217hiphop.com Exclusive Interview with Chase Baby

217hiphop.com got the chance to catch up with one of the hottest artists in the area right now, Chase Baby. With new music coming out almost weekly with partner in rhyme Big Treezz and a collaborative EP in the works with the Co Pilots, Chase's hot summer is just getting started. 

Whats up? Introduce yourself to the people.

Well...I'm known as Chase Baby to most. I was born and raised in Champaign, IL.

Started rapping at 6 years old with my oldest brother and his friends. Decided to take it seriously in 2011 and haven't looked back since.

You rep the Champaign/Urbana area. What can you tell us about the hip hop scene there?

The hip-hop scene isn't where I would like it to be. If you are established, there is a nice number of venues and booking agents that can keep you busy. It took awhile to get myself into a position where I am one of those established artists. But a local show when booked and promoted right can and has sold out. So it's heading in the right direction.

You are part of the duo Chasin' Treezz. Can you tell us how that came about?

Man...first of all, major shout out to Big Treezz. Treezz and I connected thru a mutual friend. I was already rapping and pretty well known in the Chambana (Champaign/Urbana) area. Trevor had a few songs recorded and my buddy wanted me to just record a couple songs with him and give him a feel as an artist. But we clicked immediately and formed Chasin' Treezz. His buddy from Decatur, Bryan Tewell (BToolz) is a spectacular producer and engineer (among a plethora of other things), so he supplied us with beats and we just got right to work. Our joint album is finished, it's off at mastering right now. So that should be headed your way in the near future.

Most of your music has a message. Is that something you do intentionally?

Absolutely. I'm not one of the "rappers" who drops a song one day and decided to call themselves an artist. I've put literal blood, sweat and tears in this for YEARS. So the music is more a transcribing of my thoughts and convictions as opposed to a hobby or get rich quick scheme. Being that I have a speech impediment and often times not able to really speak my mind in regular conversation, I use music as my catalyst to get that done for me. It's like therapy for me. I do my fair share of fun tracks and party anthems as well. I mean, i'm all for having a message, but I want to have some fun while i'm at it.

Who are some of the influences that have shaped your style?

Pac, hands down. He is the one who really kick started my passion for lyricism. I had always been a big fan of hip hop and rapping but pac got me started on poetry and really harnessing my voice. Plus the man is just a genius, revolutionary, philosopher, basically everything they DON'T want you to be as a public figure.

Other than pac. Xzibit is one of my favorites and is very under rated, R.A. The Ruggedman, Tribe Called Quest, Twista and Slug from Atmosphere.

You have worked with a number of producers as well as remixed some industry music which is your favorite?

That's a tough question man. They both have their importance. I love remixing industry beats because it shows how I compare to artists already on a platform, and it acts as a push for new listeners who normally wouldn't click on one of my songs. Plus I always seem to blackout on industry beats, however, on original content I tend to be more structured and militant. Both are a blast to do though.

If you had to choose one song to listen to for the rest of your life, which song would it be and why?

"Don't Worry, Be Happy"

fairly self explanatory.

You recently won a Torch Tuesday Award for New Group of the Year. Can you speak a little on that.

It was a surreal feeling to say the least. To be recognized within a group of your peers for the work you've put in really puts your mission into perspective, and lights a fire under your ass to win more the next year. I gotta work on my speech though haha.

What is the one thing you would add to the entire 217 hip hop scene to take it to the next level?

Cocaine

The 2011 me would say unity, but that shit is cheesy. It's healthy competition, you can't just work with everybody. I would say the very thing to take 217 to the next level is to take 217 to the next area code. Tour, sell merch, pass out 100 cds in every town you visit. Slap stickers on every light pole, toilet seat and bar mirror that you come across. Most of which I have yet to do myself.

Who are some artists you are looking forward to working with? (underground/major)

Underground wise, this cat named Pizzle out of Milwaukee, the dude is arguably the best rapper I've ever heard as far as delivery and flow is considered.

Majors though. I want to work as many OG's as I can, just to soak up game. Master P, hands down. Yelawolf, Tech N9ne, Lil' Wayne just because he made drought 3 and Big Sean. To name a few.

Any shouts out or last words for the fans?

Shoutout to Big Treezz, Btoolz, BoNe$ Beats, all the bloods with blue balls, subway flatizzas, shoutout to spellcheck on the iPhone for not making me look like a complete dumbass on twitter ( @YoungManMister ), that patch of blonde dreads in wiz's hair and Jessica Beil because i'm tryna smash. 

Shoutout to 217hiphop.com, Uncanny & Angel Puckett for really playing a major role in getting me and my brand outside of Champaign. I am forever grateful. Shoutout to the entire 217 as a whole, I love my city and respect every city that I visit like it is my own.

To the fans, keep holding me down, the messages I receive about how I've helped you throughout hard times and even thru thoughts of suicide really keep me going. It helps me remember that I am not alone and that I am doing because I need to do not because I want to. I'd go crazy without music.

Stay in school, one love.

- Chase Baby