TLE Cinco on Success, 'Self Conscious' & Life in Alabama

Today, TLE Cinco comes through for another dope round in our 2020 interview series. Hailing from Alabama, TLE Cinco made waves with his mixtape '20Cinco' last year and shows no signs of slowing down with release his second project 'Self Conscious', released this past January.

The first single from the project, “Check Dis” lit the match to a blazing path for TLE with the single hitting over 5 million streams since it's release. Featuring guest verses from some of the hottest in the game like, NLE Choppa, Stunna 4 Vegas, Rylo Rodriguez and OMB Peezy, 'Self Conscious' finds TLE Cinco trying out different styles for the sake of growth and experimentation that is necessary for longevity in any industry.

Not only is TLE Cinco a dope rapper, but he also has a genuine spirit that will no doubt propel him to the highest levels of success. Catch up with the budding artist in this Hype Off Life exclusive. Then press play on 'Self Conscious' for more dope sounds from Alabama's up next: TLE Cinco.

Photo credit: Sergio Martinez

What was it like growing up in Alabama back in the day?

Growing up in Alabama back in the day was like...it was crazy back in the day because everyone didn't get along. There were fights everywhere you went. But, that’s because Alabama is slow and not everyone is up-to-date. I don’t know if it's because the time is two hours behind, but it's slow. Even with clothes, stuff people wear in New York, it would take people in Alabama two years to catch on.

What is the Hip Hop scene like out there right now?

The Hip Hop scene in Alabama is up-and-coming. It’s more hip now because there are more new artists. Back in the day, you would only have one every five years, but now there are a lot more artists. Alabama is on the rise. 

You just dropped a new project, ‘Self Conscious’. Did you take a different approach to it than you did with your last mixtape, ’20CINCO’?

I took a different approach because I feel like I didn’t want to come with the same sound on this one, I wanted to put a new sound to show that I am growing and experimenting with more flows.

‘Self Conscious’ boasts features from some of Hip Hop’s most promising acts like NLE Choppa, Stunna 4 Vegas, Rylo Rodriguez, OMB Peezy. How did you go about choosing who to feature on the project?

It wasn’t hard to choose because everyone I got on the album, I have a righteous relationship with.

If you had to pick only 1 song for fans to hear, which one would it be?

If I had to pick one song for fans to hear it would be “Check Dis” or “Fast Lane” because “Check Dis” is my style, I created that sound. “Fast Lane” shows that I have more than just one side, I can do all kinds of styles.

The first single off of the project, “Check Dis” has hit 5 million streams and counting, including an NLE Choppa remix. What type of vibe were you going for while making it?

A club banger. I feel like I was just starting to get hot so I had to make a club banger for the summer. 

What type of feelings and thoughts did you have when you saw the number of streams “Check Dis” was getting?

It made me feel like I accomplished what I was trying to accomplish before I made the song. It made me feel like I was going in the direction I wanted to go in. 

Speaking of success, what does it mean to you?

Success means that you accomplish all your goals but you’re still going, and getting paid for everything you do.

Anything else we should know before you go?

'Self Conscious' is out now, go stream and download it. I want fans to know the whole album, word for word.