On a random weekend, my white friend sent me a Soundcloud link to Georgia’s Rob Olu. I hit the link, only to be led to his new song, “Pull Up.” I’m usually picky when listening to new music unless I’ve heard of them before or they’re from Florida. He also passed the artwork test which is not as common as you think. Artists, take this as advice, no one is going to take your single seriously if you don’t have nice artwork for it. After letting the relatively short track play through, I was impressed. Aside from the low-quality recording that would usually piss me off, I heard straight-up raw talent. That’s when I decided I wanted to know who this Nigerian-American was and reached out for this interview.
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Q: What’s going on?
Wish I could say more but not a lot. [Laughs] Closed last year with two shows last month; one December 12th and one December 20th. Gearing up for 2015 prepping the Yakover.
Q: Where are you from?
My fams from Nigeria, but I was born in Kennesaw, Georgia. For the most part, I grew up in this small town outside the city of Atlanta.
Q: What’s the Hip-Hop scene like in Kennesaw/Cobb County?
Trash. [Laughs] It’s a few niggas here that can actually spit in my opinion. But most of them are suburban kids talking about their fictional drug lord and king pin lives they don’t live day-to-day. I just like when an artist isn’t afraid to be themselves and can tell their story with true hardened conviction. That’s not really happening too much out here.
Q: How did you get into music?
My first grade teacher Mr. I gave us a lesson on how to rhyme and the rules to rhyming one day, and it blew my mind. [Laughs] My cousins had come to visit from London and didn’t have to go to school, so I came home and showed/taught them what I learned and it stuck. I can say my first ear to hip-hop was pre-adolescence. My brother would pick me up from school and just play classic albums around the house all the time.
Q: What were some of your major influences growing up?
I like to say I’m my own biggest influence. Since all my music stems from a real place or emotion felt while writing. I can say people I enjoyed listening to growing up would be Lauryn Hill, Fugees, Bone Thugs, Pac, Mobb Deep, G-Unit, Dipset, Seal, and Chingy. [Pause] Nah, all of those except Chingy. [Laughs]
Q: What’s wrong with Chingy though? He had the freshest flow when “Right Thurr” drop back in the day!
[Laughs] Nothing’s wrong with Chingy dude! Buddy had Snoop and Luda on that “Holiday Inn” remix bunkin’. He slick fye, shout out Chingy.
Q: So who is in Yako Pack and how did Yako Pack start?
Yako Pack consists of myself, ayepatt, Eli Society, Benny Jetts, ShaiNeon, Steezy Zo and Mike. We’re plotting on a few more additions but this is our roster to date.
True Story: We’ve all known each other since high school. Patt, Eli, Mike, and Pat (ShaiNeon) had an insider where they switched their Twitter name to Patt Yako or Mike Yako. A few days later, one of my homies asked me for a ride somewhere in exchange for a couple grams. When I dropped him off, I had no one to burn with. [Laughs] So I hit up Ian (Eli Society) and asked if they were trying to face a couple with me. We linked, talked and started free styling at the park while Patt got it all on his phone cam. After we said our good byes, Patt hit me up that day or the next and asked me to rap with them n it was history. I’m not sure exactly how the name Yako came about but that’s when I got involved.
Q: What is Yako Pack’s message to the world?
No more doubt. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. A lot of people may not see your dream or goals eye to eye, but you just got to stay grounded and know where you’re going.
Q: What projects are you/Yako Pack working on currently?
Collectively, we’re working on a short film with ‘XXXX’ director Jack Stillz to be released sometime next year. We’re working in all aspects to be honest, just trying to fill our calendars with shows more often, and shooting more visuals since that’s what people gravitate to the most.
ayepatt is putting together a project titled ‘Happy//Face’, a joint effort with Benny Jetts. Eli’s working on his next project also, possibly titled “Pulp Diction.” I’m working on my debut #VoteRob, which is almost complete.
Q: What are your/Yako Pack’s plans for 2015?
We really want to tour. Our city, the nation, the world. Personally, I want/plan to drop 3 projects in 2015, but I know how hard I work on projects and I’m a realist so I’d be lucky with two. We just plan on working and applying the most pressure on ourselves as well as other indie/local artists. Too many people are taking the easy way out we’re going to show our fans we’re willing to wait and work for everything we want.
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You can keep up with Rob Olu on Twitter and www.yakopack.com. If you want to see Rob and Yako Pack continue to make moves in the future, make sure you cop a shirt. Every dollar counts when you’re an independent artist!
