B Simm
W
hile many indepen dent rap labels are funded by crack sal and trappers turne es d rappers, B. Simm is a little different the norm. Louisville, from KY na tiv e Simm makes it cle not a dope boy, bu ar that he is t sti to be a hustler,” he ll makes dope music. “You ain’t gotta says confidently. “I touch bricks just want people to I’m a grinder and I’m just trying to pu know that t some real grind to something real tha the music, t people can feel.” And to this point, pe ople are definitely feelin’ his hustle. His gious club banger “Rope-A-Dope” pro ves that B. Simm ha contacapabilities and ma s hit-making ins potential, but don’t tream think that Stremelyne Entertai nment’s signature artist is all about club tracks, his music ha s much more depth and subject content. “I’m bringing it ba ck to real music. If you hear [my single] “Rope A Dope” and you think that I’m a dance typ e rapper, then you’re gonna be thrown for a complete loop,” he says. “I do it all. I’m 21 doing what it takes most people 30 ye ars into their life to do.” Though the Lost Cit y’s rejects the party mu Hero sic making relegation, he still know have fun with his cra s how to ft, but more importantly, he is serious about his work. When you firs his music, it become t listen to s apparent that B. Simm is no t what you would expect from your average Kentucky emcee. “In Louisville it de finitely ain’t no people walking aro straw hats and shit; und in hell naw,” he laughs. “No dis respect to the Nappy Roots, but a lot of people are thrown off by the whole country thing. It’s not really country up here.” This Louisville slugg er hopes that proving his ve rsatility will ensure future hits. “My thing is my versatility, and I bri different style. It can ng a whole ’t be classified as just South, or Ea or nothing. It’s a litt st Coast, le everything and I thi bit of nk people will really enjoy what I’m bringing to the table. I’m just gonna come in and make good mu sic, man.”
44 // OZONE MAG
Louisville, KY
Good music or not, B. Simm still has ma ny obstacles to ov of which include de ercome, most feating the typical Kentucky stereotyp thus far hindered B. es, that have Simm from nationa l prominence. Howe that in the long run ver, he feels , his hometown hu rdles will work in from Kentucky, I thi his favor. “Being nk it’s harder to op en doors, but in a helps,” he says. “It way it also ’s almost impossible for a Kentucky artist so if you can alter their mind and ma to make it, ke them see you in it’s legendary. It’s a different way, almost epic.” // Words by Eric N. Pe rrin // Photo by Eri c Johnson