hak7m faraji. is an Atlanta born and raised artist with heavy influences from Punk and Memphis Rap. hak7m is an eclectic artist, melding his own personality through each release. He plays two characters, hak7m and his other secondary moniker Sp00ky b0i, both which have their own distinct sound yet are still classified as hak7m himself. Kelile Hakim Ali is undefined when it comes to styles of rap, ranging from Experimental, Trap, and Emo. His main focus is to keep that southern bounce within while remaining true to his liberal roots.
Where are you from?
East Atlanta, GA
How long have you been making music?
6 years as a Punk vocalist. 3 as a Rapper.
How many songs /albums have you released to date?
I have released 2 mixtapes and an album to be released soon. So far that is 30+ tracks in total.
Can you tell us about your latest release and the background and inspirations behind it?
My latest release was a track called ARMOR KING which is inspired by the rage I feel towards those who talk false threats upon my name. As over exaggerated as it may seem to shout “fuck yo momma” it serves a purpose in the sense that nobody is safe if you cross me. The title is named after my favorite Tekken character that the track itself is sampled after. I have a pet peeve of the theme that is currently shown in rap today of the thug persona. It’s more or less very unauthentic. Considering I lost many friends to that life in real time, I don’t find it pleasing that it has become profitable to glorify it. This is my way of calling it out in the most ironic sense.
How have you ended up in the music industry?
I ended joining a label back in 2013. That was when I was apart of my band “Spidr”. Ever since I kept doing music and overtime garnished enough courage to push myself into rap. It’s been working decently so far.
What do you think of the music industry in 2018?
I think that there’s room for everything in this day and age of music. Which is exciting because that means many emotions can be conveyed so many different ways from artists. I can come with the rage and another artist can talk about their feelings, which is unique in itself. I ain’t never doing that shit again, but I commend an artist who makes a career off it.
Who do you think the most influential artist?
Zack de la Rocha hands down. I grew up in an era of Alternative music. Considering that was mainly what my mom was into herself since she was also on her sociopolitical grunge back in the day. Rage Against The Machines was my first introduction into the art of anger as a weapon and an art. Zack’s lyrics inspire the hell out of me. He had shown me at a young age how important it is to stand for something and continue to do so. Phenomenal writer as well, he had people shouting “fuck the man” without them knowing.
Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?
I have collaborated with alot of my friends associated with the southern rap collective YAKUZA SLUMBR PARTY. Specifically, Yvng Lvffy who is a fellow member of a group we have called the Hollow Boiz and my brothers M.A. and Kylo Goldstein. Another fellow Atlanta born artist I’ve had the pleasure of coming up with is $iraaj Yung, he’s been making being moves and I’m hella proud of him as an artist. As far as producers are concerned, I am engineered by my main man, KANPEKI. He does solid work.
How do you think you differ from other artists?
I have something that rap has little of. There are many artists out there that do what I do, and that is what I will admit to the fullest. But, I have a lot to say. Just being an artist from Atlanta, GA and seeing artists come up in the most unique ways, I think it is time for a blossoming southern punk scene. The south has always had something to say and now is the time for us to say it.
Dead or alive, who would be your dream collaboration?
I have a few. In death, I would have loved to have worked with XXXTentacion and Kurt Cobain. In life, I vibe with artists such as Ski Mask, JID and Denzel Curry. Or at least those are the artists off the top of my head I see myself working with in the future. Rico does some dope stuff as well.
What was the first album you bought?
The first album I ever bought was actually Food and Liquor by Lupe Fiasco. I had that album on heavy rotation a long with many other punk albums. Around the same time, I did cop a System of A Down album. The self titled one. Shit was so fire.
What’s your favourite song at the moment?
My favorite song as of current. I have a few actually. I’ve been feeling tracks from some of my local comrades such as Jamee Cornelia. Check out her album ‘I Don’t Take This Life Shit Serious’ it’s heavy stuff. But aside from that? My favorite song at the moment has to be ‘Bulls on Parade’ its message is still so potent in this day and age.
If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album would you leave in your draw?
Evil Empire by Rage Against the Machines. No questions.
What is your favourite saying?
“If you’re always worried about crushing the ants beneath you… you won’t be able to walk.” This is a saying from the character Guts from the manga Berserk. Shit hits hard every time. Another one he had said that hit me with the same intensity is “Even if we painstakingly piece together something lost, it doesn’t mean things will ever go back to how they were.”
What other hobbies or interests do you have?
I like to draw and I also spend my time gaming. I want to start a twitch stream soon, but music is a full time business. I also have a certification in programming in IT. Pays the bills I guess. In the future, I look forward to writing a manga of my own.
Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
I’ve had plenty of piercings. No tattoos yet. My two piercings now however are my ears. I swear silver crosses in them that my fiancee had bought for me. Been wearing them ever since. I ain’t no christian though.
Tell us more about your upcoming project or this new project?
I will have my first official Studio Album in the works. While my first releases were concept tapes that I recorded at home and mixed myself. I will be stepping up my recording quality with my album BLK DOG. In this record, I’ll be more in touch with the ideas that influenced me to make music in the first place. This project will be organic hak7m whereas somethings in the past may have seemed forced. The title serves as a metaphorical moniker for my loyalty. For an in depth explanation you’ll just have to hear it by the end of the summer. I think this project if anything will throw my grassroot fans off because they’re so used to the mellow side of me, but fuck that. I have to show people that I’m passionately angry about the things that occur in my life.
What’s in the pipeline after this project?
After BLK DOG, I aim to make some serious industry moves. While I may be limited in connections, they are still there. My goal is to populate as many websites as I can, including this one, with the hopes that I’ll become a house hold name. People will rage with me across the world.
Thank you for your time and may you carry on making great, fresh music.
I want to thank you actually. Shout out to my homies in the Slumbr Party. Check out their music. Shoutout my boy Kusco. Shout out to Visibly Inflight and Jamee Cornelia. And lastly hello mom lol.
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