I can get these numbers from music. You know?
When was the moment that you realized you were actually on to something? Like this could actually stick?
I dropped this song called “Wyd,” and it had got to 500,000 plays. I had never gotten to 500K before. So, I knew at that time like yeah… I can do it.
Dope. You have a supportive team around you. What was your family’s reaction when you hit that 500K?
At that point they still didn’t know much about what I was doing.
Really?
Yeah.
You are so humble!
Yeah. They knew I made music, but they didn’t know I was getting like 500,000 plays. I guess they thought I was just doing it for, like, a hobby, and you know. I’m getting plays, but not to that extent.
So when were they on board?
I think whenever I got my first offer from a record label. I think that’s when they were like, "oh, ok. This is his future." It gave them a little bit of reassurance.
Before the deal, I read that you used social media to connect with other artist. Can you tell me a little about that and how it worked for you?
Yeah, I connected with Kaash Paige through Instagram. I had found her and DM’d her, and she made Euphoria—her, Travis Scott and Don Toliver. I texted her as a fan, and she replied, and we just started talking. I showed her my music, and she was like, "okay, I want you on my first album." That’s how it really went.
Did you reach out to anybody else?
Not really. I try to keep it kind of slim and work with who I really want to. I don’t see myself working with everybody in the industry. I kind of want to be exclusive, but you know.
If there is somebody you could work with, who would it be?
Future for sure.
Okay! Would you want to do a feature? Or would you want him to executively produce a project? What are you thinking in terms of working with Future?
I would like it if he executive produced one of my projects, but also a feature or a collab or something.
I mean, he’s incredible. I’ve watched his evolution through the years, and I really like what he’s doing musically, and he’s really elevating. So I think would be incredible. Can you tell me about how you built your team?
It all just kind of came together piece by piece. My manager, Akilah, I’ve known since I was little. It was all about her just coming into the music world of things and being my manager. And then from there, we found my engineer, who’s based in LA. Shout out to him. We both be on the same music mind. We work really well, and the producers I found in LA, as well through my friends and connections…
So you do a lot of traveling to LA to record?
That’s where I record most of my music. LA or New York.
That’s what’s up. And then there was the deal with Columbia. What made you choose Columbia of all the offers you had?
I felt like Columbia had my best interest, and felt comfortable at Columbia. I felt a part… when I met them. That’s the pretty much why I picked them… comfortability.
I mean comfort and feeling at home is so important, because it’s very easy to get lost in the sauce in the music industry. It’s very easy to feel isolated or just… not knowing where you fit. So it’s really dope that you found a home at Columbia. I’m paying attention, and it seems like they’ve got a really good track record of taking very young talented artists, who found some success online and turning them into superstars. I really see your career moving in that direction. It’s been amazing to watch over this past year.
I appreciate it. That means a lot. Thank you.
You’re welcome! Then there was Rolling Loud. Do you think that was a turning point in your career?
I feel like… definitely for shows, it kind of forced me to adapt and start working more on myself as far being in shape for the performances…
Things are growing and getting bigger for you. What can we expect from SSGKobe this year?
Y’all can definitely expect an album project. I’m putting that out. A bunch of singles, collabs, clothing brand, all kind of stuff.
Okay. You gonna do the merch thing?
Yep. I’mma do the merch, but I want to do it under my brand. Two separate things that can come together…
What’s the next single?
It’s called “Willy Wonka.”
Okay, we should look out for it!
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Follow SSGKobe (@ssgkobe) on IG & Twitter