Former HipHopDX Features Editor Andre Grant said in his “Defense Of The Struggle Rapper” editorial, “Out of all the things the Hip Hop web has vilified, the “struggle rapper” might be the least deserving of all that ridicule.” Before Kendrick Lamar became big enough for Barack Obama to sing his praises or Drake found himself making deals with Apple, they were artists without a significantly large fanbase attempting what seemed like the impossible. Hitting the top of the charts became a distant goal to making past one hundred streams of a song possibly made within the confines of their bedroom walls and gaining likes, re-post or anything else that would reach someone. Providing a weekly outlet for those getting their feet wet in the sometimes brutal sport of Hip Hop, allow us to give readers a look into tomorrow’s possibilities through “Up NeXt.”

What does the I.O.D. stand for?
“I.O.D. is a double meaning. In Brooklyn, when someone says, “You’re odeeing” it means your going to far or your taking it to the max. I feel like that is the only way to describe my presence in this world. 100% of the time going in in every facet of life from the stage to the studio. I.O.D. also stands for Inner God. I’m not religious but I’m very spiritual and I believe God is within us all. So when somebody says my name I want them to feel that power in themselves. You saying your ready to go in with the Inner God in you every time you say, I.O.D.”

When was the one moment–the butterfly in the stomach moment–when you knew you would make rapping a career?
“I don’t intend on making all of my money from rap so I don’t think you can call it a career as much as it is a hustle and a passion bu that one moment actually happened at SXSW. Seeing so many artist that are in different stages of their music careers and seeing how much is lacking from the Hip Hop industry I now see that my place in music is one that is necessary. We need more artist like myself who are here to build real experiences and connections for the people. We need more love and its so apparent. So if I myself can’t revolutionize the game then I will definitely be the one to inspire the person that does.”

Do kids in NYC still take pride in their place in the Hip Hop community or do they follow whatever trend the radio plays?
“There’s a lot going on in NYC. A lot of different vibes and waves so I choose only to speak for myself for this question. I take pride in my place in all Hip-Hop. The radio, the streets, the poetry slams, the kickbacks, the cyphers, the jam sessions, all of it is instrumental in our story. All of it matters. Whatever the kids are doing, i don’t know and I would hate to assume. All I know is me.”

Twitter:@IODOfficial
Soundcloud:Soundcloud.com/Brownsvillain