“My message…There is no time for the bullshit, the fakery, the negativity. Accept your imperfections and make that shit your armor. Straight up. God, love, peace, good energy. That’s all we need”

  In a perfect world local rapper Chris Mohead would be rolling to the studio in a 1992 black Buick Regal with “Find a Topic” by Isaiah Rashad bumping through the speakers; But until then Mohead is on the grind successfully getting his music heard by a larger and larger audience. With success, imminent, Mohead shares his scene, his creative process, and his hopes for the future. 

 What do you make of the Columbia, South Carolina rap scene?

    There is a lot of talent here. A lot of great up and coming artists. There’s this creative energy in the air. It’s exciting.

Who are your largest influences as an artist?

    Definitely Andre and Big Boi, Pimp C, Stanley Kubrick, Quentin Tarantino, Frank Ocean, George Lucas, R. Kelly [when he was bald]. So many people, too many to name.

What is your writing process like?

    I don’t think I have a process, I just write when I feel something real. When I hear, or see something throughout my day that just sticks with me.

“BigTomHanks” expresses how your passion for rap developed in your childhood. When did you know that music/rapping was something you wanted to pursue as a career?

    I think I’ve always wanted to rap or sing. Ever since I was like 6. I always wanted to do it seriously but…fear and doubt in my own talents kept me back.

The tracks on Fear and Desire seem to follow that guideline perfectly. Did you go into it with a concept or did it happen naturally?

    I just write what I’m feeling or just my view on life at that moment. When I start to notice a pattern in my songs, then I start to develop a concept. Every project I make must have a concept, or a story, or an overall theme.

Do you have an overall image or message you want to convey as an artist to fans and new listeners alike?

My message to anyone listening is to just be who you are. There is no time for the bullshit, the fakery, the negativity. Accept your imperfections and make that shit your armor. Straight up. God, love, peace, good energy. That’s all we need.

Who have been some of your favorite collaborators you’ve worked with?

    My bro! He goes by Randy Ravage insanely talented and my man Shimri Soul who is super underrated. I haven’t done many collaborations. But any artist you ever hear on my songs, I am a huge fan of.

Which one of your songs are you’re most connected with and why?

    On Fear and Desire? “Blue.LeSabre”. It’s the first song I recorded in my home studio. I didn’t even write the words down. I just pressed record and sang how I felt about someone. Someone real special.

How do you separate yourself from other artists?

    I don’t really know… I just don’t think about what other people are doing when I make music. I just tell my story and not anyone else’s.

What are your future plans?

    To rap more, sing more, perform more. I also want to write and direct movies [soon] and maybe even act a little as well.

Any final thoughts or shout outs you would like to make?

    Shout out to my mom and all the moms out there, and my dad because dads don’t get enough credit. Readers should check out my latest project, [Volume.1] Fear and Desire, I heard it’s really good! [Volume.2] Black and Mild will be out this fall. Until then you can check out my new song “1995” which I dropped about a month ago, new videos will be coming out throughout the summer. Just new dopeness all around you know? 

INTERVIEW BY TRICIA CALLAHAN