Splashgotti CEO of Grenade Gang Entertainment has been applying a lot of pressure lately. In our recent Q&A interview, the Jamaica Plain bred artist talks about what he dislikes in the industry, his mentality, influences and much more. Make sure to tap into his latest visual "Stackin" featuring Money Dollaz produced by SirLuke. Subscribe to Grenade Gang's YouTube channel and follow Splashgotti on Spotify!
Boston Culture: Where did you grow up?
Splashgotti: I was born and raised in Jamaica Plain, MA. I grew up in Forest Hills Street Apartments/Rockvale Circle. We didn't have everything but my mom worked hard to get us what we wanted.
Boston Culture: How did you get your name?
Splashgotti: Splash Gotti was a name given to me by my nephew. One day he got in trouble with his moms and I laughed a little. Since my name on the block is flash he turned around and yelled down the hall "Is that you talking Splash". It clicked when I went into the studio later that night. "Splash Gotti".
Boston Culture: Talk to us about "STACKIN" - from its inception stages to the creative visual recording process. How did you and Money Dollaz come up with the concept?
Splashgotti: We Really didn't have a concept behind the song "Stackin" I got the beat sent to me by my boy @Sirluke and when we threw the beat on I instantly came up with the hook. As soon as I showed everyone in the session Money Dollaz come up to me and starts freestyling this crazy verse. I told him to go in the booth and boom "Stackin".
Boston Culture: What was the best advice you got early in your career?
Splashgotti: The best advice I received was no matter how much shit you go through, no matter how much dirt they throw on your name on the road to success, you keep pushing and keep working. Gherbo once said there's 2 reasons why you haven't made it. 1 You haven't fully applied yourself or 2 It's just not your time yet.
Boston Culture: Walk us through the first time you ever made a song at 15.
Splashgotti: The first time I ever made a song my sis(Blokah) brought me to a studio in Norwood. I always wanted to Rap, mind you I never rapped before. She throws this beat on and I just start writing what inspired me to be on that type of time but I'm glad it clicked. Don't get me wrong; back then I really wasn't good so it this day I don't even know where that song is.
Boston Culture: Top 3 favorite producers/rappers?
Splashgotti: My top 3 favorite producers in the city are @Sirluke, @X.Onit_, @Djlost. My top 3 favorite artists in the city would have to go to my team @Sean Doe, @Money Dollaz, and @Donblokah.
Boston Culture: Walk is through your creative process in the studio. Do you like to listen to the beats first and write? Or you’re more of freestyle to try and get a nice flow?
Splashgotti: When I make songs, my process is I hear the beat a week before I have the studio session so I can go write and fix things before I actually get into the booth. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it doesn't always work like that, sometimes I don't even know what I'm going to write and I'll have a hook and freestyle the rest of the song.
Boston Culture: What do you dislike about the art world/music industry?
Splashgotti: The thing that I hate the most about the industry is the people that try to take advantage of other artists trying to achieve the same goals as you and instead of helping you, they charge you for fake services and then ghost you after. I don't pay for features unless you call me on FT and Truly Fuck with my music, share my music, show Love & By being genuine you know.
Boston Culture: Who or what are some of your biggest influences?
Splashgotti: My biggest influencer in my life is my sis Blokah. She keeps pushing me to keep making music even tho shes been in and out jail. She always finds a way to call me everyday & tell me how the grind doesn't stop.
Boston Culture: Talks to us about your younger mentality.
Splashgotti: When I was younger I wasn't really focused on my goals, I wanted to be out chilling on the block doing regular trench baby shit until I realized we can't chill on the block forever. Money is calling and if you don't pick up the next person will so I always kept that mentality and applied it to music. This music is just calling my name and after I made "Gas" people would come to me on some keep making music shit like I might not have a big fan base but they motivated me to keep pushing and it was a great feeling knowing people knew the words to my music.
Boston Culture: What do you think of the music scene in the State? Are there any other Boston producers or artists you'd potentially like to Collab with in the future?
Splashgotti: The city been blowing up the last couple of years and I'm proud to see everyone working and doing they thing and killing it. It excites me because Boston been needed this it's so much talent here but I definitely want to work with my boy @fatflee he been killing it and I know we gon kill a track or 2.
Boston Culture: Tell us about your goals for 2021.
Splashgotti: My goal for 2021 is to be humble & to keep making process for my viewers, my fans. To keep working hard and to keep stepping on necks, and dropping content. I see myself with a better knowing of how to move in the game and really just take in a lot of knowledge learning from the people around. Me shout out my by @X.Onit_and my boy @Refilms they done gave me a lot of advice and just pointed me in the right direction.
Boston Culture: Did the pandemic affect any of your plans?
Splashgotti: The pandemic definitely made me loose out on opportunities on opening up for a lot of artists and just holding us & my team back from actually getting exposure threw shows and concerts. Hopefully, we get right back up on it, and hopefully, everyone been safe during this period of time.
Boston Culture: What brands should sponsor you?
Splashgotti: I have Grenade Gang Ent. Merch coming soon for the people, but if any brands want to sponsor me or the team, we are always open to any offers or proposals.
Boston Culture: Anything else we missed you want to tell your fans?
Splashgotti: We are a local team out of JP we stand on loyalty & family so anyone that wants to collab with us on some merch, music, or just photography let us know we work with everyone. The Inevitable EP out now link in my Bio
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