Koran Streets on Staying True & Being Made for Music

 Fresh off the release of his new album 'Late 20s' making rounds in playlists and boomin' systems alike, Berkeley, California's Koran Streets keeps the momentum moving with an exclusive Hype Off Life interview! Peep game below as the rising 27 year old rapper details growing up in the 90's, the moment in time he knew Hip Hop is in his blood and that one saying that's kept him going in the face of adversity after all these years.   

How did growing up in the 90’s shape your outlook on life and taste in music?

Growing up in the 90s I believe gave me a old soul. As far as taste in music, I believe that’s why a lot of my content is the way it is now. In the 90s, a lot of the hip-hop was more real! Heart felt! Lyrical!! You know? All I did was listen to Tupac.  

When did you know Hip Hop was in your blood and you were meant for this?

Everybody in my family is pretty musically inclined. My older brother was actually signed to Jive Records at one point, but I didn’t really choose music... it was given to me. My mother pretty much made me rap when I was nine and I haven’t stopped since! I would say around the age of 16 I knew I was good, but only up until third mixtape, I felt like I was made for music.  

Who’s gotten the most play in your tape deck over the years?

2pac! He'll always get the most play in my tape deck for the rest of my life. #THUGLIFE  

As an actor, most notably being featured in “Licks,” what are your favorite Hip Hop inspired films?

Notorious.Hustle & Flow.Straight out of Compton.Just wish they would’ve done right by Pac in his movie! That was some REAL BULLSH*T, haha. Still a great movie.  

You’ve been through a lot during your 27 years of life, including the murder of your best friend J.B. to homelessness and getting burns on over 28% of your body when you are 13. What thoughts kept you going, fueling your hope?

When I was in the hospital, very very very deeply in pain, my uncle Zappo would say “THIS TO WILL PASS." You’re going to look up one day and all of this will be a memory. As I got older that made more sense to me. I’m on a mission! On the road to success whatever that is. This shit gets hard & harder then that. You lose people on the way, people lose you. You have to sacrifice things. You have to go under to go up! But like mannnnn.. I know there is another side of life and if I stay 10 toes down, I can get to it!  

Where were you at mentally when you started work on your new album ‘Late 20s?’

Pressured. With the success of my debut album, knowing I needed to make something better, but feeling like honestly that was the best I had. That album took years!And yeaaa I’m all over the Internet, but I’m still sleeping on my mother's fucking floor! I’m still broke as fuck! I still don’t have a car. I’m still risking my freedom to get money. So mentally I was all over the place, but the focus was always on the music it was just how do I make it now that I have a few eyes on me.  

How would you describe it’s vibe?

A rollercoaster of emotions.  

If fans only took away one message from the album, what would you want it to be?

Tell the truth & be you, King/Queen!  

What’s next for Koran Streets?

Whole bunch of projects! Dropping the fourth installment to my mixtape series, You.Know.I.Got.It. this year. This will be Volume 4. 3 other projects in the works! New movie soon, back on my Denzel Streets shit! Just continuing to be me and representing for the underdogs! ♠️YOU.KNOW.I.GOT.IT