“Music is everything, that’s why I chose it.” Petti started rapping around the age of 12. PH: “I used to freestyle and stuff with my boys in the hood, but after high school, like 18, it became serious.”
PH: “I grew up on 21st and Keefe. North side *LIT!” CW: “*LIT! Haaaa.” (*inside joke) CW: “How did that mold you and shape you?” PH: “Man, that’s who I am. The pop side of me comes out from watching Michael Jackson and that’s my escape. When I do pop, that’s my escape but you know the hood; that’s just what it is. You can hear it in my music, like the Trap Rock, I just try to mix both of them. I’m not saying I was like *Deebo…”
CW: “You know we interview a lot of people in Milwaukee on the music scene. And within that scene, we are seeing that there are different pockets of different types of music. Not to limit you, but you fit into one of those pockets. Do you see your ‘pocket’ receiving the same exposure that others get?”
*Friday references are just so “classic.” If you don’t know what Friday is, well……...ummm carry on.*
PH: “No. Not at all.”
The combo of influences are very visible in the essence that makes Petti Hendrix, Petti Hendrix. It appears not only in his music but also in the way he dresses.
CW: “Why do you think that is?” PH: “I don’t know. I guess it’s just because it’s different. It’s just a different crowd. I think there should be a mix and we come together. I’m building a fanbase, and I’m definitely not afraid to let others come in front of my people and perform. Because if they like you that doesn’t mean they are going to stop liking me. They will just like both of us. That’s how I would like to picture everything but I guess some people just feel some type of way. But I can only speak for me though. Anybody is welcome on my bills. Whoever! That could be hip-hop, pop, alternative, whoever.” After asking him who he has reached out to, he gave an extensive list of name drops that included a nice variety of talents. But we will keep that off the record. And we’ll ask, ‘Who wants a Petti Hendrix feature?’ With his high energy, massive street & rock appeal, and head-on approach, Petti Hendrix might just be a good look for the new age of music approaching. CW: “Where do you see yourself going with your music career? Is this your main thang or is this your side chick?” PH: “No, this is my main thang. This is how I eat. The music, the clothes and stuff. I really want to keep it independent, muthafuckas is going to have to cut me like a 7 million dollar check (if they expect him to sign). I got everything. I’m just having fun with it though.” This statement we had to confirm. Petti assured us that he has no job besides the music. His survival is based off his talent, hard work and of course ability to sale his appeal. No sponsors either. (We know about “them kind” of artist.) See that was more shade and all the petty!:
PH: “...but the hood is rough, you know what I’m sayin’? You have to adapt to it.”
Fashion is another one of Petti’s ventures. He owns the brand, Rebel Paris also known as Rebel Religion. The clothing line has an extensive line of apparel that features punk-vibe symbolism with a mixture of Hip-Hop gaudy branding. PH: “We started out going to the mall getting shirts pressed up. I started to pay attention to what they were doing and I was like ‘Shit, I can do that’. So I bought the machine and I was like ‘Hell I’ll press y’all logos too.” Then I started outsourcing. I caught a plug overseas, quick, I don’t know how that came to me, it’s like it dropped out of the hands of God...Boom! So now we get everything made. I sold the machine and all that.” He laughed. Petti has kind of just been letting things flow naturally into place and his apparel is very popular throughout the city. But you know, that’s on one end of the spectrum. CW: “What does it mean?” PH: “Just like Kanye ‘n them, you know ‘Ni**as in Paris’.” LMAO! That was not the answer we were expecting but that was the greatest answer of all time. Pop culture reference, you win again! PH: “But Paris you know; that’s paradise.” You can check out all Rebel apparel at pettihendrix.com and soon on Rebel Paris’ own website, which is in the works now. PH: “I just designed some pants and shoes, but I’m holding out on dropping those. But shout-out to Oliver Prime [owner of Among The Prime.] If he reads this, just know I need to do a collab.”
CW: “So no drug-dealing? No nothing?” (Yeah we asked! Because that’s the first thing everybody thinks of when a person says they don’t work for the powers that be. We are just bold enough to ask. You’re welcome.)
(Ehhh, Oliver turned down our offer to be featured in an earlier issue of CopyWrite but we left the shout-out in good faith that he comes from behind his hoodie and face mask to change his mind. ----> The revealing of the shade!)
PH: “Yea I sell drugs...My music is the drug.”
CW: “How do you sell your product?”
Well played! There are many who wish they could say the same. But let’s be honest, most musical dreams never make it out of the basement or the trap house.
PH: “Most of the time when we do a show, we get the clothes in and then we try to promote it. But a lot of times, when we make it to the show we only have like 10 shirts left and shit...and whoever has a Rebel Religion anything gets into the show for free.”
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