Super Nintendo inspired Hip Hop artist YO$#! (Yoshi) The Cat In the Hat That Can Rap caught my attention while attending A3C Festival and Conference in Atlanta, GA. An unforgettable spectacle a few years before the pandemic, the colorful and charismatic rhymer from Ohio sparked a cypher outside the main conference hall that drew an audience comparable to a scheduled A3C event.
During that cypher Yoshi battled an up-and-coming O-Slice to an incredible, raucous reaction. I connected with him following the dual, arranging this Q&A that got lost in my archives…until now!
In this conversation The Cat In the Hat That Can Rap, whose noteworthy career includes being a participant in the Guinness World Record Cypher, shares thoughts on his music being supported, overcoming opposition, and his mission as an artist. I hope you enjoy THE LOST INTERVIEW!
Yoshi, who are you with and without music?
I’m the same person. The big difference is, in my music, I can express the thoughts that I keep inside my mind on a regular [basis]. I used to have a really bad temper because I kept so much in. I would have all this energy built up with nowhere to put it. In a way it’s like the story Dr. Jackel and Mr. Hyde; it’s where the non-musician would play Dr Jackel and the artist would take on Mr. Hyde.
With that duality in mind, Yoshi, what empowers you personally and professionally?
I want to say it’s my vision that empowers me both personally and professionally. I’m really good at seeing what will happen before it happens. Because of that I have always wanted to just help people win. Even if it’s just a small victory, like them finding self-love or appreciation for something they were taking for granted. [That’s] one of the main reasons I try to provide a balance in my music.
Where were you when you realized being a Hip Hop artist and entertainer is what you were meant to do?
I was trapping in the Bluff. A lot of people who would shop with me used to tell me over and over again, “Man, you need to stop playing and make some real songs so we can jam to!” I did a show after that and was tipped $100 just because it was unique. That set stuff off in my mind to change direction.
Tell is about a time you experienced major opposition or a hardship in both your life and profession. Why didn’t it stop or deter you?
Before going to open for The Migos this year my team hit a large set of setbacks which caused financial problems which could have prevented my team from traveling with me while having issues with my brothers. And for a second, we thought we were gonna have to cancel the show. A lot of people who knew what was going on stepped up to the plate and made a plan to help my team come to the show in Texas. The show changed my life.
How are you going to continue to convince people to invest their time and money in you and what you do?
My mission is to make being “you” cool again as long as “you” are people who strive to inspire originality and empower the creative minds of those are round you, and even inspire non-creatives to be creative. You love high energy and music that is not just trap-driven but has a message. Then your investment would not be wasted here.
In order for this to work we must support artists that go against the grain and [who are] not afraid to go to the heart of the streets to promote this message. And I am that someone. With that support from the people, we can change the world! | By Mr. Joe Walker
