#RookieOfAtlanta Interview w/ @ChampSantiago

1. Where are you from?

The Eastside of Atlanta, Redan Rd to be more specific

 2. When did you fall in love with rap?

 I first fell in love with rap in 2003 when I was 8 years old and I purchased the double album Outkast released "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below". I took that cd everywhere I went and played it on my stereo and my cd player. It showed me that rap was more than just words people put together to sound good and that it could be a piece of art if put in the right hands

 3. How did you start rapping? 

 I started rapping back in September 2008 when I was 13 in 8th grade. I used to have an mp3 player where I would put on top of stacked up shoe boxes and put it right next to my computer speakers and record myself rapping from instrumentals on youtube. I couldn't mess up because I would have to start recording all over again, so that is how I perfected my craft in rapping.

 4. Who supports your career in music? 

 I get support from all of my close peers and family members

 5. What made you buckle down and take music serious?

When I realized that we as musicians and entertainers have a powerful voice if handled right. I used to study the legendary figures in our history like Malcolm x, Dr. King, Muhammad Ali, Bob Marley, & Tupac and noticed how much of an effect they had on our people with the words they spoke and thought to myself, Why don't more rappers speak for our generation? And if rappers know millions of people are listening to their every word why not say something that'll motivate the youth?

 6. What movie describes your music and life? 

 Hustle & Flow, I say this because DJay had gotten to a point in his life where he just felt like the walls were closing in on him and his back was against the wall so he had to make a way with his music. That's how I feel..Like the underdog

 7. What was the first rap song you ever heard? 

 I've heard so many in my lifetime I couldn't even tell you the first honestly.

 8. How has rap influenced your life?

 Rap has influenced my life because my every day purpose revolves around it. Everything I do is going towards my career in music. If I'm not writing, I'm promoting my music, If I'm not doing that I'm reading and educating myself on how to be a better businessman so I can prepare myself for the industry.

 9. What was the first song you wrote?

  The first song I ever wrote was way back when I was about 6 or 7. I cant remember the name but I know its still in my house because I occasionally read it from time to time just to get a laugh in.

10. What's the difference between you and other Atlanta rappers?

 The difference between me and other Atlanta rappers is that I don't see just being "Atlanta famous" as an accomplishment. Some don't think like that but I would say that its a good percentage that are just satisfied with just having a buzz that just stays in the city. I don't want that. My target is higher than that.

 11. Where did you get your name from?

 I just randomly chose it. I probably have went through about 8 or 9 names in the last 7 years. I either go by "Champ" or "Champ Santiago".

 12. What producers fit your sound?

 I can really adjust to almost any producer but if I had to choose it would probably be Timbaland or Johnny Juliano.

 13. Who would you want to collab with in Atlanta? 

 Im willing to collab with almost any artist just as long as the chemistry is right between us and our styles match.

 14. What is AdmirationUSA?

 Admiration is my brand, my group, my company. Its a group of individuals that will be making an impact on pop culture very soon.

 15. Are you ready for the next step in your career? 

 Very ready..I'm always prepared for whatever this industry will throw at me.

 16. How long does it take you to record?

To record one song it will probably take me anywhere from 45mins to an hour. I like going to the studio with my songs already memorized. I'm a perfectionist so I want everything on my song to be crisp and on point.

 17. What do you want your legacy to be?

 I want my legacy to be one that people will remember decades from now. When people play my music 30 years from now I want whatever I say in my lyrics to still be relevant. That's why I talk about real life situations in my music. I make music for the soul.

 18. Has someone ever killed you on your own song and you had to come back to fix your verse?

No one ever has just flat out killed me on a song but I can say we were about even. I don't believe in going back and changing your verse because once you do that you're pressuring yourself into making your verse better so much that now your new one might not even be as good as your 1st one.

 19. Do you have a project dropping? 

 Not at the moment. I released my 2nd mixtape called "Black Propaganda" on Datpiff back in November 2014. Right now I'm more focused on dropping singles on Soundcloud and releasing more visuals.

 20. Which is more important a street presence or an internet presence? Or both?

 I would say that both are important but if you have one and not the other it wouldn't make a difference. But the only probably with only having a street presence is that because of the times we live in today everything is digital and on the internet, So maybe in 5 years a street presence might not be that important.

 21. Is what your doing now going to benefit you 10 years from now?

 Yes, It will because I plan on using music as a gateway to opening doors that are not just music based. I plan on using my company Admiration as a way to touch other sides of the entertainment industry

 22. What experiences in life have made you who you are today?

Every experience I have ever went through has made me the man I am today. From the smallest incident to getting arrested at 17, those experiences has put me in situations where I was always blessed to be taught life lessons that I still use till this day.

 23. When everything is said and done what do you want GOD to say to you?

 I want him to say that he's proud that I accomplished everything that he put me on this earth to do.

 24. What skills/personal attributes are most important to being successful?

Patience, Common Sense, Loyalty, and Faith

 25. Who are you?

 The voice of a generation...