The Prince of LGBT Hip-Hop: Korestacks

Prince  An adjective describing something that is especially attractive or appealing. Can be used to describe someone that has a lot of charisma. (source: Urban Dictionary)

Rarely is it that I meet an artist and fall in love at first play. Like a R. Kelly original that draws you in from the first chord it’s that feeling of pure pleasure. Recently, I was introduced to an E One Recording Artist by the name of Korestacks. Being a D.C. native, Korestacks thought it was a game until he linked up with the Boston/Baltimore Ryda. LoL.

Connecting at the release party of his recent single entitled “Love or Hate” I was in awe of his personality and swagger. He has that something about him that forces everyone in the room to wonder “Who’s that boy?” If you don’t know him when he walks in, you want to know him before he walks out. Of course, in the tradition of RAmag, I had to get up close and personal with the man behind the music. Oh yeah, did I mention he is a member of the LGBT Community? I said it, this All Masculine, All Man, All Barz Artist is Gay and not just as a trend.

According to the Bio, Korestacks was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and moved to Atlanta, Ga., in 2014 after deciding to pursue his hip-hop career. Growing up was hard, coming from a family where there was no love and affection. His childhood was built on tough love and street life, which shaped his musical sound. Kore Stacks has a background in art and dance. He attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts for two years before discovering his love of lyrics. Shortly after, Kore Stacks began to write about the pain and struggles he had endured in life, and in 2012, he wrote his first song “Cocky Nigga,” which gained massive local exposure. From there, he began to do open-mic nights and interviews. Songs such as “Pull It,” took his audiences to a new level and shaped his hardcore identity in the hip-hop realm. Korestacks’ career looked even more promising at the end of 2014, after he signed a deal with EOne Entertainment. Doing what I do best I needed to get beyond the BIO and get to know the Man Behind the Music.

DiamondKesawn: So listen, do me a favor, if you could for me, let the RAmag Readers know who the DC raised Atlanta Georgia, living hip-hop artist, person, Korestacks is?

Korestacks: Again, my name is Korestacks. I’m an E1 Distribution artist. My video just—well, both of my videos, the song that you seen at the premiere, “Love or Hate” has made WorldStarHipHop.. I’ve made Barcode Magazine cover. What else have I done? I’ve done a lot. You know, I got performance for Gay Prides over here, coming up, no matter. Yeah, so you know, I’m moving. I’m just trying to get my work heard.

DiamondKesawn: So back in the DC days when you was over Northeast, what is it that drew you to the music and made you want to be an artist?

Korestacks: I felt like no one was telling my story. You know what I’m saying? There was a lot of outcasts over here in the community just doing their thing or whatever, shout out to them. But I couldn’t relate to nobody. Like I was just like, “Where’s the substance?” But, you know, It came the day I think I perfected my craft before I jumped out there because I don’t want to be like some of them that’s stuck just out there now. You’re kind of scratching your head like, “What the hell is that?” I wanted to present my craft. I wanted to study the history of hip-hop way before my time. So that’s what I did. I just thought, “Why ain’t I perfecting my craft?” And I was like, “You know what, I’m just trying.”

DiamondKesawn: So according to your bio, it says “His childhood was built on tough love and street life which shaped his musical sound.” Then it goes on to say, “Korestacks has a background in art and dance. He attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts.” So listen, now see, I just didn’t understand how you’re going from street life to a background in arts and dance? So basically, you’re real versatile, you could go from “the streets” to “the boardroom.” What’s that?

Korestacks: No, what that situation is like at a real young age or whatever, of course, you know, I didn’t do what most of the  LGBT community was doing like with the ballroom houses or stuff like that. I wasn’t down with that. So my only way to survive, because you know, I was neglected at like 16-17, so I had to eat. So I did a lot of sad things, you know, things I regret, you know what I’m saying? I did a lot of robbing. I did a lot of, you know, “manipulus” stuff to get what I needed and I liked then. It’s not something I’m proud of.

DiamondKesawn: So there’s a story behind the music. So when we hear it, when the fans hear it, when they press play, it’s not just words on paper or words on vinyl, words on a beat. It’s actually coming from somewhere, I mean, from the struggle story.

Korestacks: Exactly. But no, just to answer your question about the whole dance thing. I came into dance basically from out of the streets and kind of to have some sustenance for myself, but that’s just to answer your question.

DiamondKesawn: So can you dance?

Korestacks: I don’t think I got it no more. I can do a little something-something, but I don’t think I got the technique still.

DiamondKesawn: So you just told us, we know, the music video has aired on WorldStarHipHop. It’s doing numbers. You got this single called “Love or Hate.” So let’s talk about this track that like you’re real mad in, because you was real angry in the booth or whatever. So this whole “Love or Hate” track, tell me where it comes from.

Korestacks: You think it’s hot? Like I think this is my thing. I think people mis-read the way I deliver, I think people say like, “Oh, he’s hard core. He’s gangsta music.” It’s not that. It’s hustle, like I take what I do real seriously, you know what I’m saying? I come from nothing. So therefore, I’m going to make you say like, “Yo, I understand him. I get it.” You know, even if you didn’t really like it. You know what I’m saying? And that’s what I want people to feel. I want people to hear the hunger. So that’s what that was. But “Love or Hate” came because I wasn’t getting the proper, and I’m still not getting the proper respect, you know what I’m saying, that I think I deserve or whatever like that. So I came up with this dope beat. And I sent it to one of the homies back from DC. His name is C. Paige. And he delivered it so like sharp. I was like, “Oh, okay. Okay.” Because I told him I was like, “Yo, I need you to be arrogant and I need you to be cocky on this track.” He sent it back to me the first take and I was in love. And I was like, “Oh, yeah. I got this.” And that’s how it became, man.

DiamondKesawn: So in a time where music such as Meek Mill’s music is dominating the radio, you not only have the opportunity to enter into a lane, but to take over a lane. So how does it feel, to be signed, to be doing what you do, to have a lane open to you, and to really be living out your dreams?

Korestacks: I had a status up early yesterday on Twitter and it’s just like, “Things are just moving so fast for me that I forget to be appreciative.” And it’s not in a cocky way, it’s because I’m so like, “Okay, I did this. So what do I got to do next?” You know what I’m saying? I’m not one of them type of people who stay in the moment, like once I conquer it, it’s attack the next mode, you know what I’m saying? So that’s basically how I look at it for right now. If I get a BET Award or Grammy, then you can ask me that. But right now, I just think I got a lot of work to do.

DiamondKesawn: So “Ambitions of a Hustler,” what are we going to get from you on this project?

Korestacks: You can get Ambitions of a Hustler on iTunes right now and that’s the first one that I had come out with. “Ambitions of a Hustler, the Greenprint” is what I’m working on right now. Because I’m a big Jay Z fan, so I wanted to say “Blueprint,” but then I ain’t want to get sued or anything. So I was like, “Okay, let me switch it up.” So I said “Greenprint.” You know, it represents money. So “hustler” = “money,” get it? But yeah, my thing about it is just like, yo, I’m just telling my story. Like, I’m telling my story, and right now, I’m in a position where now I’m writing some assigned aspect versus.

DiamondKesawn: So now, we signed. We’re doing signed things. We’ve watched you making moves. I got a game for you, it’s called “Tell Me Who.” So three questions, you have to answer them. You must tell truth. Are you ready?

Korestacks: Got you.

DiamondKesawn: Kore Stacks in the world of rhyme and reason, if you could call out one artist to go head-to-head with, bar-for-bar, until the beat stops, who is it?

Korestacks: You know what, this game is all about competition. You know what I’m saying? Like, let me ask you this, who’s hot right now of the equal stat?

DiamondKesawn: I want you to go head-to-head with Cassidy. Let’s take you back to the street.

Korestacks: I dig that, but Cassidy ain’t really Cassidy no more. But honestly, you know what will be a good competition for me like with that? I’m just going to go ahead and say Los, King Los. He’s from Baltimore as well. So you should know who he is, right?

DiamondKesawn: So next question, if you were to do a duet with any RnB or Pop female, and you know this connection will be a hit, who is she be? Now, I’m going to make it hard, old or new? So she could be let’s say, from 1995 to now.

Korestacks: I’m going to say Mya.

DiamondKesawn: But is that because she’s from your hood though?

Korestacks: No, because I think Mya don’t get the proper respect that she deserves. Like she did her thing in prior years, you know what I’m saying? She’s overlooked also. So if it was up to me, I’ll bring her back.

DiamondKesawn: Korestacks, the year is 2015, the Internet is buzzing because your sex tape just dropped. What female celebrity is your sex tape with?

Korestacks: You know what I’m going to say? I’m going to say, give me Amber Rose.

DiamondKesawn: So “Ambitions of a Hustler: The Greenprint,” is what you are working on. What else can the fan base expect from you within this upcoming quarter three, quarter four, 2016 approach? What can we expect as this E1 artist does his thing?

Korestacks: Well, you ain’t hear it from me, but I will be filming in September for a show for VH1. I can’t say what it is because I’m in contract right now. But I’m filming this one in September. It’s going to be a good look. And it’s definitely promoting my music as well. I’m not going to get on the air and act no fool either.

DiamondKesawn: Okay. So TV, so you gone go from my iTunes to my TV screen?

Korestacks: Yeah. Well, actually, I was already on Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’s—what was it?—episode 14. I was on the after party. So I did that.

DiamondKesawn: So do we have to quote that episode and everything, like episode 14, he’s in 16, like really, what’s all that for? LoL

Korestacks: Yeah, just look up Korestacks on YouTube, every single thing will come up.

DiamondKesawn: So coming up the streets, being a survivor, being able to walk in your destiny, what are your words of encouragement for that young, upcoming artist who will hear your interview and hear your music and be inspired by your story?

Korestacks: Be honest. Work hard. Have a lot of drive because this industry is not what it looks like. And in order for you to succeed in this business, you gotta really love what you do. If you don’t love what you do, you end up with some glitz and glamour, you’re done. You know what I’m saying? So really love your craft. Study your craft. And be amazing at what you do.

DiamondKesawn: So for the team and the fans, do those shout-outs to those who rock with you, who make the movement look like it looks like. And definitely, give me that social media info so we know where to find you.

Korestacks: Yeah, shout-outs for my team, Jay Productions Agency. They look out for me. They believe in me. So I do this for them. I want to give a shout-out to the homies in the team, for believing in me as well, and signing me to a wonderful agency. I want to thank all my supporters that’s been down and want to see me do it big. It’s coming real soon. Just be patient. But yeah, I’m here to bring greatness and bring something different in the industry. That’s my goal.

DiamondKesawn: Right. And when they’re ready for it, where will they find you? The Instagram, the Twitter, the Myspace, your page, YouTube?

Korestacks: Yeah, you could find me on Twitter. That’s the number 1, @1Korestacks; Instagram, @korestacks; YouTube channel, Korestacks TV. What else? That’s about it. Facebook as well, “Korestacks,” as well. Make sure you all like that fan page as well.