[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/213424097" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

Interviewed by I.S. Jones @isjonespoetry

The origin of Zaquan Nelson’s stage name 4ourty8 comes from a place of tragedy and loss. As result of cancer, the young rapper’s mother passed away on February 4th, 2008 and his stage name is in honor of her. 4ourty8, who initially was a poet, branched off to become a rapper and since then has produced his own beats. His work can be found on SoundCloud.

I.S. Jones: How does your sound separate you from other artists? 

4ourty8: It’s original, all real life stories. You know, it’s all the things I’ve been through. I try to really give substance to [my work]. I try to give my listeners something to really listen to. Things out now are really fabricated and have less substance, less meaning. I just want to stay away from that.

Jones: Once you are dead and can no longer add to your catalogue of music, how do you want to be remembered?

4ourty8: I just want to inspire people. I just want to keep people inspired. I’m just trying to keep people happy; let them know, deep in their hearts there is someone who is trying to inspire and not trying to be in the mix of how the world is.

Jones: When did you fall in love with hip-hop?

4ourty8: I grew up in it. I was listening to D-Block in the 3rd grade. I was listening to everything [when I was] young. My pops had a stereo system that played everything, so probably at birth I fell in love with hip-hop.

Jones: So I know you also wrote poetry, can you explain the intersection between hip-hop and poetry?

4ourty8: Poetry is pretty much like spoken word; it’s more like metaphoric. Hip-hop is more like raw. Poetry is more intricate.

Jones: What is your dream collaboration?

4ourty8: I don’t have one at the moment, because I don’t think of too many other rappers. I would say Jada[kiss], he’s one of my inspirations. Jay-Z too and that’s about it.

Jones: For my last question, what’s up next for 4ourty8? What should your fans keep an eye out for?

4ourty8: Just the creativity, you know? [I’m] always trying to keep whoever is watching on their heels. They don’t know what’s coming next. I know what’s coming next, but I’m not sure how to present it.

Connect with 4ourty8
Facebook.com/4ourty8 | Twitter.com/4ourty8
Instagram.com/4ourty8 | YouTube.com/4ourty8