When it comes to duos that have made indelible contributions to hip-hop, Outkast, UGK, and 8Ball & MJG all deserve acknowledgment. The impact and influence these Southern-bred groups have had on the rap game are second to none. But groups like those don’t come around too often.
Starlito and Don Trip, two revered wordsmiths from the Volunteer State, are aiming to be the lyrical tag team that picks up where their Southern predecessors left off. Though solo artists at heart, since 2011 they have been pushing out content collectively through their Step Brothers series — an homage to the 2008 comedy starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly.
Driven by the overwhelming reception they received from the first two installments of Step Brothers, Starlito and Don Trip are releasing Step Brothers Three on March 15th. According to the pair, their new album will showcase a stronger musical chemistry and closer bond between them.
“I wouldn’t say it’s effortless, but it’s organic,” Trip says, regarding his musical connection with Starlito. “We weren’t put together by somebody else. It started from us both being so in love with the music and respecting each other’s craft. When we first did Step Brothers, we were more like stepbrothers. Now, we’re more like brothers. I think when you hear [Step Brothers Three], you get to see that. You get to feel the growth.”
Products of two cities heralded for their musical heritage, Nashville (Starlito) and Memphis (Don Trip), the duo has amassed a cult-like following from their individual and duo efforts. To a certain extent, their careers mirror each other. They both experienced moderate commercial acclaim and held spots on major label rosters, and, ultimately, they both traded in the industry’s glitz and glam for independence. Starlito got his first taste of musical recognition with 2005’s “Grey Goose,” which led to his catching the attention of Yo Gotti, who signed Starlito to his now-defunct Inevitable Entertainment. A production deal with Cash Money Records and Universal Motown followed. But things didn’t go the way Starlito planned: His major label debut never dropped, causing him to create his Grind Hard imprint and release projects independently.
Trip’s initial flirtation with stardom came from his 2011 release “Letter to My Son,” a heartfelt outcry over a tumultuous battle to see his child. The song helped land him a deal with Interscope Records and a slot among XXL’s 2012 Freshman Class. But like his partner in rhyme, Trip’s major label debut was shelved, motivating him to part ways and resume his musical chokehold underground.
Both are remarkable lyricists, and one could wonder if there is a sense of friendly competition when Starlito and Don Trip step in the booth. Let them tell it.
“It’s less competitive and more complementary,” Starlito says. “I know that Don Trip is going to deliver a superb verse every time, so deep down, I know that I can’t bullshit.”
Starlito and Trip tend to infuse a lot of wit and humor in their music. But it’s not to the point that it overshadows their rhymes about pain, struggle, misfortune, and social injustice.
The track “Dead President” off their February mixtape Karate in the Garage is a fitting example. The duo share their perspectives on politics and the government. Starlito, in particular, lyrically chastises the nation’s 45th president:
Last night, I had a dream that the president died/
Woke up, he was still alive, I felt like crying/
Changed the channel and seen something bout a travel ban/
What the fuck? Man, every Muslim ain’t the Taliban
Starlito and Don Trip are aware that artists of their caliber fusing to create an archive of music is rare. With that in mind, they’re determined to push the bar with each release. The duo is already recording tracks for Step Brothers Four, as well as hitting stages throughout the South and Midwest via their Karate in the Garage Tour. The grind doesn’t stop.
“When it’s all said and done, I want to be in that Mount Rushmore of two-man groups,” Starlito says. “Hopefully, the reception of Step Brothers Three will push us in that direction.”
Cashville’s Starlito recently dropped the visual to his reflective track “Used to Be.” The song appears on Lito’s 2015 mixtape Introversion, and features fellow Trash Bag Gang member West. Peep the track’s visual below.
One of the songs off the project, “No Rearview Two,” features Memphis-bred spitters Don Trip and Yo Gotti.
The two connect with Lito to spew tales of street trials and industry struggles over a soulful track produced by Street Symphony. Stream “No Rearview Two” below.
Starlito Connects with Don Trip, Yo Gotti for New Track
Arguably one of rap’s most underrated lyricists, Nashville artist Starlito is heralded for being insightful and honest in his music.
From battling depression, Codeine-dependence and insomnia to enjoying the spoils that come from an extensive underground fanbase and street ties, Lito uses his music to reflect on real-life circumstances. And this is the case with his 2012 mixtape, Mental Warfare.
The project’s title track brings listeners into the mind of an emcee attempting to stay sane while dealing with day-to-day challenges. “Mental Warfare” is produced by DJ Burn One and features a soothing hook from Robin Raynelle. Stream it below.
More than 200 miles east of the Bluff City, Nashville, a place that many consider to be the nation’s “Music City,” continues to birth fresh talent.
Largely known for being the mecca of country music, the city also boasts an impressive hip-hop catalog. Such artists as Platinum-selling lyricist Young Buck, independent heavyweight Quanie Cash, and more so lately, a witty and charismatic artist by the name of Starlito (formerly known as All $tar), have taken “Cashville” by storm.
The latter of the three aforementioned Cashvillians, Starlito, began to make a significant impact in the underground rap realm with his 2005 single, “Grey Goose,” which featured Young Jeezy and Yo Gotti on its remix. The standout club heater, along with other bangers, would lead to him signing a deal with Memphis rap forerunner Yo Gotti’s record label, Inevitable Entertainment, and subsequently land him a spot on Cash Money Records.
However, after playing the background on the label for a couple years, and the shelving of his Cash Money debut, Streetball, Starlito declared his independence. Forming his own label, Grind Hard Records, he’s released a solid collection of mixtapes, along with a couple independent albums over the last few years. He also collaborated with Memphis artist and Interscope Records signee Don Trip for the duo’s well-received mixtape,Step Brothers.
Starlito took time out to speak with me about his latest mixtape, Funerals & Court Dates, nearly giving up rap, some of his favorite artists to listen to, Step Brothers 2, his upcoming mini-movie, and a lot more.
Was music always what you wanted to do as a career?
It was probably sports at one point growing up—way more than music. But it got to a point where I realized the odds were way against me to make a living playing sports. With that, I gravitated toward taking music seriously. It was first a hobby that people always told me that I was good at, and I pursued it from there.
You released the mixtape Funerals & Court Dates in December 2012. Was there a message that you were trying to convey with the mixtape?
The message behind it is pretty clear and obvious if you listen to it, and it’s that we, and when I say we, I’m speaking to likeminded people, or people who experience similar things, or come from similar upbringing, we, as people of that demograph, don’t have much to look forward to. I narrowed it down to funerals and court dates. The message was, not just to glamorize the darkness of it, but to bring in the reality to the forefront. As an artist, I choose not to paint an inaccurate picture. I’m more familiar with the picture that I paint on Funerals & Court Dates more so than anything that I could have said with any message and purpose to it.
Judging by your catalog, it seems like you stay in the studio a lot. How often do you record?
I don’t record nearly as much as I used to a couple years ago. The end of 2009, all through 2010, I was in the studio four or five days a week for no less than ten hours a day. It was a job. I looked at it like I was being deficient if I wasn’t in the studio for forty hours a week, because I want this to pay. Since then, I’ve fallen in and out of love for making music, and music in general. So many things are bells and whistles these days, and I’m just really, really intent on being real and bringing the reality back to the culture. That’s pushed me to not recording as much honestly. I’ll get disconnected with the trends and how music is going so far in one direction. It’s like people forget to be themselves. So sometimes that will keep me out of the studio.
A large amount of your music is on original production but you release it for free. Do you worry about this affecting your sales?
That’s not my primary concern. The music business is different now. If I was still signed to a label, still an artist underneath a company’s guidance, I wouldn’t make money off the units sold. That’s just the nature of the game. That’s not how I would make my money. If you consider that, I guess it was never my concern. Understanding that I’m in a transitioning period, or understanding how virally my music moves, I’m willing to sacrifice one for the other, because if they meet in the middle then I see a benefit. If I was putting out a CD just to make money off of it, I would have to compromise my audience, or I would have to compromise my material, and I’m not willing to do either.
So how do you stay afloat financially with your career?
All of my releases are available on Bandcamp.com, where you have the option to donate whatever you want. I tour. I might have done 30, 40 shows last year. I’ve been charging between $5,000 to $15,000 a show for the last two years. The basis for that is the music. As a businessman, you sometimes make certain concessions for things in order to see a return elsewhere. My audience is definitely growing. And as a businessman, I’m constantly trying to evolve my ideas and my visions to how I can turn that audience into revenue, but I don’t ever want to lose myself in-between. That’s what keeps me going. Knowing that I’m being true to myself through it all. Whatever I make in-between is a plus, because I used to do this shit for free.
You had a stint with Cash Money Records. Do you ever regret leaving the label considering its success throughout the years?
I don’t deal so much with regret. I think it’s one of the unhealthy emotions. When I was growing up and music became interesting to me, before I became an artist, during my time there and after, I’ve always found a lot to learn from what [Cash Money has] had going on. I admire success. If you don’t, you almost fall into the hater realm. I’m happy with my independence. I’m satisfied with it, and I think there’s certain liberties of an artist that are necessary for you to be at your best. Not saying that you can’t have that in any other way than just being a complete independent [artist]. They’re cons just like they’re pros, but I’m satisfied with it. I try to appreciate things more than regret things.
Are you considering signing back to a major label?
I’m open to any lucrative business endeavors where I don’t have to lose myself in-between. At the same, I enjoy making my music on my terms and putting it out when I want to. Without being an independent, I’m not sure if that would be possible.
Do you feel underrated within the rap game?
I don’t look at myself as part of the rap game. I don’t see myself as playing the rap game like everybody else. I didn’t make Funerals & Court Dates for you to rate it against project X, Y and Z from artist one, two, three. Appeal and all that, I don’t go to sleep and wake up on that. I kinda feel love more than the fame. I hear and see people telling me that they love what I do everyday. There’s nothing to call underrated about that. That’s overwhelming. The fact that I have an audience is a blessing. I’m just pushing to make growth. I couldn’t live with myself bitching about being underrated, or ‘I’m not where I should be.’ I think I’m beyond where I ever dreamed I’d be.
A lot of people know you from being with Yo Gotti, but there’s been a lack of collaborations between you guys lately. What caused the change in the relationship?
I don’t really know.
Is there an issue between you guys?
Naw.
Outside of Yo Gotti, you’ve collaborated with other Memphis rap artists such as Young Dolph and Don Trip, which you released the mixtape Step Brothers with. How did you develop a relationship with Don Trip?
[Don] Trip and I met on the road with Yo Gotti a couple years ago. They were trying to work something out, and I don’t think it worked out in terms or whatever. During that time period, we began doing some music together and kinda put the idea of the Step Brothers mixtape together. Right around the time I released At War with Myself, I was about to quit rapping. The only other thing I had on my agenda to do was the Step Brothers project with [Don Trip]. We probably had four songs at that time. We had two more studio sessions and the CD was done. It just happened like that. He got his deal some time in between that. We were able to push. We did hella shows together all over the country since it released. I think it’s just a blessing for each one of us just to be able to contribute to each one of our careers.
Is there a release date for Step Brothers 2?
Circa 2013.
Do you think it will have a larger impact than the first one?
We’re going to do a tour, and I think that will naturally make us reach a lot of audiences, and help us do more numbers. There’s the whole sophomore jinx thing, and I guess [Step Brothers 2] would fall under that. The good thing is we’re only competing with ourselves, and what expectations we created with that. At worse, we hope to match it. Expectations are subjective. What you’re expecting of it may be completely different than what we expect ourselves. The worse you’re going to get from it is our best.
I understand you went to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) but didn’t finish. What were you taking up when you were pursuing school?
I was doing music business the most recent time. The first time I went to school, I wasn’t taking up anything. I was just there. A year after being there, I was passing out CDs, selling CDs, and trying to come up, because it was 10,000 people there and the majority of them were in that rap demograph. About four or five years later, by the time that I was re-enrolling into college, I was rapping. I had a record deal and all that. I tried that for about a year, but my road schedule was really demanding. I was paying about $7,500 to miss classes all the time. That’s kinda silly. On top of that, I was leaving to go make money. It was kind of a no brainer to put school on pause. I put it in my music, because it’s a lot of people in those crossroads. I’ve got friends that graduated from college or got multiple degrees, and can’t get a job or are not doing anything they love. I’m on the other side of that. I didn’t finish, but I’m doing something. I’m working with what I’ve got.
You created the Grind Hard Scholarship, something that’s out of the norm for most rappers. How’d that come about?
I put the idea out there when Mental Warfare [ a digital album Starlito released in 2012] dropped. At the time, one of the reasons I was trying to sale Mental Warfare as an album was to generate money for the scholarships. Being a small business owner, it’s another one of those tax deductions. I would rather give the money to somebody going to school than to send it off in an envelope to Uncle Sam. I know the core of my listening audience is between 15 and 25, high school and college age. I was trying to peep the interest of those high school age people, because I know they’re hanging onto every word that you say. Even if they don’t apply for the scholarship, I just want them to be aware that they have options.
[Graduating high school seniors were given the opportunity to apply for the Grind Hard Scholarship in 2012. Two winners were selected. Each scholarship is $1,000. Starlito said he plans to provide two more scholarships to graduating seniors in 2013.]
Your style can’t be compared to any rap artists in particular, but I’m sure some had an influence on you. Who’s some of the artists that you can listen to forever?
I like Tupac a lot. I like Lupe Fiasco’s music. I wish Andre 3000 had more music to consume. I really like all of his old stuff. I think he’s a really, really creative artist. I’ve really been a fan of Jay-Z for a while. I like Lil’ Wayne. I’ve always liked Lil’ Wayne since I was in middle school, high school. Where he’s taken his career, man that shit is awe-inspiring. New artists, I like Kendrick Lamar, Future, Don Trip. Gucci Mane is one of my favorite artists. I think it’s something raw and pure about what he does. I like Snoop [Dogg]. Scarface. I listen to Scarface about as much as any rapper. UGK. 8ball & MJG. I listen to everything.
What’s up next for you?
I don’t have a title, but I have a mini-movie that’s coming out real soon. It’s going to be based real closely off a lot of my 2012 music. If you remember For My Foes, which was like a musical, mixtape stuff, it’s going to put you in the mindframe of that, but with original music. It’ll be like a mini-film. That’ll be something to look forward to. Other than that, the stuff with [Don] Trip is what’s in bold letters on my calendar.
As a Halloween treat for rap-starved fans, Memphis MC Don Trip released his second full-length mixtape of the year today, Help is On the Way, which follows the excellent Guerrilla from earlier this year. Trip has a third full-length collection, a sequel to his Step Brothers collaboration with Nashville rapper Starlito, in the can, which could see the light of day in the near future.
In an interview with the Flyerlast month, Trip described Help is On the Way as as “honest and dark,” with more “Chris Wallace” (Trip’s real name) and less “Don Trip” in the songs. The 16-track mixtape features producers such as Cool & Dre and Young Ladd and guest appearances from rappers such as Starlito, indie-scene fave Danny Brown, and Memphis mainstay Juicy J. Help is On the Way is available as a free download from the mixtape site datpiff.com. You can get it here.
