After his amazing EP release for “YOLO”, C.h.a.m.p. contacted us for round 2 by sitting down to do a detailed interview on his life, musical career and even if the Cowboys can finally get off of VHS tapes. Enjoy this read and make sure to stream “YOLO” available on Spotify, & Apple Music.
Anthony – Tell the reader your name brother
C.h.a.m.p. – I’m C.h.a.m.p (Change Happens at my Pace) aka Baby Debo
Anthony – Baby Debo where do you stay/represent?
C.h.a.m.p. – Currently I reside in Mesquite, Texas. It’s a neighboring town of Dallas. I also was born in Mesquite and graduated from Mesquite High School.
Anthony – Nice nice, Cowboys fan at all ?
C.h.a.m.p. – Ain’t no other way! America’s team.
Anthony – See I’d have to disagree but that’s cause I’m a Eagles fan in pain lol.
C.h.a.m.p – Oh my…
Anthony – Now for those who may not remember we linked for your recent EP “YOLO”, tell the people a little bit of the backstory for how that EP came together.
C.h.a.m.p. – Well the EP has two meanings. A surface meaning and a deeper meaning. As you know YOLO represents You Only Live Once. That is self explanatory, although to me that phrase is sort of ironic, because I’ve died before. When I was shot in the head two years I died for several minutes. As of now, I’m living my second life. So to use the phrase YOLO, it makes me feel more confident and different than the average person about the pain I endured from my hospitalization.
Anthony – Now first off, shoutout to you on pulling through and turning what some would have turned into pity and flipping it into motivation. Secondary, what started the process of becoming a musician, were you already rapping before hand when you released “Win” and your first EP “Paper Route” or did those follow afterwards?
C.h.a.m.p. – So I made a couple songs in high school just playing around, but now I’m realizing that I planted that seed back then. But It wasn’t until I was going through therapy that I started writing for true venting and mental health. One night at one of my lowest points during therapy, I just woke up out of my sleep, grabbed and piece of paper and immediately wrote down some words. I kid you not. The words I wrote on that paper are my first lyrics, “ I put my trust inside my blessing, didn’t put it in my bullets. It’s hard to keep it straight when these niggas keep it crooked.” For me to wake up out my sleep and instinctively get a paper/pen and write a full song, made me believe that that was a spiritual clarification that I should but an artist. I continued to write and all the songs I wrote while in therapy will be featured on my Therapy Album in November. My EPs Paper Route and Yolo were to showcase my skill, while Therapy will be a straight mind blower and true real life story describing my whole life!
Anthony – Now to let readers now Therapy is set for October 15th currently, as far as what is out I’d like to discuss a bit of both Paper Route and YOLO. So right out the bat I have to admit I love your usage of 50 cent bars, “Lebron” has a really good reference but I wanna ask how many homies ever tell you or compare your story to 50’s shooting?
C.h.a.m.p. – So many! Everyone compares me to 50 based on how I physically progressed after being shot and just how I really used the situation to give me fuel rather than break me. Although 50 was shot 9 times! I took one to the head. So, yeah our stories favor but he took 8 more bullets than me! I like 50 and view him as a role model, because he has accomplished exactly what I want to, sell crazy records, get in movies and give back to my community!
Anthony – Now on Paper Routes, what was your favorite track to make and the most difficult to make?
C.h.a.m.p. – That’s a hard one. Feel so right was fun dipping into my R&B side, but my favorite track to make has to be “Obsessed” because lyrics are dope but I just went in the studio and freestyled. “Obsessed” is my favorite track on the EP too. Lebron was the most difficult to make, because it was my first experience in the studio. I was shocked out how much went into recording and fully focusing on being relaxed and confident in the booth.
Anthony – I can definitely see the growth between both EPs, is it safe too assume recording “YOLO” was a lot more natural after “Paper Route”?
C.h.a.m.p. – Absolutely! ‘Paper Route” is a good EP, but “YOLO” is when I started getting comfortable in the booth and learning my natural voice. Songs like Baby Debo and Beeper Freestyle were off the dome and Nights like These was on the spot with Vick. I’m just getting better. Therapy will be my best performance.
Anthony – Now speaking on YOLO one of the things you told me was how unique ever track was which upon full hearing was proven, do you have a style you like to use more then others such as Southern Trap verses R&B rap?
C.h.a.m.p. – It’s crazy because I listen to every genre of music and it just shows in my songs. On YOLO and Paper Route I only shown rap and R&B so far, on Therapy I will most definitely show glimpses of Rock, R&B, Hip-Hop and Jazz.
Anthony – So listeners can expect more experimental sounds with Therapy. What sorta insight can you give without putting too much out on the project?
C.h.a.m.p. – I can say that Therapy will definitely be one of the most versatile projects that has been released in a while. It will definitely fill multiple music needs. The purpose of this is to show the ups and downs one experiences during, “Therapy.” One moment your happy the next your sad. One moment your crying the next your laughing. So this album will showcase: turn ups, love songs, cruising down the street songs, pain songs, overcoming songs, etc. In addition there will be old school beats thrown in the mix
Anthony – Now does all three of your projects, “Paper Route”, “YOLO” and “Therapy” follow your story in sense. Are we now about to get the Godfather 2 from you as an artist haha
C.h.a.m.p. – Lol, “Therapy” is definitely The Godfather of these to EPs. It will be the best foot forward that C.h.a.m.p can do.
Anthony – Haha good man. Now as far as an artist you mentioned 50 cent as a influence, anyone else also influence your music at all?
C.h.a.m.p. – I’m real big on passion and real lyrics, so Pac, Biggie, Nas, Scarface, 50 cent, DMX and Eightball & MJG are my favorites influences. DMX’s “Convo” is my all-time favorite song.
Anthony – Amazing choices, all definitely bring truth to their word. Now with your album dropping in October can we expect any singles or music videos between then?
C.h.a.m.p. – Most definitely! Until then there will be constant visuals. Maybe from an album track, if not, visuals from prior releases.
Anthony – Nice nice, what’s one of your previous songs you’d like to create visuals for and why?
C.h.a.m.p. – Definitely “vibez”, because I’d love to do a crazy lit video in the strip club with it! It’s also of my most lyrical/ hype songs on “Paper Route.”
Anthony – Dope dope, now where do you see yourself 5 years from now as a artist and person?
C.h.a.m.p. – As an artist I will definitely be a house hold name and hopefully viewed as an artist that produces meaningful music. As a person, I’d like to be financially in a position to help those in need and my team that has helped me get to where I am.
Anthony – Now do you have any closing thought you’d like to leave off on CHAMP?
C.h.a.m.p. – Thank you Musical Hippie. Your writing is incredible and your definitely a top tier blogger! My Therapy album will definitely superb and I’m thankful that you are the first to review me about it.
Truly a remarkable brother in the rap community. I am very humbled by my encounters with C.h.a.m.p. who is here to support fellow artist along with small time blogs like us while still keeping a cold, killer attitude with his music. I for one am excited to hear “Therapy” which releases October 15th, 2021, the perfect month for some real music. If you need to fill your playlist now listen to “YOLO” while running up streams for “Baby Debos” music video available in the post. I am The Musical Hippie, we thank C.h.a.m.p. for his time along with all who made it here, be sure to spread love!
The Musical Hippie 